Abstract: The present invention enhances user friendliness of a system which is controlled by use of on-screen display by disabling the operation of these devices if it not permitted. According to the invention, when a recording of a received program is attempted, the program is checked for copy protection. If the program is found copy protected, a warning thereof is displayed and control of a recording/reproducing device concerned is disabled. This warning display allows the user to determine whether or not a program being received is copy protected beforehand, thereby preventing the video signal containing a copy protection control signal from being recorded on the recording/reproducing device. In addition, according to the invention, when a record button is pressed, it becomes a record stop button, being put in the selected state. This further enhances the user friendliness.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to software downloading by use of a storage medium. If a semiconductor memory has been loaded when the power is turned on, the CPU determines whether the root directory of the semiconductor memory has a desired directory and, if this directory is found, whether software having a predetermined extension exists in this directory. If the software is found in the directory, namely, if the software to be downloaded is found, the CPU downloads this software from the semiconductor memory.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to software downloading by use of a storage medium. If a semiconductor memory has been loaded when the power is turned on, the CPU determines whether the root directory of the semiconductor memory has a desired directory and, if this directory is found, whether software having a predetermined extension exists in this directory. If the software is found in the directory, namely, if the software to be downloaded is found, the CPU downloads this software from the semiconductor memory.

Abstract: The present invention enhances user friendliness of a system which is controlled by use of on-screen display by disabling the operation of these devices if it not permitted. According to the invention, when a recording of a received program is attempted, the program is checked for copy protection. If the program is found copy protected, a warning thereof is displayed and control of a recording/reproducing device concerned is disabled. This warning display allows the user to determine whether or not a program being received is copy protected beforehand, thereby preventing the video signal containing a copy protection control signal from being recorded on the recording/reproducing device. In addition, according to the invention, when a record button is pressed, it becomes a record stop button, being put in the selected state. This further enhances the user friendliness.