Abstract: A method, apparatus and program for recording and playing back content data, method, apparatus and program for playing back content data, and method, apparatus and program for recording content data. The recording and playback apparatus is configured to record content data including a content and play back the content of the content data at a position specified by first relative time information indicating a relative time with respect to a start position of the content. A record start time information generator generates record start time information. A stream playback control table generator generates a stream playback control table associated with a stream resource record in a content data recording unit. Based on the content start time information and the record start time information, a relative time information correction unit corrects relative time information, of a segment to be played back, identified by a metadata manager based on segment metadata.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to acquire video content data and record the data in a storage unit and play back video based on the video content data includes: an upconverting processing unit configured to perform upconverting of the video content data recorded in the storage unit; an estimation unit configured to estimate a time period required for the upconverting of the video content data; an acquisition unit configured to acquire viewing deadline information that indicates a viewing deadline of the video content data and to acquire playback time period information that indicates a time period required to play back the video content data; and a control unit configured to determine whether the upconverting of the video content data is to be performed based on the time period estimated by the estimation unit, the viewing deadline information, and the playback time period. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A contents providing apparatus includes a storage which records contents with plural types of formats, output ports which respectively output the contents, decoders which are connected to the output ports and respectively correspond to the formats, channels which respectively provide contents decoded by the decoders, a switcher which selectively derives one of outputs of the decoders to a specified one of the channels, a table which expresses the output ports respectively assigned to the channels and formats corresponding to the decoders connected to the output ports, and a controller to select, based on the table, one of the output ports which corresponds to the format of the specified contents and is assigned to the specified channel.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a storage that stores a module that has a function of a virtual machine for executing an application recorded on a recording medium. The integrated circuit also includes a central processing unit that executes the module to cause the virtual machine to function and a decoder, that is distinct from the central processing unit, that decodes a video stream and an audio stream that are included in digital streams stored on a recording media. When the central processing unit executes the module, a package manager manages status information of the digital streams. If at least one of the digital streams is in an enable status, the decoder decodes the digital stream. When the decoder decodes the digital stream, the package manager changes the status information of another digital stream to an enable status or a disable status according to a request from the application.

Abstract: A contents providing apparatus includes storage which records contents with plural types of formats, output ports which respectively output contents read from the storage, decoders which are connected to the output ports and respectively correspond to the formats, channels which respectively provide contents decoded by the decoders, a switcher which selectively derives one of outputs of the decoders to a specified one of the channels, a table which expresses the output ports connected to the decoders corresponding to the plural types of formats and status conditions of the decoders, CPU which assigns an available one of the output ports which corresponds to the format of the specified contents based on the table.

Abstract: A content reproduction apparatus that adopts a content processing method includes a video processor, a video analyzer, and an audio processor for processing audio data and video data input thereto. The video analyzer analyzes video characteristics of video data such as resolutions, compressive distortions, and real frame rates. The video processor processes video data in accordance with video processing, which is determined based on analyzed video characteristics of video data. The audio processor processes audio data in accordance with audio processing, such as dynamic range compression and/or frequency component extension/enhancement, which is determined based on analyzed video characteristics of video data. Thus, it is possible to reproduce sound in an articulate manner depending on the video quality, which is either professional-level video shooting or nonprofessional-level video shooting.

Abstract: The AV data reproducing apparatus includes: (i) a reading section for reading out, from a recording medium, additional function information indicating an additional function correlated with a manipulation input; and (ii) an additional function program executing section for executing the additional function in response to the manipulation input. With this, an operation unique to the content can be carried out by executing the additional function (additional function program) indicated by the additional function information stored in the recording medium together with the AV data. This makes it possible for the AV data reproducing apparatus to carry out an operation other than an operation intrinsically corresponding to a key.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus capable of easily linking video data of a DVCR connected by an i-Link or the like and utilizing the same in a desired format is disclosed. Streaming data such as video data is defined, managed, and controlled in usage by an “optional-media” link tag linked to a “gpoi” tag defining a specific position in a position information file. The “optional-media” link can describe the five attributes of a format attribute for designating a connected apparatus and format information thereof, id attribute for further specifying the target in the connected apparatus designated by the format attribute, an “in” attribute and “out” attribute for designating a reproduction start position and ending position of the designated data, and a repeat attribute for designating a number of times of reproduction.

Abstract: A video receiving apparatus configured to receive packetized video data from a server includes a detecting unit configured to detect an error from the packetized video data received from the server; a determining unit configured to determine the importance of the packetized video data with the error in the case that the error is detected by the detecting unit, based on added information relating to the packetized video data; and an error processing unit configured to process the packetized video data with the error, according to the importance determined by the determining unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of providing supplementary service information for A/V contents written in a recording medium. This method has a recording medium containing Presentation Language data, which have to be included like as in a digital television signal for supplementary service information in accordance with Advanced TV Enhancement Forum or Digital TV Application Software Environment standard, and reproduces, if a disk reproduction is requested, the Presentation Language data as well as requested A/V data and provides them for a connected external device such as a digital television. As a result, various video information and functions provided with Presentation Language data by a recording medium can be realized at a digital television set being able to accept Presentation Language data.

Abstract: There is provided stream generating apparatus which generates a multiplexed stream including moving picture data. The apparatus includes a moving picture encoding processing section for generating a moving picture stream by encoding the moving picture data allowing switching between a reference frame rate and more than one frame rate different from the reference frame rate according to a desired timing; a time control information generating section for generating playback time control information with certain intervals corresponding to picture frame display cycles relevant to the reference frame rate, for each picture frame inputted to the moving picture encoding processing section; and a multiplexing processing section for generating the multiplexed stream by multiplexing the moving picture stream and the playback time control information.

Abstract: A storage medium storing: video data; and graphics data for displaying a menu. The graphics data includes first graphics data displayed on the screen when an activation command is generated by a user and may also include second graphics data displayed on the screen at a designated time.

Abstract: Total management information includes time zone information (TM_ZONE) indicating a time difference between a world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) and a standard time in a predetermined location, wherein the data management information includes recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at a time of recoding the data, indicating a time difference between the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) and a standard time in a location where the data has been recorded; and data recording time information (REC_TM) indicating a recording time when the data has been recorded, and wherein the reproduction apparatus further includes a unit for specifying a local time in a location where the data recording time has been recorded, while the data is reproduced, in accordance with the data recording time information (REC_TM), the time zone information (TM_ZONE), and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time.

Abstract: A terminal device determines whether a clock is a secure clock or a self-running clock. If the clock is the self-running clock, the device stores a clocking time of the clock as a timestamp file in a memory card in recording content. In playing back the content, the device determines validity of a clocking time using the timestamp file to play back the content and also updates the stored time of the stored time as the timestamp file to a content playback start time. In contrast, if the clock is the secure clock, the device stores the timestamp file indicating a recording time of the content in the memory card only in recording the content and omits updating the stored time as the timestamp file in playing back the content.

Abstract: Data management information includes: recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at a time of recording data, first data recording time information indicating a recording time of data first recorded on the data group; second data recording time information indicating a recording time of data last recorded on the data group; and a flag indicating whether the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the time of recording the data specifies a time difference from the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) at the data recording time; specifying unit specifies the time difference from the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) in the location where the data has been recorded, at only a case where the flag indicates that the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time specifies the time difference from the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) in the location where the data has been recorded.

Abstract: A recording/playing device and a method for processing a broadcast signal are disclosed. The device includes an external storage device, and a broadcast receiver. The external storage device includes at least one storage medium. And, the broadcast receiver includes a broadcast processor, an interface unit, and a record/play controlling unit. The broadcast processor receives a broadcast signal of a specific channel and demodulates and decodes the received broadcast signal. The interface unit is capable of being connected to the storage medium of the external storage device. And, the record/play controlling unit activates a record/play mode, when a connection with the storage medium of the external storage device is detected through the interface unit, and stores the demodulated broadcast signal in the storage medium of the external storage device through the interface unit, or reads and plays (or plays-back) the broadcast signal from the storage medium of the external storage device.

Abstract: Arrangements including a specifying unit for specifying a local recording time in a location where the data has been recorded, in accordance with in accordance with the data recording time information (REC_TM), the time zone information (TM_ZONE), and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time, and wherein the specifying means specifies the local recording time in the location where the data has been recorded, at only a case where the flag indicates that the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time specifies the time difference from the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) in the location where the data has been recorded.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes a specifying unit for specifying a local recording time in a location where the data first or last recorded on the data group has been recorded while the data is reproduced, and wherein the specifying means calculates, by (REC_TM)?(TM_ZONE)+(REC_TM_ZONE), a recording time at the local time of the data first recorded on the data group in accordance with the first data recording time information (REC_TM), the time zone information (TM_ZONE) and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time; and a recording time at the local time of the data last recorded on the data group in accordance with the second data recording time information (REC_TM), the time zone information (TM_ZONE) and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time, respectively.

Abstract: One or more methods and systems to efficiently process MPEG video in order to perform a reverse play or slow rewind function are presented. The method reduces system bandwidth required to implement the reverse play function when SD MPEG video is received by the MPEG decoder. Furthermore, the method maximizes the use of memory resources when one or more video frame buffers are implemented. The system comprises a first subsystem feeding one or more sequences of frames (e.g., feeding sessions) to a second subsystem. The first subsystem defines a set of parameters that is used to determine the one or more feeding sessions provided to the second subsystem. The second subsystem subsequently decodes the one or more feeding sessions using the set of parameters such that the video may be displayed.

Abstract: An optical disc (100) is provided with a recording region where prescribed clock information (WBL) is preformatted for recording. The clock information is (i) included in a first frequency band that is definable by a first reference frequency (Fstd) (that is impossible for a conventional reproducing device to detect by a detecting method based on a self-correlation) and is (ii) defined by a frequency that is integer times the first frequency.

Abstract: Data management information includes: recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at a time of recording data, indicating a time difference between the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) and a standard time in a location where the data of the group data for managing the data management information; first data recording time information indicating a recording time of data first recorded on the data group; and second data recording time information indicating a recording time of data last recorded on the data group, and wherein the reproduction apparatus further includes a unit for specifying respective local recording times in locations where the first recorded data and the last recorded data has been recorded, respectively, while the data is reproduced, in accordance with the first and second data recording time information, the time zone information (TM_ZONE), and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time.

Abstract: A storage medium storing: video data; and graphics data for displaying a menu. The graphics data includes first graphics data displayed on the screen when an activation command is generated by a user and may also include second graphics data displayed on the screen at a designated time.

Abstract: A method of reproducing from a storage medium video data and graphics data for displaying a menu screen. The method includes: decoding graphics data; and outputting, on the basis of the decoded graphics data, the decoded graphics data when an activation command is generated by a user or displaying the decoded graphics data at a designated time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus including: a signal reception section configured to receive a video signal transmitted via a transmission path; an image display section configured to process the video signal to display an image; a timing information acquisition section configured to acquire timing information in connection with reception of the video signal, the timing information concerning timing that affects the image displayed by the image display section; a reference time length adjustment section configured to adjust a reference time length based on the timing information, the reference time length being used as a reference for a length of a time period from the reception of the video signal to start of image display; and a display control section configured to control timing at which the image display is started, based on the reference time length adjusted by the reference time length adjustment section.

Abstract: A multimedia system that includes a television (TV). The TV includes an optical disc drive (ODD) that outputs raw data obtained from a medium, such as an optical disc, through a slave interface. The TV also includes a codec that processes the raw data received from the ODD. The TV includes a master interface corresponding to the slave interface, a codec device that extracts an image signal and/or an audio signal from the raw data transmitted through the interfaces, and a multimedia output device that outputs the image signal and/or the audio signal.

Abstract: Ocular strain is reduced for the viewer by reducing extreme changes of depth value occurring at stereoscopic scene jumps, dimension switches from 2D to 3D video, and the like. A playback device includes a video plane and a depth value memory for storing depth values of a plurality of stereoscopic video frames. The depth value memory stores the depth values of a plurality of frames, at least including a destination frame, and of a starting frame. When a request to switch from 2D to 3D video or to switch scenes within 3D video is received, switch timing control or destination frame depth value adjustment is performed so as to reduce the occurrence of extreme depth value changes and provide smooth switching.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reproducing apparatus to reproduce reproduction data at a speed different from a speed at a time of recording of the reproduction data, the recording apparatus including: a storage section to store the reproduction data; a primary reproducing plan producing section to produce a primary reproducing plan ranging from present time to future, according to the reproduction speed different from the speed at the time of recoding the reproduction data; and a secondary reproducing plan producing section to modify to the primary reproducing plan by solving an optimization problem based on the primary reproducing plan produced by the primary reproducing plan producing section, so as to produce a secondary reproducing plan ranging from the present time to the future.

Abstract: A screen saving method of an image apparatus is provided. The screen saving method includes playing back an audio signal, and displaying a screen saving image that includes audio playback data, according to the played back audio signal. The image apparatus includes a media playback unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The media playback unit plays back the audio signal. The display unit displays the audio playback data. The control unit controls the displaying of the screen saving image, and varies the position of the screen saving image over time.

Abstract: Provided are a device and method for providing a three-dimensional PIP image, for combining and outputting a main image with a PIP image. A device for providing a three-dimensional PIP image according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an image acquisition unit for acquiring a main three-dimensional image and a two-dimensional or three-dimensional PIP image from a broadcast signal, external device, or recording medium; a PIP-combining unit for combining the main image and the PIP image; and a three-dimensional formatter for formatting the combined image of the main image and the PIP image into a format that can be stereoscopically displayed. Accordingly, an image may be provided with a main three-dimensional image and a two-dimensional PIP image or a main three-dimensional image and a three-dimensional PIP image which are overlaid.

Abstract: A content transmission apparatus includes: a retaining section adapted to retain a high-definition video image content; a reception section adapted to receive picture frame information transmitted from a content reproduction apparatus; a calculation section adapted to calculate a cutout range based on the received picture frame information; a cutout section adapted to cut out the calculated cutout range from the retained high-definition video image content; and a signaling section adapted to signal an arbitrary picture frame content configured from a result of the cutout to the content reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method determining a data arrangement that guarantees seamless reproduction even in a case of occurrence of a jump in a browsable slide show. An allowable jump range between an image data clip and an audio data clip required for data reading in the browsable slide show in which a consecutive reproduction processing of a still image and an audio reproduction processing are performed in parallel is determined so as to determine arrangement conditions of data to be stored in an information recording medium on the basis of the determined allowable jump range. This configuration enables the browsable slide show to be carried out as a seamless reproduction processing without any data discontinuity. Furthermore, it becomes possible to provide a plurality of combinations of readout rates of the audio data and image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording medium containing moving picture data and additional information thereof and to reproducing method and apparatus of the recording medium. The present recording medium has script files including additional information about moving picture data, e.g., scene descriptive text and introduction of characters, etc. In addition, information linking each script file with a section of moving picture data to be presented with contents of the script file is included in a link data file or is contained in a filename of the script file. In reproduction of the recording medium, a script file linked with presently reproduced moving picture data section is determined and searched for based on the link data file or every filename of the script files, and contents of the found script file are presented together with the presently reproduced moving picture data. Furthermore, previously presented additional information is removed depending on data or filename of the found script file.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording medium containing moving picture data and additional information thereof and to reproducing method and apparatus of the recording medium. The present recording medium has script files including additional information about moving picture data, e.g., scene descriptive text and introduction of characters, etc. In addition, information linking each script file with a section of moving picture data to be presented with contents of the script file is included in a link data file or is contained in a filename of the script file. In reproduction of the recording medium, a script file linked with presently reproduced moving picture data section is determined and searched for based on the link data file or every filename of the script files, and contents of the found script file are presented together with the presently reproduced moving picture data. Furthermore, previously presented additional information is removed depending on data or filename of the found script file.

Abstract: An information record medium comprises video information for indicating a main-video, sub-video information for indicating a sub-video which can be displayed at least partially over the main-video, and sub-video control information including (i) a plurality of types of control information elements for display control of the sub-video information in various methods set in advance and (ii) type indicating information to indicate presence or absence, or effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the control information elements by each of the types.

Abstract: A recording medium allows random access to be performed in playing back 3D graphics. The recording medium includes a digital stream area where a digital stream including temporally-arranged GOP pairs is recorded, and a map information area where map information is recorded. The map information indicates entry addresses in one to one correspondence with entry times on a time axis of the digital stream, and each entry address shows a beginning of a corresponding GOP pair region in the digital stream area. Each GOP pair includes first-type and second-type GOPs, wherein each first-type GOP is data indicating a plain view picture set to be played back from a corresponding entry time, and each second-type GOP is data to be played back with a corresponding first-type GOP to provide a stereoscopic view. The data indicates a difference between a stereoscopic picture set and the plain view picture set.

Abstract: Executes a re-encoding after decoding data of a connection section A of a first MPEG picture data. This re-encoding is executed based on a control such that a transition of a VBV buffer occupation value starts from a VBV buffer occupation value at a position a and ends with a VBV buffer occupation value at a position d. Up to the position a of the first MPEG picture data, the first MPEG picture data is reproduced. Next, re-encoded MPEG picture data of the connection section A is reproduced. Thereafter, the data is connected to the position d of a second MPEG picture data, and the second MPEG picture data of the position d and after is reproduced.

Abstract: Described techniques and tools include techniques and tools for mapping digital media data (e.g., audio, video, still images, and/or text, among others) in a given format to a transport or file container format useful for encoding the data on optical disks such as digital video disks (DVDs). A digital media universal elementary stream can be used to map digital media streams (e.g., an audio stream, video stream or an image) into any arbitrary transport or file container, including optical disk formats, and other transports, such as broadcast streams, wireless transmissions, etc. The information to decode any given frame of the digital media in the stream can be carried in each coded frame. A digital media universal elementary stream includes stream components called chunks. An implementation of a digital media universal elementary stream arranges data for a media stream in frames, the frames having one or more chunks.

Abstract: A sequence of video images can be represented using multiple related timelines by generating a first timeline identifying a decode order associated with a sequence of video images and a second timeline identifying a display order associated with the sequence of video images, wherein the sequence of video images is comprised of one or more samples. The first and second timelines can be correlated based on an offset, which represents a time period by which decoding precedes display. The sequence of video images can then be played in accordance with the correlated first and second timelines. Additionally, the decode order in the first timeline can differ from the display order in the second timeline. A revised offset between the first and second timelines can be determined after the sequence of video images has been edited and the first and second timelines can be correlated based on the revised offset.

Abstract: Playback device for playing back graphics stream according to stream selection table recorded on recording medium. Stream number register stores, as current stream number, one of a plurality of stream numbers written in the stream selection table. Capability register indicates capability to play back graphics. Procedure means determines playback type of graphics corresponding to the current stream number, based on the playback capability indicated by the capability register. Playback of graphics streams falls into two types: first playback type in which a monoscopic graphics stream is used; and second playback type in which a pair of left-eye graphics stream and right-eye graphics stream is used to perform a stereoscopic playback. The capability register indicates whether capability to perform the stereoscopic playback using the pair of left-eye and right-eye graphics streams is present in graphics decoder.

Abstract: To provide a playback device 200 that outputs video to a display device by converting an output frame rate of source video signals in accordance with a display capability of the display device, the source video signals having 60 Hz frame rate in a first period and 24 Hz frame rate in a second period.

Abstract: Provided is a method and of controlling a voltage of power supplied to a 3-dimensional (3D) graphics data processor and the 3D graphics data processor using the method. The method includes controlling the voltage of the power supplied to the graphics data processor based on the amount of data representing an object included in graphics data and re-controlling the voltage of the power supplied to the graphics data processor based on a time difference between scheduled processing time according to the controlled voltage for the object and actual processing time consumed by the graphics data processor, thereby reducing power consumption.

Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus is an apparatus in which a BD player and a VC player are integral with each other. The image reproducing apparatus includes a panel switch unit for operating the BD player and the VC player, a mode set switch for selecting a BD reproduction mode or a VC reproduction mode, a sub microcomputer for controlling the operation of the BD player, and a VCP microcomputer for controlling the operation of the VC player. The sub microcomputer includes a DA converter which converts the digital signals into analog signals so as to transmit the converted analog signals to the VCP microcomputer when determined to be the VCP reproduction mode. The VCP microcomputer includes an AD converter which converts the analog signals transmitted from the DA converter into digital signals and a reproduction control unit which starts the operation of the VCP based on the converted digital signals.

Abstract: Video data and output data that need to be output in synchronization therewith are synchronized. When an output of video data is later than an output of output data synchronized with the video data, at step S273, a process for one access unit is caused to be skipped. At step S275, it is determined whether the video data are referenced when other video data are decoded according to au_ref_flag of video data of the access unit whose process has been caused to be skipped. When the video data of the access unit whose process has been caused to be skipped are not referenced when the other video data are decoded, at step S277, the access unit whose process has been caused to be skipped is skipped. The present invention can be applied to for example a game device that uses a DVD.

Abstract: A system for displaying electronic program guide information about a plurality of video items on a screen, the system including a display module to display a plurality of pages layering into the screen, each of the pages including a plurality of graphical panels associated with the video items, and a user input module to receive a user input to turn at least one of the pages such that the at least one page is peeled away from other ones of the pages in order to bring the graphical panels of the at least one page in or out of view, wherein the display module is operative to show the turning of the at least one page bringing the at least one page in or out of view. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Power consumption may be reduced in a media device including a first processor coupled to the non-volatile memory, either directly or indirectly, allowing the first processor to generate a pointer structure. The first processor may also be coupled, either directly or indirectly to a memory space, allowing the first processor to write the pointer structure in the memory space. The media device includes a second processor, such as a DSP/SHW or peripheral processor, and may be also be coupled, either directly or indirectly to the memory space, allowing the second processor to retrieve a block of media data from the non-volatile memory. Retrieval of the block of media data may be read directly from the non-volatile memory, or in some cases, the media data being retrieved may be parsed. The media data may be an audio file data, video file data, or both.

Abstract: Method to enable a local system time clock counter (STC) of a receiving recording device to lock to program clock reference (PCR) information comprised in a received real time sequence of information signal packets, such as MPEG2 Transport Stream packets. The method comprising determining the number of cycles between arrival of the first information signal packet and the arrival of the information signal packet comprising the first Program Clock Reference (PCR) information. This information is stored as an attribute of the stored sequence.

Abstract: A video recording apparatus that prevents screen malfunctions due to playback of incomplete frame image data, even when a power failure has occurred while recording frame image data received via a network to a recording medium, and incomplete frame image data has been recorded. The video recording apparatus includes a reception unit 1001 that receives management information attached to each piece of data, a first recording unit 1003 that records the received video data to the recording medium 1010, and a second recording unit 1004 that records position information of the video data to the recording medium. The video recording apparatus quickly specifies damaged data positions by referencing a file length of the video data file 1005, and a position information file 1006.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for generating an external input table in a device reproducing an AV signal. The method of generating an external input table includes receiving a reproduction request for reproducing an AV signal from another device and determining whether an external input is assigned to the another device by referring to the external input table, and selectively assigning one of external inputs of the device reproducing the AV signal to the another device according to the determination result. Accordingly, since an external input of an AV device can be dynamically set from an external device while minimizing a user's manipulation, user convenience in terms of setting the external input can be improved.

Abstract: A content playback apparatus includes: a display section that displays a plurality of indicators associated with a plurality of pieces of content, and a specifier to be used to specify one of the indicators; a playback section that plays back the piece of content associated with the indicator specified by the specifier; a switch section that switches, in accordance with a user's operation, what the specifier specifies to new the indicator; and a playback control section that controls the playback section such that if the user's operation switches, while the piece of content associated with the indicator specified by the specifier is played, what the specifier specifies to next the indicator and the user's subsequent operation switches, within a predetermined period of time from when the previous switch is completed, what the specifier specifies to subsequent the indicator, the playback section keeps playing back the piece of content.

Abstract: At the transmitter side, carrier waves are modulated according to an input signal for producing relevant signal points in a signal space diagram. The input signal is divided into, two, first and second, data streams. The signal points are divided into signal point groups to which data of the first data stream are assigned. Also, data of the second data stream are assigned to the signal points of each signal point group. A difference in the transmission error rate between first and second data streams is developed by shifting the signal points to other positions in the space diagram expressed at least in the polar coordinate system. At the receiver side, the first and/or second data streams can be reconstructed from a received signal. In TV broadcast service, a TV signal is divided by a transmitter into, low and high, frequency band components which are designated as a first and a second data streams respectively.