JP2000216851A - Electronic equipment and signal processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promptly perform decoding operation even when a program is switched in a transport stream to be transmitted when the transport stream is transmitted to other equipment via a digital interface. SOLUTION: Switching of the program in the transport stream of a reproduction signal is detected and informed to the digital interface 16 by a signal processing microcomputer 8. A discontinuous flag to indicate that the transport stream is discontinuous because switching of the program of the transport stream is caused on a header of an isochronous packet in which video data to be transmitted from a demultiplexer 12 are stored by the digital interface 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and a signal processing method, and more particularly to an MPEG (Moving Picture Ima).
The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and a signal processing method for recording and reproducing a video signal and an audio signal encoded by applying a high-efficiency encoding technology such as a Ge Coding Experts Group.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the United States and European countries, MPE
Applying high-efficiency coding technology such as G, encodes video and audio signals and transmits them via communication satellites, etc.
Systems that demodulate this on the receiving side are becoming widespread.

In these systems, a dedicated receiving / demodulating device is required on the receiving side. In this receiver / demodulator, a portion for selecting a transport stream of a desired channel from a transport stream in which data of a plurality of channels is multiplexed, and video data and audio of a desired program from the transport stream of a desired channel. It has a part for separating data and a part for decoding the separated video data and audio data.

In this system, a receiving / demodulating device is required to receive the above-mentioned transport stream of a desired channel and to separate video data and audio data of a desired program.
PSI (Pr) is included in the multiplexed transport stream.
ogram Spesific Information: EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
Alternatively, SI (ServiceInformation: service information) is added.

[0005]

A video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as DVTR) for encoding and recording / reproducing a video signal and an audio signal has been commercialized. It is considered to record / reproduce the above-mentioned digital broadcast video data and audio data in such a DVTR without decoding the data ("Digital Video Reader", edited by Yukio Kubota, pp. 140-152,
(Ohm Co., Ltd., August 25, 1995).

According to the present invention, the DVTR as described above continuously reproduces a plurality of digital broadcast programs, and inputs the decoded programs to the receiving / demodulating device to decode the programs. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device and a signal processing method capable of quickly performing a decoding operation even when a program is switched in a transport stream.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, when a transport stream is transmitted to another device via a digital interface, the transport stream should be transmitted via the digital interface. Detecting that a program switch occurs in the transport stream, generating information indicating that the transport stream is discontinuous in response to the detection result, and combining the generated information with the transport stream. The transmission is performed to the other device.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, a digital signal recording and reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention receives and decodes an MPEG digital signal reproduced by a digital signal recording and reproducing apparatus.
The demodulation device will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the receiving / demodulating device. This receiving / demodulating device is an IRD (Integr
ated Receiver Decoder).

The receiving / demodulating device receives an RF signal sent from a down converter (not shown), and selects a front end 21 for selecting a transport stream of a desired channel and a transformer selected by the front end 21. MPE of desired program from port stream
The apparatus includes a demultiplexer 22 for separating G video data, MPEG audio data, and additional information, and a buffer memory 23 for temporarily storing data input / output through the demultiplexer 22.

This receiving / demodulating device is an MPE for decoding video data separated by the demultiplexer 22.
A G video decoder 24, an MPEG audio decoder 25 for decoding audio data separated by the demultiplexer 22, an NTSC encoder 26 for converting a video signal decoded by the MPEG video decoder 24 into a video signal of the NTSC system, and an NTSC encoder A D / A converter 27 for converting the output from
D / which converts the output of the G audio decoder 25 into analog
A converter 28 is provided. The MPEG video decoder 24 includes a buffer memory 24a for temporarily storing video data, and an MPEG audio decoder 25.
Is provided with a buffer memory 25a for temporarily storing audio data.

Further, this receiving / demodulating device includes a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 29 for controlling the operation of the entire device, a front panel 30, and MPEG video data and MPEG audio data separated by the demultiplexer 22, and additional data. A digital interface 31 is provided for transmitting information to the outside and for transmitting MPEG video data, MPEG audio data and additional information received from the outside to the demultiplexer 22.

The front end 21 includes a tuner and a QPS.
It is composed of a K demodulator and an error correction circuit, and selects a transport stream of a desired channel specified by the user on the front panel 30 from the multiplexed transport streams of a plurality of channels, and
PSK demodulation and error detection / correction are performed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a transport stream for one channel. As shown in this figure, a plurality of programs (here, program numbers 1 to 3 are multiplexed) are multiplexed in a transport stream of one channel. Here, the program is a virtual broadcasting channel, which is, for example, a broadcasting service of NHK satellite No. 1, NHK satellite No. 2, etc. in the current broadcasting in Japan.

The data of each program has a predetermined length (18
8 bytes) and has a header at the beginning. The header includes a PID (Packet Identification: packet I) for identifying data.
D)).

From the transport stream of the desired channel selected by the front end 21, a packet including additional information is temporarily written to the buffer memory 23 through the demultiplexer 22. Then, it recognizes and separates the MPEG video data and MPEG audio data of the desired program from this, and
MPE converts audio data to EG video decoder 24
Send to G audio decoder 25. In FIG. 9, video data and audio data of program number 2 are separated.

At the time of this separation, the PID (packet ID) assigned to the packet is checked. Then, if it is a PID for identifying video data and audio data of a desired program, it is sent to the MPEG video decoder 24 and the MPEG audio decoder 25, respectively.
In FIG. 9, the PID assigned to the video data of program number 2 is “xx”, and the PID assigned to the audio data is “yy”. A method of knowing the correspondence between the program number and the PID in the receiving / demodulating device will be described later.

The video data sent to the MPEG video decoder 24 is stored in a buffer memory 24a, and is read and decoded as appropriate. The decoded video data is converted into an NTSC video signal by an NTSC encoder 25, converted to an analog video signal by a D / A converter 26, and supplied to an external monitor device (not shown). The audio data sent to the MPEG audio decoder 25 is stored in the buffer memory 2.
5a, read out and decoded as appropriate. The decoded audio data is converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A converter 28, and then supplied to a speaker (not shown) such as a monitor device.

As described above, the digital broadcast video signal and audio signal can be received, decoded, and displayed on the monitor device.

Next, the additional information will be described. As described above, PSI is included in the multiplexed bit stream.
(Program specification information), EPG (electronic program guide) or SI (service information). Here, a description will be given of PSI specified by MPEG and SI specified by DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) system which is a digital broadcast in Europe.

: PAT (Programme Association Tabl)
e) This table is specified by MPEG, and the PID (packet ID) is 0. The main contents are the description of the PID of the NIT and the PID of the PMT, which will be described later.

: PMT (Programme Map Table) This table is also defined by MPEG, and the PID is determined by the above-mentioned PAT. The main contents are a description of a correspondence between a program number and a PID, and a description of a PID of an ECM (scramble data attached to a program).

: CAT (Conditional Access Table) This table is also specified by MPEG, and the PID is 1
It is. The main content is a description of EMM (scramble information for customers).

: NIT (Network Information Tabl)
e) The PID is 0010. The main contents are a description of a network name (satellite name, terrestrial transmission station, etc.) and a description of a modulation method and a frequency for each transport stream (physical channel).

The following table is specified in DVB.

: BAT (Bouquet Association Tabl)
e) The PID is 0011. The main contents are the name of Bouquet (program supplier) and a description of the destination country, the contents of services related to transport streams (physical channels), and CASS (Conditional Access Server).
ce System) method.

: SDT (Service Description Tabl)
e) The PID is 0011. The main content is a description of a transport stream (physical channel) such as a service ID included therein and a name of a bouquet thereof. Here, the service ID is NHK satellite first, NH
It is a broadcasting channel such as the K satellite second. That is, it is the same as the program number specified in MPEG.

: EIT (Event Information Table) The PID is 0012. The main contents are the description of the event ID, its start time, broadcast time, program contents, and the like. Then, a transport stream ID and a service ID are described for each event ID. Here, the event is, for example, “7 o'clock news (December 1
Day broadcast)).

: TDT (Time and Data Table) PID is 0010. The main content is the description of the information in Coordinated Universal Time. Using the TDT, the time of a clock (not shown) in the apparatus can be adjusted.

: RST (Running Status Table) The PID is 0013. The main content is a description of the event execution status. That is, a description such as before the start, execution, or end of a certain event is made.

Next, the microcomputer 29 in the receiving / demodulating device
The following describes how to process PSI and SI described above.

First, in the receiving / demodulating device, constants and the like are set in accordance with the system of each network. Since this information is described in the NIT, a modulation method, a frequency, a bit rate, an error correction method, and the like can be obtained for each transport stream. After the setting, these pieces of information are stored in an EEPROM (not shown) of the microcomputer 29.

Next, an event is searched using the EIT. Each broadcast event is provided with a unique event ID, and the name and contents of the broadcast program are described in the EIT together with the start time.
D and a service ID are described. Therefore, the transport stream ID is determined from the EIT, the reception / demodulation device is set using the constants of the transport stream obtained in the NIT, and the transport stream of the desired channel is selected.

The processing for selecting a transport stream of a desired channel in the front end 21 has been described above. Next, the output of the demultiplexer 22 is set to MP
The processing of the microcomputer 29 when sending the data to the EG video decoder 24 and the MPEG audio decoder 25 will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the transport stream input to the demultiplexer 22 and the contents of the PAT and PMT therein. FIG. 7 shows the buffer memory 23.
2 shows an example of the internal configuration. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of this processing. Here, description will be made assuming that the broadcast of program number 1 is selected.

First, as shown in step S 1 of FIG. 8, the output of the front end 21 is written into the buffer memory 23 through the demultiplexer 22. Buffer memory 23
Are storage areas 23A to 23A for each data as shown in FIG.
Since 3C is defined, writing is performed in each area.

Next, as shown in step S2, a PAT is searched for from the additional information written in the additional information area 23C of the buffer memory 23. In this process, a packet having a PID of 0 may be searched for. As shown in FIG. 6B, the PAT contains the PID of the PMT for each program (here, PMT1
Is described as “cc” and the PID of PMT2 as “dd”).

Therefore, next, a packet whose PID is "cc" is searched. Thus, the PMT corresponding to program number 1
1 can be detected. As shown in FIG.
In PMT1, MPEG video data, MPEG audio data, and ECM PID of program number 1 are described.

Therefore, when watching the broadcast of program number 1, the packet with the PID "aa" is read from the MPEG video data area 23A of the buffer memory 23, sent to the MPEG video decoder 24 through the demultiplexer 22, and Area 2
The packet whose PID is “ab” is read from 3B and sent to the MPEG audio decoder 25 through the demultiplexer 22. As shown in FIG. 5, at this time, only data excluding the header is sent. Further, the scramble is decoded using the ECM information described in the packet with the PID “xx”.

If a broadcast of program number 2 is to be watched, a packet having a PID of "dd" is similarly searched for. As shown in FIG. 6D, the packet includes video data, audio data, and ECM of program number 2.
Is described. Therefore, a packet whose PID is "ba" is read from the MPEG video data area 23A and sent to the MPEG video decoder 24, where the packet is read.
The packet whose PID is "bb" is read from the audio data area 23B, and is read from the MPEG audio decoder 25.
Send to Also, the scramble is decoded using the ECM information described in the packet with the PID “zz”.

The normal processing for decoding the transport stream input from the front end 21 has been described above. The receiving / demodulating device shown in FIG. 4 further includes MPEG video data, MP
The EG audio data and the additional information are externally recorded / reproduced via a digital interface 31 such as a DV.
It can be output to TR. Also, MPEG video data, MPEG audio data, and additional information output from an external recording / reproducing device are
And sent to the demultiplexer 22. Next, these processes will be described.

First, the processing of the microcomputer 29 when transmitting the output of the demultiplexer 22 from the digital interface 31 to the outside will be described. Since most of this processing is the same as the above-described normal processing, only different points will be described.

The MPEG video data and the MPEG audio data are sent to the digital interface 31 with the packet header attached. That is, when the microcomputer 29 reads from the buffer memory 23, it reads the entire header and sends it to the digital interface 31 through the demultiplexer 22.

The PSI and SI are also sent to the digital interface 31 with the header attached. However, the PAT leaves only the PID designating the PMT of the selected program number, and removes the others. For example, when program number 1 is selected, only the PID of PMT1 ("cc" in the case of FIG. 6) is left, and the others are removed.

Thus, the digital interface 3
The data sent to 1 is sent out from here. The digital interface 31 is, for example, IEEE-139.
4. In this case, the data is
-1394 isochronous packet and output. The isochronous packet output from the digital interface 31 is sent to an external DVTR.

FIG. 9 shows the format of the isochronous packet described above. When the tag (tag) 2-bit field is _012, it inserts a 2 Kuadoretto common isochronous packet header (hereinafter referred to as CIP header) at the beginning of the data field. For the purpose of handling real-time data of digital audio / video signals such as digital video equipment and digital audio equipment,
the value of the tag and 01 _2. Figure 10 shows a CIP header when taking the value of the tag = 01 _2. FIG. 11 shows C
4 shows an example of FMT (format type) allocation in an IP header. In the present embodiment, FMT = 100
001 ₂ specifies the format of the MPEG signal transmission. Then, MPEG data is inserted into a data block after the CIP header shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a DVTR to which the present invention is applied. The DVTR has a function of encoding and recording / reproducing an analog video signal and a function of recording / reproducing an MPEG digital signal input from the outside.

First, recording / reproduction of an analog video signal will be described. This DVTR is an A / D which digitizes a video signal in order to record an analog video signal.
Converter 1 and the output of A / D converter 1
Data compression encoding circuit 2 that performs data compression encoding processing such as CT (discrete cosine transform), quantization, and variable length encoding
And a framing circuit 3 for framing the output of the data compression encoding circuit 2.

The DVTR also includes a multiplexer 4 for synthesizing an output of the framing circuit 3 and video auxiliary data (VAUX data) created by a signal processing microcomputer 8 to be described later, and adds an error correction code to an output of the multiplexer 4. An error correction code adding circuit 7 and a channel encoder 6 for performing recording modulation processing on the output of the error correction code adding circuit 7 are provided.

The DVTR further includes a mode processing microcomputer 7 for generating an information signal such as a TV channel of a video signal and a recording date and time based on a user operation and the like, and VAUX data based on an output of the mode processing microcomputer 7. And a signal processing microcomputer 8 for performing creation and the like. Where VAU
X data includes the TV channel, recording date and time, recording start position (REC START) and recording end position (REC
END) and so on.

FIG. 2 shows a format of one track of data output from the error correction code adding circuit 5. As shown in this figure, video data and VAUX data are 9
It is formed in units of 0-byte blocks. The data is subjected to a recording modulation process in the channel encoder 6, amplified by a recording amplifier (not shown), and recorded on a video tape (not shown) using a magnetic head (not shown). In an actual DVTR, audio data, subcode data, and the like are recorded along with video data and VAUX data in a time-division manner on a track.

The encoding of an analog video input signal for recording has been described above. Next, reproduction of a recorded video signal will be described.

The DVTR is reproduced from a video tape and reproduces a data clock, etc., for reproducing data clocks and a waveform equalization of data amplified by a reproduction amplifier (not shown). A channel decoder 10 for performing recording and demodulation processing, an error correction circuit 11 for performing error correction processing on the output of the channel decoder 10, and a demultiplexer 12 for separating video data and VAUX data from the output of the error correction circuit 11. A deframing circuit 13 for decomposing the frame of the video data, and decoding of a variable-length code with respect to an output of the deframing circuit 13,
A data compression / decoding circuit 14 for performing processing such as inverse quantization and inverse DCT, and a D / A converter 15 for converting an output of the data compression / decoding circuit 14 into an analog signal and converting it into an analog video signal. The VAUX data separated by the demultiplexer 12 is sent to the signal processing microcomputer 8, and then sent to the mode processing microcomputer 7.

Next, recording / reproduction of an encoded signal input from the outside will be described. This DVTR
Has a digital interface 16. The digital interface 16 has the same configuration as the digital interface 31 in the receiving / demodulating device of FIG. Then, transmission and reception of IEEE-1394 packets are performed with the digital interface 31 of FIG.

Next, the operation of recording MPEG data input from the digital interface 16 will be described. As described above, the MPEG data is transmitted from the digital interface 31 of the receiving / demodulating device shown in FIG. 4 in an isochronous packet.

First, MPEG data, that is, MPEG video data, MPEG audio data, and additional information are separated from the isochronous packet in the digital interface 16. The separated data is sent to the multiplexer 4 through the switch SW1, where it is multiplexed with the VAUX data output from the signal processing microcomputer 8, and formed into the format shown in FIG. That is, all of the MPEG video data, the MPEG audio data, and the additional information are recorded in the recording area of the video data. The processing after the error correction code adding circuit 5 is the same as that at the time of recording the analog video input signal described above.

Next, the processing at the time of reproducing the MPEG data will be described. The processing at the time of reproduction is the same as that at the time of reproduction of the above-described video signal until the reproduction data is input to the demultiplexer 12. The reproduction data input to the demultiplexer 12 is separated here into MPEG data and VAUX data. MPEG data switch SW
2 to the digital interface 16. The VAUX data is sent to the signal processing microcomputer 8.

In the digital interface 16, the MPE
The header shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is added to the G data, and the G data is output to the outside as an isochronous packet.
This isochronous packet is input to the digital interface 31 of the receiving / demodulating device, where the original MPEG
Video data, MPEG video data, and additional information are extracted and written to the buffer memory 23 through the demultiplexer 22.

MPE written to buffer memory 23
The processing of the G video data and the MPEG audio data is the same as the processing of these data in the transport stream input from the front end 21 described above. On the other hand, the PS written in the buffer memory 23
The microcomputer 29 processes I and SI as follows.

The PAT and PMT are used as they are. As described above, when data is output from the receiving / demodulating device to the external DVTR, only the PID designating the PMT of the program number selected from the PAT is left, and the others are removed. In the PAT in the data input from, only the PID designating the PMT of the program number being input is described. Therefore, the PMT is searched by looking at the PAT, and the MPEG video data and the MPEG audio data of the program being input can be read by looking at the PMT. The read MPEG video data and MPEG audio data pass through a demultiplexer 22 and are transmitted to an MPEG video decoder 24 and an MP
The data is sent to the EG audio decoder 25 and thereafter processed similarly to these data from the front end 21.

For the EIT, only the actual and present information of the program described in the PAT is decoded, and the others are ignored. Here, “actual” means that it is a transport stream of the selected channel, and “present” means that the selected program is currently being broadcast.

As for the RST, only those relating to the program described in the PAT are decoded, and the others are ignored. As for the SDT, only the actual one of the program described in the PAT is decoded, and the others are ignored.

The NIT is necessary for the setting in the front end 21, but is not required in the demultiplexer 22 and is ignored. BAT is similarly ignored.

Regarding the TDT, when a reproduction signal of an external DVTR is input, the TDT in the reproduction signal indicates the time at the time of recording and does not indicate the current time. ignore. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where the internal clock is set to an incorrect time when setting the time.

Further, a case where a plurality of programs are continuously input from an external DVTR will be described. As described above, the microcomputer 29 searches the PAT for the PMT, and reads the MPEG video data and the MPEG audio data of the program being input from the external DVTR by looking at the PMT. However, when the external DVTR outputs a plurality of programs continuously, the microcomputer 2
9 is a new PAT when the program is switched
To find the PMT, MPE of the switched program
G video data and MPEG audio data cannot be read. Also, the MPEG video decoder 24
In the MPEG audio decoder 25, since the past data is used for the decoding processing, when the program is switched, the buffer memories 24a and 25
Unless the data of the program before switching remaining in a is cleared, correct decoding cannot be performed.

Similarly, when the SI is switched to a program with a different transport stream, the SI in the buffer memory 23 needs to be rewritten.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the program being reproduced by the DVTR changes, a flag for identifying the change is provided in the header of the isochronous packet. That is, a discontinuity flag is provided for bit b0 of the FDF in FIG.

This discontinuity flag is set to the “H (high)” level for a predetermined time (for example, one second) when the transport stream becomes discontinuous in the reproduction signal of the DVTR. Specifically, the signal processing microcomputer 8 causes the recording start position (REC START) and the recording end position (RE) in the reproduced VAUX data sent from the demultiplexer 12.
When data indicating CEND is detected, the discontinuity flag is set to the “H (high)” level by notifying the digital interface 16 of the data.

In the receiving / demodulating device, when this discontinuity flag is detected by the digital interface 31, the microcomputer 29 reads the SI in the buffer memory 23.
And an instruction is given to the MPEG video decoder 24 and the MPEG audio decoder 25 to clear the respective buffer memories 24a and 25a.

In this embodiment, when the mode of the DVTR changes from stop (STOP) to reproduction (PB), the above-described discontinuity flag is set to the “H (high)” level. Specifically, the mode processing microcomputer 7 sets the user's P
The B operation is detected, transmitted to the signal processing microcomputer 8, and the signal processing microcomputer 8 instructs the digital interface 16 to realize the operation. Thus, even when the DVTR is reproduced from the middle of the program, clearing of data in the buffer memories 24a and 25a and rewriting of SI in the buffer memory 23 in the receiving / demodulating device can be executed.

Further, in this embodiment, a variable speed reproduction flag is provided at bit b1 of the FDF. This is DVT
This flag is set to the “H (high)” level when the operation mode of R is slow and cue / review. At the time of such a variable speed reproduction, only the MPEG I picture becomes valid data. Therefore, the buffer memory 24a underflows, and as a result, the MP picture is decoded until the next I picture is decoded.
The output of the EG video decoder 24 is interrupted. Therefore, the receiving / demodulating device is configured to, when detecting the variable speed reproduction flag, continue to output the last decoded I picture from the MPEG video decoder 24 until the next I picture is input.

FIG. 3 shows the flags described above. Here, NP is data of normal play, and TP is data of trick play. NP1 → NP2 indicates that the normal play program has changed.

[0074]

According to the present invention, when a transport stream is transmitted to another device via a digital interface, switching of a program in a transport stream to be transmitted via the digital interface occurs. Detecting, in response to the detection result, generating information indicating that the transport stream is discontinuous and transmitting the information to the other device together with the transport stream, thereby receiving / demodulating the transmission data. When inputting to a device for decoding, it is possible to quickly perform a decoding operation when a transport stream is discontinuous, so that decoding output of video data and audio data is not interrupted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a DVTR to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a format of one track of data output from the error correction code adding circuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing flags in a DVTR to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving / demodulating device configured to receive an output of the digital signal recording / reproducing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transport stream for one channel.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transport stream input to a demultiplexer and the contents of PAT and PMT therein.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a buffer memory 3 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of a microcomputer when sending an output of a demultiplexer to an MPEG video decoder and an MPEG audio decoder.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a format of an isochronous packet.

10 is a diagram showing a CIP header when taking tag = 01 ₂ values.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of FMT allocation in a CIP header.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 error correction code addition circuit, 6 channel encoder, 7 mode processing microcomputer, 8 signal processing microcomputer, 9 reproduction circuit, 10 channel decoder, 1
1 error correction circuit, 16 digital interface

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device capable of transmitting a transport stream to another device via a digital interface, wherein it is detected that switching of a program occurs in the transport stream to be transmitted via the digital interface. Detecting means for generating the information indicating that the transport stream is discontinuous in response to the detection result, and the other device includes the generated information together with the transport stream. An electronic device characterized in that it is transmitted to an electronic device. 2. A signal processing method for an electronic device capable of transmitting a transport stream to another device via a digital interface, the method comprising: Detecting that the switching occurs, generating information indicating that the transport stream is discontinuous in response to the detection result, and transmitting the information together with the transport stream to the other device. Characteristic signal processing method.