JP2011130219A - Video recording apparatus and video reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience in copying video data to a server device, and to improve convenience of reproducing the video data, which have been copied to the service device, in a client device. <P>SOLUTION: The video recording apparatus includes: a means for inputting video information containing video data and unique reproduction control information unique to a recording format; a means for determining the recording format; a means for reading out the unique reproduction control information on the basis of the recording format determined and producing common reproduction control information, which is obtained by converting the read-out unique reproduction control information to a general format not depending upon the recording format, containing time map information in which reproduction time information is associated with the amount of data in a predetermined frame unit of video data; a means for recording the video information and the common reproduction control information on a recording medium; and a means for transferring to a request source the common reproduction control information and the video data requested over a computer network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video recording apparatus and a video reproduction apparatus.

  As described in Patent Document 1, video data is widely copied between different devices for backup and dubbing. Currently, there are a wide variety of recording formats of video data, and various methods are used according to recording media and the like. For example, in a small video camera, devices of different systems such as a DVD video camera, an SD video camera, a DV video camera, and a BD video camera are commercialized.

  In addition, even for the same recording medium, recording formats of different standards are often used. For example, even if a device uses a DVD as a recording medium, a DVD-VIDEO format, a DVD-VR format, or the like is used depending on the device.

In recent years, video data based on such various recording formats has been intensively copied (uploaded) to a server device installed in the home and managed. For example, an HDD recorder connected to a home LAN, a so-called home network is used as the server device. In the home network, an image recorded on the server device by directly operating the HDD recorder as the server device. In addition to viewing data, a client device installed in a home accesses and views video data on a server device via a communication line. As the client device, for example, a television connected to a home LAN can be used.

  DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is an organization that develops technical specifications for ensuring compatibility between such server devices and client devices, and products are sold in line with guidelines established by DLNA.

JP 2002-334561 A

  In general, video data is accompanied by playback control information specific to the recording format for playing back the video data. For this reason, when video data is copied, it is necessary to copy the reproduction control information in addition to the video data.

  However, when video data is copied between different devices, if the recording formats are different, the video data and the playback control information cannot be played back at the copy destination simply by copying them as they are.

  For this reason, when copying between devices of different standards, the video data and the entire playback control information must be converted to the recording format of the copy destination, which takes time and effort. become. In particular, since the recording format often depends on the recording medium, this problem is significant when copying between different recording media.

  At this time, since the video data after the recording format conversion is recorded in the copy destination, the data in the original recording format is not backed up. Furthermore, since the reproduction control information differs depending on the recording format standard, there is a problem that the operational feeling when reproducing the video data after copying also differs.

  Further, even in a server device or a client device that complies with the DLNA guidelines, it is difficult and not realized to transmit reproduction control information between devices having different standards. For this reason, it is difficult to perform chapter reproduction or fast-forward reproduction with no sense of incongruity using the reproduction control information when reproducing video data in the client device, and the usability is not sufficient.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve convenience when copying video data to a server device, and to improve convenience when reproducing video data copied to the server device on a client device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a video recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes video information input means for inputting video information including video data and unique reproduction control information specific to the recording format of the video data, Recording format discrimination means for discriminating the recording format of the video data, reading out the inherent reproduction control information based on the discriminated recording format, and converting the read out intrinsic reproduction control information into a general-purpose format independent of the recording format Reproduction control information generating means for generating common reproduction control information including time map information in which information is associated with reproduction time information and a data amount for each predetermined frame unit of the video data; Recording means for recording common reproduction control information on a recording medium, and via a computer network And control means for transferring the determined said common reproduction control information and the video data to the request source, characterized by comprising a.

  Here, the time map information may include, for each predetermined frame unit, information indicating the number of fields constituting the frame unit and the data amount of the frame unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a video playback apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention provides video information including video data and unique playback control information specific to the recording format of the video data, and a general-purpose that does not depend on the recording format. To a server device in which common conversion control information means including time map information that is information converted into a format and that associates reproduction time information and data amount for each predetermined frame unit of the video data is recorded The video data to be reproduced based on the correspondence between the reproduction time information and the data amount according to the control means for requesting transfer of the common reproduction control information and the video data, and the transferred common reproduction control information And a reproduction processing means for performing reproduction processing of the transferred video data by specifying the start position of the video data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience when copying video data to the server device and to improve convenience when reproducing the video data copied to the server device on the client device.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the video recording / reproducing system which concerns on 1st Example of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a media recording / reproducing apparatus and a digital video camera. 10 is a flowchart for describing processing for copying video information recorded on a DVD disc loaded in a digital video camera to the HDD by the media recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the directory / file structure of the DVD disc based on DVD-VR specification. It is a flowchart explaining the common reproduction | regeneration control information addition process which a common reproduction | regeneration control information processing part performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the analysis result outline | summary of a common reproduction | regeneration control information processing part. It is a figure which shows an example of the produced | generated common reproduction | regeneration control information. It is an example of the common time map information which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the directory / file structure of HDD in the state which the copy process of the video information was complete | finished. 10 is a flowchart for explaining reproduction of video information stored in an HDD in a media recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the video recording / reproducing system which concerns on 2nd Example of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the media recording / reproducing apparatus and media reproducing apparatus which were connected via LAN.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, a basic configuration and operation for copying video data between different devices will be described. In the second embodiment, the video data copied to the server device is played back on the client device via the network. The configuration and operation will be described.
<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a video recording / reproducing system according to a first example of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the video recording / playback system 1 includes a media recording / playback device 10 connected to a display device 60 and a digital video camera 20. The media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the digital video camera 20 can communicate with each other according to a predetermined communication standard, for example, USB. In this case, video data, control data, and the like can be transmitted by connecting both via the USB cable 40. Note that the video data includes audio information and other information.

  The digital video camera 20 includes a portable or fixed recording medium, and records video data in a predetermined recording format corresponding to the recording medium. The video data is accompanied by reproduction control information (navigation information) in which information necessary for reproducing the video data is recorded. These are collectively referred to as video information below. In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the recording medium is a DVD and the recording format is DVD-VR. Of course, this is only an example, and the present invention is not limited to DVD and DVD-VR.

  The media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 includes a portable or fixed recording medium, and can record video information on the recording medium and reproduce the recorded video information. In the present embodiment, the recording medium of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is, for example, a hard disk, but is not limited to this, and may be a memory or a BD. Further, the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 has a function of copying and moving video information recorded on a DVD provided in the digital video camera 20. In the following description, a description will be given by copying. At this time, the video information recorded on the DVD is copied as it is, and then the video data included in the video information is playback control information for general playback that is independent of the recording format. Add playback control information.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the digital video camera 20 connected via the USB cable 40. As shown in the figure, the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, an operation receiving unit 130, a disk management unit 140, an HDD 145, a reproduction processing unit 150, an image processing unit 160, an image output unit 170, a recording format. A determination unit 180 and a common reproduction control information processing unit 190 are provided. Note that a drive function of a portable recording medium such as a DVD or an SD card may be provided.

  The communication unit 110 communicates with the digital video camera 20 via the USB cable 40 to transmit control data and receive video information. The communication unit 110 can be connected to a LAN via a LAN cable.

  The control unit 120 is a functional unit that comprehensively controls various processes in the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10. For example, a process for creating various menu screens, playlist display screens, and the like for presenting information to the user and receiving operations. To do.

  The operation accepting unit 130 accepts an operation from a user via an operation button or the like provided on the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10. The operation received by the operation receiving unit 130 from the user is, for example, a video data copy instruction from the connected digital video camera 20, a video data or playlist reproduction instruction stored in the HDD 145, a menu selection operation, or the like.

  The disk management unit 140 controls reading and writing of data with respect to the HDD 145. The reproduction processing unit 150 performs reproduction processing of video data recorded on the HDD 145. Specifically, processing such as decoding and seeking of video data is performed with reference to reproduction control information attached to the video data. The image processing unit 160 performs processing for generating a still image having a predetermined resolution based on an image obtained from the video data.

  The image output unit 170 is connected to the display device 60, and performs processing for outputting the video reproduced by the reproduction processing unit 150, the menu screen generated by the control unit 120, the playlist display screen, and the like to the display device 60. Do.

  The recording format discrimination unit 180 performs processing for discriminating the recording format of video information copied from the digital video camera 20. The recording format of the video information can be determined by, for example, examining the directory structure in which the video information is stored, or examining the presence / absence, name, content, etc. of a predetermined file. In the recording format discriminating unit 180, information relating to a plurality of formats, for example, the DVD-VR standard, the BD-RE standard, the SD-VIDEO standard, the AVCHD standard, and the like is registered in advance so as to be compatible with a plurality of recording formats. deep. Any of these recording formats can handle video data compressed by a predetermined method such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 / AVC.

  The common reproduction control information processing unit 190 generates common format common reproduction control information based on the unique reproduction control information specific to the recording format included in the video information. Here, the common reproduction control information is reproduction control information obtained by converting unique reproduction control information that differs for each recording format into a general-purpose format such as an XML format so as not to depend on the recording format. By reproducing the video data using the common format common reproduction control information, the video data using the common compression method can be reproduced universally regardless of the recording format of the video data. For this reason, the common reproduction control information processing unit 190 is configured to be able to interpret the contents of the specific reproduction control information for each recording format that can be discriminated by the recording format discrimination unit 180. Details of the process for generating the common reproduction control information will be described later. Further, when the common reproduction control information processing unit 190 generates the common reproduction control information, if the reproduction control information includes representative image information such as a thumbnail, the common reproduction control information processing unit 190 associates the representative image with the common reproduction control information. May be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital video camera 20 includes a photographing unit 210, a recording / reproducing unit 220, and a communication unit 230, and records video information on a DVD disk 30 loaded therein. In the present embodiment, video information is recorded according to the DVD-VR standard.

  The photographing unit 210 includes a photographing mechanism such as a lens and an image sensor, and outputs video data obtained by converting optical information into electronic information. The recording / reproducing unit 220 performs a process of recording the video data input from the photographing unit 210 on the DVD disk 30 in accordance with the DVD-VR recording format. The communication unit 230 communicates with the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 via the USB cable 40 to transmit video information recorded on the DVD disk 30 and receive control data.

  Next, a process in which the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 copies video information recorded on the DVD disk 30 loaded in the digital video camera 20 to the HDD 145 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process corresponds to a process of copying (uploading) video data to the server apparatus when the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 functions as the server apparatus.

  In general, video information includes video data and unique reproduction control information specific to a recording format in which control information for reproducing the video data is recorded. The video data is compressed by a predetermined encoding method such as MPEG-2 and stored in a predetermined directory as one or a plurality of files. Further, reproduction control information is also stored in a predetermined directory as one or a plurality of files according to control information to be recorded.

  When the digital video camera 20 is connected to the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 via the USB cable 40, communication is started according to the USB protocol. The recording format determination unit 180 of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 determines the recording format of the video information recorded on the DVD disk 30 by acquiring the directory / file structure of the DVD disk 30 loaded in the digital video camera 20. (S101). Here, the recording format is discriminated by examining the directory / file structure of the DVD disk 30 or examining the presence / absence, name, content, etc. of a predetermined file.

  In this embodiment, since the video information of the DVD disc 30 is recorded in the DVD-VR standard recording format, an outline of the DVD-VR standard recording format will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a directory / file structure of a DVD disc based on the DVD-VR standard. As shown in the figure, in the DVD-VR standard, a “DVD_RTAV” directory is created in the root directory, and at least two files are arranged in the “DVD_RTAV” directory. One of them, “VR_MOVIE.VRO”, is a file that stores video data obtained by encoding audio / video shot by the digital video camera 20 in accordance with the MPEG system. Another “VR_MANGER.IFO” is a file including reproduction control information for reproducing the contents of “VR_MOVIE.VRO”, and is also called a navigation information file.

  Therefore, the recording format determination unit 180 detects that the “DVD_RTAV” directory is created in the root directory of the DVD disc 30 and the “VR_MOVIE.VRO” file and the “VR_MANGER.IFO” file are arranged. It can be determined that the recording format of the video information recorded on the DVD disk 30 is the DVD-VR standard. Similarly, the recording format discrimination unit 180 can discriminate each recording format by detecting a directory / file structure specific to the AVCHD standard, the SD-VIDEO standard, or the like.

  “VR_MANGER.IFO”, which is individual playback control information in the DVD-VR standard, is described according to a recording format defined in the DVD-VR standard. The contents described in “VR_MANGER.IFO” are various, but typically include “whole media information”, “stream information”, “playlist information”, “time map information”, and “representative image information”.

  “Media whole information” is information for managing the video data recorded in the recording medium and all the various information related thereto.

  “Stream information” is information used for decoding video data such as a video encoding method, resolution, frame rate, audio encoding method, number of channels, sampling frequency, and the like.

  “Playlist information” is information for reproducing a scene (chapter) obtained by dividing video data in an arbitrary order. A scene is expressed as cell information that holds a start time and an end time, and playlist information is composed of one or more pieces of cell information. Note that a plurality of pieces of playlist information can be recorded in order to enable combined playback of various scenes.

  The “time map information” is information in which the elapsed time of the video and the recording position of the video data corresponding thereto are recorded in a table format. In general, in MPEG-compliant video encoding, a method of dynamically allocating a code amount according to the complexity of video data is employed. In this case, the elapsed time of the video data and the code amount are not in a linear relationship. Therefore, even if the start time of the cell information is given, it is difficult to determine the recording position of the corresponding video data and perform access for reproduction at high speed. In order to solve this problem, time map information is recorded. By referring to the time map information, it is possible to quickly access the accurate video data position from the start time or end time of the cell information.

  By the way, in MPEG-compliant video coding, each frame is not independent, and compression / decompression is performed in units of data called GOP (Group of Picture). A GOP is an aggregate of three types of frames: an I frame, a P frame, and a B frame. One GOP starts from an I frame and is composed of one I frame, a plurality of P frames, and a B frame. Note that the I frame is a reference frame that can be immediately decoded because it is compressed only with the information in the own screen and does not use the correlation information of other screens that change in time. The P frame is a frame represented by correlation information from a past screen in time. The B frame is a frame represented by correlation information from the temporally moving screen.

  In this embodiment, “time map information” is described in units of GOP, and lists the number of fields when GOP is reproduced and the amount of data included in the GOP, thereby providing a comparison table of time and position. It is composed.

  The “representative image information” is information for displaying an image representing video data or a scene, so-called a thumbnail image, so that the user can easily identify the video data or scene. The representative image information records specific time information of video data, and the image processing unit 160 of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 generates a still image from the video data by referring to the representative image information. This still image can be used as a representative image on a menu screen for video information selection, playlist selection, scene selection, and the like.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, when the recording format discrimination unit 180 discriminates the recording format of the video information recorded on the DVD disc 30, it cannot be discriminated or the recording format is not compatible. (S102: No) does not perform the following processing. On the other hand, if the recording format is compatible (S102: Yes), the following video information copy process is performed. Note that the video information copy process starts after receiving a start instruction from the user, for example.

  In the video information copy process, the control unit 120 instructs the disk management unit 140 to build the same directory structure on the HDD 145 as the DVD disk 30, and the disk management unit 140 stores the same information on the HDD 145 as the DVD disk 30. Is created (S103).

  Subsequently, the control unit 120 instructs the disk management unit 140 to copy the file stored in the DVD disk 30 to the HDD 145, and the disk management unit 140 executes (S104). As a result, the contents of the DVD disk 30 are copied to the HDD 145, and the directory / file structure is the same as that of the DVD disk 30.

  Then, the control unit 120 instructs the common reproduction control information processing unit 190 to add the common reproduction control information to the video information copied to the HDD 145, and the common reproduction control information processing unit 190 adds the common reproduction control information. Processing is performed (S105).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing common reproduction control information addition processing performed by the common reproduction control information processing unit 190. The common reproduction control information processing unit 190 acquires the individual reproduction control information from the HDD 145 according to the recording format determined by the recording format determination unit 180 (S201). If the discriminated recording format is the DVD-VR standard as in the present embodiment, the “VR_MANGER.IFO” file in the “DVD_RTAV” directory may be referred to.

  Then, the common reproduction control information processing unit 190 analyzes the acquired individual reproduction control information (S202). In general, the content of the individual reproduction control information is binary data described according to a syntax uniquely defined for each recording format. The common reproduction control information processing unit 190 is configured to be able to interpret these syntaxes in advance.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an analysis result summary of the common reproduction control information processing unit 190. As shown in the figure, the analysis result includes stream information 601, time map information 602, and playlist information 603. Note that the time map information 602 is included in the stream information 601.

  The playlist information 603 is divided into an actual playlist that manages the reproduction of all captured videos, and a user playlist that is additionally created by the user to select and reproduce only the desired scene. Each playlist includes one or more pieces of cell information, each corresponding to a scene. Each cell information includes entry point (EP) information, time and name are linked, entry point is selected from the name, and cue playback is possible. The representative image point, stream period, cell period, and entry point are all described by a PTS (presentation time stamp) defined by the MPEG standard, for example, with a clock value of 90 kHz.

  In addition, the disc information and the playlist information 603 at the head of the analysis result include representative image information 604a, 604b, and 604c. This is because representative image information is included in the original individual reproduction control information.

  As described above, when the representative image information is included in the original individual reproduction control information (S203: Yes), the common reproduction control information processing unit 190 performs processing corresponding to the representative image (S204). Here, processing corresponding to the representative image will be described. As described above, the representative image is a relatively low-resolution still image that displays a specific point of the video included in the video information, each playlist, scene (chapter), etc. in a thumbnail format so that the user can easily identify it. It is a picture.

  Some video information recording formats hold only time information as representative image information and do not have image information. In such a recording format, when displaying the representative image on the menu screen, the video data may be searched based on the time information to generate a corresponding still image. The generation of a still image requires decoding of video data, changing the resolution as necessary, and so on. When displaying a large number of representative images on a playback menu screen, it takes time to complete the display.

  Therefore, in the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when representative image information is included in the individual reproduction control information, in the process of generating the common reproduction control information based on the individual reproduction control information, A representative image of resolution is created and stored in the HDD 145, and link information is included in the common playback control information. As a result, it is not necessary to generate a representative image each time a menu for playback is displayed, and the time until the display is completed can be shortened.

  Specifically, when the representative image information is included in the reproduction control information, the corresponding video data is searched from the HDD 145 using the entry point and time information. Then, the reproduction processing unit 150 decodes the retrieved video data to generate image data for several frames. Next, the image processing unit 160 selects image data corresponding to the time information, converts the image data to a specified resolution, and performs processing according to a predetermined still image compression method such as JPEG to generate a representative image.

  When a plurality of representative image information is included in one playlist, the above process is repeated. In the present embodiment, the image processing unit 160 numbers the generated representative images, and manages them together in one representative image file in which the representative images are continuous. The representative image file is recorded in a predetermined directory of the HDD 145 with a predetermined file name, as will be described later.

  When the reproduction of the individual reproduction control information is finished, the common reproduction control information processing unit 190 generates common reproduction control information based on the analysis result (S205). In the present embodiment, the common reproduction control information is created as a text file in, for example, an XML format that is a general-purpose format in order to have versatility. Of course, the general-purpose format is not limited to the XML format. At this time, according to a predetermined XML format syntax or the like, the information element of the analysis result can be converted without losing the meaning. For this reason, it is possible to define a syntax that can represent information of the greatest common divisor of information indicated in the corresponding recording format. Or you may make it define the syntax which covers the information shown by the corresponding recording format.

  In the syntax used in the common playback control information, for example, the name defined individually in each recording format is associated with a unified name, or the parameters defined in each recording format have the same meaning Can be made common, or parameters corresponding to parameters specific to a certain recording format can be defined. In addition, in order to facilitate reference to video data, it is desirable that information representing time in the analysis result is represented by the number of video frames.

  In the present embodiment, since the common playback control information is created in an XML format text file, there is an advantage that a value can be written in a meaningful tag and it is easy to understand intuitively. In addition, there is an advantage that various items of each recording format can be easily handled by defining a tag.

  Here, as an example, a syntax related to a playlist used in the common reproduction control information of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, playlists are classified into two types: real playlists and user playlists. The actual playlist is a playlist created at the same time as the video data file when the content is recorded, and is a playlist closely related to the content. The user playlist is a playlist created by a user editing operation.

  Although not limited to the DVD-VR standard cited as an example in the present embodiment, the structure is synonymous with two types of playlists, although the names are different. For this reason, the playlist definition corresponding to each standard is made to correspond to the definition of the playlist and user playlist described below.

  Next, the syntax expression defined in the playlist of each standard is defined as an element of common reproduction control information expressed in the XML format. For example, a playlist name or the like is provided with a syntax expression representing the same meaning even if the notation differs for each standard. Therefore, a syntax expression corresponding to the name of the playlist is described as a playListName element.

  The description rule for the element expressed in the XML format is defined by DTD (Document Type Definition) or XML Schema which is general in the XML description. For example, a condition such as a character string for the playListName element and a maximum of 255 characters may be defined.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of common reproduction control information related to the generated actual playlist information. In this example, the cell information of the playlist is described as a playItem element 701, and the representative image information 702a and 702b and the entry point information 702c and 702d are described by being integrated into the playListmark element 702.

  In the present embodiment, the common playback control information related to the entire video information is recorded as a “general.xfun” file described in the XML format, for example, a general format that does not depend on the recording format, and the common playback control related to the actual playlist is recorded. Information is also recorded as a “r00001.xfun” file described in a general-purpose format, for example, an XML format that does not depend on the recording format, and common playback control information related to the user playlist is recorded in an “v00002.xfun” file described in the XML format. Shall be recorded as Information recorded in the “general.xfun” file corresponds to “whole media information”.

  The representative image file related to the actual playlist is recorded as “r00001.thbf”, and the representative image file related to the user playlist is recorded as “r00002.thbf”. Reference information to individual representative images of these representative image files is indicated by the numbers in the thumbnailIndex element as representative image information 702a and 702b.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the playListMark element 702 includes a plurality of mark elements, and the mark element includes a type element, a refToPlayItem element, a markTime element, and a thumbnailIndex element.

  The type element is type information such as whether the mark element represents a representative image of a playlist or whether it is chapter information as expressed by an entry point (EP) of the DVD-VR standard. By providing such type information, the representative image information can be managed uniformly in the playListMark element 702.

  The refToPlayItem element and the markTime element indicate points in the playlist that are the basis for creating the representative image. The thumbnail index element is reference information to individual representative images in the representative image file as described above. Since the representative image is generated when the common reproduction control information is generated, it is not necessary to search the video data at the time of display, and the time until it is displayed can be shortened.

  Furthermore, the common reproduction control information processing unit 190 can generate and record the time map information described above as common reproduction control information. The time map information is recorded as a “tmap.xfun” file described in the XML format.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of common time map information. The outline of the time map information in the DVD-VR format is shown at 602 in FIG. 6, but these pieces of information are converted and described in the XML format as shown in FIG.

  In this example, the target file describing the time map is specified with the refToFileName element 801, the start and end time information of the file is described with the startPts element 802 and the endPts element 803, and the position of the stream is specified with the packSize element 804 Describes the data amount of a unit (referred to as a pack) for designating.

  Then, for each GOP, in the fields-packs-refPacks element 805, the number of display video fields (fields) in the GOP, the number of packs belonging to the GOP (packs), and the number of packs occupied by the first I frame data of the GOP (refPacks) ).

  For example, when referring to a specific I frame in a file, a search operation based on the number of bytes from the beginning of the file is required. However, the pack size and the number of packs (packs) up to the GOP including the I frame to be referenced are included. Multiplication with the integrated value enables retrieval in byte units. In addition, by describing refPacks indicating the number of packs occupied by the first I frame data of the GOP, only I frame data can be read at high speed, so that fast-forward special reproduction can be realized.

  When the common playback control information processing unit 190 generates the common playback control information based on the individual playback control information according to the procedure described above, the control unit 120 stores the common playback control information in the HDD 145 and copies the video information. The process ends (S206). As for the common reproduction control information, a “UNAV” directory for common reproduction control information is newly created and stored in the directory created in the process (S103).

  When the recording format of the original video information is the DVD-VR recording format as in this embodiment, a “UNAV” directory is created under the “DVD_RTAV” directory, and the generated common playback control information, that is, “ Video information copy processing by storing a “general.xfun” file, a “tmap.xfun” file, an “r00001.xfun” file, a “v00002.xfun” file, an “r00001.thbf” file, and an “r00002.thbf” file Exit. FIG. 9 shows the directory / file structure of the HDD 145 in a state in which the video information copy process has been completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the common reproduction control information is created based on the individual reproduction control information included in the copy source video information, and the video information including the video data and the individual reproduction control information is copied as it is. The common playback control information in the general format is also copied. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, since only the common reproduction control information is added, it is possible to copy the video information as it is without changing the copy source video information.

  Next, playback of video information stored in the HDD 145 in the media recording / playback apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 refers to the HDD 145, and when the “UNAV” directory is generated in the video information directory (S301: Yes), the video using the common reproduction control information described below is used. Information reproduction processing is performed. Here, even if the recording formats of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the digital video camera 20 are the same and the video data can be reproduced in accordance with the individual reproduction control information included in the video information, or the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the digital video camera 20. Even if the recording formats are different from each other, if the “UNAV” directory is generated, the video information reproduction process using the common reproduction control information may be performed. For this reason, the common playback control information is generated not only when the recording formats of the media recording / playback apparatus 10 and the digital video camera 20 are different, but also when the recording formats are the same. It may be generated. On the other hand, when the “UNAV” directory is not generated in the video information directory (S301: No), the conventional reproduction process is performed (S303).

  In the reproduction process of the video information using the common reproduction control information, a playlist file which is the common reproduction control information stored in the “UNAV” directory is read (S302). In the present embodiment, the “r00001.xfun” file and the “v00002.xfun” file described in the XML format correspond to the playlist file. Note that the video information reproduction process is started after receiving a playlist display instruction from the user, for example.

  Subsequently, the control unit 120 generates a menu screen for selecting a playlist according to the information recorded in the playlist file, and displays it on the display device 60 via the image output unit 170 (S304). At this time, if representative image information is included in the playlist file, a menu screen including the representative image corresponding to the representative image information is generated.

  Specifically, using the playlist identifier and the number included in the thumbnailIndex element in the representative image information, it corresponds from the representative image file such as “r00001.thbf” stored in the “UNAV” directory of the HDD 145. A representative image is acquired by reading the representative image. Then, the acquired representative image is included in the menu screen.

  Further, the playlist name in the menu screen can be acquired from the playListName element 703 shown in FIG. The layout for displaying the playlist name and the corresponding representative image is determined in advance.

  When a playlist selection is received from the user via the menu screen (S305), playback of the selected playlist is executed (S306). The play list is reproduced according to the play item information described in the playItem element 701 included in the playList element 704 shown in FIG. That is, when information included in the refToFileName element, the inTime element, and the outTime element is sent to the reproduction processing unit 150, the reproduction processing unit 150 causes the corresponding reproduction section in the video data such as the “VR_MOVIE.VRO” file copied to the HDD 145. Is read. Then, the video data is sequentially decoded and output to the display device 60 via the image output unit 170, whereby the video information is reproduced.

  Prior to playback of video information, “tmap.xfun”, which is a time map information file stored in the “UNAV” directory, is read and search control is performed using the relationship between time and position on video data. Thus, an accurate and high-speed search operation in byte units can be executed when reading the playback section.

  If a plurality of video information is copied to the HDD 145, the video information is selected by referring to the “general.xfun” file in each “UNAV” directory before displaying the playlist. This menu screen may be generated and displayed. For this reason, in the “general.xfun” file, information related to video information, for example, information such as names and representative images is recorded. Thus, by displaying the video information selection menu screen based on the “general.xfun” file of each video information, the user can easily select the video information.

  Further, when the user selects a playlist on the menu screen, the representative images and scene names of the scenes (chapters) constituting the playlist may be displayed in a menu format. In this case, when the user selects a specific scene from the menu screen, the playback of the video data operates to start playback from the point described by the corresponding mark element. Since the user can perform the cue playback of the scene in the menu format, the convenience of the media recording / playback apparatus 10 is improved.

  As described above, according to the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform the reproducing process using the common reproduction control information regardless of the recording format of the copy source. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform the reproduction process with a unified operation feeling even between different recording formats, and the convenience for the user is enhanced.

  Furthermore, by playing back using the time map information included in the common playback control information, in special playback such as chapter search playback and fast forward playback, a data section corresponding to an appropriate I frame is searched and played back at high speed. As a result, high-quality special reproduction is possible.

  For example, when playing from video 60 fields after the beginning of the file, fields are accumulated so as not to exceed 60 fields, the packs are accumulated in the same manner, and the packed packs are multiplied by packSize to obtain a byte offset. By performing seek, it is possible to start reproduction from an image in the vicinity of 60 fields. Also, high-quality fast-forward playback can be performed by reading only I-frame data at high speed using refPacks.

Note that the above reproduction processing is not limited to media reproduction in the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 that has performed copying. For example, the copied media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 can further hard-copy video information including the “UNAV” directory onto a portable recording medium such as a DVD disk, and the recording medium can interpret the common reproduction control information. In the case of reproduction by another media reproduction apparatus, the video information can be reproduced by the same procedure as the process shown in FIG.
<Second embodiment>
Next, a second example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which video data copied (uploaded) to the media recording / playback apparatus 10 according to the procedure of the first embodiment is played back by another apparatus connected via a LAN. The video data includes audio data and other data.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a video recording / reproducing system according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the video recording / playback system 2 includes a media recording / playback device 10 connected to a display device 60, a digital video camera 20, and a media playback device 50 connected to a display device 70. The recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the media reproducing apparatus 50 are connected to a LAN 90 via a LAN cable 80 and a LAN cable 82, respectively. The LAN 90 can be a home network, for example. The connection form to the LAN 90 may be wired or wireless. Alternatively, the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the media reproducing apparatus 50 may be directly connected.

  The media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is the same apparatus as the first embodiment, and functions as a server apparatus in the second embodiment. It is assumed that the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 copies video information from the digital video camera 20 according to the procedure shown in the first embodiment, and stores video data and common playback control information. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the connection between the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the digital video camera 20 may be released.

  The media playback device 50 is a device specialized for playback of video data through a network, and functions as a client device in the second embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 and the media reproducing apparatus 50 connected via the LAN 90. Since the configuration of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the LAN cable 80 is connected to the communication unit 110, description thereof will be omitted.

  The media playback device 50 includes a communication unit 510, a control unit 520, an operation reception unit 530, a storage unit 540, a playback processing unit 550, and an image output unit 570. Although the configuration is similar to that of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10, the disc management unit, the HDD, the image processing unit, the recording format determination unit, and the common reproduction control information processing unit are specialized for reproducing video content through a network. It is labor-saving. However, some or all of these functional units may be provided.

  The communication unit 510 is connected to the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 via the LAN 90, and can receive common reproduction control information and video data recorded and accumulated in the hard disk drive 145 of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 through communication. .

  The control unit 520 is a functional unit that comprehensively controls various processes in the media playback device 50. For example, the control unit 520 performs a process of creating various menu screens, playlist display screens, and the like for presenting information to the user and receiving operations. Do.

  The operation reception unit 530 receives an operation from the user via an operation button or the like provided on the media playback device 50. The operation received by the operation receiving unit 530 from the user is, for example, an instruction to reproduce video data or a playlist stored in the hard disk drive 145 of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10, a menu selection operation, or the like.

  The storage unit 540 is provided in place of the disk management unit 140 and the hard disk drive 145 of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10, and temporarily stores common reproduction control information transmitted via the LAN cable 80. It is not necessary to store video data that requires a large capacity, and video data supplied via the LAN 90 is directly transferred to the playback processing unit 550 and played back.

  The playback processing unit 550 performs playback processing of video data received via the LAN 90. Specifically, referring to reproduction control information attached to the video data, processing such as decoding of the video data and a seek request via the network is performed.

  The image output unit 570 is connected to the display device 70, and performs processing for outputting the video reproduced by the reproduction processing unit 550, the menu screen generated by the control unit 520, the playlist display screen, and the like to the display device 70. Do.

  The video content playback in the media playback device 50 is basically the same as the playback of video content stored in the hard disk drive 145 in the media recording / playback device 10 described above with reference to FIG. For this reason, description will be made again with reference to FIG. However, in this case, since the hard disk drive referred to by the media playback device 50 is the hard disk drive 145 of the media recording / playback device 10 that exists in another room in the home via the LAN 90, communication via the network is required. become. Further, the control unit 120 of the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 performs processing for responding to a file request from the media reproducing apparatus 50.

  In the process shown in FIG. 10 (S301), the control unit 520 of the media playback device 50 confirms the presence of the UNAV directory with the media recording / playback device 10 through the communication unit 510. If the UNAV directory does not exist, a conventional reproduction process similar to DLNA or the like is performed (S303).

  When the presence of the UNAV directory is confirmed, in the process (S302), the playlist file is read in the same manner as the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10. However, the control unit 520 of the media reproducing apparatus 50 reads the playlist file through the communication unit 510. The playlist file that has been requested and transferred to the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is stored in the storage unit 540.

  In the “playlist menu display” in the process (S304) and the “playlist selection acceptance” in the process (S305), the same process as the media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is performed.

  In the “playback execution” in the process (S306), the control unit 520 of the media playback device 50 requests the time map information file from the media recording / playback device 10 through the communication unit 510, and the transferred time map information file is received. Store in the storage unit 540.

  The control unit 520 of the media playback device 50 uses the playlist information and time map information stored in the storage unit 540 to determine a section necessary for playback of the video information. The media recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is requested to transfer a desired part. Then, the transferred video data is played back by the playback processing unit 550, and the video is displayed on the display device 70 connected from the image output unit 570.

  By performing such processing, the media playback device 50 can play back the video data copied to the media recording / playback device 10 via the network regardless of the recording format of the copy source. At this time, since the media playback device 50 can receive the common playback information including the time map information from the media recording / playback device 10 via the network, the playback device using the conventional network such as chapter playback. High-quality playback that could not be done with can be realized. Further, since the transfer request for only the data section corresponding to the I frame of the video data can be executed using the time map information, fast-forward playback can be performed, and high-quality special playback can be realized.

  In the first and second embodiments, the video recording apparatus and the video reproduction apparatus according to the present invention have been described as hardware configurations using block diagrams. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the CPU is programmed. Of course, the video recording apparatus and the video reproduction apparatus of the present invention may be configured in software by executing the above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video recording / reproducing system, 10 ... Media recording / reproducing apparatus, 20 ... Digital video camera, 30 ... DVD disk, 40 ... USB cable, 50 ... Media reproducing apparatus, 60 ... Display apparatus, 70 ... Display apparatus, 80 ... LAN cable 82, LAN cable, 90, LAN, 110, communication unit, 120, control unit, 130, operation reception unit, 140, disk management unit, 145, HDD, 150, reproduction processing unit, 160, image processing unit, 170,. Image output unit 180 ... Recording format discriminating unit 190 ... Common reproduction control information processing unit 210 ... Shooting unit 220 ... Recording / reproducing unit 230 ... Communication unit 510 ... Communication unit 520 ... Control unit 530 ... Operation acceptance , 540 ... storage unit, 550 ... reproduction processing unit, 570 ... image output unit

Claims (3)

Video information input means for inputting video information including video data and unique playback control information specific to the recording format of the video data;
Recording format discrimination means for discriminating the recording format of the video data;
The unique reproduction control information is read based on the determined recording format, and the read unique reproduction control information is converted into a general-purpose format independent of the recording format, for each predetermined frame unit of the video data. Reproduction control information generating means for generating common reproduction control information including time map information in which reproduction time information and data amount are associated;
Recording means for recording the video information and the common reproduction control information on a recording medium;
A video recording apparatus comprising: control means for transferring the common reproduction control information and the video data requested via a computer network to a request source. The video recording apparatus according to claim 1,
2. The video recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time map information includes, for each predetermined frame unit, information indicating a number of fields constituting the frame unit and a data amount of the frame unit. Video information including video data and unique playback control information specific to the recording format of the video data, and information converted into a general-purpose format independent of the recording format, and played back for each predetermined frame unit of the video data Control means for requesting transfer of the common reproduction control information and the video data to a server device in which common reproduction control information means including time map information in which time information and data amount are associated is recorded;
In accordance with the transferred common playback control information, a playback position for specifying the start position of video data to be played back based on the correspondence between the playback time information and the amount of data and performing playback processing of the transferred video data And a processing means.