Abstract: A video tape recorder operating apparatus operates a video cassette recorder comprehending a recorder body and a remote controller. A first key group including a pause key and a VCR/TV switchover key is provided on the recorder body 10 for instructing the basic operations thereof, and a second key group including a menu-mode key and a select key is provided on the remote controller 18 for instructing secondary operations, such as menu display in the menu mode and the selection of processes itemized therein, which are different from the basic operations. With this apparatus, the first key group can be empowered to instruct the secondary operations.

Abstract: A processing system and a recording/reproducing system for a digital signal including a digital video signal and a digital audio signal. Upon transmission, the digital signal is transmitted after time-base compression and modulation. The transmitted signal is received and demodulated. In the case where the signal is to be transmitted to a plurality of recording/reproducing systems, address signals designating ones of the plural recording/reproducing systems and a control signal for controlling the start/stop of recording are transmitted. The recording by the recording/reproducing system is controlled so that it is made with the same format in either normal-speed or high-speed mode or in either normal or multiple recording mode.

Abstract: Low-frequency components of a reproduced modulated signal is attenuated by an analog high-pass filter. The modulated signal with its low-frequency components attenuated is converted into a digital signal by means of an A/D converter. Then, the digital signal is directly introduced to a finite impulse response digital filter to be subjected to reproduced waveform equalization. Thereafter, the attenuation of the low-frequency components effected by the analog high-pass filter is compensated in an infinite impulse response digital filter.

Abstract: A digital signal recording and reproducing apparatus are disclosed which can record digital data of the advanced television (ATV) system or some other digital data onto a recording medium without the necessity of displacing recording areas for sub codes of the recording medium and can thus make effective use of the recording capacity of the recording medium. When an ordinary television signal is to be recorded, the length of the Inter Block Gap IBG and amble areas between an audio signal recording area and a video signal recording area is set to an integral number of times the length of a synchronizing block of a digital audio signal and a digital video signal. When data of the ATV system or like data are to be recorded, the data are recorded continuously from the audio signal recording area to the video signal recording area.

Abstract: Digital audio signals and a conventional audio track are recorded on a motion picture film by error correction encoding digital audio data to be recorded on the film, sequentially arranging the error encoded digital audio data in a direction perpendicular to the direction of advancement of the film by utilizing two areas or more of an area in the vicinity of one end of the film which is parallel with the other end of the film and which is laid between it and one end portion of an analog sound track or an area near the other end of the analog sound track, and recording the same.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for a DVCR having a reverse operation function includes a data restoring portion for restoring a serial clock and reverse-serial data from an input signal; a servo portion for outputting a reverse-playback signal; an ID detector for detecting an ID to thereby output first and second segment end signals; and a sync signal detector for detecting a block sync signal and a signal indicative of an initial position of a track for reverse playback, using the serial clock and reverse-serial data from the data restoring portion and the first and second segment end signals from the ID detector. The reproducing apparatus enables reverse playback as well as reverse playback skip play.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a digital signal reproducing apparatus which can correctly reproduce a digital signal by suppressing a deterioration in decoding performance of a Viterbi decoding even when an asymmetry occurs in an information digital signal read from an optical disc. An amplitude-limited sample value is obtained by limiting an amplitude of a sample value obtained by sampling the read signal up to a predetermined amplitude limit value. The amplitude limit sample values are Viterbi decoded on the basis of a plurality of prediction samples including prediction sample whose values are respectively equal to the predetermined upper and lower amplitude limit values.

Abstract: A data processing system (10) is disclosed which comprises a microprocessor host (12) coupled to a decoding system (14). A host interface block (18) receives a bit stream and passes bit stream on to a system decoder block (20). The system decoder block (20) extracts the appropriate data from the bit stream and loads an input buffer (24) or an optional external buffer (26). An audio decoder block (28) retrieves the data from the input buffer (24) and generates scale factor indices, bit per code word values and subband samples which are stored in an arithmetic unit buffer (30). A hardware filter arithmetic unit block (32) retrieves the information from the arithmetic unit buffer (30) and dequantizes, transforms and filters the data to generate PCM output data which is loaded into a PCM buffer (34). The data within the PCM buffer (34) is output by a PCM output block (36) to a digital-to-analog converter (16).

Abstract: In a synchronous read channel for magnetic recording, a timing recovery phase-locked loop (PLL) comprises an improved discrete time frequency error detector for locking the PLL to a sinusoidal reference signal. The sinusoidal reference signal is sampled, and a frequency error is computed using three sample values which span more than half a period of the reference signal. Consequently, the frequency error detector is not affected by a DC offset in the reference signal, and it is less susceptible to noise due to an increase in sensitivity.

Abstract: In an encoding circuit for a digital video signal, a digital video signal is subjected to given orthogonal transform to be converted into corresponding conversion data. Components of the conversion data are scanned in a given order to generate a main data sequence from the conversion data. The main data sequence is separated into at least two sub data sequences. A first of the two sub data sequences is encoded into corresponding words of a given variable-length code. A second of the two sub data sequences is encoded into corresponding words of the variable-length code.

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating and supplying the information includes a unit for encoding the information signals having an overall length of L seconds at a speed of V bits per second where L>0 and V>0, a memory unit for repeatedly reading out the entire region of the memory unit at a speed of (N.times.V) bits per second, a decoding unit for decoding the read-out information signals for recovering N information signal strings so that, during such decoding, each of the N information signal strings is separated from one another by a time phase equal to L/N, and a unit for selecting one of the N information signal strings so that the original information signals are supplied at the speed of V bits per second with the overall length of L seconds. In this manner, it becomes possible to cope with increase in the number of users and picture or speech signals of long time duration.

Abstract: There is provided a recording/reproducing apparatus, e.g., digital video tape recorder, etc., applicable to a transmission system sufficiently utilizing communication capacity. The recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a recording element (e.g., rotary head) for recording, onto a recording medium (e.g., magnetic tape), time base compression processing implemented digital data delivered from the external, e.g., broadcasting station side, etc.; a control circuit for carrying out a control to read out the digital data from the recording medium at a speed lower than a recording speed in dependency upon the time base compression processing implemented to the digital data; and an output circuit for outputting, as a reproduced output, digital data which has been read out from the recording medium.

Abstract: A data compressor codes each frame of a digital input signal with both equal length coding and unequal length coding and selects the coding requiring fewer bits to code the frame as a frame of the compressed digital signal provided by the data compressor. Also included in the compressed digital signal is a decision signal that indicates the coding of the frame. In a variation, the input signal is divided in frequency into plural frequency ranges and a frequency range signal in each frequency range is coded with both equal length coding and unequal length coding. For each frequency range, the coding requiring fewer bits to code each frame of the frequency range signal is selected and included in the compressed digital signal. A decision signal for each frequency range is included in the compressed digital signal. A complementary data expander extracts the decision signal from the compressed digital signal.

Abstract: A digital audio synchronous player includes a memory, a first reading circuit, a second reading circuit, a word clock signal generating circuit, and synchronizing signal generating circuit. The memory stores audio data having a plurality of words which represent digitally recorded audio signals, together with data relating to recording conditions. The first reading circuit reads out said audio data stored in said memory. The second reading circuit reads out said data relating to recording conditions stored in said memory. The word clock signal generating circuit generates a word clock signal each time a number of words of said audio data read by said first reading circuit reaches a value determined based on said data relating to recording conditions read by said second reading circuit. The synchronizing signal generating circuit generates a synchronizing signal based on said word clock signal.

Abstract: A signal processing system comprises inputs for an analog audio signal and a digital data signal. The digital data signal is modulated to an analog data signal in an inaudible frequency band. Filters are used to ensure that the audio signal is restricted to audible frequencies and that the analog data signal is restricted to inaudible frequencies. The two analog signals are then combined into a composite analog signal. The composite signal is stored on a medium such as a compact disc. Filters are used to extract and separate the two analog signals from the composite signal stored on the medium. The analog data signal is demodulated to retrieve the original digital data signal.

Abstract: A video signal reproduction or record/reproduction apparatus comprises a first playback circuit reproducing a normal video signal from a recording medium and outputting a reproduced normal video signal to a TV receiver, and a second playback circuit reproducing a high definition video signal from the recording medium and outputting a reproduced high definition video signal to the TV receiver. The type of a reproduced video signal is judged. When the judgement result indicates that the type of the reproduced video signal is a normal video signal, the first playback circuit is allowed to output the reproduced normal video signal to the TV receiver while the second playback circuit is enforced to mute the reproduced high definition video signal.

Abstract: A digital signal reproducing apparatus which is capable of suppressing jitter in a reproduced clock signal, even if recording information is highly densely recorded on a recording medium, to provide reproduced digital signals with a low error ratio. A signal read from the recording medium is sampled at the timing of the reproduced clock signal, to produce a sequence of sampled values. The phase of the reproduced clock signal is corrected based on a sampled value derived in an edge section of a recorded signal which occurs when recording signal portions having a run length longer than a predetermined length are consecutively read, among sample value series obtained by sampling the read signal, which is read-out from the recording medium, at the timing of the reproduced clock signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for recording video signals in a plurality of tracks on a recording medium. In certain embodiments, first and second video signal intervals include respective first and second common sub-area signals representing at least one common sub-area of a video screen. The common sub-area signals of the first and second video signal intervals are recorded at respectively different locations within the plurality of tracks. In certain embodiments, component color video signals including luminance signals and first and second color difference signals are divided into a plurality of discrete cosine transformation (DCT) blocks and blocks representing common respective subdivisions of a video screen are assembled into corresponding macro blocks. Adjacent macro blocks are assembled into super macro blocks which, in turn, are arranged in a shuffled sequence relative to the positions of their subdivisions on the video screen for recording in the shuffled sequence.

Abstract: A data interleaving method for a digital recording system providing increased error correction capacity includes steps for determining a moduli number (NMod) in accordance with the number of fields per frame and the number of segments per field, assigning a number from zero to NMod-1 for each track, determining macro-blocks to be recorded on each track in accordance with a remainder value obtained by dividing a macro-block number assigned to each macro-block by the moduli number, and the number assigned to the each track paired with recording the data for respective macro-blocks determined for each track. A corresponding apparatus adapted to perform the above-described method is also described. The method and apparatus advantageously increase the error correction capacity of respective error correction codes.

Abstract: A video system is arranged to record, on a second recording medium of a relatively small capacity, a given period portion of a video signal relating to an image plane representing each of varied programs included in the video signal and information on a recorded position of each of the programs on a first recording medium which has a relatively large capacity.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording digital data comprised of a plurality of recording blocks on a recording medium includes a grouping circuit which makes a group of the digital data according to a predetermined time-based interval, A sequence number generator divides the group into "N" sequences. "N" is an integer. A data block generator divides the input data in each sequence into a plurality of data blocks. A sequence number generator generates a sequence number for each data blocks associated with each recording blocks, An ID block generator generates an ID information of each data block based on the sequence number. A recording block generator generates the recording block based on the ID information and the data block.

Abstract: A video signal recording apparatus includes a high band signal recording process unit wherein a high band signal separated from a video signal is transmitted to a low band to thereby be compressed and be outputted to a vertical retrace line interval by control of a control units, a recording unit for recording on a recording medium the high band signal and a video signal processed for the high band signal recording process unit, and a video signal reproducing apparatus includes a reproducing unit for reproducing a video signal recorded on the recording medium and high band signal reproducing process unit wherein, among the signals reproduced in the reproducing unit, a high band signal reproduced and compressed in a vertical retrace line interval is restored to thereby be transmitted to a high band and outputted.

Abstract: Whether or not a luminance signal or an HD input signal is input to a picture signal recording apparatus is detected, and a recording mode is determined according to the detection of the luminance signal in a recording mode determining unit. In cases where the luminance signal is detected, first and second color difference signals of the HD input signal are alternately deleted on every scanning line. Thereafter, the luminance signal pertaining to odd-numbered scanning lines and the first color difference signal are time-compressed and multiplexed on every scanning line, and the luminance signal pertaining to even-numbered scanning lines and the second color difference signal are time-compressed and multiplexed on every scanning line. In contrast, in cases where the luminance signal is not detected, a luminance signal and first and second color difference signals of a normal picture signal input to the apparatus are time-compressed and multiplexed on every scanning line.

Abstract: A combination including a recording arrangement and a source selection arrangement. The recording arrangement includes at least two different inputs for receiving different types of signals (e.g., analog, digital and/or optical); a recording unit for recording a digital signal on the record carrier; and a switching unit for coupling one of the inputs to the recording unit. (If the input coupled to the recording unit does receive a digital signal, then recording arrangement includes a conversion device for converting that signal to digital form.) The source selection arrangement includes at least two different outputs for supplying different types of signals (e.g., analog, digital and/or optical) to corresponding inputs of the recording arrangement; and a source selection unit for selecting between different signal sources and thereby enabling the signal source selected to supply a signal to one of the outputs.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a digital recording/reproducing system includes a first comparator for receiving a reproduced analog signal, comparing the voltage level thereof with a first reference voltage of a predetermined level, and outputting a first comparison result; a switch for switching on and off a connection with the reproduced analog signal in accordance with the first comparison result; a reference voltage adjuster for charging or discharging a charge element in accordance with the on/off state of the switch in the switch, and adjusting a second reference voltage of a predetermined level for data detection; a second comparator for receiving a reproduced analog signal, comparing the voltage level thereof with the second reference voltage adjusted in the reference voltage adjuster, and outputting a second comparison result; and a restorer for receiving the second comparison result, synchronizing the received result with a clock signal, and restoring the synchronized signal into a digital signal.

Abstract: A method of recording compressed and coded data is designed to improve the speed and ease of random accessing, and to reduce the buffer capacity and facilitate control and editing in the reproducing system. The method comprises the steps of compressing and coding video signals for every predetermined number of frames with the amount of codes per predetermined number of frames being constant; storing the predetermined number of frames of compressed and coded video signals into at least one video packet; storing the video packet in a pack having a time slot corresponding to the predetermined number of frames (preferably at the end of the pack); and recording the video signals on the recording medium in a pack stream containing such packs, with the relation between the size of the pack and the size of the logical block of the recording medium being set to 1:n (n: an integer) and the relation between the size of the pack and the size of the physical block of the recording medium being set to 2:m (m: an integer).

Abstract: In a recording medium playback device, such as a tape recorder, the playback speed is changed from the speed used during recording but the sounds and voices being reproduced can be listened to at the normal pitch, as if the playback tape speed was the same as the recording speed. A frequency generator (FG) system is not required and the playback signal is converted in pitch based on a capstan motor drive signal that is converted to a voltage value and that controls a pitch converting circuit. Alternatively, the pitch converting circuit is controlled by a signal derived from a speed control system, whereby the capstan motor speed is controlled by the user of the tape recorder. By converting the pitch of the playback signal in this way a recording of a conference, for example, can be scanned at high speed yet the reproduced voices are provided with a normal pitch.

Abstract: An apparatus processes an analog audio signal having been stored in a recording medium in a recording order and being reproduced therefrom in a reverse order of the recording order and at a speed .alpha. (.alpha..gtoreq.1) times higher than a recording speed to the recording medium. The analog signal is converted to digital audio signals and written in a memory having head and final addresses. The digital audio signals read from the memory are converted to an output analog audio signal. A controller controlling writing and reading the digital audio signals to and from the memory has a read address controller for controlling read addresses of the memory such that the read addresses repeatedly reciprocate between the head and final addresses. The controller controls the writing such that, if .alpha.>1, the writing starts in sequence from the head or final address when the read address reaches in the vicinity of an address which advances by (.alpha.-1) / .alpha.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a variable-rate coded signal, generated by compressing a digital input signal using a variable compression ratio and including a signal portion of a predetermined type, for recording on a recording medium. In the apparatus, a circuit generates a flag signal indicating the signal portion of the a predetermined type in the variable-rate coded signal. A signal-type marker generating circuit generates a signal-type marker in response to the flag signal. Finally, a circuit multiplexes the signal-type marker with the variable-rate coded signal to produce a multiplexed signal for recording on the recording medium. The signal-type marker is located adjacent to the signal portion of the predetermined type to indicate the signal portion of the predetermined type in the multiplexed signal.

Abstract: A still video apparatus for recording picture image signals on a recording medium, including a recording mechanism having a plurality of record processing systems for recording the picture image signals on the recording medium, and a recording mode switching mechanism for selecting one of the record processing systems, wherein the record processing system that is used depends on the type of inputted picture image signals.

Abstract: Audio data is stored as a plurality of events on a hard disk, and further header data, i.e., leading portion of the audio data is stored in a header memory prior to reproducing operation. When an event is specified, the header data is read out from the header memory at first. In the meantime, an audio data following the header data is transferred from the hard disk to a buffer memory. The contents of the buffer memory are being read out, even after the header data has been read out from the header memory. With use of an access data table is performed address control for reading out data from the header memory and the hard disk.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing digitized audio information and digitized picture information establishes a reference time base based on timecodes included with the audio and picture information. The reference time base may be used to synchronize output between a digitized source and one which may be digitized or undigitized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for recording video signals in a plurality of tracks on a recording medium. In certain embodiments, first and second video signal intervals include respective first and second common sub-area signals representing at least one common sub-area of a video screen. The common sub-area signals of the first and second video signal intervals are recorded at respectively different locations within the plurality of tracks. In certain embodiments, component color video signals including luminance signals and first and second color difference signals are divided into a plurality of discrete cosine transformation (DCT) blocks and blocks representing common respective subdivisions of a video screen are assembled into corresponding macro blocks. Adjacent macro blocks are assembled into super macro blocks which, in turn, are arranged in a shuffled sequence relative to the positions of their subdivisions on the video screen for recording in the shuffled sequence.

Abstract: An input video signal composed of a luminance signal Y, and color difference signals PR and PB. The video signal is converted into digital signals. A plurality of coding paths are provided. The digital video signals are processed in shuffling circuit, DCT circuit, quantizing circuit, variable length code encoding circuit, and frame segmenting circuit on the coding paths. The signals encoded on the coding paths are converted into data with two channels. The data with two channels are recorded on a recording medium. The data are allocated to a predetermined region of a magnetic tape so that a block of data is reproduced as bursts on a screen in a variable speed reproduction mode.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for digital signal recording and/or reproduction are disclosed in which tracks are formed sequentially on a recording medium by use of a head unit mounted on a rotary cylinder, an input digital data is recorded in the recording medium, and the digital data thus recorded is reproduced. The input digital data is modulated into a code word having at least d (d: an integer of at least two) successive bits of high- and low-level data in a signal waveform recorded in the recording medium. The timebase of the code word is compressed. The compressed code word is recorded in the tracks of the recording medium by use of the head unit. The code word recorded and compressed in the recording medium is reproduced. The timebase of the reproduced code word is expanded, and the input digital data is reproduced from the expanded code word.

Abstract: A method for fast playback of a disc in a cue or review mode to reproduce therefrom audio data compressed and recorded burstly by a predetermined amount as a unit. The method comprises predetermining a unitary block of data which consists of n times (where n is a positive integer) the decodable minimum unitary amount of the compressed data; sequentially extracting, out of the informationally continuous data of plural programs on the disc, the data of the unitary block at an interval of m unitary blocks (where m is a positive integer) in the forward or reverse direction of the continuity of the data; and reproducing the sound from the extracted data. By repeating such playback operation, the audio data of the plural programs can be reproduced in the cue or review mode at a speed higher than the normal playback speed.

Abstract: A method can record or reproduce a digital audio signal and a digital video signal simultaneously. An N-bit (N: positive integer) digital audio signal is positioned at a higher bit side and an M-bit (M: positive integer) digital video signal is positioned at a lower bit side so as to form an (N+M)-bit digital signal which is recorded or reproduced in this condition. Since the digital video signal is positioned at the lower bit side, the digital video signal may not affect the reproduced audio signal even if the (N+M)-bit digital signal is processed as the digital audio signal in the reproducing process.

Abstract: An analog-cum-digital video recording and reproducing device which can perform recording and reproduction of HDTV digital signals as well signals as well as recording and reproduction of VHS analog signals is disclosed. The device has separate recording and reproduction processing systems for processing HDTV digital signals and VHS analog signals, digital recording and reproduction heads, and analog recording and reproduction heads, which can perform selective recording and reproduction of HDTV digital video signals and VHS analog video signals on or from a VHS tape by controlling running of the tape and rotation of the head drum to speeds appropriate to the respective signal processing system. It further allows use of an existing VHS or S-VHS tape for recording and reproduction of analog or digital video signals by providing means for interchangeable reproduction of an existing VHS tape, which allows recording of the high quality HDTV signals on a 1/2" VHS tape.

Abstract: A method of suppressing background noise in a digital sound recording and reproducing system includes the steps of preselecting a specific voltage range to be considered to contain substantially all background noise, selecting a quiet sound benchmark voltage taken as zero output, defining a number of least significant bits of a digital sound signal confining the noise, defining voltages corresponding to the number of least significant bits, and replacing these voltages within the voltage range for both positive and negative most significant bits around the benchmark voltage with the benchmark voltage which clears sound signals from this type of noise. An apparatus for practicing the method employs logic circuitry providing suppression of signals within the preselected range.

Abstract: A data recording/reproducing method for a so-called near video-on-demand for time-differentially distributing motion picture films or the like. When recording continuous data of, for example, a cinema program, the data is split into, for example, 12 channels CHA to CHL. The channel data is further split into 2400 portions, while the data of the 2400 portions associated with the respective channels are re-arrayed to form blocks BL.sub.0 to BL.sub.2399 for each channel. The block data is recorded on a recording medium so that the blocks will be arrayed in the sequence of blocks BL.sub.0, BL.sub.2339, BL.sub.1, BL.sub.2338, . . . BL.sub.1200. For data readout from the recording medium, every second blocks are read out, beginning from the block BL.sub.0. After reproducing the block BL.sub.1119, every second blocks are read out in the reverse direction beginning from the block BL.sub.1000 for data reproduction.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a storage medium carrying symbols representing digital information, the recovery from a storage medium of symbols representing digital information and the determination of the digital information represented by such symbols. More particularly, the invention relates to storage media carrying the symbols in two dimensions and to the recovery of such symbols by oversampling in two dimensions. While the invention has many applications, the invention is described in connection with preferred embodiments in which the symbols are carried by and recovered from an optical-storage medium, namely, motion picture film, the symbols representing digital information into which motion picture soundtrack and related information is encoded.

Abstract: Each track on a recording medium has a video area used for recording video and audio data, and an audio area used exclusively for recording audio data. The audio area has two regions used for recording odd-numbered audio data segments and even-numbered audio data segments, respectively. The data recorded in one of the two regions may be interleaved to further reduce vulnerability of the audio data to errors. Parity data for the audio data is recorded in a third region located between the first and second regions in each track. The audio data represents a left and a right channel. The left channel audio data is recorded in a first set of consecutive tracks, and the right channel audio data is recorded in a second set of consecutive tracks.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus for inserting new information from a designated position of one channel and transmitting in a transmitting system for compressing a series of information signals by a non-prediction coding and a prediction coding which uses non-prediction coding information as reference information and for transmitting prediction coding information and the non-prediction coding information in accordance with a predetermined order, wherein the non-prediction coding information after an insertion point and the past information than the non-prediction coding information are preserved, and a first predetermined number of information in the information to be inserted is prediction coded by using the non-prediction coding information after the insertion point as reference information.

Abstract: Audio data of multiple tracks is grouped and stored as if for one track on a hard disk. More specifically, audio data of multiple tracks is interleaved in association with track grouping and is stored in a buffer memory before being recorded on the hard disk. In play mode, the interleaved audio data is output via the buffer memory from the hard disk. At this time, the audio data is deinterleaved to be restored to the original multitrack audio data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording/reproducing video signals on or from storage media. A video signal is divided into k video blocks in a time-axis direction, wherein k is an integer not less than 2, finding a block skip interval s which is an integer satisfying an equation s=(pk+1)/n when p is an integer not less than 1 and n is an integer not less than 2. The k video blocks are interleaved in order ofi= s(j-1)}mod k+wherein i is an integer satisfying a relation 1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.k and representing a block number of the video signal, and j is an integer satisfying a relation 1.ltoreq.j.ltoreq.k and representing an allocation block number on a storage medium (FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B)). And, thus interleaved video blocks are allocated on the storage medium (312).

Abstract: A video tape recording and reproducing apparatus records and reproduces digital video signals representing both still pictures, and moving pictures in the form of coded signals that have a recording format which includes a video signal recording area for recording video data and its respective accompanying video information, and a subcode information area. The recording and reproducing apparatus generates signals for high speed cuing and reproduction of the still pictures and moving pictures and stores the signals in the accompanying video information and in the subcode area.

Abstract: A method of reproducing a video signal in a digital video cassette recorder, comprising the step of performing intra-frame coding at an interval of a predetermined number of frames of the video signal to compress the video signal and recording the compressed video signal on a video tape, and the step of varying a travelling speed of the video tape according to a desired one of normal, still, fast forward, fast reverse, slow forward and slow reverse playback modes to reproduce the video signal recorded on the video tape in the desired playback mode. The travelling speed of the video tape is varied by combining speeds of the normal, still, fast forward jump and fast reverse jump modes according to the desired playback mode. The intra-frame coding is performed at an interval of L frames, where L is a natural number greater than or equal to 2, and first slice data of the coded Lth frame becomes first video data of a transmitted data field.

Abstract: In a digital VCR having a plurality of magnetic heads for recording digital video signals in slant tracks on a magnetic tape, a recording circuit divides a digital input video signal into data blocks and performs an orthogonal transformation, such as the discrete cosine transform, in order to compress the data. The resulting blocks of coefficient data are recorded so that all coefficient data of a given block are recorded together by one of the magnetic heads on a single track. In this way, propagation of errors caused by head clogging or drop-outs is prevented.

Abstract: A customized album recording system is under the control of a central microprocessor or mini-computer. A master library or storage medium is filled with a repertoire of recorded information items (such as musical selections) which may originate with any suitable source, such as phonograph records, tapes, sound tracks, compact discs, or the like. Each information item is stored in the library under its own address. On read out, an operator keys in the addresses identifying the selected items which are read out of the library medium and stored in a large capacity memory, usually to provide about forty-five minutes of total listening time. Then, all of the music is read out of that large capacity memory and recorded at a high speed onto a suitable album size medium, such as a tape cassette, for example. The source music and the customized album music are usually recorded in an analog form. The music which is processed within the system is in a digital form.

Abstract: In an optical information reproduction apparatus, digital information recorded as an optical mark on an optical information recording medium is reproduced in the following manner. A light beam is applied to the recording medium, and the obtained reproduction signal is binarized. The binary reproduction signal is sampled by a sampling clock which is generated by a PLL control signal generator, and is synchronized with the binary reproduction signal so as to reproduce the digital information. The PLL control signal generator achieves synchronization based on the leading and trailing edges of a change point of the binary reproduction signal.