Abstract: In a network system, clock signals of a server device and a client device are synchronized with each other without having any influence of a change and a delay of the transmission time of data. Therefore, in the network system in which the client device receives and reproduces information transmitted from the server device, the server device counts the number of clock pulses of a server clock signal used to compress and encode information on the basis of a power source synchronous pulse signal synchronized with a power source frequency. The server device outputs information showing the counted clock pulse number and the compressed and encoded information to the client device. The client device counts the number of clock pulses of a client clock signal used to decode and decompress the compressed and encoded information on the basis of the power source synchronous pulse signal synchronized with the power source frequency.

Abstract: During receipt of an analog broadcast, when an instruction to switch broadcast channels is received, an MPEG encoder (31) subjects a broadcast signal for the switched channel to MPEG encoding, and initially immediately sends MPEG data having one GOP made up of only one I picture to an MPEG decoder (32). The MPEG decoder (32) decodes this MPEG data (32), and a decoded video signal is output to a video signal output section. After that, the video signal output section (34) displays a still picture image signal on a display etc. until a moving image corresponding to a signal normally encoded/decoded is received.

Abstract: In a network system, clock signals of a server device and a client device are synchronized with each other without having any influence of a change and a delay of the transmission time of data.