JP2001216730A - Digital recording and reproducing device using randomly accessible recording medium and digital data recording and reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simultaneously record and reproduce data to/from a randomly accessible recording medium through plural channels. SOLUTION: Data are recorded tn an HDD 119 by the format of OPF. In a digital recording and reproducing device, the HDD 119 has reading/writing of data controlled by a controller module 118. This module 118 is connected with one end of the data channel of two systems respectively including buffers 116 and 117 in paths, and the other end is selectively connected to the encoder of the two systems and the decoder of one system through a multiplexer/ demultiplexer 111. A system controller 120 controls the module 118 to perform writing and reading with respect to the HDD 119 of digital data, to which the data channel of the two systems are transferred simultaneously, in a time division manner by referring to the managing information of OPF.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital recording / reproducing apparatus and a method for recording / reproducing digital data. The present invention relates to a digital recording / reproducing apparatus and a digital data recording / reproducing method capable of executing recording / reproduction of digital data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, as a recording and reproducing apparatus for data such as a television signal, a digital recording and reproducing apparatus using a randomly accessible recording medium such as a magneto-optical recording medium and a hard disk has been proposed. Some of these digital recording / reproducing apparatuses include, for example, one system of recording channels, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-138318.
There has been proposed a device which has a function of reproducing a recorded data while performing a recording operation on a recording medium by providing one system of a reproduction channel.

[0003]

However, such a conventional digital recording / reproducing apparatus cannot execute various functions such as simultaneous recording and simultaneous reproduction of a plurality of channels even though two data channels are used. There was a problem.

[0004] The present invention provides various recording and reproducing methods, such as simultaneous recording and reproduction of data transferred through a plurality of channels, using a recording medium adopting a file format that facilitates management and processing of discretely recorded data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital recording / reproducing apparatus and a data recording / reproducing method capable of functioning.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a digital recording / reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing digital data on a randomly accessible recording medium comprises at least two systems of encoders and at least one system of decoders. , Writing and reading means, at least two data channels, coupling means, and control means. The recording medium is for recording a first area for discretely recording digital data for each basic operation unit and title file information for linking the basic operation unit of discretely recorded digital data for each title. A second area of
A third area for recording link count information indicating whether digital data can be recorded for each basic operation unit in the first area. At least two systems of encoders each encode a received signal to generate digital data. At least one decoder decodes the digital data. The writing and reading means writes and reads digital data to and from a recording medium. At least two data channels are connected at one end to the write / read means, and each has a buffer memory in the path. The coupling means selectively couples the outputs of the at least two encoders and the inputs of the at least one decoder to the other ends of the at least two data channels. The control means controls the writing / reading means and the combining means. The control means refers to the management information recorded in the second or third area, and writes or reads digital data, which is simultaneously transferred through at least two data channels, to or from the first area. The writing / reading means and the combining means are controlled so as to be executed in a time-division manner.

Preferably, when writing the digital data to the recording medium, the control means refers to the link count information and discretely records the digital data of the desired title in the first area for each basic operation unit. Then, the writing / reading means is controlled so as to update the link count information of the basic operation unit of the digital data corresponding to the title so as to indicate that recording is impossible, and to generate the title file information corresponding to the title.

More preferably, when reading the digital data from the recording medium, the control means refers to the title file information of the title to be reproduced and converts the digital data of the title to be reproduced from the first area into the basic operation unit. The writing / reading means is controlled so as to be reproduced every time.

More preferably, the control means refers to the title file information of the title to be erased when deleting the digital data from the recording medium, and records the link count information of the basic operation unit of the digital data corresponding to the title. The writing / reading means is controlled so as to be updated to indicate permission and to erase the title file information of the title to be erased.

More preferably, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus is connected to each of buffer memories of at least two data channels, for externally inputting digital data to the buffer memory or outputting digital data from the buffer memory to the external. Digital input or digital output.

[0010] More preferably, the control means transfers the digital data stored in the buffer memory of one of the at least two data channels to the writing / reading means and writes the digital data in the first area. During the read period, the operation of storing the digital data in the buffer memory of the other one data channel and the transfer of the digital data stored in the buffer memory of the other data channel to the writing / reading means are performed. The writing / reading means and the coupling means are controlled so that the operation of storing digital data in the buffer memory of a certain system of data channels is alternately executed in a time-division manner during the period of writing to the one area. .

More preferably, the control means reads the digital data from the first area, transfers the digital data to the buffer memory of one of the at least two data channels, and stores the data in the buffer memory. The operation of storing digital data in the buffer memory of one data channel, and the period during which the digital data stored in the buffer memory of another data channel is transferred to the writing means and written into the first area The writing / reading means and the coupling means are controlled so that the digital data stored in the buffer memory of a certain data channel is alternately executed in a time-division manner.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for recording and reproducing digital data in a digital recording / reproducing apparatus using a randomly accessible recording medium, wherein the recording medium stores the digital data for each basic operation unit. A first area for discretely recording, a second area for recording title file information for linking a basic operation unit of digital data discretely recorded for each title, and a first area for recording title file information. A third area for recording link count information indicating whether recording of digital data is possible for each basic operation unit. The digital recording / reproducing device includes at least two systems of encoders, at least one system of decoders, a read / write unit,
System data channel. At least two systems of encoders each encode a received signal to generate digital data. At least one decoder decodes the digital data. The writing and reading means includes:
The digital data is recorded and read from the recording medium. At least two data channels are connected at one end to the write / read means, and each has a buffer memory in the path. A method of recording and reproducing digital data in a digital recording / reproducing apparatus includes the steps of: selectively coupling an output of at least two systems of an encoder and an input of at least one system of a decoder to the other end of at least two systems of data channels; Referring to the management information recorded in the second or third area, the writing or reading of the digital data, which is simultaneously transferred through at least two data channels, to or from the first area is executed in a time-division manner. Controlling the writing / reading means.

Preferably, in the recording / reproducing method, the area of the recordable basic operation unit in the first area is referred to by referring to the link count information in response to an instruction to write digital data to the recording medium. Specifying, and discretely recording digital data of a desired title in the specified area for each basic operation unit, and updating the link count information of the specified area to indicate that recording is disabled, Generating title file information corresponding to the title.

More preferably, the recording / reproducing method includes the steps of: referring to title file information of a title to be reproduced in response to an instruction to read digital data from a recording medium;
Identifying a recording area of a basic operation unit in which digital data of a title to be reproduced is discretely recorded in the first area; and reproducing digital data of the title to be reproduced from the specified area in a basic operation unit Performing the steps.

Still preferably, in a recording / reproducing method, in response to an instruction to erase digital data from a recording medium, reference is made to title file information of a title to be erased, and a basic operation unit of digital data corresponding to the title is referred to. The method includes a step of changing the link count information to indicate that recording is possible, and a step of erasing the title file information.

More preferably, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus is connected to each of buffer memories of at least two data channels, for inputting digital data to the buffer memory from the outside or outputting digital data from the buffer memory to the outside. Further comprising a digital input or digital output.

More preferably, the step of controlling the write / read means includes transferring the digital data stored in the buffer memory of one of the at least two data channels to the write / read means. First
During the period of writing to the area of the other channel, storing the digital data in the buffer memory of another data channel, and writing the digital data stored in the buffer memory of the other data channel to the writing / reading means. Transfer to the first
And the operation of storing digital data in the buffer memory of a certain system of data channels during a period of writing to the area of the data channel.

More preferably, the step of controlling the write / read means includes reading digital data from the first area, transferring the digital data to a buffer memory of a certain one of at least two data channels, and storing the data. During the period, the digital data is stored in the buffer memory of the other one data channel, and the digital data stored in the buffer memory of the other one data channel is transferred to the writing means for the first time. And the operation of reading digital data stored in the buffer memory of a certain data channel during the period of writing to the area of.

According to the present invention, by using a file format in which discretely recorded data can be easily managed and processed, data can be simultaneously recorded / reproduced through multiple channels in a randomly accessible recording medium. Various functions such as can be realized.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a digital recording / reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing digital data on a randomly accessible recording medium includes a signal source, at least one system decoder, It has a reading means, at least two data channels, a coupling means, and a control means. The recording medium is for recording a first area for discretely recording digital data for each basic operation unit and title file information for linking the basic operation unit of discretely recorded digital data for each title. And a third area for recording link count information indicating whether or not recording of digital data for each basic operation unit in the first area is possible. The signal source outputs at least two systems of encoded digital data. At least one decoder decodes the digital data. The writing and reading means includes:
Write and read digital data to and from the recording medium. At least two systems of data channels each having one end coupled to the writing / reading means and each having a buffer memory in the path. The coupling means comprises at least two of the signal sources.
An output of the system and an input of at least one decoder are selectively coupled to the other ends of the at least two data channels. The control means controls the writing / reading means and the combining means. The control means refers to the information recorded in the second or third area and time-divisionally writes or reads digital data, which is simultaneously transferred through at least two data channels, to or from the first area. The writing / reading means and the combining means are controlled so as to be executed in an efficient manner.

Preferably, the signal source is generated by receiving an input encoded digital signal or an input analog signal, and converting and encoding the received digital signal or the received analog signal. Receiving first digital data supply means for selectively supplying any one of the digital signals as one system of digital data, and receiving an input encoded digital signal or an input analog signal,
Second digital data supply means for selectively supplying either a received digital signal or a digital signal generated by digitally converting and encoding a received analog signal as another system of digital data. Including.

More preferably, the signal source receives the input encoded digital signal or the input analog signal, and generates the digital signal by converting and encoding the received digital signal or the received analog signal. One of the digital signals
First digital data supply means for selectively supplying the digital data as one system of digital data, and second digital data for receiving the input encoded digital signal and supplying the received digital signal as another system of digital data Data supply means.

More preferably, the signal source is a first digital data supply means for receiving an input encoded digital signal and supplying the received digital signal as one system of digital data, and an input encoded digital signal. Second digital data supply means for receiving the received digital signal and supplying the received digital signal as another system of digital data.

[0024]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Overall Configuration of Digital Recording / Reproducing Apparatus According to Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, signal lines indicated by thick lines are signal lines indicating the flow of video and / or audio data, and signal lines indicated by thin lines are signal lines indicating the flow of control signals.

Referring to FIG. 1, a signal wave of, for example, a television broadcast received by antenna 100 is given to tuners 102 and 103 in common.

The tuner 102 selects a signal wave of one channel specified by the user from the signal waves received by the antenna 100, demodulates the signal wave into an analog television signal composed of a video signal and an audio signal, and selects
04 to one input. The other input of the selector 104 is connected to an external input terminal 101 to which various external television signal sources such as a video tape recorder (VTR) and a camcorder can be connected.

The selector 104 selects either the output from the tuner 102 or the input from the external input terminal 101 and supplies it to the A / D converter 105 and also to one input of the graphic controller 124.
Generally, the selector 104 selects the input from the external input terminal 101 when some external signal source is connected to the external input terminal 101, and selects the output of the tuner 102 when not connected.

The A / D converter 105 includes a selector 10
The video signal and the audio signal of the analog television signal output from 4 are converted into digital signals, and the digital video signal is supplied to the MPEG2 video encoder 107 and the digital audio signal is supplied to the audio encoder 109.

The MPEG2 video encoder 107 compresses a given digital video signal and converts it into a multiplexer / demultiplexer.
The signal is supplied to the demultiplexer 111, and the audio encoder 109 compresses the supplied digital audio signal and supplies the compressed digital audio signal to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111. The multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 multiplexes the supplied video signal stream and audio signal stream and converts them into an MPEG2 system stream.

On the other hand, the tuner 103 is
1 from the signal wave received by
A signal radio wave of one channel is selected, demodulated into an analog television signal composed of a video signal and an audio signal, and A / A
The signal is supplied to the D converter 106 and to another input of the graphic controller 124.

The A / D converter 106 includes the tuner 10
The video signal and the audio signal of the analog television signal output from 3 are converted into digital signals, and the digital video signal is supplied to the MPEG2 video encoder 108 and the digital audio signal is supplied to the audio encoder 110.

The MPEG2 video encoder 108 compresses a given digital video signal and converts the compressed
The audio signal is supplied to the demultiplexer 111, and the audio encoder 110 compresses the supplied digital audio signal and supplies the compressed digital audio signal to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111. The multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 multiplexes the supplied video signal stream and audio signal stream and converts them into an MPEG2 system stream.

This digital recording / reproducing apparatus has a hard disk drive (hereinafter, HDD) 1 having a built-in hard disk as an example of a randomly accessible recording medium.
19 is removably mounted. In the following description, this single HDD 119 itself will be regarded as a writable and readable recording medium for convenience. This HDD 119
Writing data to and reading data from the HDD 119 are executed by the HDD controller module 118 as described later.

A first data bus including a buffer memory 116 in the middle and a second data bus including a buffer memory 117 in the middle are provided between the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 and the HDD controller module 118. Are provided.

In addition, digital data from another device externally connected via the digital input 128 can be input to the buffer memory 116, while the digital data in the buffer memory 117 is the digital output 1
29, it is possible to output to another device externally connected.

Accordingly, as will be described later, the MPEG2 system stream data is transmitted between the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111, the HDD controller module 118, the digital input 128 and the digital output 129 via the buffer memories 116 and 117. Will be exchanged.

Multiplexer / Demultiplexer 111
Is the M received from buffer memories 116 and 117
The PEG2 system stream is demultiplexed into a video signal stream and an audio signal stream, and the former is supplied to an MPEG2 video decoder 112 and the latter to an audio decoder 113.

The MPEG2 video decoder 112 decodes the supplied video signal stream and supplies it to the D / A converter 114. The audio decoder 113 decodes the supplied audio signal stream and supplies it to the D / A converter 114. give. The D / A converter 114 is
The applied signals are converted into analog signals, respectively, and an analog television signal including a video signal and an audio signal is supplied to another input of the graphic controller 124.

The graphic controller 124 includes a selector 104, a tuner 103, and a D / A converter 1
14 and select one of the analog television signals given to the television monitor 126 connected to the outside of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus.

Multiplexer / Demultiplexer 111
The operation of the graphic controller 124 is controlled by a control signal provided from the system controller 120.

The digital recording / reproducing apparatus includes a digital input 128 and a digital output 129.
Control signal from the system controller 120 is connected to a system controller (not shown) of another device via the digital input 128 (thin line) when the external device is connected to the system controller (not shown). Is supplied to the system controller 120 of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus via the digital output 129 (thin line).

The system controller 120 is connected to a user interface 122, a memory 121, and a real-time clock module 127.

The basic operation principle of recording, reproducing, erasing and the like of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the recording medium (hard disk in the embodiment) used in the present invention. The relationship with the file format will be described in detail later, and the characteristic operation of the present invention will be described first with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1 and the timing diagrams of FIGS.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus has at least two MPEG2 encoding circuits (MPEG2 video encoders 107 and 108) and at least two MPEG2 decoding circuits. 1 system (MPEG2 video decoder 11
2) It is possible to simultaneously operate any two of these systems while maintaining real-time properties.

[Normal Recording Function] First, FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the recording operation of one channel of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

At the time of normal (timer) recording, for example, the user selects the channel of the television program to be recorded, the recording start time,
The recording end time is set by operating the user interface 122. For example, if channel 1 is set to record from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the system controller 120 designates the tuner 103 as channel 1 at 8:00 pm based on information from the real-time clock module 127, The tuner 103 selects and demodulates the signal radio wave of the channel 1 from the signal radio wave received by the antenna 100.

The demodulated signal is supplied to the A / D converter 106, the MPEG2 video encoder 108,
Audio encoder 110 and multiplexer /
The data is converted into an MPEG2 system stream via the demultiplexer 111.

The system controller 120 selects the first data bus including the buffer memory 116, and in response, the MPEG2 system stream is transmitted to the HDD controller module 11 via the buffer memory 116.
8 given. HDD controller module 118
Writes data into the HDD 119 using an interface command with the HDD 119.

In FIG. 2, (a) shows a time axis,
(B) shows the write processing time from the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 to the buffer memory 116, and (c)
Indicates a write processing time from the buffer memory 116 to the HDD 119 via the HDD controller module 118.

Multiplexer / Demultiplexer 111
Is continuously sent to the buffer memory 116 provided on the first data bus at the bit rate of the system stream.

The amount of data in the buffer memory 116 is H
When the data amount is monitored by the DD controller module 118 and exceeds a certain threshold value, a process of writing the data amount corresponding to the threshold value to the HDD 119 is performed. Since the writing speed to the HDD 119 is higher than the bit rate of the system stream,
The processing time for writing to the HDD 119 by the controller module 118 is short. That is, the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 at the time indicated by the thick line in FIG.
The amount of data transferred from the
The amount of data transmitted from the buffer memory 116 to the HDD 119 at the time indicated by the thick line in (c) is the same.

As described above, the recording of the channel 1 is performed from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and the recording ends at 10:00 pm.

[Normal Playback Function] FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the playback operation of one channel of the digital recording / playback apparatus shown in FIG.

At the time of normal reproduction, for example, the user operates the user interface 122 to instruct reproduction of a desired title. The system controller 120 responds accordingly to the HDD controller module 118 by setting H
An instruction to read data of a desired title from the DD 119 is issued.

At this time, the system controller 120
Selects the first data bus including the buffer memory 116, and the data read from the HDD 119 in response thereto is transferred to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 via the HDD controller module 118 and the buffer memory 116. .

In FIG. 3, (a) shows a time axis,
(B) reads data from the HDD 119 via the HDD controller module 118 and stores the data in the buffer memory 1.
16 shows the processing time for writing to the memory 16, and (c) shows the processing time for writing from the buffer memory 116 to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111.

When the reproduction start is instructed by the system controller 120, the HDD controller module 1
Reference numeral 18 performs a process of reading data from the HDD 119 and writing the data to the buffer memory 116. At this time, the HDD controller module 118 monitors the amount of data in the buffer memory 116 and, when the amount of data falls below a certain threshold, reads out a certain amount of data from the HDD 119 and writes it in the buffer memory 116.

Data writing from buffer memory 116 to multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 is performed constantly at the bit rate of the system stream. Since the reading speed from the HDD 119 is higher than the bit rate of the MPEG2 system stream,
The processing time for writing into the buffer memory 116 by the D controller module 118 is short.

That is, the amount of data transferred from the HDD 119 to the buffer memory 116 at the time indicated by the bold line in FIG. 3B, and from the buffer memory 116 to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 11 at the time indicated by the bold line at (c).
1 is the same as the amount of data transferred.

Multiplexer / Demultiplexer 111
The video signal and the audio signal demultiplexed in are transmitted to the MPEG2 video decoder 112 and the audio decoder 113, respectively.

The video signal decoded by the MPEG2 video decoder 112 and the audio signal decoded by the audio decoder 113 are D / A
The signal is converted into an analog television signal by the converter 114 and is reproduced and displayed on an external television monitor 126 via the graphic controller 124.

[2-Channel Simultaneous Recording Function]
FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining a simultaneous recording operation of two channels of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

At the time of two-channel simultaneous recording, the user operates the user interface 122 to set the channel of the television program to be recorded, the recording start time, and the recording end time. For example, if channel 1 is set to record from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm and channel 3 is set to record from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm, the system controller 120 uses the information from the real-time clock module 127 to record. At 8:00 pm, tuner 10
3 is designated as channel 1, and the tuner 103 selects and demodulates the signal radio wave of channel 1 from the signal radio wave received by the antenna 100.

The demodulated signal is supplied to the A / D converter 106, the MPEG2 video encoder 108,
Audio encoder 110 and multiplexer /
The data is converted into an MPEG2 system stream via the demultiplexer 111.

At this point, since the first data bus including the buffer memory 116 and the second data bus including the buffer memory 117 are not used, the system controller 120 sets the first data bus including the buffer memory 116 to the first data bus including the buffer memory 116. The bus is selected, and the MPEG2 system stream is transferred from the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 to the HDD controller module 118 via the buffer memory 116 in response to the selection of the bus. The HDD controller module 118 writes data to the HDD 119 using an interface command with the HDD 119.

The system controller 120, based on the information from the real-time clock module 127,
At 9:00 pm, the tuner 102 is designated as the channel 3, and the tuner 102 selects and demodulates the signal radio wave of the channel 3 from the signal radio wave received by the antenna 100.

As described above, the demodulated signal is supplied to the selector 104, the A / D converter 105, the MPEG2 video encoder 107, the audio encoder 109, and the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 to output the M signal.
It is converted to a PEG2 system stream.

Multiplexer / Demultiplexer 111
Since the first data bus including the buffer memory 116 is already used for recording channel 1 from 8:00 pm, the system controller 120
A second data bus including the buffer memory 117 is selected, and accordingly, the MPEG2 system stream is
HDD controller module 1 from multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 via buffer memory 117
18 given. HDD controller module 11
8 writes data into the HDD 119 using an interface command with the HDD 119.

At this time, the HDD controller module 118 converts the two MPEG2 system streams into
The data is alternately written to the HDD 119 in units of a fixed length. That is, the system stream data of channel 1 is read from the buffer memory 116 and the HDD 119
During the period in which the system stream data of channel 3 is accumulated in the buffer memory 117, while the system stream data of channel 3 is read from the buffer memory 117 and written in the HDD 119,
Channel 1 system stream data is stored in the buffer memory 116. As described above, from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm, a state in which two channels of channel 1 and channel 3 are simultaneously recorded continues.

In FIG. 4, (a) shows a time axis,
(B) shows the write processing time from the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 to the buffer memory 116,
(C) shows the write processing time from the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 to the buffer memory 117,
(D) shows the write processing time from the buffer memory 116 to the HDD 119 via the HDD controller module 118, and (e) shows the write processing time from the buffer memory 117 to H
HDD1 via the DD controller module 118
19 shows the processing time for writing to the N.19.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the start of the first recording on channel 1 is instructed, the recording processing described with reference to FIG. 2 is performed. Thereafter, when the start of the second recording for channel 3 is instructed, both the writing process from buffer memory 116 and the writing process from buffer memory 117 are performed on HDD 119. Arbitration of these two writing processes is performed by the HDD controller module 118.

As specifically shown in FIG. 4, when the data amount of the buffer memory 117 exceeds a certain threshold after the start of the second recording, the HDD 119 is in a usable state. Data write processing is performed. While this process is being performed, the data amount in the buffer memory 116 exceeds the threshold value, and writing to the HDD 119 is requested. However, since the HDD 119 is in use, H
The process waits until the writing process of the DD 119 is completed. When the writing from the buffer memory 117 to the HDD 119 is completed, the writing process from the buffer memory 116 is started.

Conversely, when the amount of data in the buffer memory 117 exceeds the threshold after the start of the second recording, the HDD 1
If 19 is in use, the process of writing from buffer memory 117 to HDD 119 is performed after waiting until it becomes available. After the simultaneous recording of the two channels as described above, the recording of channel 1 ends at 10:00 pm
At 11:00 pm, recording on channel 3 ends.

As described below, data transfer is performed at a high speed between the HDD controller module 118 and the HDD 119, so that the two buffer memories 116 and 11
7, real-time recording of two streams of MPEG2 system stream data can be realized.

The capacity of each buffer memory depends on the unit block length of writing / reading, HDD controller module 118
Data transfer rate between HDD and HDD 119, MPEG2
, And the worst value of the seek time of the HDD 119. This calculation will be described later in detail.

The memory 121 stores a file system for managing a free area of the HDD 119 and managing files. Therefore, the logical address to which the system stream is to be written / read next is determined by the file system
It is specified to the controller module 118. As a result,
Even when recording two channels simultaneously, the file system manages the logical address to be recorded next.
The DD controller module 118 may write / read data to / from the logical address specified by the system controller 120. The management by the file system will be described later in detail.

In the above-described example, simultaneous recording of two channels of television broadcasting is described.
When a VTR, camcorder, or the like is connected to the system, the system controller 120 instructs the selector 104 to select external input. As a result, the television broadcast HDD
It is also possible to simultaneously perform dubbing from the external television signal source to the HDD 119 via the external input terminal 101 while recording to the HDD 119 via the tuner 103.

[Chase Reproduction Function] FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining a so-called chase reproduction function of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

The so-called “chasing playback” refers to a function of simultaneously playing back a recorded program while recording a television broadcast.

For example, the user sets channel 1 to 8 pm
If you set to record from 10:00 to 10:00 pm,
At 8:00 pm, the system controller 120 designates the tuner 103 as channel 1 based on the information from the real-time clock module 127, and
03 selects and demodulates the signal radio wave of channel 1 from the signal radio wave received by the antenna 100.

As described above, the demodulated signal is A / D
Converter 106, MPEG2 video encoder 10
8, the audio stream is converted into an MPEG2 system stream via the audio encoder 110 and the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111.

At this point, since both data buses are not used, the system controller 120
Selects the first data bus including the buffer memory 116, and accordingly, the MPEG2 system stream is transferred from the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 to the HDD controller module 118 via the buffer memory 116. The HDD controller module 118 writes data to the HDD 119 using an interface command with the HDD 119.

When the user returns home at 9:00 pm and wants to view the title of channel 1 being recorded from the beginning, the user operates the user interface 122 to instruct reproduction of the title being recorded. In response, the system controller 120
Corresponds to the HDD controller module 118.
Instruct the reading of the title being recorded from D119.

At this time, since the first data bus via the buffer memory 116 is already used between the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 and the HDD controller module 118, the second data bus via the buffer memory 117 is used. The instruction to use is given by the system controller 120.

Data read from HDD 119 is H
DD controller module 118, buffer memory 1
17 through the multiplexer / demultiplexer 11
Transferred to 1.

Multiplexer / Demultiplexer 111
Demultiplexes the MPEG2 system stream received from the buffer memory 117 into a video signal stream and an audio signal stream, and
2 to the video decoder 112 and the latter to the audio decoder 113.

The MPEG2 video decoder 112 decodes the supplied video signal stream and supplies it to the D / A converter 114, and the audio decoder 113 decodes the supplied audio signal stream and supplies it to the D / A converter 114. give. The D / A converter 114 is
The supplied signals are converted into analog signals, respectively, and an analog television signal including a video signal and an audio signal is supplied to one input of the graphic controller 124.

The graphic controller 124 supplies the supplied analog television signal to a television monitor 126 connected to the outside of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus, and reproduces and displays the television signal.

By operating the user interface 122, the television signal output to the external television monitor 126 is converted into the television signal from the tuner 103, or the tuner 102 and the external input terminal 101 are switched by the selector 104. It is also possible to switch to the selected television signal for output display. Furthermore, from these three television signals, optionally, 2
By selecting one or three signals and performing clipping processing by the graphic controller 124, it is also possible to display them at once.

In the case of this chasing reproduction, the HDD controller module 118 alternately transmits the two MPEG2 system streams to the HDD 1 in units of a fixed length.
19 will be written / read. That is,
While the system stream data of channel 1 is read from the HDD 119 and written to the buffer memory 117, the system stream of channel 1 generated by the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 is accumulated in the buffer memory 116.

On the other hand, the system stream data of channel 1 is read out from buffer
While the data is being written to the MPEG-2 video decoder 112 and the audio decoder 113, the channel 1 system stream data stored in the buffer memory 117 is supplied via the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111.

With reference to the timing chart of FIG. 5, the chase reproduction operation using these two channels will be described in more detail. In FIG. 5, (a) shows a time axis,
(B) shows the write processing time from the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 to the buffer memory 116,
(C) shows the write processing time from the buffer memory 116 to the HDD 119 via the HDD controller module 118, and (d) shows the data read from the HDD 119 via the HDD controller module 118 and writes it to the buffer memory 117. (E) shows the processing time.
The write processing time from the buffer memory 117 to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 is shown.

When the start of recording is instructed, the recording process described with reference to FIG. 2 is performed. Thereafter, when a reproduction start is instructed, the reproduction processing described with reference to FIG. 3 is performed. At this time, both the writing process from the buffer memory 116 and the reading process for transferring the data to the buffer memory 117 are performed on the HDD 119. Arbitration of these two processes is performed by the HDD controller module 118.

Specifically, in FIG. 5, the HDD 1
Since 19 is in a usable state, a process of reading data from the HDD 119 and writing it to the buffer memory 117 is performed. While this processing is being performed, the amount of data in the buffer memory 116 exceeds the threshold, and the HDD 119
May be required. However, in this case, since the HDD 119 is in use, writing is waited until the processing is completed.

When the reading of data from HDD 119 is completed, the writing process from buffer memory 116 is started. Conversely, if the HDD 119 is in use at the start of the reproduction, the data is read from the HDD 119 and written to the buffer memory 117 after waiting until the HDD 119 becomes usable.

As described above, from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm, recording of channel 1 and reproduction of the title of channel 1 being recorded are simultaneously performed. At 10:00 pm, recording of channel 1 ends, and playback of the title recorded at 11:00 pm ends.

In this chasing reproduction, data transfer is performed at a high speed between the HDD controller module 118 and the HDD 119.
Only by providing 16 and 117, real-time recording / reproduction of two MPEG2 system streams can be realized. The capacity of each buffer memory and the unit block length of writing / reading necessary for each buffer memory not to be empty during reproduction are determined by the HDD controller module 118.
Data transfer rate between the HDD and the HDD 119, and the HD
D119 and the worst value of the seek time.

[Other Recording / Reproducing Functions] In the above example,
I explained the chase playback of the title being recorded,
While a certain title is being recorded, another previously recorded title may be reproduced, or while a certain title is being reproduced, timer recording of a certain channel may be started.

Since the buffer memory 117 is also connected to the digital output 129, the HDD 11
9 can be output to the digital output 129 via the buffer memory 117 via the MPEG2 system stream read via the HDD controller module 118. Alternatively, a television signal obtained by selecting either an input television signal from the tuner 103 or an output of the tuner 102 and an input through the external input terminal 101 by the selector 104 is digitally compressed, and then subjected to multiplexer / demultiplexing. MPEG formed by multiplexing by the multiplexer 111
2 can also be output to the digital output 129 via the buffer memory 117.

Similarly, the buffer memory 116 is also connected to the digital input 128, so that the system stream input from the digital input 128 can be recorded on the HDD 119 via the buffer memory 116 and further via the HDD controller module 118. On the other hand, the data is demultiplexed by the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 via the buffer memory 116, and the video signal and the audio signal streams are decoded by the MPEG2 video decoder 112 and the audio decoder 113, respectively. It can be reproduced and displayed on the monitor 126. The two input / output buses passing through the buffer memories 116 and 117 can be arbitrarily designated through the user interface 122.

[System Configuration with Multiple Players] FIG.
Two players configured as the digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1 are arranged, and the digital output 129 of one player is connected to the digital input 128 of the other player. And 1
Two system streams are simultaneously read from the HDDs 119 of one player, and one system stream is read from the buffer memory 116.
Is transferred to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 via the buffer memory 117, and the other system is output to the digital output 129 via the buffer memory 117.

Multiplexer / Demultiplexer 111
Are demultiplexed into a video signal stream and an audio signal stream, transferred to the MPEG2 video decoder 112 and the audio decoder 113, respectively, decoded, and output to the external television monitor 126. Playback is displayed.

On the other hand, the MPEG2 system stream output from the digital output 129 reaches the digital input 128 of another player by cable or wirelessly. The MPEG2 system stream input to the other player from here can be recorded on the HDD 119 via the buffer memory 116, further via the HDD controller module 118, or via the buffer memory 116. Then, the streams of the video signal and the audio signal are demultiplexed by the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 and decoded by the MPEG2 video decoder 112 and the audio decoder 113, respectively, and the television connected externally to the other player Monitor 1
It is also possible to reproduce and display it on.

When data is recorded on the HDD 119 of another player, the HDD 11 of one player
9 means that the data has been copied to the HDD 119 of another player. Also, the reproduced data is
When the data is decoded by one player and reproduced and displayed on the external television monitor, the HDD 1 of one player
19 data has been reproduced by another player, and 1
This means that the data in the HDD 119 of one player can be shared by a plurality of players.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Two data buses are running between the demultiplexer 111 and the HDD controller module 118. (System stream rate)
× N (N is an integer) is the HDD controller module 1
If the transfer rate of the data between the HDD 18 and the HDD 119 does not exceed, if the parameters such as the unit block length for writing / reading and the capacity of the buffer memory are tuned up, N streams can run simultaneously in real time. is there.

However, it is necessary to consider the worst value of the seek time of the HDD 119 between the transfer of the unit blocks. This will be described later in detail.

When N = 3, the multiplexer / demultiplexer 11 in the configuration of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.
Another buffer memory is inserted between the HDD controller module 118 and the HDD controller module 118 so that a total of three data buses run. In this case, in addition to the two-channel simultaneous recording described above, the reproduction of an arbitrary title being recorded or recorded in the HDD 119 can be simultaneously performed.

When a player is connected to one player, when each connected player has a bus for n streams, M = an streams are generated for all a players. I will run. The number N of buses of one player to which a player is connected is N = M. When N = M, the buffer memory is M between the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 and the HDD controller module 118 in the configuration of FIG.
The configuration is such that M buses each run.

Considering a configuration in which one player has (M-1) digital outputs, by connecting this player to another (M-1) player, the HDD 119 of this player is connected. Can be shared with other (M-1) players.

[Overall Configuration of Simple Player] FIG.
HDD 1 of digital recording / reproducing apparatus (player) shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram of a client type simple player when 19 is a server.

Referring to FIG. 6, a signal wave of, for example, a television broadcast received by antenna 200 is given to tuner 202, and tuner 202 converts the signal wave of one channel designated by the user from the received signal wave. The radio wave is selected, demodulated into an analog television signal including a video signal and an audio signal, and applied to one input of the selector 204. The other input of the selector 204 has an external input terminal 2 to which various external television signal sources can be connected.
01 is connected.

The selector 204 selects either the output from the tuner 202 or the input from the external input terminal 201 and gives it to one input of the graphic controller 224.

On the other hand, the MPEG2 system stream input from another player (FIG. 1) externally connected via the digital input 228 is transferred to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 211, and the multiplexer / demultiplexer 211 receives the stream. The MPEG2 system stream is demultiplexed into a video signal stream and an audio signal stream.
The latter is given to an audio decoder 213, and the latter to a video decoder 212.

The MPEG2 video decoder 212 decodes the supplied video signal stream and supplies it to the D / A converter 214. The audio decoder 213 decodes the supplied audio signal stream and supplies it to the D / A converter 214. give. The D / A converter 214
The supplied signals are converted into analog signals, respectively, and an analog television signal including a video signal and an audio signal is supplied to another input of the graphic controller 224.

The graphic controller 224 responds to an operation of the user interface 222 by the user.
As an output television signal to the television monitor 226, a television signal from the D / A converter 214 or an output of the tuner 202 and the external input terminal 201
Can be switched to one of the television signals selected by the selector 204 and displayed, and can be displayed at once by clipping both signals. It is.

Commands for search, selection, deletion, timer reservation, reproduction start, pause, fast forward, rewind, stop, etc. of a title to be reproduced from the server-side HDD 119 (FIG. 1) are transmitted to the system controller 220. Are transmitted as commands to the server-side player via the digital input 228, and are received by the server-side digital output 129 (FIG. 1). The command is transferred to the server-side system controller 120 (FIG. 1), where the command is executed.

As described above, the digital input 128 and the digital output 129 of the player shown in FIG.
Regarding the digital input 228 of the simple player of
“Input” and “output” mean the direction of input and output of MPEG2 system stream data (thick line), respectively. Actually, in addition to these data, control commands such as start and stop of reproduction are also included. The transfer direction of these control commands (thin lines) is opposite to the transfer direction of stream data.

[Capacity of Buffer Memory] Next, as described above, the capacity C of the buffer memory, the unit block length L for writing / reading, and the HDD controller required for simultaneously handling a plurality of stream data in real time. The relationship between the worst case data transfer rate Bhdd between the module 118 and the HDD 119, the rate Bsys of the MPEG2 system stream, and the worst value Tw of the seek time of the HDD 119 will be described in detail.

However, the worst value Tw of the seek time is:
It is not only the time required only for head seek, but also the error correction such as seek time, rotation waiting time, head switching time, ECC / EDC, etc., which is required from the start of seek to the start of actual data writing / reading. This is a time that takes into account all the worst values of the group delay such as the time required.

Assuming that the number of streams to be processed simultaneously is N, the following equation must be satisfied in order to maintain the real-time properties of all the streams.

Bhdd × Ts> N × (Tw + Ts) × Bsys (1) where Ts is a time required for writing / reading the unit block length L of writing / reading to / from the HDD 119, and Ts = L / Bhdd.

The above equation (1) is used to read (reproduce) data.
In the case of (1), the amount of data read in a unit block in a certain stream is within the sum of N seek times and N data write / read times required to process N streams. It means that it must be designed so that it is not consumed.

In the case of writing (recording) data,
In the worst case, the amount of data stored in the buffer memory during the time required to process N streams is N ×
(Tw + Ts) × Bsys.

Therefore, the capacity C of the buffer memory is
The following equation must be satisfied. C> N × (Tw + Ts) × Bsys (2) By performing a design that satisfies the above equations (1) and (2), it becomes possible to simultaneously process N streams in real time. However, Bhdd> N ×
N must be set within a range that satisfies Bsys.

[OPF] Next, the file format of the recording medium (the HDD 119 in the embodiment) used in the present invention will be described.

The file format described below is
For convenience, it is called Objective Pool Format (hereinafter, OPF). FIG. 7 is a diagram for schematically explaining the structure of the OPF file.

As shown in FIG. 7, the file format of the OPF is a real-time extent 301, a container information file 302, a title set file 3
03 and a title file 304. The role of each of the above files will be described below with reference to FIG.

(1) Container A container is a basic unit of data operation in OPF. In the system of the present invention, each container is an MP
The data structure of the EG is closed, and data reproduction by the container alone is guaranteed. The size of the container in the system of the present invention is as follows: (Sector size of HDD 119) * 5376 = 512 bytes * 5376 = 2752512 bytes A container of this capacity stores video data and audio data for a certain period of time. . Note that in the system of the present invention, video data (Group
of Pictures (hereinafter, GOP) and audio data corresponding thereto are multiplexed by the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 to form a system stream.

Further, since the number of pictures in one GOP is set to 15, the reproduction time of one container is as follows.

5 * (15/30) = 2.5 seconds Here, it is verified whether or not reproduction of these parameters is guaranteed in container units.

In the above definition, assuming that the unit block (container) length of writing / reading is L = 2755252 bytes, the rate Bsys of the MPEG2 system stream
Is Bsys = L / 2.5 = 1110004 bytes / sec.

In the system of the present invention, the number of streams is N = 2 and the worst value of the seek time is T
Assuming that w = 50 ms and the worst case data transfer rate between the HDD controller module 118 and the HDD 119 is Bhdd = 5 MB / sec, Ts = L / Bhdd = 550 ms holds. Therefore, Bhdd * Ts = 5 × 10 ＾ 6 * 550 = 2.7 × 10
＾ 6 N * (Tw + Ts) * Bsys = 2 * (50 + 550)
* 1101004 = 1.32 × 10 ＾ 6 holds, which satisfies the above expression (1). Therefore, the reproduction of data in container units is guaranteed with these defined parameters.

(2) Real-time extent The real-time extent 301 is
MPEG2 created by demultiplexer 111
Is an area of the HDD 119 in which the above-described system stream is stored as the above-described container-based data. Therefore, the total capacity of the real-time extent 301 is
It is always an integral multiple of the capacity of a single container. Further, even in the HDD 119 that performs recording in sector units, the start address of the real-time extent 301 must be from an address corresponding to a container delimiter. This is because the disk space is regarded as an address space in units of containers in the container information file 302 described later.

(3) Container Information File The container information file 302 considers the real-time extent 301 of the recording area of the HDD 119 as an address space of a container unit, and stores container numbers (R0, R1, R
2,...) Are defined in order to manage the recording information of each container. When the number of references (link count) for each container is 0, it indicates that MPEG2 data is not recorded in the container from the beginning or that the user has performed a data erasing operation. Indicates that new data recording is possible. In the example of FIG. 7, containers R8 and R15 correspond to recordable containers. If the number of references (link count) is 1, it indicates that the container is referenced by at least one of the title files (MPEG2 data is stored) and that the container is not recordable. .

(4) Title File In the title file 304, link information on the title is recorded. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, header information and address information of the start position of the container to be referenced in the real-time extent 301 are sequentially recorded in each title file. In FIG. 7, the title file (title 0) 304-1 stores the start addresses of the real-time extents R0 to R3 and R6, and the title file (title 1) 304-2 stores the real-time extent R
4, R5, R7, and R9 to R12 are stored in the title file (title 2).
04-3 are real-time extents R13, R14,
The start address of each of R16 is stored.

(5) Title set file The title set file 303 is the title file 3
04 is a file for managing the file. The configuration includes header information and a start address of each title file in the HDD 119. In FIG. 7, the title 0 descriptor is a title file (title 0) 304-
1 is stored, and the title 1 descriptor is a title file (title 1) 304-2.
The title 2 descriptor stores the start address of the title file (title 2) 304-3.

[Recording / reproducing operation using OPF]
The basic operation of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention using the above-described OPF file format will be described in detail.

The above OPF files are all H
Although recorded on the DD 19, when the digital recording / playback apparatus is started, the container information file 302 and the title set file 303 of the OPF are read out to the memory 121 and used for address control by the system controller 120. The updated contents of the file in the memory 121 are written into the file in the HDD 119 at an appropriate timing, and the OPF is updated.

(1) Recording Operation First, the operation for recording the MPEG2 system stream data on the HDD 119 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the user operates the user interface 1
When the system controller 120 instructs recording by operating (Step S1), the system controller 120 refers to the container information file 302 read from the HDD 119 to secure a writable area (container) in the real-time extent 301 (Step S1). S2). That is, the container information file 302 is searched for a container whose reference number (link count) is 0. Then, in the case of the two-channel simultaneous recording described above, one is added to the number of the corresponding container for which the reference number of the container information file 302 was 0 so as not to be used by another recording procedure (step S3). Then, data for one container is written to the real-time extent 301 of the HDD 119 corresponding to the searched container number (step S).
4).

When a termination instruction is received from the user via the user interface 122 (step S5), the title file 304 is generated, the title set file 303 is updated, and the recording process is terminated (step S5).
6).

If there is no termination instruction, step S2
Steps S5 to S5 are repeated. Note that the recording stop request from the user is instructed at an arbitrary timing after the start of recording, but this instruction request is temporarily stored in the memory 121 and is processed in step S5.

In the state shown in FIG. 7, when a recording instruction is received in step S1, the area (container) initially secured in step S2 is R8 having a reference number of 0. Then, in step S3, 1 is set in the R8 area of the container information file 302. Step S4
HDD1 at the start address of container R8
Multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 in area 19
Of the MPEG2 system stream data for one container. Then, in step S2, a region R15 next to the reference number 0 is secured, and the recording operation is repeated in the same manner. When an instruction to end recording is received in step S5, step S5 is performed.
In step 6, a title file (title 3) is generated.
Stores link information consisting of discretely recorded container numbers. Then, the title set file is updated, and the recording ends.

(2) Reproduction Operation Next, the operation for generating MPEG2 system stream data recorded on the HDD 119 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the user operates the user interface 122 to designate a title to be reproduced (step S1).
1), the system controller 120 initializes a container pointer for reproduction (step S12). The container pointer is a pointer indicating which container is currently pointed in the corresponding title file.

Then, the corresponding title file 304 is selected from the title set file 303, the link information to the container referred to therein is scanned by the value of the container pointer, and a container to be reproduced is searched (step S13). . H corresponding to the searched container number
The data for one container is read from the real-time extent 301 in the disk area of the DD 119 and reproduced (step S14).

Here, when a termination instruction is received from the user via the user interface 122 (step S1).
5) The end processing is performed, and the reproduction operation ends (step S18). The reproduction stop request from the user is instructed at an arbitrary timing after the reproduction is started, but the instruction request is temporarily stored in the memory 121 and is processed in step S15. If there is no end instruction, one is added to the container pointer to refer to the container to be reproduced next (step S16). Here, it is checked whether or not the container pointer has reached the end of the corresponding title file 304 (step S17). When the end of the title file has been reached, the process proceeds to the end process (step S18), and the process ends. When the container pointer has not reached the end of the title file 304, steps S13 to S17 are repeated.

A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. When an instruction to reproduce the title number 1 is received in step S11, the start address of the title file (title 1) is searched in step S13, and the container number R4 to be referred to is obtained. In step S14, H
1 from the address corresponding to the container number R4 of DD119
The data for the container is transferred to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111, and the data is reproduced. Step S
If no reproduction stop command is received in step 15, one is added to the container pointer in step S16.

Returning to step S13, the container number R5 indicated by the container pointer is obtained. Reproduction is performed by repeating the same procedure. Reproduction proceeds and container number R1
When 2 has been reproduced, when 1 is added to the container pointer in step S16, it is determined that the end of the title file has been reached in step S17, so the end processing of step S18 is performed, and the reproduction operation ends.

(3) Erasing Operation Next, the operation for erasing the MPEG2 system stream data recorded in the HDD 119 in units of title files 304 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the user operates the user interface 122 to specify a title file to be deleted (step S21), the system controller 120 sets the HDD 1
The title file 304 to be deleted is searched from the title set file 303 stored in the file No. 19, and the link count of the container information file 302 corresponding to the container number indicated by the title file 304 is decremented by 1 (step S22). As a result, the container having the link count of 0 becomes a free area because it is not referenced in any title file. Next, the designated title file is deleted (step S23), and the title set file is updated (step S24).

For example, assume that an instruction to delete the title file (title 0) has been received from the state shown in FIG. 7 (step S21). Accordingly, in step S22, R0 to R3, R6 in the container information file 302 are set.
The link count of the portion is reduced by 1 to 0. Then, in steps S23 and S24, the title file (title 0) is deleted, and the title zero descriptor is deleted from the title set file. Thus, the erasing operation ends.

[Special Playback Using OPF]
The special reproduction operation (fast forward, rewind) of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention using the F file format will be described in detail.

In the normal reproduction operation using the above-described OPF, the data of the container is reproduced by sequentially tracing the link information to the container referred to in the title file 304 of FIG. 7 one by one. The special reproduction operation in the OPF described below is realized by reproducing data in units of containers while skipping and following links to containers at certain intervals.

During the special reproduction operation, if there is a further request from the user, the speed is increased to perform fast forward or rewind. This is realized by enlarging the interval of interlaced scanning every time a request is made from the user. Hereinafter, each of fast forward and rewind will be described in detail.

(1) Fast-forward operation The operation of fast-forwarding the reproduced MPEG2 system stream data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the user operates the user interface 122 to designate a title to be reproduced (step S3).
1), the system controller 120 initializes a container pointer for reproduction (step S32).

Then, the corresponding title file 304 is selected from the title set file 303, the link information to the container referred to therein is scanned by the value of the container pointer, and the container to be reproduced is searched (step S33). ). Data of one container is read from the real-time extent 301 in the disk area of the HDD 119 corresponding to the searched container number, and is reproduced (step S34).

Here, when an end instruction is received from the user via the user interface 122 (step S3).
5) The end processing is performed, and the reproduction operation ends (step S42). On the other hand, if there is no end instruction, a determination regarding fast-forward input is made as described below.

Here, regarding the extent to which the container is to be skipped in response to the fast-forward instruction, the number of elements of the skipped container is defined as X, and the number of skipped containers is n. X is initialized to 0 in advance in step S32.

During the reproducing operation, the user interface 122
When fast-forward is instructed via the command (steps S36, S
37), the system controller 120 sets X to a value obtained by adding n to the initialized value 0 of X (step S39). When the user instructs to stop fast-forwarding (step S36), the value of X is set to 0 (step S38).

As in the case of the normal recording and reproducing operations, a request to end reproduction or fast-forward (or stop the reproduction) from the user is issued at an arbitrary timing after the operation is started. This instruction request is temporarily stored in the memory 121 and is processed in each step.

Next, the value of the container pointer is set to (1+
X) is added (step S40). This is obtained by adding the increment 1 to the next container in normal reproduction and the number X of skipped elements. In this process (step S40), interlaced scanning during the fast-forward operation is realized.

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the container pointer has reached the end container of the title file 304 (step S41). When the end of the title file has been reached, the process proceeds to the end process S42.
The process ends. If the end of the title file has not been reached, the above steps S33 to S41 are repeated.

Next, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, the link information indicating the container of the real-time extent is called “address”. In this example, the number of skipped containers is n = 2. That is, if fast-forwarding is instructed once, two containers are skipped (equivalent to five seconds in the system of the present invention), and if fast-forwarding is requested again, four containers are skipped.
The jump width is increased by two containers, for example, for six containers.

For example, upon receiving an instruction from the user to reproduce title number 3 in step S31, the start address of the title file (title 3) is searched in step S33, and a container number R8 to be referred to is obtained. At this point, the number X of elements of the container to be skipped
Is initialized and is 0. In step S34, data of one container is read from the address corresponding to R8 of the real-time extent of the HDD 119 and sent to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 to perform a reproduction process.

When a fast-forward instruction is received (step S
37), X initialized in step S39
Is added to n, and X becomes 2. Therefore, the container number to be reproduced next is 1 + X in step S40.
= R18 after 3 containers. That is, R1
Since 5 containers and R17 were skipped by 2 containers, it means that 5 seconds were skipped.

Next, the process proceeds to steps S41, S33, and S34, and after the data of the container number R18 is reproduced, the next container number to be reproduced is R21 after three containers in step S40.

After the R21 has been reproduced in step S34, a further fast-forward instruction is received (step S3).
7), n = 2 is added to X in step S39, and X becomes 4. Subsequently, in step S40, the next container number becomes R29 after 1 + X = 5 containers. In other words, since four containers R22, R25, R27, and R28 have been skipped over, skipping for 10 seconds has been performed.

The process further proceeds to steps S41, S33 and S34, and in step S40, the next container is R34. After playing R34 in step S34, when a fast-forward stop instruction is received from the user in step S36, X is set to 0 in step S38. Therefore, the container pointer to be reproduced next advances by 1 in S40, and becomes R35. Since the continuous containers R34 and R35 in the title file are continuously reproduced, the user can determine that the normal reproduction has been resumed.

When 1 has been added to the container pointer in step S40 when the containers R36, R37, and R38 have been reproduced, it is determined in step S41 that the end of the title file has been reached. Ends.

(2) Rewinding Operation The operation for rewinding the reproduced MPEG2 system stream data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the user operates the user interface 122 to designate a title to be reproduced (step S5).
1), the system controller 120 initializes a container pointer for reproduction (step S52).

Then, the corresponding title file 304 is selected from the title set file 303, the link information to the container referred to therein is scanned by the value of the container pointer, and the container to be reproduced is searched (step S53). ). Data of one container is read from the real-time extent 301 in the disk area of the HDD 119 corresponding to the searched container number, and is reproduced (step S54).

Here, when an end instruction is received from the user via the user interface 122 (step S5).
5) The end processing is performed, and the reproduction operation ends (step S63). On the other hand, if there is no termination instruction, a determination regarding rewind input is made as described below.

Here, regarding the extent to which the container is to be skipped in response to the rewind instruction, the number of elements of the skipped container is defined as X, and the number of containers to be returned and jumped to is n.
And X is initialized to 0 in advance in step S52.

During the reproduction operation, the user interface 122
When rewinding is instructed via the command (steps S56 and S56)
57), the system controller 120 sets a value obtained by subtracting n from the initialized value 0 of X as X again (step S59). When the user instructs to stop rewinding (step S56), the value of X is set to 0 (step S58).

As in the case of the normal recording and reproducing operations, a request to end reproduction or rewind (or stop the reproduction) from the user is given at an arbitrary timing after the operation is started. This instruction request is temporarily stored in the memory 121 and processed in each step.

Next, the value of the container pointer is set to (1+
X) is added (step S60). If this value is added to the container pointer, the container pointer will decrease. When the value of the container pointer becomes a negative value (step S61), the normal reproduction is performed from the beginning of the title.
Jump to In the above-described processing (step S60), the jump operation in the rewind operation is realized.

Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the container pointer has reached the container at the end of the title file 304 (step S62). If the container pointer has reached the end of the title file, the process proceeds to end processing (step S63) and ends. If it is not the end of the title file, steps S53 to S62 are repeated.

Next, a specific example will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, the link information indicating the container of the real-time extent is called “address”. In this example, let n =
Let it be 2. That is, if rewinding is instructed once, two containers are skipped (equivalent to five seconds in the system of the present invention), and if there is a request for rewinding again, four containers, six containers, Thus, the jump width is increased by two containers.

For example, when the user receives an instruction to reproduce title number 3 in step S51, the title file (title 3) is reproduced in step S53.
Of the start address of the container number R8
Get. At this point, the number of elements X of the skipped container has been initialized and is zero.

In the same procedure as in the normal reproduction, the container reproduction is repeated, and when the reproduction to the container of R34 is completed, an instruction for rewinding is received (step S57).
At 59, n = 2 is subtracted from the initialized X, and X becomes -2. Therefore, in step S60, the container number to be reproduced next is R33, which is 1 + X = -1 containers ahead, that is, R33 returned by one container. This is 2 from the scene where the container of R34 has been played.
This means that the container has been moved back, that is, 5 seconds.

Next, the process proceeds to steps S62, S53, and S54, and after the container number R33 is reproduced, the container number to be reproduced next goes back by two containers from the scene where the container of R33 has been reproduced in step S60. R
It becomes 32. Thereafter, the containers to be reproduced next in step S60 are R31, R30, R29,.

When the reproduction of R27 is completed in the rewind operation, a further rewind instruction is received (step S5).
7), X becomes -4 in step S59. Subsequently, in step S60, R21, which has been advanced by 1 + X = -3 containers, that is, returned by 3 containers, is the container to be reproduced next. This means that four containers, that is, 10 seconds, have passed since the scene where the container of R27 was completely reproduced.

Next, the process proceeds to steps S62, S53 and S54, and after the container number R21 is reproduced, the next container number to be reproduced goes back by four containers from the scene where the container of R21 has been reproduced in step S60. R
It becomes 18. Thereafter, the containers to be reproduced next in step S60 are R18 and R8.

The rewinding proceeds, and in step S54, R
After the reproduction of No. 8 is completed, the next reproduction container is searched in step S60. Since the value of the container pointer becomes a negative value, the process jumps from step S61 to step S52. In this step S52, X is initialized to 0 and the container pointer is also initialized, so that it returns to the normal reproduction state and continues the normal reproduction operation.

In the first embodiment, two television signal encoders and one television signal decoder are provided. As described above, the number N of data buses (channels) is N. Is increased to N = M, encoders and decoders may be appropriately added.

[Overall Configuration of Digital Recording / Reproducing Apparatus According to Embodiment 2] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 14 is the same as the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except for the following points, and the description of the common parts will not be repeated.

In the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, signal waves of analog television broadcasting are received by antenna 100 and tuners 102 and 1 are received.
A / D after demodulation to an analog television signal at 03
The signals are converted into digital signals by converters 105 and 106. Then, the digitalized television signal is applied to MPEG2 video encoders 107 and 108.
Processing such as data compression. As described above, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can cope only with analog television broadcasting.

On the other hand, digital television broadcasting is being put into practical use, and it is expected that digital television broadcasting will become mainstream in place of analog television broadcasting in the future. Therefore, it is desirable that the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to analog television broadcasting as in Embodiment 1, but can support both analog and digital television broadcasting. It may be sufficient to respond only to

The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 has the same structure as the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Is also possible.

In FIG. 14, the symbol denoted by reference numeral 130 indicates, for convenience, a dedicated antenna for receiving signal waves of digital television broadcasting as compared to a dedicated antenna 100 for receiving signal waves of analog television broadcasting. I do.

The television signal transmitted by digital television broadcasting is, for example, digital data which has been subjected to data compression processing by MPEG2 in each of the embodiments described below. Is transmitted as analog modulated radio waves. Such a signal wave received by the digital television broadcasting antenna 130 is commonly provided to the tuners 102 'and 103'.

The tuners 102 'and 103' are shown in FIG.
In addition to the functions of the tuners 102 and 103 in the digital recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment, that is, the function of selecting a signal radio wave received by the antenna 100 dedicated to analog television broadcasting and demodulating it into an analog television signal. Has the following functions.

That is, tuners 102 'and 10
Each of 3 'demodulates a signal radio wave received by the digital television broadcast dedicated antenna 130 into an original compressed digital data format, and further performs a channel selection operation (channel extraction) according to a user's designation. . Digital data of one channel selected by each tuner is directly supplied to the input of the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 without passing through an encoder or the like.

Each of the tuners 102 'and 103' responds to the received analog television broadcast wave and digital television broadcast wave according to the control signal (thin line) received from the system controller 120 as described above. One of a demodulation operation of a television signal and a demodulation operation of a digital television signal is selectively executed. Therefore, tuners 102 'and 1
03 ′ supplies one line of digital data to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 directly or via a path via an A / D converter and an MPEG2 encoder. In other words, the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 is always supplied with two systems of digital data using the tuners 102 'and 103' as signal sources.

The various operations for recording and reproducing the digital data thereafter are exactly the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is compatible with a two-channel digital television signal in addition to the two-channel analog television signal in the first embodiment. Can be.

In the second embodiment, the tuners 102 'and 103' have the function of selecting a digital television signal, but such a function of selecting is provided to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111. It may be configured as follows.

[Overall Configuration of Digital Recording / Reproducing Apparatus According to Embodiment 3] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 except for the following points, and the description of common parts will not be repeated.

The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 is configured so as to be compatible with two-channel analog television signals and two-channel digital television signals. When television broadcasting becomes mainstream, it is expected that there is no need to support two-channel analog television signals. Therefore, in order to simplify the overall configuration of the system, it is desirable to reduce the analog television signal receiving system to one channel.

The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15 is different from the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14 in the circuit configuration for receiving one channel of analog television signals. Deleted. More specifically, the signal wave of the analog television broadcast received by the antenna 100 dedicated to the analog television broadcast is simply given to the tuner 102 '. The operation of the tuner 102 'is the same as that of the tuner 102' of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

On the other hand, channel 103 "receives only the signal wave of digital television broadcast received by antenna 130 dedicated to digital television broadcast. Tuner 103" is tuner 10 "of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
3 ', the demodulation of the signal radio wave received by the antenna 130 into digital data and the channel selection operation are executed, and the digital data of one channel selected is transmitted to the multiplexer without passing through an encoder or the like. /
It is provided directly to the demultiplexer 111.

As a result, multiplexer / demultiplexer 111 always has channels 102 'and 10
Two systems of digital data having a signal source of 3 "are supplied.

Various operations for recording and reproducing the digital data thereafter are exactly the same as those in the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention can handle not only two-channel digital television signals but also one-channel analog television signals.

[Overall Configuration of Digital Recording / Reproducing Apparatus According to Embodiment 4] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 16 is the same as the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15 except for the following points, and the description of the common parts will not be repeated.

The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15 is configured so as to be able to support one-channel analog television signals and two-channel digital television signals. When only television broadcasting is performed, it is expected that there is no need to deal with analog television signals at all. Therefore, in order to further simplify the overall configuration of the system, it is desirable to completely eliminate the analog television signal receiving system.

The digital recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 16 is different from the digital recording / reproducing apparatus of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15 in that a circuit configuration for receiving one channel of an analog television signal is further provided. Is deleted, and only the circuit configuration for the digital television signal is left. More specifically, the signal wave of the digital television broadcast received by the antenna 130 dedicated to the digital television broadcast is simply given to the tuners 102 "and 103". Tuner 102 "
The operation of the tuner 10 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG.
3 ". The tuners 102" and 103 "perform demodulation of a signal radio wave received by the antenna 130 into digital data and a channel selection operation, and digital data of one channel selected by each tuner is transmitted to an encoder. Multiplexer / demultiplexer 11
1 is given directly. As a result, the tuners 102 "and 10" are provided to the multiplexer / demultiplexer 111.
Two systems of digital data having a signal source of 3 "are always supplied.

[0211] The various operations for recording and reproducing the digital data thereafter are exactly the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention can support only two-channel digital television signals.

[Overall Configuration of Simple Player According to Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a simple player according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The simple player shown in FIG. 17 is the same as the simple player shown in FIG. 6 except for the following points, and the description of the common parts will not be repeated.

In the simple player shown in FIG. 6, a signal radio wave of analog television broadcast is received by an antenna 200, demodulated into an analog television signal by a tuner 202, and then input to one input of a graphic controller 224 via a selector 204. Has given to. Thus, the simple player shown in FIG. 6 can only receive analog television broadcasts.

The simple player according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 17 is capable of receiving a signal wave of a digital television broadcast in addition to the structure of the simple player shown in FIG. Digital television broadcasting antenna 2
The signal wave of the digital television broadcast received by 30 is given to a tuner 202 '. Tuner 202 '
Has the same configuration and functions as the tuners 102 'and 103' of the second embodiment shown in FIG.
The description is omitted.

As a result, the tuner 202 ′ demodulates the received analog television broadcast wave and digital television broadcast wave according to the control signal (thin line) received from the system controller 220, Alternatively, one of the digital television signal demodulation operations is selectively executed. Therefore, from the tuner 202 ', an analog television signal is supplied to the graphic controller 224 via the selector 204, or compressed digital data is directly supplied to the demultiplexer 211. The demultiplexer 211 receives the digital data or the tuner 202 ′ input via the digital input 228.
Are demultiplexed into a video signal stream and an audio signal stream, and are supplied to decoders 212 and 213, respectively.

The operation of reproducing the digital data thereafter is exactly the same as that of the simple player shown in FIG. 6, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the simple player according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention can support digital television broadcasting in addition to analog television broadcasting.

The operation of selecting a digital television signal is performed by the tuner 202 'or the demultiplexer 211.
May be performed.

[Overall Configuration of Simple Player According to Embodiment 6] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a simple player according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The simple player shown in FIG. 18 is the same as the simple player shown in FIG. 17 except for the following, and the description of the common parts will not be repeated.

Although the simple player shown in FIG. 17 is configured to be compatible with both analog television broadcasting and digital television broadcasting, the simple player according to Embodiment 6 in FIG. In view of the mainstream, the circuit configuration for receiving analog television broadcasts has been eliminated. That is, the signal radio wave received by the antenna 230 exclusively for digital television broadcast reception is given to the tuner 202 ". The tuner 202" is the tuner 102 "shown in the third embodiment of FIG. 15 and the fourth embodiment of FIG. And 103 "have the same configuration and function, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0222] As a result, the tuner 202 "performs demodulation of the signal radio wave received by the antenna 230 into digital data and a channel selection operation, and the digital data of one selected channel is transmitted without passing through an encoder or the like. , Is directly supplied to the demultiplexer 211. The demultiplexer 211 converts either the digital data input via the digital input 228 or the digital data supplied from the tuner 202 "into a video signal stream and an audio signal stream. Demultiplex and provide them to decoders 212 and 213, respectively.

The subsequent reproduction operation for digital data is exactly the same as that of the simple player shown in FIG.
The description is omitted.

As described above, in the simple player according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the system configuration can be simplified by supporting only digital television broadcasting.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the HDD 119 having a hard disk is used as a recording medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Can be used.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0227]

According to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus and the recording / reproducing method of the present invention, a plurality of recording media which can be randomly accessed by using a file format which can easily manage and process discretely recorded data can be used. Various functions such as simultaneous recording and reproduction of digital data via a channel can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining a one-channel recording operation of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining a one-channel reproducing operation of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining a two-channel simultaneous recording operation of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating a chasing playback operation of the digital recording / playback apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a simplified player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a file format used in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a normal recording operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a normal reproduction operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an erase operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a fast-forward playback operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a rewind reproduction operation according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a file format for explaining the principle of the trick play operation of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a simple player according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a simple player according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 200, 130, 230 antennas, 101,
201 external input terminal, 102, 103, 202, 10
2 ', 103', 202 ', 102 ", 103", 20
2 "tuner, 104, 204 selector, 105,
106 A / D converter, 107,108 MPEG
2 video encoder, 109, 110 audio encoder, 111 multiplexer / demultiplexer,
112, 212 MPEG2 video decoder, 113,
213 audio decoder, 114,214 D / A
Converter, 116, 117 Buffer memory, 118
HDD controller module, 119 HDD, 1
20,220 system controller, 121,221
Memory, 122, 222 user interface, 1
24,224 graphic controller, 126,2
26 television monitor, 127 real-time clock module, 128,228 digital input, 129 digital output, 211 demultiplexer.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Megumi Makino F-term (reference) in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC01 CC05 DE14 DE22 DE83 EF01 EF03 EF05 FG10 FG14 FG18 FG23 GK07 GK12

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A digital recording / reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing digital data on a randomly accessible recording medium, wherein the recording medium discretely records the digital data for each basic operation unit. A first area for recording title file information for linking a basic operation unit of the discretely recorded digital data for each title; and the digital data in the first area. A third area for recording link count information indicating whether or not recording is possible for each basic operation unit, wherein the digital recording / reproducing apparatus encodes a signal received by each of the digital recording / reproducing apparatuses to generate the digital data. Two encoders, at least one decoder for decoding the digital data, and the recording Writing and reading means for writing and reading the digital data to and from the body; at least two data channels each having a buffer memory in a path, one end of which is coupled to the writing and reading means; The output of the at least two systems of encoders and the input of the at least one system of decoders
Coupling means for selectively coupling to the other end of the system data channel; and control means for controlling the write / read means and the coupling means, wherein the control means records in the second or third area. With reference to the information being written, the writing or reading of the digital data, which is simultaneously transferred through each of the at least two data channels, to or from the first area is performed in a time-division manner. A digital recording / reproducing apparatus for controlling a reading unit and the combining unit. 2. The control means refers to the link count information when writing the digital data to the recording medium and stores the digital data of a desired title in the first area for each basic operation unit. Discretely, updating the link count information of the basic operation unit of the digital data corresponding to the title to indicate that recording is disabled, and generating title file information corresponding to the title, 2. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital recording / reproducing apparatus controls a writing / reading unit. 3. The control means refers to the title file information of a title to be reproduced when reading the digital data from the recording medium, and reads the digital data of the title to be reproduced from the first area. 2. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said writing / reading means is controlled so as to reproduce data for each basic operation unit. 4. When the digital data is erased from the recording medium, the control unit refers to the title file information of a title to be erased, and determines the basic operation unit of the digital data corresponding to the title. 2. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the link count information is updated to indicate that recording is possible, and the writing / reading means is controlled so as to erase the title file information of the title to be erased. 5. A digital input connected to each of the buffer memories of the at least two data channels for inputting digital data to the buffer memory from the outside or outputting digital data from the buffer memory to the outside. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a digital output. 6. The control means transfers the digital data stored in the buffer memory of a certain one of the at least two data channels to the write / read means, and transfers the digital data to the first data channel. The operation of storing the digital data in the buffer memory of another one of the data channels during the period of writing to the area of the above, and the digital data stored in the buffer memory of the other one of the data channels. During the period in which the digital data is transferred to the writing / reading unit and written in the first area, the operation of storing the digital data in the buffer memory of the certain one data channel is alternately performed in a time-division manner. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing / reading unit and the combining unit are controlled so as to perform the operation. 7. A period in which the control unit reads the digital data from the first area, transfers the digital data to the buffer memory of one of the at least two data channels, and stores the digital data in the buffer memory. Transmitting the digital data stored in the buffer memory of the other data channel to the writing means, and storing the digital data in the buffer memory of the other data channel; And writing the digital data stored in the buffer memory of the one data channel during a period of writing to the first area. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital recording / reproducing apparatus controls a writing / reading unit and the combining unit. 8. A method for recording and reproducing digital data in a digital recording and reproducing apparatus using a randomly accessible recording medium, wherein the recording medium discretely records the digital data for each basic operation unit. A second area for recording title file information for linking a basic operation unit of the discretely recorded digital data for each title; and a second area for recording the digital data in the first area. A third area for recording link count information indicating whether or not recording is possible for each basic operation unit, wherein the digital recording / reproducing apparatus encodes a signal received by each to generate the digital data. A system encoder; at least one system decoder for decoding the digital data; Writing and reading means for writing and reading the digital data to and from a recording medium; at least two data channels each having one end coupled to the writing and reading means, each having a buffer memory in a path; The recording and reproducing method, wherein the output of the at least two systems of the encoder and the input of the at least one system of the decoder,
Selectively coupling to the other end of a system data channel; and referring to management information recorded in the second or third area, the at least two systems of data channels are simultaneously transferred. Controlling the writing and reading means so as to execute writing or reading of the digital data to or from the first area in a time-division manner.
Recording and playback methods. 9. In response to an instruction to write the digital data to the recording medium, an area of the recordable basic operation unit in the first area is specified with reference to the link count information. Recording discretely the digital data of a desired title in the specified area for each basic operation unit, and updating the link count information of the specified area to indicate that recording is disabled. 9. The method of claim 8, comprising: generating title file information corresponding to the title. 10. In response to an instruction to read the digital data from the recording medium, referring to the title file information of the title to be reproduced, the title of the title to be reproduced in the first area is read. A method comprising: specifying a recording area of a basic operation unit discretely recorded of digital data; and reproducing the digital data of the title to be reproduced from the specified area in a basic operation unit. 9. The method according to 8. 11. In response to an instruction to delete the digital data from the recording medium, referring to the title file information of a title to be deleted, the basic operation unit of the digital data corresponding to the title is referred to. 9. The method of claim 8, comprising: changing link count information to indicate recordable; and erasing the title file information. 12. The digital recording / reproducing device is connected to each of the buffer memories of the at least two data channels, and inputs digital data to the buffer memory from the outside or outputs digital data from the buffer memory to the outside. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising a digital input or digital output for outputting. 13. The step of controlling the write / read means includes the step of: transferring the digital data stored in the buffer memory of one of the at least two data channels to the write / read means. An operation of storing the digital data in the buffer memory of another one-system data channel during a period of transferring and writing to the first area; and storing the digital data in the buffer memory of the other one-system data channel During the period in which the transferred digital data is transferred to the writing / reading means and written in the first area, the operation of storing the digital data in the buffer memory of the one data channel is performed. Further comprising the step of:
A method according to claim 8 or claim 12. 14. The step of controlling the write / read means includes reading the digital data from the first area and setting one of the at least two data channels.
An operation of storing the digital data in the buffer memory of another data channel during a period in which the digital data is transferred to and stored in the buffer memory of the other data channel; During the period in which the digital data stored in the memory is transferred to the writing means and written in the first area, the digital data stored in the buffer memory of the one data channel is read out. 13. The method of claim 8 or claim 12, further comprising the step of performing the operations in a time-sharing and alternating manner. 15. A digital recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing digital data on a randomly accessible recording medium, wherein the recording medium discretely records the digital data for each basic operation unit. A first area for recording title file information for linking a basic operation unit of the discretely recorded digital data for each title; and the digital data in the first area. A third area for recording link count information indicating whether or not recording is possible for each basic operation unit, wherein the digital recording / reproducing apparatus comprises: a signal source for outputting at least two systems of encoded digital data; At least one system decoder for decoding the digital data; Writing and reading means for writing and reading data, at least two data channels each having one end coupled to the writing and reading means, each having a buffer memory in a path, and at least two of the signal sources Coupling means for selectively coupling a system output and an input of the at least one system decoder to the other end of the at least two data channels; and control means for controlling the write / read means and the coupling means. The control unit refers to information recorded in the second or third area, and controls the first area of the digital data which is simultaneously transferred through each of the at least two data channels. A digital recording / reproducing apparatus for controlling the writing / reading means and the combining means so as to execute writing or reading in a time division manner. . 16. The signal source receives an input encoded digital signal or an input analog signal, and converts and encodes the received digital signal or the received analog signal. A first digital data supply unit for selectively supplying any one of the generated digital signals as one system of the digital data; and receiving the input encoded digital signal or the input analog signal. A second digital signal for selectively supplying either the received digital signal or the digital signal generated by digitally converting and encoding the received analog signal as another digital data. 16. The digital communication device according to claim 15, further comprising: a data supply unit. Le recording and reproducing apparatus. 17. The signal source receives an input encoded digital signal or an input analog signal, and digitizes and encodes the received digital signal or the received analog signal. First digital data supply means for selectively supplying any one of the generated digital signals as one system of the digital data; receiving the input encoded digital signal; The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising second digital data supply means for supplying the digital data as another system. 18. The signal source receives an input encoded digital signal,
First digital data supply means for supplying the received digital signal as one system of the digital data; receiving the input encoded digital signal, and converting the received digital signal into another system of the digital data. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a second digital data supply unit that supplies the data as a digital data.