Abstract: An information signal recording apparatus for compression-encoding video data comprising a search picture generating block AND a color signal compensating block. The search picture generating block decreases the bit length of a component of a luminance signal and the bit length of a component of a color signal of an intra-coded data of the compression-encoded video data to generate search picture data, and the color signal level compensating block compensates the signal level of part or all the color signal for one frame so that the signal level increases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic tape recording apparatus which can record digital image data sufficient to allow a good image to be displayed upon variable speed reproduction in the long time mode. When image data for variable speed reproduction (for example, sixteenfold speed reproduction) is recorded discretely at positions which are traced by a rotary head upon variable speed reproduction, in the long time mode, the number of recording times of image data for same variable speed reproduction is increased and the number of sync blocks recorded in one recording operation is decreased when compared with those in recording in the standard mode. For example, in the standard mode, six sync blocks are recorded three times, but in the long time mode, four sync blocks are recorded four times. The present invention can be applied to a recording and reproduction apparatus which displays a good image upon variable speed reproduction.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording information on a predetermined recording medium includes a creation unit for creating search data from main image data; and a recording unit for recording the search data created by the creation unit and the main image data on the recording medium, wherein the creation unit creates first data by which an image can be displayed over one entire one screen, and second data for enhancing the image quality of the image displayed by the first data each as the search data, and the recording unit records the first data and the second data in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: Magnetic tape tracking control apparatus and method, magnetic tape format, recording medium and program for controlling tracking of tracks on a magnetic tape by a rotary head are disclosed. The magnetic tape tracking control apparatus comprises a first generating element for encoding an inputted video signal to generate the video data, a second generating element for generating search video data on the basis of the video data generated by the first generating element and a recording element for recording, on the tracks, the video data generated by the first generating element, the search video data generated by second generating element and positional information associated with a recording position of the search video data.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording apparatus uses a rotary head to record digital data on a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape recording apparatus includes a first acquisition unit for acquiring a first group of data including video data, audio data, or search data, a second acquisition unit for acquiring a second group of data including subcode data related to the first group of data, a synthesizing unit for synthesizing data by combining the first group of data and the second group of data so that both groups of data are continuous on the tracks of the magnetic tape without being separated, and a supply unit for supplying the synthesized data to the rotary head so that the synthesized data is recorded on the magnetic tape.

Abstract: Data for variable-speed reading (such as 16-times-faster reading) is distributed and recorded at positions where a trace is to be made during the variable-speed reading. When data recording is performed by an MPEG method, for example, data for generating an I picture is recorded.

Abstract: Since a search picture comprises only DC components, an I picture decoder extracts DC components from components of a luminance signal and color difference signals of a macro block of an I picture. A color signal of picture data that is output from the I picture decoder is supplied to a color signal level compensating block. The compensated color signal is supplied to a search data generating block. The search data generating block generates search picture data in accordance with a method prescribed in a predetermined standard. When the bit length of color difference data is decreased, data of pixels whose levels are low become 0 and a search picture becomes colorless. To prevent those problems, a color signal level compensating block compensates the signal level of part or all the color signal for one frame so that the signal level increases.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus can obtain a high quality still picture imaging signal in the all pixels read out mode and output it by means of an output processing means adapted to the interlaced read out mode. The imaging signal read out from a CCD image sensor 23 in the interlaced read out mode is directly supplied to a DV recording/reproducing processing section 4 by way of a camera signal processing circuit 24. The imaging signal read out from said CCD image sensor 23 in the apparatus is converted into an interlaced signal by a scan conversion section 3A, which is then supplied to the DV recording/reproducing processing section 4.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic tape recording apparatus which can record digital image data sufficient to allow a good image to be displayed upon variable speed reproduction in the long time mode. When image data for variable speed reproduction (for example, sixteenfold speed reproduction) is recorded discretely at positions which are traced by a rotary head upon variable speed reproduction, in the long time mode, the number of recording times of image data for same variable speed reproduction is increased and the number of sync blocks recorded in one recording operation is decreased when compared with those in recording in the standard mode. For example, in the standard mode, six sync blocks are recorded three times, but in the long time mode, four sync blocks are recorded four times. The present invention can be applied to a recording and reproduction apparatus which displays a good image upon variable speed reproduction.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording information on a predetermined recording medium includes a creation unit for creating search data from main image data; and a recording unit for recording the search data created by the creation unit and the main image data on the recording medium, wherein the creation unit creates first data by which an image can be displayed over one entire one screen, and second data for enhancing the image quality of the image displayed by the first data each as the search data, and the recording unit records the first data and the second data in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: In order to freely control the ratio of video data to search data so as to record them, an MPEG video encoder codes an input video picture in order to create video data. A search-data creation circuit creates search data based on the video data and adds a macro block address to the search data.

Abstract: Magnetic tape tracking control apparatus and method, magnetic tape format, recording medium and program for controlling tracking of tracks on a magnetic tape by a rotary head are disclosed. The magnetic tape tracking control apparatus comprises a first generating element for encoding an inputted video signal to generate the video data, a second generating element for generating search video data on the basis of the video data generated by the first generating element and a recording element for recording, on the tracks, the video data generated by the first generating element, the search video data generated by second generating element and positional information associated with a recording position of the search video data.

Abstract: Data for variable-speed reading (such as 16-times-faster reading) is distributed and recorded at positions where a trace is to be made during the variable-speed reading. When data recording is performed by an MPEG method, for example, data for generating an I picture is recorded.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording apparatus uses a rotary head to record digital data on a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape recording apparatus includes a first acquisition unit for acquiring a first group of data including video data, audio data, or search data, a second acquisition unit for acquiring a second group of data including subcode data related to the first group of data, a synthesizing unit for synthesizing data by combining the first group of data and the second group of data so that both groups of data are continuous on the tracks of the magnetic tape without being separated, and a supply unit for supplying the synthesized data to the rotary head so that the synthesized data is recorded on the magnetic tape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reproducing digital information recorded in tracks of a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape. A track number and a synchronization block number may be utilized to detect a trace phase. Such trace phase and a reference trace phase may be used to produce a phase error which is used to control the tape speed. As a result, the tape traveling speed may be controlled with a relatively high accuracy.

Abstract: A connector device for connecting information-handling apparatus has a common jack connected to a first information-handling apparatus, a plurality of plugs connected respectively to a plurality of second information-handling apparatus having respective different impedances, the plugs being selectively connectable to the jack, and a determining circuit for, when one of the plugs is connected to the common jack, applying a predetermined voltage to a contact of the connected plug through an impedance element, detecting a voltage between the contact of the connected plug and a ground contact thereof, detecting an impedance between the contact of the connected plug and the ground contact thereof depending on the detected voltage, and determining the type of the plug or the type of the second information-handling apparatus connected to the plug depending on the detected impedance.

Abstract: A variable-speed playback apparatus and method for reproducing digital video signals recorded in tracks of a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape. A track number and a synchronization block number may be obtained from the magnetic tape and utilized to form a trace phase. Such trace phase is compared to a reference trace phase so as to obtain a phase error which is used to control the tape speed. As a result, the tape traveling speed may be controlled with a relatively high accuracy.