JP2006324744A - Initial setting method and apparatus for video recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method (initial setting wizard) capable of attaining initial settings in an interactive form wherein a user answers questions without the need for reading an instruction manuals. <P>SOLUTION: At first application of power, the initial setting method displays an inquiry whether or not the user executes the initial settings (menu display 1), when the user executes the initial settings, the method guides the user to enter information associated with a living place of the user (e.g. Kanto region) and the user to enter information associated with an installed location of a video recording apparatus (e.g. 23 wards in Tokyo) (menu displays 2 to 4). When the entries are finished, the method searches broadcast channels actually receptible by the video recording apparatus, the method displays the searching result (menu displays 5, 6). The method executes the initial settings in the interactive form according to the guides of the screen similarly to above. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video recorder initial setting method and apparatus.

The recording format of the digital versatile disc (DVD) includes a DVD video format used in DVD software sold on the cell and a DVD-VR format that can be used in a DVD recorder and can be edited. Many DVD recorders use a hard disk (HDD) and an optical disk (DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, etc.) as recording media. In a DVD recorder, broadcast recording can be performed in a DVD-VR or DVD video format by appropriately using these various recording media (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-127470 A

  In recent recording devices (DVD recorders, etc.), the types of broadcasts that can be received (terrestrial analog broadcasts, digital terrestrial broadcasts, satellite BS broadcasts, satellite CS broadcasts, cable TVs, etc.) have increased, and available recording formats and disc types As the number of devices increases, the device setting operation including the initial setting becomes complicated, and the amount of instruction manuals tends to increase (there is a loss of reading). However, with a conventional recording device, the setting menu is only displayed at the first start-up (when the user turns on the power for the first time after purchasing the recorder), and what should be set if the instruction manual is not read. It is difficult to understand.

  One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method (initial setting wizard) that enables initial setting in an interactive manner in which a user answers a question without reading an instruction manual.

In the initial setting method according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the user turns on the power for the first time after purchasing the recorder, the following operation is performed in an interactive manner. That is,
After the recording device is sold or distributed or after the power plug of the recording device has been disconnected from a power outlet for a long time (by moving the user, etc.) and when the recording device is turned on for the first time, An inquiry as to whether or not to perform initial setting is displayed (step ST01).
When the initial setting is performed (Yes in step ST01), information input of a region (for example, Kanto region) is guided as information related to the user's residence (steps ST02 to ST03),
When the initial setting is performed (Yes in step ST01), information input about a region (for example, Tokyo 23 wards) is guided as information on the usage location of the recording device (step ST04).
When information on the area (for example, Tokyo 23 wards) regarding the usage location of the recording device is input (Yes in step ST05), a search is made for a broadcast channel that can be actually received by the recording device (step ST05a). The completed channels and / or contracted cable TV channels, etc.) are displayed (step ST06).

  The user follows the screen display that appears when the power is turned on for the first time, and enters (menu selection) information that he / she knows (by selecting the menu), so that the minimum necessary initial settings can be made. I can finish it.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a video recording apparatus (HDD / DVD recorder) to which the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the recording medium is shown as an apparatus (DVD-VR recorder with HDD) capable of handling both an optical disk such as a DVD-R and a hard disk. However, a semiconductor memory or the like is appropriately used as the recording medium. Also good. In FIG. 1, each block is roughly divided. The main block of the recording unit is shown on the left side, and the main block of the playback unit is shown on the right side.

  The video recording apparatus in FIG. 1 has two types of disk drive units. First, an optical disc (DVD-RAM, DVD ± RW, DVD ± R, etc.) 1001 as a first medium, which is an information recording medium that can construct a video file, is rotated and a disc drive unit 1002 that reads and writes information is provided. Have. In addition, it includes a hard disk drive unit 2001 that drives a hard disk (HDD) as a second medium. The data processor unit 1003 can supply recording data to the disk drive unit 1002 and the hard disk drive unit 2001, and can receive a reproduced signal. The disk drive unit 1002 includes a rotation control system for the optical disk 1001, a laser drive system (using a red laser with a wavelength of 650 nm, or a blue laser with a wavelength of 405 nm or less), an optical system, and the like. The data processor unit 1003 handles recording or reproduction unit data, and includes a buffer circuit, a modulation / demodulation circuit, an error correction unit, and the like.

  The video recording apparatus in FIG. 1 mainly includes an encoder section 50 that constitutes a recording side, a decoder section 60 that constitutes a playback side, and a microcomputer block 30 that controls the operation of the apparatus main body. The encoder unit 50 includes a video and audio analog-to-digital converter that digitizes an input analog video signal or analog audio signal, a video encoder, and an audio encoder. Furthermore, a sub-picture encoder is also included. The output of the encoder unit 50 is converted into a predetermined format (DVD-RAM format or the like) by a formatter 51 including a buffer memory, and is supplied to the data processor unit 1003. The encoder unit 50 receives an external analog video signal and an external analog audio signal from the AV input unit 41 or an analog video signal and an analog audio signal from the TV tuner unit 42.

  The encoder unit 50 can also supply the compressed digital video signal or digital audio signal directly to the formatter 51 when a directly compressed digital video signal or digital audio signal is directly input. The encoder unit 50 can also directly supply the digital video signal and audio signal that have been converted from analog to digital to the video mixing unit 71 and the audio selector 76. In the video encoder included in the encoder unit 50, the digital video signal is converted into a digital video signal compressed at a variable bit rate based on the MPEG2 (or MPEG1 or MPEG4-AVC) standard. The digital audio signal is converted into a digital audio signal compressed at a fixed bit rate based on the MPEG or AC-3 standard or a linear PCM digital audio signal.

  When a sub-video signal is input from the AV input unit 41 (for example, a signal from a DVD video player with an independent output terminal of the sub-video signal) or a DVD video signal having such a data structure is broadcast and is transmitted to a TV tuner. When received by the unit 42, the sub-picture signal in the DVD video signal is encoded (run-length encoded) by the sub-picture encoder to become a sub-picture bitmap. The encoded digital video signal, digital audio signal, and sub-picture data are packed by the formatter 51 to become a video pack, an audio pack, and a sub-picture pack, and these are assembled and defined by the DVD-video standard. It is converted into a format (DVD video format) or a format defined in the DVD-recording standard (DVD-VR format).

  Here, the apparatus of FIG. 1 uses the data processor unit 1003 to send information (packets of video, audio, sub-picture data, etc.) formatted by the formatter 51 and the created management information to the hard disk drive unit 2001 or the data disk. It can be supplied to the drive unit 1002 and recorded on the hard disk or the optical disc 1001. Information recorded on the hard disk or the optical disk 1001 can also be recorded on the optical disk 1001 or the hard disk via the data processor unit 1003 and the disk drive unit 1002. It is also possible to perform editing processing such as deleting a part of video objects of a plurality of programs recorded on the hard disk or the optical disc 1001, dividing the video objects, and connecting objects of different programs. This is because the DVD-VR format used in one embodiment of the present invention defines a data unit to be handled and facilitates editing.

  The microcomputer block 30 provides an MPU (microprocessing unit) or CPU (central processing unit), a firmware ROM in which a control program or the like (firmware or the like) is written, and a work area necessary for executing the program. For example, a work RAM is included. The MPU of the microcomputer block 30 uses a RAM as a work area according to a control program stored in the ROM, detects a defect location, detects an unrecorded area, sets recording information recording position, UDF recording, AV address setting, history information Perform search processing and so on.

  In other words, the microcomputer block 30 has an information processing unit necessary for controlling the entire system. In addition to the firmware ROM 31a, work RAM 31, and directory detection unit 32, although not shown, VMG (total video management information) is shown. An information creation unit, a copy related information detection unit, a copy and scrambling information processing unit (RDI processing unit), a packet header processing unit, a sequence header processing unit, an aspect ratio information processing unit, and the like are provided. Further, the microcomputer block 30 performs processing of a section (Rzone) when performing VR recording or the like on a DVD-R disc, a processing unit 35 for searching history information, and executing recording. Management information control unit 34, management information control unit 33 for executing editing, and initialization (formatting) processing unit 38 of a recordable optical disc (DVD-R / + R, DVD-RW / + RW, etc.), A recordable optical disc finalization processing unit 39 is provided. The processing for returning the partially used disk to the initialized state is processed by the other processing unit 37.

  Among the execution results of the MPU, contents to be notified to the user are displayed on the display unit 43 of the video data recording / reproducing apparatus, or displayed on the monitor display 75 as OSD (on-screen display). The microcomputer block 30 also has a key input unit 44 for giving an operation signal for operating this apparatus. The key input unit 44 corresponds to, for example, operation switches provided on the main body of the video recording apparatus or a remote controller. Further, the input unit 44 may be a personal computer connected to the video recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention using means such as wired communication, wireless communication, optical communication, or infrared communication. Regardless of the form, when the user operates the key input unit 44, recording processing of the input video / audio signal, playback processing of the recorded content, editing processing on the recorded content, and the like are performed. Can be applied.

  The timing at which the microcomputer block 30 controls the disk drive unit 1002, the hard disk drive unit 2001, the data processor unit 1003, the encoder unit 50, and / or the decoder unit 60 is time data from an STC (system time clock) 38. Can be performed based on. Recording and playback operations are normally executed in synchronization with the time clock from the STC 38, but other processes may be executed at a timing independent of the STC 38.

  The decoder unit 60 separates and extracts each pack from a DVD format signal having a pack structure, a memory used when pack separation or other signal processing is performed, and main video data (video packs) separated by the separator. A V decoder that decodes the content), an SP decoder that decodes the sub-picture data separated by the separator (the contents of the sub-picture pack), and an A decoder that decodes the audio data separated by the separator (the contents of the audio pack) Have A video processor is also provided that appropriately synthesizes the decoded sub-video with the decoded main video and outputs the main video with a menu, a highlight button, subtitles, and other sub-videos.

  The output video signal of the decoder unit 60 is input to the video mixing unit 71. In the video mixing unit 71, text data is synthesized. The video mixing unit 71 is also connected to a line that directly takes in signals from the TV tuner 42 and the A / V input unit 41. A frame memory 72 used as a buffer is connected to the video mixing unit 71. When the output of the video mixing unit 71 is an analog output, it is output to the outside via an I / F (interface) 73, and when it is a digital output, it is output to the outside via a digital / analog converter 74.

  The output audio signal of the decoder unit 60 is analog-converted by the digital-analog converter 77 via the selector 76 and output to the outside. The selector 76 is controlled by a select signal from the microcomputer block 30. Thus, the selector 76 can directly select a signal that has passed through the encoder unit 50 when directly monitoring a digital signal from the TV tuner 42 or the A / V input unit 41.

  Note that the formatter 51 of the encoder unit 50 creates each piece of segmentation information during recording and periodically sends it to the MPU of the microcomputer block 30 (information at the time of GOP head interrupt, etc.). The segmentation information includes the number of VOBU packs, the end address of the I picture from the beginning of the VOBU, and the playback time of the VOBU. At the same time, information from the aspect information processing unit is sent to the MPU at the start of recording, and the MPU creates VOB stream information (STI). Here, the STI stores resolution data, aspect data, and the like, and at the time of reproduction, each decoder unit is initialized based on this information.

  In the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, one video file is stored on one disc. In order to continue playback without interruption while accessing (seeking) data, a minimum continuous information unit (size) is determined. This unit is called CDA (Contiguous Data Area). The CDA size is a multiple of an ECC (error correction code) block (16 sectors), and the file system records in this CDA unit.

  The data processor unit 1003 receives data in VOBU units from the formatter of the encoder unit 50 and supplies data in CDA units to the disk drive unit 1002 or the hard disk drive unit 2001. Further, the MPU of the microcomputer block 30 creates management information necessary for reproducing the recorded data. When the MPU recognizes a data recording end command, it sends the created management information to the data processor unit 1003. Thereby, the management information is recorded on the disc. Therefore, when encoding is performed, the MPU of the microcomputer block 30 receives data unit information (eg, segmentation information) from the encoder unit 50. The MPU of the microcomputer block 30 recognizes the management information (file system) read from the optical disk and the hard disk at the start of recording, recognizes the unrecorded area of each disk, and sets the data processor area to the data processor unit 1003. Is set to disk via.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the relationship between management information and actual video data as content will be briefly described. First, actual video data will be described. Here, it is assumed that the actual video data is collected into one file on the recording medium. One file is composed of one or a plurality of actual video data streams. Each actual video data stream may be a unit recorded by one recording process, for example. This corresponds to, for example, VOB (video object) in the DVD-VR standard. One real video data stream is composed of one or a plurality of stream partial areas. This corresponds to, for example, VOBU (video object unit) in the DVD-VR standard, GOP (group of picture) in the MPEG2 standard, or the like. One stream partial area is composed of a plurality of packs. As the plurality of packs, there are an information pack, a video pack, an audio pack, and the like. There may be a sub-picture pack.

  The information pack corresponds to, for example, an RDI pack in the DVD video recording (DVD-VR) standard. In this case, this pack includes information indicating the start time when the first field of the VOBU to which the pack belongs is reproduced, information indicating the recording time of the VOBU, manufacturer information (MNFI), and the like. It also includes display control information (DCI) and copy control information (CCI). The display control information indicates aspect ratio information, subtitle mode information, and film camera mode information. The copy control information includes copy permission information or copy prohibition (non-permission) information. Note that copy once copy control information for permitting recording only once is added to the digital broadcast content. Once such content is recorded on an HDD or a DVD-RAM or the like, further copying of the recorded content is prohibited. However, depending on the device used, there may be a case where a move (moving) for erasing the content of the dubbing source is possible as the dubbing is performed. The recorder illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured to be capable of this move.

  The video pack is obtained by compressing video data by the MPEG2 system, and includes a pack header, a packet header, and a video data portion. The audio pack is obtained by processing audio data by a method such as linear PCM, MPEG, or AC-3, and includes a pack header, a packet header, and an audio data portion.

  Next, management information will be described. In the management information, original title (program) information, which is information for managing the playback order of actual video data (playback order information), is defined. This corresponds to, for example, a program in the DVD-VR standard. Reference information is defined in each original title information (or program information), which is linked to real video data information that is information about real video data to be reproduced. These correspond to, for example, cells and video object information (VOBI) in the DVD-VR standard. Thus, the original title (program) has information for managing the playback order (playback order information) and its own real video data, and this title is usually created during recording.

  On the other hand, some information is composed only of information for managing the reproduction order (reproduction order information). This is playlist information, for example, a playlist in the DVD-VR standard. The playlist information does not have its own real video data, and as shown in FIG. 2, the playlist information is edited (deleted or added) by editing reference information linked to the real video data information of the original title. Created as

  Time map information is described in the real video data information. This time map information designates a partial area constituting an actual video data stream corresponding to the actual video data information. A link from the original title information of the management information or the reference information of the playlist information to the actual video data information is specified by a logical address. The link from the time map information to the actual video data stream and its partial area includes the number of the actual video data stream, the number of partial areas in the stream, the entry number for each partial area, and the logical address to each partial area. Is done on the basis of With such a configuration, not only normal playback of recorded video data but also special playback such as double speed / slow playback and reverse playback, and scene search can be supported.

  The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the video recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as follows. That is, this video recording apparatus is a DVD recording apparatus based on the DVD recording standard (DVD-VR standard). In this case, recording is performed in a data format called a DVD-VR format on a DVD disc (usually a DVD-RAM disc or a DVD-RW disc, but video recording to a DVD-R is also possible). In addition, this video recording apparatus also has a function of recording on a DVD disc based on the DVD video standard (DVD video standard). In this case, recording is performed on a DVD disc (DVD-R disc or the like) in a data format called a DVD video format.

  In the video recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, not only a rewritable DVD-RAM disc and DVD-RW disc but also a DVD-R disc which is a write-once medium can be used. The format for performing recording on these DVD discs is not uniquely fixed for each type of DVD disc. For example, for DVD-R, any format of DVD-VR format or DVD video format is used. It is assumed that recording can also be performed.

  In the following description, a video recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a hybrid recorder having two recording media of DVD and HDD as shown in the block diagram of FIG. It is assumed that video information can be dubbed (or moved) between the DVD and the HDD. However, the contents of the embodiment of the present invention are not applied only to the hybrid recorder, but only a DVD recorder having a recording function to a DVD disk (a personal computer as a DVD recorder by software). It can also be applied to (including those that function).

  In the video recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a partial area in a recorded title is referred to as a chapter. For example, when a video is recorded in the DVD-VR format, the chapter uses an entry point (EP) defined in the DVD-VR standard set in the title as a mark for the boundary. That is, a section sandwiched between a certain EP set in the title and the next EP is called a chapter. Note that the start and end points of the title are chapter boundaries regardless of the presence or absence of EP. Therefore, there may be no EP standing for the first chapter of the title.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of directories and files defined in the DVD recording standard (DVD-VR standard). FIG. 3 exemplifies directories and files defined in Ver 1.1 of the DVD-VR standard. In Ver. 1.1 of the DVD-VR standard, a subdirectory called DVD_RTAV is provided under the root directory, and files defined by the standard are stored under this DVD_RTAV. That is, only five types of files shown in FIG. 3 exist under DVD_RTAV. Hereinafter, individual files will be described.

  First, VR_MANGR. The IFO is navigation data for an original title (program) and a playlist. This corresponds to the management information shown in FIG. Playlists, entry points (EP), etc. are stored in this VR_MANGR. It is described in the IFO. Even if the video data is not directly processed, this VR_MANGR. By changing the description of the IFO, editing processing such as unnecessary scene deletion can be performed. Therefore, when editing processing such as chapter creation or playlist editing is performed, this VR_MANGR. The IFO is the target of processing. Also, this VR_MANGR. In the IFO, time map information for actual video data is written in conjunction with recording. This VR_MANGR. Since information related to the entire disc is also written in the IFO, it is created immediately when the DVD disc is initialized.

  VR_MANGR. BUP is the VR_MANGR. This is an IFO backup file. This VR_MANGR. BUP is an option in the standard and does not always exist. If VR_MANGR. If BUP is used, the content of the file is VR_MANGR. Must be the same as the IFO.

  On the other hand, VR_MOVIE. VRO is an AV (Audio Visual) data file of a recorded moving image, and corresponds to the actual video data of FIG. 2 described above. Here, packed video data, audio data, and, if supported, sub-picture data are multiplexed and stored. VR_STILL. The VRO file is an AV data file of still images, and VR_MOVIE. Similar to the VRO, this corresponds to the actual video data of FIG. 2 described above. Here, packed video data is stored, and audio data and sub-picture data may be multiplexed as an option. In addition, VR_AUDIO. The VRO file includes the VR_STILL. This is a data file containing post-recording (after recording) audio information for a still image stored in the VRO.

  VR_MOVIE. VRO, VR_STILL. VRO and VR_AUDIO. The VRO file does not exist when the DVD disc is initialized, but is created when recording is actually performed, and video data and audio data are recorded. Note that these three types of files do not necessarily exist. For example, VR_STILL.NET is not used for a video recording apparatus that does not have a still image recording function or a post-recording function. VRO and VR_AUDIO. VRO file may not exist.

  The files specified in DVD-VR standard Ver 1.1 are the above, but in addition to that, for the purpose of improving the operability of the video recording device and adding functions, a unique information file for the video recording device is created. It is also possible to do. In that case, these unique information files are not stored under DVD_RTAV, but may be stored directly under the root directory or under a unique subdirectory created under the root directory.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the initial setting operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of what display is made to the user in the initial setting operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  After the user purchases the recording device (recorder in FIG. 1) (or after the AC plug of the recorder in FIG. 1 has been removed for a long time due to moving, etc.), the AC plug of the device is inserted into the AC outlet for the first time to turn on the device. When turned on, the initial setting process in FIG. 4 starts automatically. First, the user decides whether or not to continue the initial setting (initial setting) according to the guidance of the screen that appears first (screen display 1 in FIG. 5) (step ST01). When not continuing, the power is turned off (NO in step ST01). If you want to redo the initial settings, press the power button again.

  When the initial setting is performed (Yes in step ST01), information input of the region (for example, Kanto region) and the region (for example, Tokyo 23 wards) is guided as information relating to the user's residence (steps ST02 to ST04) (FIG. 5). Screen display 2-4). Thus, the user can interactively input information about his / her own residence (without reading the instruction manual) and information about the location where the recording device is used (region regarding the broadcast channel that can be received). This input operation can be performed by turning on a four-way cursor arrow button on the upper left side of each screen display example in FIG. 5 and a determination button indicated by a circle in the center thereof.

  When information on the area where the recording device is used (for example, Tokyo 23 wards) is input (Yes in step ST05) (screen display 5 in FIG. 5), a broadcast channel that can be actually received by the recording device is searched (step ST05a). ) And the search results (channels that have been successfully received by the antenna and / or channels of the cable TV with which the contract is made) are displayed (step ST06) (screen display 6 in FIG. 5).

  Subsequently, selection of the screen shape (16: 9, 4: 3, etc.) of the display device (monitor 75 in FIG. 1) connected to the recording device is guided (step ST07) (screen display 7 in FIG. 5). Further, a time adjustment operation of a built-in timer of the recording device (not shown but can be provided in the other processing unit 37 of FIG. 1) is guided (steps ST08 to ST09) (screen display 8 of FIG. 5). According to this guidance, if the displayed date and time are acceptable, the “do not correct” display mark is selected as it is and the determination button is pressed (NO in step ST08). If the displayed date and time are incorrect, the time is corrected (step ST08a). When the correction is correctly performed (yes in step ST09), a decision button on a remote controller (not shown) is pressed (screen display 9 in FIG. 5). The process proceeds to a recording quality selection process (step ST10).

  The normal initial settings may be up to the above, but the default image quality is determined by the initial settings based on the balance between the disk capacity to be used and the image quality requested by the user for the broadcast program to be recorded and the time of the broadcast program to be actually recorded. (Step ST10). Specifically, if one side of a single-layer DVD-R having a capacity of 4.7 GB is often used to record one 2-hour program in the DVD-VR format, the medium quality (bit rate 4 to 4) is set as the initially set image quality. .6 Mbps) (if the user does not select image quality for a certain period of time (for example, 3 minutes), the medium image quality is automatically selected). If a single-layer single-layer DVD-R with a capacity of 4.7 GB is often used to record one hour's program according to the image quality, a high image quality (bit rate 8-9 Mbps) is selected as the default image quality (for sound quality). In this case, for example, it is possible to add an initial selection option such that linear PCM is set for audio recording and 6 to 8 Mbps is assigned for video recording. If there are many 4 hour programs recorded on a single-sided single-layer DVD-R with a capacity of 4.7 GB regardless of the image quality, select the low image quality (bit rate 2 to 2.2 Mbps) as the default image quality. (Screen display 10 in FIG. 5). In any case, since the user only has to select one image quality from a small selection, it is possible to complete the initial setting without reading the instruction manual.

  Although not shown, when the disk 1001 loaded in the disk drive 1002 of FIG. 1 is an unused DVD-R disk during (or after) the final step ST10 of the initial setting of FIG. , It is possible to make an initial setting to automate the process used after formatting the disk into a DVD-VR (if this initial setting is not made, an unused DVD-R disk loaded in the drive 1002 If it is not initialized separately in the VR mode, it will be recorded in the DVD video mode, but when it is recorded in the DVD video mode, the editing operation is more limited than in the case of recording in the VR mode). By such initial settings, initial settings applied by default can be easily performed in recording using a user-preferred recording format (DVD-VR or the like) and a user-preferred optical disk (DVD-R or the like).

  When the above initial setting is completed, the initial setting content is stored in the nonvolatile memory (or battery backed up memory) in the device, and the initial setting guidance is not displayed without permission when the power is turned on thereafter (initial setting). If you want to redo the settings, you can do the initial settings according to the description in the instruction manual, or remove the AC plug of the device from the AC outlet for a while and then plug the AC plug back into the outlet, and execute the initial setting wizard. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the memory for storing the initial setting contents can be provided in the microcomputer block 30.

  This invention is only when the power supply is turned on for the first time after purchasing the device (or when the AC plug of the device has been removed from the power outlet due to moving etc. for a long time and the initial settings are lost). The microcomputer block (30) that automatically executes the initial setting method (when the device is turned on for the first time) and the “broadcast program of receivable broadcast channel” set by this initial setting method are recorded. Implemented in a video recorder with a broadcast receiving tuner (42), comprising means (42, 50 to 52, 1001 to 1003, 2001) for playing back and means (1001 to 1003, 2001, 60) for playing back recorded programs it can.

  Nevertheless, the device in which the present invention is implemented can be configured to perform the initial setting at any time other than when the power is turned on for the first time (as desired by the user).

<Effects of the embodiment>
Users can follow the on-screen display that appears automatically when the power is turned on for the first time, and simply enter the information they know (the region / region where they live) interactively (menu selection). The minimum necessary initial settings can be completed as a recorder.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention or a future implementation stage based on the technology available at that time. It is. For example, the present invention can also be implemented in a personal computer having a DVD drive and a TV tuner by installing software using the present invention.

  In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some configuration requirements are deleted from all the configuration requirements shown in the embodiment, a configuration from which these configuration requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

The block diagram explaining the outline | summary of the video recording device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the relationship between the management information and real video data in one embodiment of this invention. Schematic explaining the example of a structure of the directory and file prescribed | regulated by DVD recording standard (DVD-VR standard). The flowchart figure explaining operation of the initial setting which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the specific example of what kind of display is made | formed with respect to a user in operation of the initial setting which concerns on one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Microcomputer block, 31 ... Work RAM, 31a ... Firmware ROM, 32 ... Directory detection part, 33 ... Management information control part at the time of editing, 34 ... Management information control part at the time of recording, 35 ... History information search process part , 36 ... partition processing unit, 38 ... initialization processing unit, 39 ... finalization processing unit, 41 ... AV input unit, 42 ... TV tuner, 43 ... display unit, 44 ... key input unit, 50 ... encoder unit, 51 ... formatter 52 ... Buffer memory 60 ... Decoder unit 1001 ... Optical disk 1002 ... Disk drive unit 1003 ... Data processor unit 2001 ... Hard disk drive unit

Claims (6)

In an initial setting method in which the step of inputting information on the user's home of a recording device having a broadcast receiving function and information on the usage location of the recording device is performed in an interactive manner with the user.
Display an inquiry as to whether to perform the initial setting,
When performing the initial setting, guide the local information input as information about the user's residence,
When performing the initial setting, guide the information input of the area as information on the usage location of the recording device,
An initial setting method for searching for a broadcast channel that can be actually received by the recording device and displaying a search result when information on the area regarding the usage location of the recording device is input. The initial setting is executed after the recording device is sold or distributed, or after the recording device has been unplugged from the power outlet for a long time and when the recording device is turned on for the first time. Configured as
The initial setting method according to claim 1, wherein when performing the initial setting, selection of a screen shape of a display device connected to the recording device is guided. The initial setting is executed after the recording device is sold or distributed, or after the recording device has been unplugged from the power outlet for a long time and when the recording device is turned on for the first time. Configured as
3. The initial setting method according to claim 1, wherein when the initial setting is performed, a time adjustment operation of a built-in timer of the recording device is guided. The initial setting is executed after the recording device is sold or distributed, or after the recording device has been unplugged from the power outlet for a long time and when the recording device is turned on for the first time. Configured as
The initial setting method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when performing the initial setting, selection of a recording image quality to be used as a default is guided.   The initial setting method according to claim 4 is used in the initial setting of a recorder capable of recording in one or more recording formats for a plurality of types of optical disks, and corresponds to the recording image quality selected by the guidance according to claim 4. The bit rate to be applied is applied by default to the recording of the plurality of types of optical discs using any one of the one or more recording formats. 6. After the recording device is sold or distributed, or after the recording device has been unplugged from a power outlet for a long period of time, when the recording device is turned on for the first time. A microcomputer block for executing the initial setting method according to any one of
Means for recording a broadcast program of the receivable broadcast channel set by the initial setting method;
A video recorder with a broadcast receiving tuner comprising means for playing back a recorded program.

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