Abstract: A multitrack recorder capable of setting one track or more to a monaural type or a stereo type has a storage unit that stores a history of track-type changing-and-setting operations and operations entailing erasure or changing of audio data stored on each track and that stores specifics of the track-type changing-and-setting operations and the audio data erased or changed along with performance of operations in association with each operation, and a change unit that changes audio data stored in each track, and a type of the track, to audio data that were stored in each track, and a type of the track, before performance of a specified operation.

Abstract: A multitrack recorder can allocate an input source in a simple manner without regard to whether a track is a monaural type or a stereo type. The multitrack recorder can set tracks 3 and 4, among a plurality of tracks 1 through 4, to either a monaural type or a stereotype. Track types are stored in memory. On occasion of allocation of an input source to each of the tracks, available input source alternatives are displayed in a display section while being changed according to whether the track is a monaural type or a stereo type.

Abstract: A multitrack recorder easily, reliably performs processing for replicating a sound signal recorded in a certain track to another track. A multitrack recorder can set tracks 3 and 4, among a plurality of tracks 1 through 4, to either a monaural track type or a stereo track type. The track types are stored in memory. When a sound signal recorded in a source track is recorded in a replicated manner to a destination track, tracks conforming to a track type of a source track are automatically presented on a display section as possible destination tracks by use of the track types stored in the memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for efficiently converting, by means of mixdown, audio signals recorded in multiple tracks into stereo signals. A plurality of audio signals input from an input terminal are recorded into a plurality of tracks of a recording medium. A mixer reads the audio signals recorded in the multiple tracks, subjects the audio signals to mixdown according to a mixer parameter set by an operation section, and records the processed signals as audio signals in the recording medium without reproducing the processed signal in real time. A plurality of mixer parameters are set, and a user can select a desired mixer parameter.

Abstract: There is provided an audio playback device that prevents a user from losing an opportunity to use a content that is not playable on an AOP mode. In the case where the playback device functions on the AOP mode, when a DVD-Audio disk 1 being a subject of playback contains an ATT_GR that is not playable in the AOP mode, a navigation manager 11 of a DVD-Audio playback device displays such situation on a display device 15 via a display control unit. On the other hand, in the case where the playback device functions in a VCAP mode, when the DVD-Audio disk 1 being the subject of playback contains an ATT_GR that is playable only in the VCAP mode, the navigation manager 11 displays the ATT_GRN of the ATT_GR on the display device 15 via the display control unit to urge the user to use the ATT_GR.

Abstract: A sound system for capturing and reproducing sounds produced by a plurality of sound sources. The system comprises a device for receiving sounds produced by the plurality of sound sources and converting the separately received sounds to a plurality of separate audio signals without mixing the audio signals. The system may further comprise a device for separately storing the plurality of separate audio signals on a recording medium without mixing the audio signals and a device for reading the stored audio signals from the recording medium. The system further includes a reproduction system for recreating the plurality of separate audio signals. Also, the system comprises an amplification network which comprises a plurality of amplifier systems, with one or more separate amplifiers in each amplifier system for separately amplifying each of the separate audio signals.

Abstract: A modular storage system comprises one or more storage modules, a moveable display capable of coupling to a storage module, and a sensor capable of detecting movement of the display. The individual storage modules have one or more magazines that can hold a plurality of storage cartridges. The modular storage system further comprises a controller that responds to detected display movement by reconfiguring a state of the modular storage system.

Abstract: A scanning device for magazine-type storage media, especially magazine player for optical disks, and a method to drive such player, the player being provided to cooperate with a magazine-type container having extremely dense packaging of storage media, where the storage media are secured against damages even when they are removed from the container. The disks are coupled to trays of the container. For playback the container is inserted into a playback device, a tray of the container is moved into a playback position, a disk is released from the tray and coupled to a mechadeck for playback.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording on DVD-like recording media in which audio content is stored in a high-capacity multi-channel (e.g., six-channel) format are provided. Various channels may use various resolutions. A two-channel audio output may be derived from the multi-channel audio data stream during playback. To facilitate an accurate derivation, the mixing coefficients to be used in generating the derivation can be supplied along with the six-channel audio data.

Abstract: A timer operation management apparatus for managing the playback and recording of multiple video tape cassettes comprising cassette information storage capabilities for storing the presence/absence of cassette, the presence/absence of a safety lug, and the like; timer information capabilities capable of storing cassette designation information, start and stop time designations, record and play time designations, etc.; and wherein the cassette designation information includes both individual cassette designation information and all cassette designation information.

Abstract: An optical disk cartridge handling apparatus for storing, handling, reading and writing of optical disks contained in cartridges which store data for a host computer. The apparatus comprises an import/export element for loading and unloading cartridges into the apparatus. A cartridge store or library with vertical slots therein stores the cartridges. The leftmost slot initially receives the cartridges from the import/export element. A flipper mechanism is adapted to receive one of the cartridges from either the cartridge store or one of preferably two optical disk drives suitably mounted below the cartridge store. A picker mechanism is mounted on the flipper mechanaism and moves the cartridge into and out of the flipper mechanism. The flipper mechanism is adapted to invert or flip the cartridge.

Abstract: An audio teaching system for use in choral instruction is illustrated having a four-track cassette recorder/player interconnected with a four-channel amplifier leading to a set of earphone amplifier control boxes, each having a single earphone attached thereto.The system provides for said cassette player to be used in conjunction with specially prepared tapes having the four harmonic parts of the music selection recorded on separate channels.Each of said control boxes has its own volume control, amplifier, single earphone, and also contains a selector switch which allows the choir member to choose to monitor one or all of the harmonic parts.

Abstract: Apparatus for reproducing motion picture photographic (optical) sound-tracks is disclosed in which significant information regarding track placement, slit illumination, azimuth and impulse noise is derived by dynamically processing and comparing the signals obtained by reading each half of a bilateral sound-track. In a further embodiment a pair of detector elements monitors the septum between two tracks in order to detect lateral film misalignment.

Abstract: Method and means for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. Both method and apparatus concern the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playing back of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation is accomplished by establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit under test corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.