Abstract: During recording of an MPEG information signal on a record carrier, transport packets (Pk) are stored in signal blocks in a track on the record carrier. x transport packets of the MPEG information signal are stored in the second block sections (SB) of y signal blocks, where x and y are integers, x?1 and y>1, more specifically, y>x. Further, third block sections (TB) are present in one or more of the second block sections in the y signal blocks of a group for storing additional information, this additional information relating to the specific application of recording and reproducing the MPEG information signal on/from the record carrier.

Abstract: A method of transmitting timing critical data via an asynchronous channel without changing any datum to be transmitted. The timing critical data can be an MPEG transport stream. The asynchronous channel can be a computer or telephone network, a digital storage media such as a digital VCR, or a digital interface. The method involves tagging each transmission unit of the data stream, before inputting to the channel, with timing information, and using the timing information at the output end of the channel to recreate the proper data timing, Various schemes are described for packing the timing information tags with each or a plurality of transmission units.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording a digital information signal in the form of an information file on a record carrier includes input apparatus for receiving the digital information signal, processing apparatus for processing the digital information signal into an information file, and writing apparatus for writing the information file on the record carrier in sections having a predetermined memory size. The apparatus further includes apparatus for generating characteristic point information (CPI) for inclusion in a CPI sequence. The characteristic point information identifies a characteristic point in the information file. The CPI sequence is formatted and CPI information for several CPI sequences is shared.

Abstract: Real time information, such as a digital video signal, is supplied and simultaneously received, converted into/from blocks of information in channel's signals and read/written from/onto a disc-like record carrier. Read/write-scheduling algorithms are used for reading/writing blocks of information recorded in fixed sized fragment areas on the record carrier. Typically one writing action and a plurality of readings actions are used in one read/write cycle of either a fixed duration or of a variable duration. The invention provides for reading and writing of edited files and re-ordering of read actions in a read/write cycle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for deriving an ancillary signal from a compressed digital video signal (e.g. MPEG). The ancillary signal comprises selected parts of the main signal, for example, the DC coefficients of I-pictures, or the unscrambled parts. The ancillary signal thus obtained can be used for display in a (multi-) picture-in-picture television receiver, or as an “appetizer” in order to encourage the user to pay a subscription fee. The ancillary signal can separately be recorded in digital video recorders so as to assist the user in finding the beginning of a scrambled program on tape. The ancillary signal can also be generated at the transmitter end and transmitted at a low bit rate. A decoder for decoding such an ancillary signal is considerably simpler and less expensive than a full-spec MPEG decoder.

Abstract: During recording of an MPEG information signal on a record carrier, transport packets (Pk) are stored in signal blocks in a track on the record carrier. x transport packets of the MPEG information signal are stored in the second block sections (SB) of y signal blocks, where x and y are integers, x≧1 and y>1, more specifically, y>x. Further, third block sections (TB) are present in one or more of the second block sections in the y signal blocks of a group for storing additional information, this additional information relating to the specific application of recording and reproducing the MPEG information signal on/from the record carrier.

Abstract: Various measures are proposed for enabling simultaneous reading and writing of real time information, such as a digital video signal, from/onto a disc-like record carrier. The measures embody a requirement to the size of the blocks of information recorded in fixed sized fragment areas on the record carrier. Further, measures are disclosed to enable reproduction and seamless editing. The seamless editing method requires the generation of one or more bridging blocks to be recorded in fixed size fragment areas on the disk like record carrier.

Abstract: A method of transmitting timing critical data via an asynchronous channel without changing any datum to be transmitted. The timing critical data can be an MPEG transport stream. The asynchronous channel can be a computer or telephone network, a digital storage media such as a digital VCR, or a digital interface. The method involves tagging each transmission unit of the data stream, before inputting to the channel, with timing information, and using the timing information at the output end of the channel to recreate the proper data timing, Various schemes are described for packing the timing information tags with each or a plurality of transmission units.

Abstract: A method of transmitting timing critical data via an asynchronous channel without changing any datum to be transmitted. The timing critical data can be an MPEG transport stream. The asynchronous channel can be a computer or telephone network, a digital storage media such as a digital VCR, or a digital interface. The method involves tagging each transmission unit of the data stream, before inputting to the channel, with timing information, and using the timing information at the output end of the channel to recreate the proper data timing. Various schemes are described for packing the timing information tags with each or a plurality of transmission units.

Abstract: During recording of an MPEG information signal on a record carrier, transport packets (Pk) are stored in signal blocks in a track on the record carrier. x transport packets of the MPEG information signal are stored in the second block sections (SB) of y signal blocks, where x and y are integers, x≧1 and y>1, more specifically, y>x. Further, third block sections (TB) are present in one or more of the second block sections in the y signal blocks of a group for storing additional information, this additional information relating to the specific application of recording and reproducing the MPEG information signal on/from the record carrier.

Abstract: During recording of an MPEG information signal on a record carrier, transport packets (Pk) are stored in signal blocks in a track on the record carrier. x transport packets of the MPEG information signal are stored in the second block sections (SB) of y signal blocks, where x and y are integers, x≧1 and y>1, more specifically, y>x. Further, third block sections (TB) are present in one or more of the second block sections in the y signal blocks of a group for storing additional information, this additional information relating to the specific application of recording and reproducing the MPEG information signal on/from the record carrier.

Abstract: The size of the blocks of information recorded in fixed-sized fragment areas on a record carrier are controlled to enable simultaneous reading and writing of real-time information, such as a digital video signal, from/onto a disc-like record carrier. Also, one or more bridging blocks are recorded in the fixed-size fragment areas on the record carrier to enable reproduction and seamless editing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for deriving an ancillary signal from a compressed digital video signal (e.g. MPEG). The ancillary signal comprises selected parts of the main signal, for example, the DC coefficients of I-pictures, or the unscrambled parts. The ancillary signal thus obtained can be used for display in a (multi-) picture-in-picture television receiver, or as an “appetizer” in order to encourage the user to pay a subscription fee. The ancillary signal can separately be recorded in digital video recorders so as to assist the user in finding the beginning of a scrambled program on tape. The ancillary signal can also be generated at the transmitter end and transmitted at a low bit rate. A decoder for decoding such an ancillary signal is considerably simpler and less expensive than a full-spec MPEG decoder.

Abstract: A program is selected from a plurality of programs in an MPEG transport stream for recording on a record carrier. The presence of a program clock reference (PCR) value in a packet in the stream is detected. The packet identifier for the packet is retrieved and stored. Clock reference signals of subsequent packets with a packet identifier equal to the stored packet identifier, are retrieved. The program clock references are used to synchronize a clock counter. Each recorded packet is time stamped according to the clock counter. If clock reference signal is not received within 100 ms, then a packet with a PCR value with a different packet identifier is retrieved and the stored packet identified is replaced by the different packet identifier.

Abstract: A recording arrangement is provided for recording trick mode information in portions of tracks, so as to enable a trick mode during reproduction in a reproducing arrangement. The recording arrangement includes an input terminal (11) for receiving the digital video signal, a trick play signal generating unit (80) for deriving a trick play signal from the digital video signal, and an error correction encoding unit (26,28,81). The error correction encoding unit is adapted to carry out an error correction encoding step on the digital video signal and the trick play signal, such that an additional error correction encoding step is carried out on the trick play data.

Abstract: A data bus system comprises a number of stations which are interconnected via a bus. The bus has a limited data transmission capacity available. From a transmitter station a resource control station reads which part of the available transmission capacity is required for the relevant transmitter. The resource control station allocates the required transmission capacity to the relevant transmitter station if adequate transmission capacity is available; it is only in that case that transmission by the relevant transmitter station is enabled.

Abstract: A method of transmitting timing critical data via an asynchronous channel without changing any datum to be transmitted. The timing critical data can be an MPEG transport stream. The asynchronous channel can be a computer or telephone network, a digital storage media such as a digital VCR, or a digital interface. The method involves tagging each transmission unit of the data stream, before inputting to the channel, with timing information, and using the timing information at the output end of the channel to recreate the proper data timing. Various schemes are described for packing the timing information tags with each or a plurality of transmission units.

Abstract: A device for deriving an ancillary signal from a compressed digital video signal (e.g. MPEG), wherein the ancillary signal includes selected parts of the main signal, for example, the DC coefficients of I-pictures, or the unscrambled parts, which parts can be used for display in a (multi-) picture-in-picture television receiver, or as an "appetizer" in order to encourage the user to pay a subscription fee, is described. The ancillary signal can separately be recorded in digital video recorders so as to assist the user in finding the beginning of a scrambled program on tape. The ancillary signal can also be generated at the transmitter end and transmitted at a low bit rate. A decoder for decoding such an ancillary signal is considerably simpler and less expensive than a full-spec MPEG decoder. A decoding method is also described.

Abstract: A first digital information signal, such as a digital video signal, is recorded in MPEG encoded form in the form of first packets in first track portions (TP.sub.1) on a record carrier. Program information contained packets (P.sub.0 ') are also recorded in the first track portions. In a subsequent editing step, an additional information signal, such as an audio signal, is MPEG encoded into second packets and recorded in second track portions (TP.sub.2) of the tracks. In order to enable a reproduction of the video signal and the additional audio signal in a later reproduction step, the program information contained packets (P.sub.0 ') recorded in the first track portions are such that the program information indicates that the first packets and at least the second packets belong together.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, for recording an information signal in at least one track on a record carrier. The information signal comprises packets (P.sub.i) that may occur irregularly as a function of time in the serial datastream of the information signal. The apparatus comprises an input terminal for receiving the information signal, a channel encoding unit for channel encoding the information signal into a channel encoded information signal and a writing unit for writing the channel encoded information signal in said at least one track on the record carrier. The channel encoded information signal comprises frames of information. A frame of information may be recorded in a group of n subsequent tracks (Tr0 to Tr11), when the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus of the helical scan type, where n is an integer larger than 1. The apparatus further comprises a time stamp generator unit for generating time stamps (TS.sub.