Abstract: A content reception and reproduction apparatus and content reception and reproduction method capable of avoiding the discontinuity of content reproduction and preventing the user from experiencing an unpleasant feeling, such as irritation or anxiety, so that the user can pleasantly enjoy the content, has an auxiliary content acquiring mechanism to acquire a reproducible content other than a main content, as an auxiliary content. A content switching mechanism switches a content for reproduction by a reproduction mechanism to any one of the main content and the auxiliary content. The main content for reproduction is switched to the auxiliary content when the amount of accumulation of the main contents falls short of a predetermined reference amount during a reproduction of the main contents. The content for reproduction is returned to the main content when the amount of accumulation exceeds the reference amount.

Abstract: There are provided a window setting means for setting a window in a high resolution picture, the window being smaller than the picture; a window moving means for moving the window set by the window setting means at such a predetermined interval that an area in which the window and at least an adjacent window overlap each other exists; an image cutout means for cutting out an image of an area defined by the window, whenever the window is moved; and a picture generation means for generating a large picture by conducting dynamic image processing on images cut out by the image cutout means. By generating an artificial dynamic image, it is made possible to handle a high resolution dynamic picture having a wide area which can be handled almost as a still picture and a frequently changing area, as a dynamic image.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a simultaneous picture recording and reproducing method and apparatus capable of readily storing a plurality of simultaneous independent picture information and efficiently storing or reproducing information while continuously storing a new piece of independent picture information.