Abstract: The data processor of the present invention can play back video and audio synchronously from an optical disk, on which video and audio data are stored in different areas. Each area consists of one or more unit areas. The data processor includes: a playback control section for giving instructions on how to read the video and audio data and how to play back the video and audio based on the read data; a head for reading the data from one of the unit areas after another in accordance with the instructions; and audio and video buffers for retaining the audio and video data read. The playback control section instructs that the audio data be read from a predetermined one of the unit areas to the audio buffer memory, and then instructs that the video data, which is to be played back over first and second periods of time, be read from a number n (where n is an integer equal to or greater than two) of unit areas to the video buffer.

Abstract: A data processor that reads and writes data from/on a storage medium. The storage medium has stored thereon a first data stream being represented by a video signal that has been encoded by a first encoding process. The data processor includes: a controller, which acquires first playlist information to manage playback of the first data stream; a stream generating section for generating a second data stream by encoding the video signal by a second encoding process, which is different from the first encoding process; and a management section for producing second playlist information based on the second data stream and the first playlist information so as to manage an order in which the second data stream is played back.

Abstract: Each of a first data stream in a first format and a second data stream in a second format is an arrangement of a plurality of data units, each including compressed and encoded video data. In the first and second formats, first and second time ranges are respectively set to define a permissible variation in the video playback duration of the respective data units. The method includes the steps of: receiving a content representing the video; generating the compressed and encoded video data of the content; making the data units out of the video data such that the playback duration of each said data unit falls within both of the first and second time ranges; and recording the first data stream, including the data units, on the storage medium.

Abstract: A data processor according to the present invention reads and writes data from/on a storage medium. The storage medium has stored thereon a first data stream being represented by a video signal that has been encoded by a first encoding process. The data processor includes: a controller, which acquires first playlist information to manage playback of the first data stream; a stream generating section for generating a second data stream by encoding the video signal by a second encoding process, which is different from the first encoding process; and a management section for producing second playlist information based on the second data stream and the first playlist information so as to manage an order in which the second data stream is played back.

Abstract: A data processor (10) according to the present invention includes: a video signal receiving section (100) for receiving a video signal representing video and aspect information to control aspect ratio of the video; an audio signal receiving section (102) for receiving an audio signal representing audio; a detecting section (104) for detecting the aspect information from the video signal; a stream generating section (101) for generating encoded data by encoding the video and audio signals by a predetermined encoding technique and also generating an encoded stream as a set of the encoded data; management information generating section (106) for generating management information to manage the encoded stream being processed, the management information including the aspect information for each set of the encoded data; and a writing section (120) for storing the management information and the encoded stream as at least one file on a storage medium.

Abstract: The data processor of the present invention can play back video and audio synchronously from an optical disk, on which video and audio data are stored in different areas. Each area consists of one or more unit areas. The data processor includes: a playback control section for giving instructions on how to read the video and audio data and how to play back the video and audio based on the read data; a head for reading the data from one of the unit areas after another in accordance with the instructions; and audio and video buffers for retaining the audio and video data read. The playback control section instructs that the audio data be read from a predetermined one of the unit areas to the audio buffer memory, and then instructs that the video data, which is to be played back over first and second periods of time, be read from a number n (where n is an integer equal to or greater than two) of unit areas to the video buffer.

Abstract: Extended information capable of defining the reproduction sequence of still images is provided in the management information of program information for defining the reproduction sequence of animated images recorded on an information recording medium, whereby a program in which animated images and still images are mixed is attained. Recording of a program including only still images is attained, and a user-defined program in which the user defines reproduction sequence for the program including mixed still images is also attained.

Abstract: There is provided file management capable of recovering a reference relationship easily even when a path name is changed while a file is being referred to using the path name. In a recording/reproducing apparatus for managing information to be recorded/reproduced as files, using file system information having a directory hierarchical structure that can be referred to by a path name, and managing directories and files, using contents management information containing object management information referred to by object reference information on the path name, when information on a recording medium is updated by a recording/reproducing part, information on the update (e.g., a unique ID) is recorded in both the file system information and the object management information.

Abstract: A server 10 includes (i) an I/O unit 12 for obtaining terminal characteristic information I100 indicating data processing on client terminals A, B and C from the client terminals A, B and C respectively; (ii) a terminal characteristic information processing unit 15 for determining a manner of allocating server resources based on the terminal characteristic information I100 obtained by the I/O unit 12; (iii) a control unit 11 for sending and receiving data to and from the client terminals A, B and C and processing the data based on a manner of handling the data determined by the terminal characteristic information processing unit 15; and (iv) a recording unit 14.