JP2001148155A - Method and device for recording and deleting broadcast program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for properly deleting broadcast programs which are recorded in the program record holding period, that are set in each of program attribute information which are sorted according to the contents of the broadcast programs. SOLUTION: A program guide is prepared for guiding the contents of a broadcast program, and a program record holding period that is set according to the attribute of the broadcast program, i.e., one of elements of the program guide is selected or the program record holding period is set arbitrarily according to a broadcast program. Then the broadcast program is recorded on a recording/erasing medium and then deleted, when the program record holding period that is selected or set about the recorded program expires.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a broadcast program recording / erasing method and a broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus. More specifically, a program recording holding period set for each genre classified based on the contents of a broadcast program can be selected, or a program recording holding period can be arbitrarily set according to a broadcast program, and a broadcast program recorded according to this period can be appropriately deleted. The present invention relates to a broadcast program recording / erasing method and a broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus sequentially records broadcast programs on a recording medium based on broadcast program information and conditions set by a user, and becomes unnecessary among recorded broadcast programs. Items are erased upon confirmation by the user, or are automatically erased sequentially from the previously recorded one.

[0003] On the other hand, a program guide for guiding the contents of a broadcast program is, for example, a DVB (Digital V) in Europe.
EIT (Eve) of video Broadcasting
ntInformation Table) for each event described in Content Descriptor
Like ptor, program attribute information categorized into various genres such as broadcast contents and performers is added to an electronic program guide, and the electronic program guide is attached to a broadcast wave, or a data server on the net. Is provided in the accumulated.

[0004]

However, when a broadcast program is automatically recorded by a conventional broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus, it is not necessary to record the broadcast program sequentially on a recording medium having a limited recording capacity such as a hard disk. If the user does not confirm the recording of the broadcast program and deletes it appropriately, the recording capacity of the recording medium becomes insufficient and new recording cannot be performed. Therefore, there is a method of automatically erasing the data recorded first, but
In this method, necessary recording may be erased. Accordingly, there is a problem to be solved in that the recording of the unnecessary broadcast program can be automatically and appropriately erased from the recording medium.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a broadcast program recording / erasing method and a broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to the present invention have the following configurations.

(1) There is a program guide for guiding the contents of a broadcast program, and a program record holding period set based on the attribute of the broadcast program, which is an element of the program guide, is selected or arbitrarily selected depending on the broadcast program. The broadcast program is recorded on a recording / erasing medium by setting a program record retention period, and when the program record retention period selected or set for each recorded broadcast program has expired, the recording / A broadcast program recording / erasing method, wherein a corresponding broadcast program recorded on an erasing medium can be erased. (2) The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to (1), wherein the attributes of the broadcast program are classified into classes for each genre of the broadcast program. (3) The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to (1), wherein the program record holding period can be set manually or automatically. (4) The program guide according to (1), wherein the program guide is program guide information attached to a broadcast wave and / or program guide information obtained by accessing through a network. Erase method. (5) The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to (1), wherein the program guide is an EPG.

(6) A recording / erasing medium having at least a data area for recording a broadcast program and a program management area for recording attribute information relating to the attributes of the broadcast program, wherein a broadcast program is recorded in the data area. In the program management area, a program recording holding period set based on the attribute information on the broadcast program is selected, or a program recording holding period is arbitrarily set according to the broadcast program and recorded in the program management area. A broadcast program recording / erasing method, characterized in that a corresponding one of broadcast programs recorded in the data area can be erased based on the content of a recorded program record holding period. (7) The broadcast program recording and erasing method according to (6), wherein the erasure of the broadcast program whose expiration date of the program recording retention period has come is automatically performed. (8) Searching for a time limit of a program recording holding period recorded in the program management area at a predetermined cycle or time, and deleting a broadcast program whose time limit has expired based on the search result. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to (6), which is characterized in that: (9) The search for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when a new broadcast program is recorded in the data area, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. The broadcast program recording and erasing method according to (6), wherein the broadcast program that is present can be erased. (10) The search for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when the capacity of the data area is insufficient. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to (6), wherein the program can be erased.

(11) A recording / erasing medium having at least a data area for recording a broadcast program and a program management area for recording attribute information relating to the attributes of the broadcast program, wherein a broadcast program is recorded in the data area. In the program management area, the data of the program recording holding period existing in the attribute information is recorded, and the broadcast program in the data area whose time limit has expired is deleted based on the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area. A broadcast program recording / erasing method, characterized in that it is made possible. (12) The broadcast program recording and erasing method according to (11), wherein the erasure of the broadcast program whose expiration date is recorded in the data area is automatically performed. (13) Searching for a time limit of the program record holding period recorded in the program management area based on a predetermined cycle or time,
The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to (11), wherein a broadcast program whose time limit has expired can be erased based on the search result. (14) The search for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when a new broadcast program is recorded in the data area, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. The broadcast program recording and erasing method according to (11), wherein the broadcast program that is present can be erased. (15) The search for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when the capacity of the data area is insufficient. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to (11), wherein the program can be erased.

(16) There is a program guide for guiding the contents of a broadcast program, and a program record holding period set based on the attribute of the broadcast program, which is an element of the program guide, is selected or arbitrarily selected depending on the broadcast program. Means for setting a program record holding period to record the broadcast program on a recording / erasing medium, and a program / recording / recording / recording program when the expiration of the program record holding period selected or set for each recorded broadcast program comes. A broadcast program recording and erasing device, comprising: means for erasing a corresponding broadcast program recorded on an erasing medium. (17) The broadcast program recording / erasing device according to (16), wherein the attributes of the broadcast program are classified into classes for each genre of the broadcast program. (18) The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to (16), wherein the program record holding period can be manually or automatically set and changed. (19) The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to (16), wherein the program guide is program guide information attached to a broadcast wave or program guide information accessed and acquired via a network. . (20) The broadcast program recording / erasing device according to (16), wherein the program guide is an EPG.

(21) A recording / erasing medium having at least a data area for recording a broadcast program and a program management area for recording attribute information relating to the attribute of the broadcast program, and a program for recording a broadcast program in the data area. Means for selecting a program recording holding period set based on the attribute information relating to the broadcast program or arbitrarily setting a program recording holding period according to a broadcast program and recording the program recording holding period in the program management area; And means for erasing a corresponding broadcast program among the broadcast programs recorded in the data area based on the contents of the program record holding period recorded in the broadcast program recording and erasing apparatus. (22) The broadcast program recording and erasing apparatus according to (21), wherein the erasure of the broadcast program whose expiration date of the program recording retention period has come is automatically performed. (23) A program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is searched for based on a predetermined cycle or time, and a broadcast program whose deadline has expired can be deleted based on the search result. The broadcast program recording / erasing device according to (21), which is characterized in that: (24) The search for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when a new broadcast program is recorded in the data area, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. The broadcast program recording and erasing apparatus according to (21), wherein the broadcast program that has been set can be erased. (25) The search for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when the capacity of the data area is insufficient. The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to (21), wherein the program can be erased.

(26) A recording / erasing medium having at least a data area for recording a broadcast program and a program management area for recording attribute information relating to the attributes of the broadcast program, wherein a broadcast program is recorded in the data area. Means for recording the program recording retention period data present in the attribute information in the program management area, and recording the program recording retention period data in the data area based on the contents of the program recording retention period recorded in the program management area. A broadcast program recording / erasing device, characterized in that the broadcast program recording / erasing device comprises means for erasing a corresponding broadcast program. (27) The broadcast program recording and erasing apparatus according to (26), wherein the erasure of the broadcast program due to the expiration of the program recording holding period is automatically performed. (28) searching for a time limit of the program record holding period recorded in the program management area based on a predetermined cycle or time;
The broadcast program recording / erasing device according to (26), wherein the broadcast program whose deadline has been reached can be deleted based on the search result. (29) The search for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when a new broadcast program is recorded in the data area, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. The broadcast program recording and erasing device according to (26), wherein the broadcast program that is present can be erased. (30) The search for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when the capacity of the data area is insufficient, and the broadcast whose expiration date has reached based on the search result is performed. It is characterized in that the program is deleted (2
The broadcast program recording / erasing device according to 6).

[0012] By selecting the program record holding period set for the broadcast program to be recorded as described above, or by setting the program record holding period arbitrarily according to the broadcast program, the broadcast program whose expiration date has arrived appropriately according to the set period. Can be erased from the recording / erasing medium, and efficient recording and erasing can be performed.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus embodying a broadcast program recording / erasing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A program guide for guiding the contents of a broadcast program, in the case of the embodiment, an electronic program guide: EPG (Elect
When the EPG is accompanied by a “Troubleshooting Program Guide”, it is generally performed that the EPG includes an attribute such as a genre classification of a broadcast program, and in the embodiment, broadcast program attribute information. For example, as described in the related art, EIT (Event) in the case of European DVB
Information Descriptor for each event described in the Information Table)
r can be added, and by referring to this, the attribute (genre) of the program can be known.

First, the EIT provides event information of a broadcast program in chronological order. As shown in FIG.
It has a vent_Information_Section and can be transmitted to another service as a TS (Transport Stream) packet.

Event_Information_Se
ction is ta for authenticating the table of event information.
ble_id, section_syntax_indi where syntax is determined and “1” is always set
cator, section to determine section length
_Length, service_id for distinguishing from other services via TS, sub_ta not shown
version_num to determine the version of ble
ber, current_next_indicator enabling the execution of a new sub_table, se that increases by one when the same table_id increases, etc.
last_section_ that specifies the number of the last section of the ction_number and the sub_table
number, transport_stream that authenticates the TS from the delivery system multiplexer
_Id, the network of the origin of the delivery system
Original_network for verifying _id
rk_id, sub_table without segment
Segme that specifies the number of segments in the last section of
nt_last_section_number, last_ta for authenticating that it is the last table_id
ble_id, event_i that authenticates the number of events
d, start_time indicating the start time of the event,
Duration indicating the duration of the event, format indicating the format, running_status indicating the status of the event, descriptor
Descriptor_loop_len indicating the length of
gth and CRC_32 composed of CRC. In addition, Event_Information_Sec
It is needless to say that the “tion” can be appropriately increased or decreased without being limited to the items described above.

In this, descriptor_loop
As shown in FIG. 4, the content of the descriptor specified by p_length is content_nibb.
le_level_1 and content_nibbl
It is composed of e_level_2 and user_nibble, and is classified into classes by genre.

Content_nibble_1 is the first
Indicates the level code (0x0 to 0xF) of the
nt_nibble_2 is a second level code (0x0
~ 0xF), and content_
For each code of nibble_1, con
The code of tent_nibble_2 (0x0 to 0x
F) corresponds.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the code (0
x1) is "Movie / Drama; Movie / Drama",
The code (0x2) is “News / Current af
fairs; news ", code (0x3) is" Sho
w / Game show; show / game ", code (0x4) is"Sports; sports ", code (0
x5) is "Children's / Youth pro
Grammes: Youth Program ", Code (0
x6) is “Music / Ballet / Dance; Music”, and the code (0x7) is “Arts / Cultur
e; art ", code (0x8) is" Social / Po
literal issues / Economics;
Politics / Economy ”, code (0x9) is“ Educatio ”
n / Science / Factualtopics; Education / Science ", code (0A) is" Leisure ho
bbies leisure / hobbies ”, code (0B) is“ Sp
It is "equipment Characteristics; special."

As described above, the classes are classified by genre.
Each genre that has been further classified is classified for each event. For example, in the news genre, the content_nibb_level_1 code (0x2) corresponds to the content_nibb
The code of le_level_2 is code (0x0) for general news, code (0x1) for weather forecast,
The code (0x2) is set by dividing the event in detail, such as a news-related magazine.

By using the EIT having such a configuration, for example, in the case of program news, the program record holding period is set to, for example, one day, and when the time limit comes, it is automatically deleted and the recorded contents are effectively used. Can be achieved.

As shown in FIG. 1, a broadcast program recording and erasing apparatus 10 for recording and erasing a broadcast program based on a program guide for guiding the contents of the broadcast program includes a tuner 101 for receiving broadcast waves, And a communication unit 102 for connecting to a data server that can provide program guide information by accessing the program management information such as program attribute information and program record holding period and data processing of broadcast programs. A processor unit 103 capable of outputting data processed in accordance with an instruction from the unit 104 as an audio / video signal, recording the data on a recording / erasing medium 105, and erasing the recorded content;
And a control unit 104 for managing program management information such as program attribute information and a program record holding period, and instructing recording / erasing on a recording / erasing medium 105 via a processor unit 103.
And a recording / erasing medium 105 formed of a hard disk for storing program management information and broadcast programs processed by the processor unit 103. In the embodiment, the recording / erasing medium 105 is formed of a hard disk, but it is needless to say that another medium may be used.

The program management information and the broadcast program recorded on the recording / erasing medium 105 are managed, for example, in the form of addresses and contents shown in FIG. The content is a program management area where program management information corresponding to the address number is recorded and a data area where a broadcast program (stream) is recorded.

A broadcast program recording / recording system having the above-described configuration
When the program recording holding period is set in the erasing device 10, program guide information (electronic program guide; EPG) accompanying the broadcast wave received by the tuner unit 101 of the broadcast program recording / erasing device 10 and the communication unit 102 are used. The program guide information is fetched from a data server on a network installed other than the connection, and a program record holding period based on program attribute information included in desired program guide information is selected or set. The program attribute information and the set recording retention period are subjected to data processing in the processor section 103 as program management information, and are recorded in the program management area of the recording / erasing medium 105 according to an instruction from the control section 104. The program record holding period of the program attribute information may be selected and used in advance, or may be manually set arbitrarily.

Next, the operation of the broadcast program recording / erasing device 10 for recording and erasing a broadcast program will be described.

First, when the tuner unit 101 of the broadcast program recording / erasing device 10 receives a broadcast program, the control unit 104 instructs the processor unit 103 to record the broadcast program and the program attribute information of the broadcast program.
Selects or sets the received broadcast program and the program record holding period, which is one element of the program attribute information, and stores the broadcast program in the data area of the recording / erasing medium 105 and the program record holding period in the program management area. Process and record. still,
If a monitor or the like is connected to the broadcast program recording / erasing device 10,
A broadcast program during or after recording can be viewed by the audio / video signal output from the processor unit 103.

The recording / erasing medium 105 stores a program area for recording program management information including a program record holding period in a content area from the head address (0) to the (N) th of a physical position where recording is started. Reserve as an area. In this program management area, the program attribute information, the program recording holding period, and the start address (N + 1) of the content area for recording a broadcast program (stream) are recorded. Then, a broadcast program (stream) is recorded from the content area of the address number (N + 1) to the data area subjected to the data processing.

The broadcast program recorded on the recording / erasing medium 105 is stored in the program recording holding period by the control unit 104 referring to the program management information recorded on the recording / erasing medium 105 via the processor unit 103. Manage. Then, when the set program recording holding period expires, the control unit 104 sends an instruction to the processor unit 103, and stores the corresponding broadcast program in the recording / erasing medium 105.
Erase from This deletion may be performed automatically, or may be performed while confirming,
Alternatively, the erasing operation may be performed every time a new broadcast program is recorded. Further, when a new broadcast program is recorded, the erasing operation may be performed when the capacity is insufficient.

That is, the timing at which the control unit 104 refers to the program management information is determined at a fixed period and at a fixed time by searching for the expiration date of the program recording holding period or when starting recording of a new broadcast program. To perform the erase operation. Alternatively, when recording is newly started, the recording / erasing medium 10
The recording state of No. 5 may be examined and referred to when the recording capacity is insufficient. Note that the setting of the program record retention period can be changed even once set, or may be set after the broadcast program is recorded.

When a broadcast program is recorded, program attribute information is recorded collectively, and the recorded broadcast program is a program record holding period which is one element of the collectively recorded program attribute information. May be used to set a time limit for erasing. Further, the recording holding period may be set independently for each broadcast program to be recorded.

In this way, if a broadcast program is recorded and a broadcast program recorded using a fixed program record retention period can be deleted, efficient operation of the recording / erasing medium can be achieved. You can do it.

[0032]

As described above, a program recording retention period is set for each program attribute of a broadcast program, and when the period of the program recording retention period expires, the corresponding broadcast program can be erased. There is no need to confirm and erase the contents again, or to erase the necessary broadcast program by deleting the previously recorded contents in order. Therefore, recording /
There is an effect that efficient operation can be achieved without the capacity of the erasing medium being occupied by unnecessary recording.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a broadcast program recording / erasing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a conceptual diagram of a data storage format in the recording / erasing medium.

FIG. 3 shows the same “Event information section”
"action" in a list.

Fig. 4 "Content descriptor"
Is a description language.

FIG. 5 is the same as “Content_nibble level”
11 and 2 are displayed as a list.

FIG. 6 shows the same “Content_nibble level”
11 and 2 are displayed as a list.

FIG. 7 shows the same “Content_nibble level”
11 and 2 are displayed as a list.

[Explanation of symbols]

10; broadcast program recording / erasing device; 101; tuner unit;
102; communication unit 103; processor unit 104; control unit 105; recording / erasing medium

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A program guide for guiding contents of a broadcast program exists, and a program record holding period set based on an attribute of the broadcast program, which is an element of the program guide, is selected or arbitrarily selected depending on the broadcast program. A program recording holding period is set, and the broadcast program is recorded on a recording / erasing medium. When the program recording holding period selected or set for each recorded broadcast program has expired, the recording / erasing is performed. A broadcast program recording / erasing method characterized in that a corresponding broadcast program recorded on a storage medium can be erased. 2. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to claim 1, wherein the attributes of the broadcast program are classified into classes for each genre of the broadcast program. 3. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to claim 1, wherein the program record holding period can be manually or automatically set and changed. 4. The broadcast program according to claim 1, wherein the program guide is program guide information attached to a broadcast wave and / or program guide information obtained by accessing via a network. Recording / erasing method. 5. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to claim 1, wherein the program guide is an EPG. 6. A recording / erasing medium having at least a data area for recording a broadcast program and a program management area for recording attribute information related to the attribute of the broadcast program. Selecting a program record holding period set based on the attribute information relating to the broadcast program or arbitrarily setting a program record holding period depending on the broadcast program, recording the program record holding period in the program management area, and recording in the program management area. A broadcast program recording / erasing method characterized in that a corresponding one of broadcast programs recorded in the data area can be erased based on the contents of the set program recording holding period. 7. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to claim 6, wherein the erasure of the broadcast program whose expiration date of the program recording retention period has come is automatically performed. 8. Searching for a time limit of a program recording holding period recorded in the program management area at a predetermined cycle or time, and deleting a broadcast program whose time limit has expired based on the search result. 7. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to claim 6, wherein: 9. A search for the expiration of a program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when a new broadcast program is recorded in the data area, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. 7. The broadcast program recording / recording method according to claim 6, wherein said broadcast program is deleted.
Erase method. 10. A search for the expiration of a program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when the capacity of the data area is insufficient, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. 7. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to claim 6, wherein said broadcast program can be erased. 11. A recording / erasing medium having at least a data area for recording a broadcast program and a program management area for recording attribute information relating to the attribute of the broadcast program. The data of the program recording holding period existing in the attribute information can be recorded in the program management area, and the broadcast program in the data area whose expiration date has expired can be deleted based on the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area. Broadcast program recording characterized by doing
Erase method. 12. The broadcast program recording and erasing method according to claim 11, wherein the erasure of the broadcast program whose expiration date is recorded in the data area is automatically performed. 13. A search for a time limit of a program recording holding period recorded in the program management area based on a predetermined cycle or time, and a broadcast program whose time limit has expired can be deleted based on the search result. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to claim 11, wherein 14. A search for the expiration of a program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when a new broadcast program is recorded in the data area, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. 12. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to claim 11, wherein the broadcast program being executed can be erased. 15. Searching for the expiration of a program recording retention period recorded in the program management area when the capacity of the data area is insufficient is performed, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. 12. The broadcast program recording / erasing method according to claim 11, wherein the broadcast program that is present can be erased. 16. There is a program guide for guiding the contents of a broadcast program, and a program record holding period set based on an attribute of the broadcast program, which is an element of the program guide, is selected or arbitrarily selected according to the broadcast program. Means for setting a program record holding period to record the broadcast program on a recording / erasing medium; and setting the recording / erasing time when a program record holding period selected or set for each recorded broadcast program expires.
A broadcast program recording and erasing device, comprising: means for erasing a corresponding broadcast program recorded on an erasing medium. 17. The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the attributes of the broadcast program are classified according to the genre of the broadcast program. 18. The program record holding period can be set or changed manually or automatically.
7. The broadcast program recording / erasing device according to 6. 19. The broadcast program recording method according to claim 16, wherein said program guide is program guide information attached to a broadcast wave or program guide information obtained by accessing via a network. Erasing device. 20. The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the program guide is an EPG. 21. A recording / erasing medium having at least a data area for recording a broadcast program and a program management area for recording attribute information relating to the attribute of the broadcast program, and when recording a broadcast program in the data area, Means for selecting a program recording holding period set based on the attribute information relating to the broadcast program or arbitrarily setting a program recording holding period according to the broadcast program and recording the program recording holding period in the program management area; A broadcast program recording and erasing device, comprising: means for erasing a corresponding one of the broadcast programs recorded in the data area on the basis of the contents of the recorded program recording retention period. 22. The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the erasure of the broadcast program whose expiration date of the program recording retention period has expired is automatically performed. 23. Searching for a program recording retention period recorded in the program management area based on a predetermined cycle or time, and deleting a broadcast program whose deadline has expired based on the search result. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein
2. The broadcast program recording / erasing device according to 1. 24. A search for the expiration of a program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when a new broadcast program is recorded in the data area, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. 22. The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the broadcast program being executed can be erased. 25. A search for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when the capacity of the data area is insufficient, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. 22. The broadcast program recording / erasing device according to claim 21, wherein a broadcast program that is present can be erased. 26. A recording / erasing medium having at least a data area for recording a broadcast program and a program management area for recording attribute information relating to the attribute of the broadcast program. Means for recording program record holding period data present in the attribute information in the program management area, and broadcasting recorded in the data area based on the contents of the program record holding period recorded in the program management area. A broadcast program recording / erasing device, characterized in that the broadcast program recording / erasing device comprises means for erasing a corresponding program. 27. The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the erasure of the broadcast program due to the expiration of the program record retention period is automatically performed. 28. Searching for a time limit of a program recording holding period recorded in the program management area based on a predetermined cycle or time, and erasing a broadcast program whose time limit has expired based on the search result. 27. The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein: 29. Searching for the expiration of the program recording retention period recorded in the program management area is performed when a new broadcast program is recorded in the data area, and expiration is performed based on the search result. 27. The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said broadcast program can be erased. 30. Searching for the expiration of the program recording holding period recorded in the program management area is performed when the capacity of the data area is insufficient, and the expiration is performed based on the search result. 27. The broadcast program recording / erasing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the broadcast program is erased.