Abstract: Some video recording and reproducing apparatus require predetermined initialization processing and so take a certain period of time after a power is turned on until library information is displayed. Also with removable recording media, it takes time from inserting a recording medium until library information appears on a display. To address this problem, a library function and apparatus are provided which display library information before the initialization processing is completed. Further, a library function and apparatus are provided which, when a recording medium that has been recorded by other video recording and reproducing apparatus is inserted, automatically update the library information.

Abstract: When performing special reproduction with a video recording and reproducing apparatus that reproduces an AV stream, a controller of the video recording and reproducing apparatus calculates a reproduction position in AU at desired time by referring to a timestamp that is added to the head of AU of two adjacent AV streams, gives an instruction of an I-picture exclusive mode to output only I-pictures to a decoder, and reproduces an I-picture. With such arrangement, in a video recording and reproducing apparatus which records and reproduces digital TV broadcasting, it becomes possible to execute special reproduction such as fast-forwarding reproduction of data in which MPEG2-TS is recorded even if the data does not contain position information of I-picture such as SI.

Abstract: Where a clock frequency based on which encoding is performed has deviated over time, problems such as that an appropriate digital signal can not be outputted occur. To solve the problems, it is arranged such that when a decoder decodes video data and audio data, a control variable for controlling a frequency of a clock recovered by a clock generating portion is recorded as needed in a recording portion, and when the decoder decodes data recorded in the recording portion, the clock generating portion is controlled by using the control variable so that system time information generated by the counter synchronizes with time information extracted upon reception of a digital broadcasting program.

Abstract: For reproduction of transport stream (TS) from a recording medium, it is necessary to control the reproduction so as not to overflow the decoder buffer at the time of starting the reproduction and or when switching to the normal reproduction from special reproduction. At the times of starting the TS reproduction from a recording medium and switching between the normal reproduction and the special reproduction, selection is made as appropriate between a reproduction technique which performs stream output with timing similar to the input timing used for recording, and another reproduction technique which monitors data amount stored up in a decoder buffer and controls stream output in accordance with the controlled data amount.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus and an information reproducing method for it, enabling to provide “slow playback” of video/audio stream data, actually, including voices therein, comprises the flowing components, for example, a tuner portion (161, 120) for receiving a program broadcasted; a recording medium, i.e., HDD (300), for recording a signal from the tuner portion, after converting it into a predetermined format; and a display portion (200) for displaying a video/audio signal from the tuner portion or the HDD, and further, wherein the video/audio signal of the broadcasting program is reproduced at a speed, being lower than a speed when conducting a normal reproduction thereon and further being set within an allowable setup region of causing no trouble in reproduction of an audio, which is set in advance, when reproducing the video/audio signal to be outputted.

Abstract: High audibility output is realized when audio output is provided in special playback. In special playback with audio output, skip/repeat control is done so that decoding and outputting of the audio data is periodically repeated/skipped during part of one frame. The output level may be corrected so as to emphasize appropriate frequency components. This realizes good audio output. In addition, the skip/repeat control and output level correcting methods are changed according to characteristics of the audio data to be reproduced. Also, this realizes good audio output.

Abstract: Used dry cells are sorted into ultra-high power manganese dry cells and high power manganese dry cells including alkaline manganese cells. Line (I) of FIG. 1 includes crushing the ultra-high power manganese dry cells into fragments, sieving the fragments to collect a first fraction of depolarizer mass and a second fraction of metal casings, calcining the first fraction to form manganese and zinc oxides, and processing the oxides into a ferrite having a higher MnO/ZnO ratio. Line (II) of FIG. 1 includes crushing the high power manganese dry cells including alkaline manganese cells into fragments, sieving the fragments to collect a third fraction of depolarizer mass, adding zinc cans from the second fraction to the third fraction, calcining the mixture to form manganese and zinc oxides, and processing the oxides into another ferrite having a lower MnO/ZnO ratio.

Abstract: Manganese dry cells sorted out of used-up dry cells are crushed and sieved to obtain a mixture composed predominantly of anodic substances, which is in turn used for ferrite production. The invention is preferable for a saving of resources and preservation of the environment, and enables ferrites on a practical-enough level to be obtained.