JP2000195243A - Automatic video recording system, and video/audio recorder and video acoustic appliance corresponding thereto - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic recording system capable of executing video recording by being linked with a timer reservation of STB(set-top box). SOLUTION: When a set time arrives for recording reservation in an STB, a change-over switch in a DC level setting switch 15 is changed over to connection terminal c, and a video signal is outputted for several seconds with the DC level of a color signal being set to 0.8 V. When a DC detector 5 in a VTR detects this voltage level, a power supply is turned on by a power supply control part 7, and then video recording is started by a video recording control unit 8. After that, the change-over switch in a DC level setting switch 15 is switched to a prescribed connection terminal according to the form of the video signal to be outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic recording system suitable for recording a video / audio signal inputted from an externally connected video / audio device, and a video / audio recording apparatus and a video / audio system corresponding to the automatic recording system. Equipment related.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the demand for diversification of television programs, movie channels, such as cable television broadcasts and CS broadcasts, are different from terrestrial broadcasts.
Many broadcast channels such as music specialty channels are set, and various television programs are broadcast.

[0003] When receiving a television broadcast different from such a terrestrial broadcast, a dedicated receiver (hereinafter, referred to as STB) usually called a set-top box is required, and a video / audio signal output from the STB is required. Is input to the television receiver, so that a television program by cable television broadcasting or CS broadcasting can be viewed. When recording such a television broadcast, a video program is recorded by inputting a video / audio signal output from the STB to a video tape recorder.

[0004] As described above, cable television broadcasting or CS
When recording a broadcast TV program, video and audio signals input externally are recorded using the external input terminal of the video tape recorder. Generally, a timer reservation must be set for both the STB and the video tape recorder.

[0005] Under such circumstances, a video tape recorder equipped with an automatic recording control device capable of starting recording in conjunction with turning on the power of the STB without any complicated operation, and ending the recording when the power is turned off. Has appeared. Note that the power-on or power-off described here simply means turning on or off a power switch for operating the apparatus, and the apparatus itself is assumed to be always energized. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a video tape recorder equipped with such a conventional automatic recording control device.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a built-in tuner for receiving terrestrial broadcasts or other broadcasts, and SW has input terminals A and B, and selectively outputs either one of the input terminals A and B. Input changeover switch, ST
The video signal output from B is input to the input terminal A via the video signal input terminal InV, while the built-in tuner 10
Is input to the input terminal b.

[0007] Reference numeral 11 denotes an automatic gain adjustment for automatically adjusting and outputting the pedestal level to a constant value based on the sync tip of the video signal as shown in FIG. 5 selected by the second input changeover switch SW. The circuits (AGC) and 12 perform predetermined signal processing on the video signal from the automatic gain control circuit 11 and output a recording signal suitable for recording a signal on a magnetic tape, and VH denotes a video signal. It is a magnetic head that records a recording signal from the processing unit 12 on the magnetic tape T.

[0008] On the other hand, reference numeral 13 denotes a synchronization detection unit for detecting whether or not a synchronization signal is included in the output signal from the automatic gain control circuit 11. Reference numeral 14 denotes a detection result of the synchronization signal detected by the synchronization detection unit 13. , A recording control unit in which an automatic recording control function is set based on a user's instruction.

[0009] When the user presses the recording reservation setting button provided on the front panel of the video tape recorder, the information is transmitted to the recording control unit 14. , Input switch SW
Is switched to the input terminal A side to enter a recording standby state.

[0010] In this recording standby state, the power of the main parts of the video tape recorder, such as the built-in tuner 10 and the video signal processing unit 12, is cut off in the same manner as when normal timer recording reservation using the internal tuner is performed. However, the automatic gain control circuit 11, the synchronization detection unit 13, and the recording control unit 14 are energized.

In this state, when the power of the STB is turned on by the timer reservation function set in the STB, the synchronization signal is detected by the synchronization detection unit 13 based on the video signal input through the video signal input terminal InV. You. Then, based on the detection result, the recording control unit 14 starts recording of the video tape recorder, and ends the recording when the synchronization signal is no longer detected by the synchronization detection unit 13.

[0012]

However, in such a conventional automatic recording control apparatus, when the synchronization signal is detected by the synchronization detection unit 13, control is performed so that recording is started. If the video tape recorder is in the recording standby state, the recording is started even if the user turns on the power of the STB for viewing, for example, because the recording is controlled to end when the detection is stopped. .

That is, on the video tape recorder side, STB
It is impossible to determine whether the power has been turned on by the timer reservation function or the power button has just been turned on and the power has been turned on. Thus, the user turns on the STB for viewing in this way. In such a case, there is a problem that a malfunction occurs.

[0014]

In order to solve the above problems, an automatic recording system according to the present invention provides an automatic recording system capable of performing a recording operation in conjunction with a timer recording reservation of an externally connected audiovisual device. A recording system, comprising at least a DC level detection unit for detecting a DC level of a color signal input from the audiovisual device, and when a predetermined voltage level is detected by the DC level detection unit, recording starts or It is characterized by controlling the end of recording.

[0015] The automatic recording system according to the present invention is an automatic recording system capable of controlling recording of an externally connected video / audio recording device in conjunction with timer recording reservation, and outputs the video / audio recording device to the video / audio recording device. At least DC level setting means for setting the DC level of the color signal to at least the first and second voltage levels; and DC level control means for controlling the set voltage level in the DC level setting means; The DC level control means controls the DC level setting means so that the DC level of the color signal becomes the first voltage level at the time of recording start and at the end of recording by the timer recording reservation,
At the time of outputting the color signal except at the time of recording start and end of recording by the timer recording reservation, the DC level setting means is controlled so that the DC level of the color signal becomes the second voltage level. It is.

A video and audio recording device corresponding to the automatic recording system according to the present invention is a video and audio recording device capable of performing a recording operation in conjunction with a timer recording reservation of an externally connected video and audio device, At least a DC level detecting means for detecting a DC level of a color signal input from the audiovisual device, and when a predetermined voltage level is detected by the DC level detecting means, controls recording start or recording end. It is characterized by doing.

[0017] Further, an audiovisual device corresponding to the automatic recording system according to the present invention is an audiovisual device capable of controlling recording of an externally connected audiovisual recording device in conjunction with timer recording reservation. DC level setting means for setting a DC level of a color signal to be output to an audio recording device at least to first and second voltage levels, and DC level control for controlling a set voltage level in the DC level setting means Means for controlling the DC level setting means so that the DC level of the color signal becomes the first voltage level at the time of starting and ending the recording by the timer recording reservation. The DC level of the color signal is output when the color signal is output except when the timer recording reservation starts recording and when the recording ends. Control the DC level setting means so that the second voltage level becomes the second voltage level.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an automatic recording system according to the present invention, a video / audio recording device and a video / audio apparatus corresponding to the automatic recording system, and the automatic recording system shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are used for the same configuration as the recording control device. Here, first, the STB will be described. 1 is a tuner for receiving terrestrial broadcasts or other broadcasts, and 2 is a tuner required when a program received by the tuner 1 has been subjected to scramble processing or compression encoding processing. And a video encoder 3 for outputting the video signal from the decoder 2 to an external device in the form of a luminance signal Y and a chrominance signal C.

The switch 15 can selectively connect the changeover switch to any one of the connection terminals A to D, and changes the DC level of the color signal output from the video encoder 3 with this changeover operation. A DC level setting switch 16 for controlling a changeover switch of the DC level setting switch 15; OutY, a luminance signal output terminal for outputting a luminance signal; and OutC, a color signal output terminal. This is a color signal output terminal to be output.

Next, a video tape recorder (VTR) will be described. Reference numeral 11 denotes an automatic gain control for automatically adjusting and outputting a signal level of a video signal input via a luminance signal input terminal InY and a color signal input terminal InC. Circuit (AG
C) and 12 are video signal processing units for performing predetermined signal processing on the video signal from the automatic gain control circuit 11 and outputting a recording signal suitable for recording a signal on a magnetic tape;
A recording head records a recording signal from the video signal processing unit 12 on the magnetic tape T.

On the other hand, 4 is an integrating circuit for integrating the color signal input via the color signal input terminal InC, and 5 is an integrating circuit 4
A DC detector for detecting the DC level of the color signal subjected to the integration processing in step (1) and outputting an identification signal corresponding to the DC level;
Is based on the identification signal from the DC detector 5, and
And a microcomputer for controlling the recording control unit 8, and 7 is V
A power control unit for controlling the power on and power off of the TR;
Reference numeral 8 denotes a recording control unit that controls recording start and recording end of the VTR.

Here, the luminance signal output terminal OutY and the color signal output terminal OutC in the STB and the luminance signal input terminal InY and the color signal input terminal InC in the VTR are signal signals with the luminance signal Y and the color signal C separated. Are connected by a Y / C separation cable that can transmit the data.

In the automatic recording system according to the present invention, the color signal C transmitted from the STB to the VTR has the above configuration.
By changing the DC level of the VTR, control of turning on and off the power of the VTR, and starting and ending recording is performed.

The input switch SW in the STB changes the DC level of the color signal C to, for example, 5 in accordance with the switching operation.
V, 2.2 V, 0.8 V, or 0 V, and the DC detector 5 and the microcomputer 6 in the VTR detect identification information based on the DC level.

FIG. 2 shows such a color signal C output from the STB.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing respective identification information corresponding to the DC level of the color signal C. When the DC level of the color signal C is 0 V, the transmitted video signal is a normal video signal having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 image. When the DC level of the color signal C is 1.4 V to 2.4 V, it indicates that the transmitted video signal is a letterbox video signal having an aspect ratio of 4: 3. When the DC level of the color signal C is 3.5 V to 5.0 V, it indicates that the transmitted video signal is a squeeze format video signal having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 image.

That is, when the STB outputs a video signal to the VTR, the input switch SW is switched to change the color signal C
By setting the DC level to any one of the above-mentioned voltage levels, it is possible to determine which type of the above-described video signal the output video signal is by the VTR.

Note that the letterbox format video signal having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 means that the ratio of the length in the horizontal direction to the vertical direction of the screen is 4: 3, and the upper and lower portions of the screen are black. This is a video signal having a non-image portion, and has an aspect ratio of 1
A squeeze-type video signal of 6: 9 image is obtained by compressing a video signal having a length ratio of 16: 9 between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the screen in the vertical direction so that the horizontal and vertical directions are compressed. A video signal whose length ratio is 4: 3
These specifications are as described in detail in "Technical Report of the Electronic Industries Association of Japan (EIAJ CPR-1202)" Identification Signals and Transmission Method (I) of Video Signals with Different Aspect Ratios "".

As will be described later, by outputting the DC level of the color signal C as 0.3 V to 1.0 V, the ST signal is output.
The timer reservation of B and the recording operation of the VTR can be linked.

Hereinafter, the operation of the automatic recording system according to the present invention will be described. Note that the integration circuit 4, D in the VTR
It is assumed that the C detector 5 and the microcomputer 6 are energized even in a so-called standby state where the power of the VTR is turned off.

The user first sets a timer reservation for the STB by selecting a desired program while referring to a program guide or the like displayed on a monitor screen connected to the STB. At this time, the user also selects whether the timer reservation is a viewing reservation or a recording reservation. For the VTR, for example, by pressing a recording reservation switch provided on the front panel, the setting of the automatic recording reservation is completed.

When the broadcast start time of the program for which timer reservation is set in the STB is reached, the power is turned on to the STB, and the video signal of the reserved program is output from the luminance signal output terminal OutY and the chrominance signal output terminal OutC. At this time, if the form of the video signal of the reserved program is a video signal having an aspect ratio of 4: 3, the DC level switching control unit 16
The changeover switch of the DC level setting switch 15 is connected to the connection terminal d. If the signal is a letterbox signal having an aspect ratio of 4: 3, the changeover switch of the DC level setting switch 15 is connected to the connection terminal b and the aspect ratio of 16 is connected. : If the image is a squeeze signal of 9 images, DC
The changeover switch of the level setting switch 15 is connected to the connection terminal A. Only when the reservation of the program is the recording reservation, the changeover switch is connected to the connection terminal C only for the first few seconds after the program is started.

That is, if the program reservation is a recording reservation, D
C level switching control section 16 is DC level setting switch 15
, The changeover switch is connected to the connection terminal c, and after outputting a color signal C having a DC level of 0.8 V for several seconds as shown in FIG. The changeover switch is switched again according to
A color signal C having a desired DC level is set as shown in FIG.

As described above, the integration circuit 4, the DC detector 5, and the microcomputer 6 in the VTR are always energized even in the standby state, and the color integrated by the integration circuit 4 is processed. When the DC detector 5 detects that the DC level of the signal C is 0.3 V to 1.0 V, the DC detector 5 outputs an identification signal to that effect to the microcomputer 6, and the microcomputer 6
First, the power control unit 7 is controlled so as to turn on the power of the VTR. Then, the microcomputer 6 follows this, and the STB
The recording control section 8 is controlled so as to start recording of the program output from. With the above operation, ST
Recording of the program for which timer reservation is set in B is started in the VTR.

When the broadcast end time of the program for which timer reservation has been set by the STB comes, the DC level switching control unit 16
Immediately before the end of the program, by connecting the changeover switch of the DC level setting switch 15 to the connection terminal c,
Again, the DC level of the color signal C is changed as shown in FIG.
Change to 0.8V.

Then, the color signal C is detected by the DC detector 5 in the VTR.
Is detected that the DC level has become 0.3 V to 1.0 V, the DC detector 5 outputs an identification signal to that effect to the microcomputer 6, and the microcomputer 6 performs recording so as to end recording of the program. The control unit 8 is controlled, and subsequently, the power control unit 7 is controlled so as to turn off the power of the VTR.
Thus, the recording of the program for which the timer reservation is set by the STB is completed.

[0036] As described above, in the automatic recording system according to the present invention, means for changing the DC level of the color signal C is required on the side that outputs a video signal such as an STB.
Means for detecting the DC level of the color signal C on the side of recording a video signal such as a VTR is required.

However, for example, in an audiovisual device such as an STB, a video signal of the aspect ratio 4: 3 image, a video signal of a letterbox format having an aspect ratio of 4: 3, and a video signal of a squeeze format having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 are provided. Is output, the DC level of the color signal C is set to 0 for identification.
DC which can be changed to V, 2.2V and 5.0V
Some include level setting means.

In a video / audio recording apparatus such as a VTR, a video signal having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 image and an aspect ratio of 4: 3 are used.
3 letterbox format video signal, aspect ratio 1
In order to identify a squeeze-type video signal of 6: 9 images, the DC level of the color signal C is 0 V, 1.4 V to 2.4.
V and 3.5 V to 5.0 V are provided with a DC level detection unit for detecting which of these voltages is used.

Therefore, such an audiovisual apparatus and an audiovisual recording apparatus can be adapted to the automatic recording system according to the present invention with only a slight change in the configuration. In the above embodiment, a voltage of 0.8 V (0.3 V to 1.0 V on the detection side) is used as a DC level for identifying the start and end of recording. For example, a negative voltage level may be used as long as the voltage level is other than the above-mentioned voltage level already standardized.

[0040]

According to the present invention, since the recording control of the video / audio recording device is performed in conjunction with the timer recording reservation of the externally connected video / audio device, the user can control the video / audio device and the video / audio recording device. It is not necessary to set the timer reservation for both devices, and there is no need to perform the timer reservation operation.

Further, the user presses the power button of the audiovisual device
Even when the power is turned on by setting N, the video / audio recording device does not start recording in conjunction with the power on, and no malfunction occurs.

Further, in a video tape recorder or the like which already has a DC level detecting means for detecting a DC level of a color signal,
By changing the set value of the detectable DC level, the recording operation can be performed in conjunction with the timer recording reservation of the externally connected video and audio equipment. A video tape recorder corresponding to the system can be configured.

In a set-top box or the like which already has means for setting the DC level of a color signal to a plurality of voltage levels, recording control of the video / audio recording apparatus is performed by increasing the number of settable DC levels. Therefore, a set-top box compatible with the automatic recording system according to the present invention can be configured by only replacing a small number of parts.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an automatic recording system according to the present invention, a video / audio recording device and a video / audio device corresponding to the automatic recording system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing identification information corresponding to a DC level of a color signal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a change in a DC level of a color signal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a conventional automatic recording control device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sync chip and a pedestal level in a video signal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tuner 2 ... Decoder 3 ... Video encoder 4 ... Integration circuit 5 ... DC detector 6 ... Microcomputer 7 ... Power supply control part 8, 14 ... Recording control part 10 ... Built-in tuner 11 ... Automatic gain control device 12 ... Video signal processing part 13: Synchronization detection unit 15: DC level setting switch 16: DC level switching control unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An automatic recording system capable of performing a recording operation in conjunction with a timer recording reservation of an externally connected video and audio device, wherein the DC detects a DC level of a color signal input from the video and audio device. An automatic recording system comprising at least a level detecting means, wherein when a predetermined voltage level is detected by the DC level detecting means, recording start or recording end is controlled. 2. An automatic recording system capable of controlling recording of an externally connected video / audio recording device in conjunction with timer recording reservation, wherein a DC level of a color signal to be output to the video / audio recording device is at least a first level. And a DC level setting means capable of setting a second voltage level; and a DC level control means for controlling a set voltage level in the DC level setting means, wherein the DC level control means includes a timer. At the time of recording start and end of recording by recording reservation, the DC level setting means is controlled so that the DC level of the color signal becomes the first voltage level, except when recording start and end of recording by timer recording reservation. When outputting the color signal,
An automatic recording system, wherein the DC level setting means is controlled so that the DC level of the color signal becomes the second voltage level. 3. A video / audio recording device corresponding to an automatic recording system capable of performing a recording operation in conjunction with timer recording reservation of an externally connected video / audio device, wherein a color signal input from the video / audio device is provided. A video and audio recording device, comprising: at least a DC level detecting means for detecting a DC level of the video signal, and when a predetermined voltage level is detected by the DC level detecting means, starts or ends recording. . 4. A video and audio device corresponding to an automatic recording system capable of controlling recording of an externally connected video and audio recording device in conjunction with timer recording reservation, wherein a color signal output to the video and audio recording device is provided. DC level setting means for setting a DC level to at least first and second voltage levels; and DC level control means for controlling a set voltage level in the DC level setting means; The control means controls the DC level setting means so that the DC level of the color signal becomes a first voltage level at the time of starting and ending recording by the timer recording reservation, and at the time of starting recording by the timer recording reservation And when outputting the color signal except at the end of recording,
An audiovisual apparatus, wherein the DC level setting means is controlled so that the DC level of the color signal becomes a second voltage level.