JP2003036653A - Digital information recording/reproducing system and digital information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to create a menu corresponding to recorded contents. SOLUTION: A digital information recording medium has a data area on which an audio/video program and its control information are recorded. Here, the above program corresponds to one or more cells, and the reproduction sequence of these cells is shown by a program chain. Reproduction of this program chain is managed using program chain information, and this program chain information is stored into the control information. In the information medium constructed in this way, the control information is constituted so that the information contains the representative image information (PGC number of the representative reduced image). The reduced image shown with this representative image information can be utilized for the user menu.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital information recording / reproducing system configured so that a user can create a menu corresponding to recorded contents, and an information recording medium used in this system.

In particular, a digital information recording / reproducing system having a function of assisting a user to create a visual menu using actual recorded contents (still image, short-time moving image, etc.) as a part of the menu, and this system are provided. The present invention relates to an information recording medium used.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a system for reproducing an optical disc on which video (moving image) and audio is recorded has been developed, and movie software, karaoke, etc. such as LD (laser disc) or video CD (video compact disc) can be produced. It is widely used for the purpose of reproduction.

Among them, the international standardized MPEG2 (moving picture expert group) system is used, and AC-3 (digital audio compression) is used.
A DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) standard using another audio compression method has been proposed. This DV
The D standard includes read-only DVD video (or DVD-ROM), write-once DVD-R, and rewritable DVD-RW (or DVD-RAM).

According to the MPEG2 system layer, the standard of DVD video (DVD-ROM) is MPEG2 as a moving picture compression system and linear PC as an audio recording system.
In addition to M, it supports AC3 audio and MPEG audio. Furthermore, this DVD video standard
The sub-picture data is run-length-compressed bitmap data for subtitles, and control data (navigation data) for reproduction control such as fast-forward / rewind data search is added. In addition, this standard also specifies ISO966 so that data can be read by a computer.
It also supports 60 and UDF bridge formats.

At present, an optical disk used for DVD video (DVD-ROM) is 12 cm with one layer on one side.
The disk has a storage capacity of approximately 4.7 GB (gigabyte). The two layers on one side have a storage capacity of about 9.5 GB, and the two layers on both sides are capable of recording a large capacity of about 18 GB (when a laser with a wavelength of 650 nm is used for reading).

On the other hand, the optical disk used for the DVD-RW (DVD-RAM) is a 12 cm disk at present, and has a storage capacity of about 2.6 GB (gigabyte) on one side and a capacity of 5.2 GB on both sides. There is. The DVD-RAM optical disk currently in practical use has a smaller storage capacity than the corresponding size DVD-ROM disk. However, technological developments for expanding the capacity of DVD-RAM discs are constantly being made, and in the near future,
There is no doubt that a DVD-RAM disk with a storage capacity of 4.7 GB or more on one side will be put to practical use.

By the way, according to the DVD video standard,
A video manager menu (VMG menu) and a video title set menu (VTS menu) are prepared as disc search menu images for a content provider (a company that produces contents recorded on a DVD disc, that is, a title).

The DVD video disc has video data (main video) including video (moving picture) which is the main part of the recorded contents.
Also, sub-picture data including auxiliary information such as subtitles is recorded. The VMG menu or VTS menu is usually a button using a part of video data (still image or short-time moving image) and sub-image data (visual marker used when the user selects a selection item in the menu). ).

In this menu, for example, the background of the menu and menu selection items are displayed in a still image of the main image, and the user visually recognizes the specific menu selection item by highlighting a specific portion of the sub-image in a predetermined color. Make it recognizable. The highlighted portion of the sub-picture serves as a button. The user can select a desired selection item with a button.

Here, a specific example of the menu in the DVD video will be described. Now imagine a movie title menu divided into five chapters. In this case, five mini images obtained by reducing the still image at the start portion of each chapter are output on one menu screen. The button is composed of a frame that outlines any one of the five mini screens with a specific color (for example, green). This green button frame can be moved on the menu by operating the cursor keys of the remote controller of the DVD video player.

For example, if you want to play back from Chapter 3, move the cursor to move the green button frame to Chapter 3.
Move to the position that surrounds the mini image of. Then press the Enter key on the remote controller to open Chapter 3
The color of the button frame surrounding the mini image of is changed from green to another color (for example, red), and the user is notified that the selection of chapter 3 is confirmed. At the same time, the DVD player searches the recorded position of the chapter 3 and the video reproduction is started from the chapter 3.

The chapter search as described above can be executed by the visual menu using the main video background and the sub video button. In other words, a menu-dedicated image (mini image above) in which buttons are added to the normal video data as sub-images
If a plurality of items are prepared, the user can reproduce the scene of the selected chapter by selecting the button.

[0014]

However, it is necessary for the title creator to make all of the above menu-dedicated images by himself. Large-scale editing work is required to specially create such a menu image (background image, selection item image corresponding to the mini image). However, it is difficult for a DVD video recorder used in a general home to perform such a large-scale editing operation when recording (it is a complicated and tedious work for the user, and it is difficult for the elderly or a child user. Can not bear).

Further, in the case of a reproduction-only DVD video, since the number of recorded titles does not change, once the menu is created, it is not necessary to change it thereafter. However, if the number of recorded titles may increase or decrease, as in the case of a DVD video recorder (DVD-RAM or DVD-RW) that allows repeated recording / playback, the entire menu screen will change each time the number of titles changes. It will be necessary to redo the production of. Recreating this menu (or modifying an existing menu) is also a troublesome task for general users.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital information recording / reproducing system and an information recording medium used in this system, which can solve the above problems.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above object, a digital information recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention has a data area (see FIG. 4) in which an audio / video program and its control information are recorded. I have DA2). Where the program corresponds to one or more cells,
The playback order of these cells is indicated by a program chain, the playback of this program chain is managed by the program chain information (PGC information of FIG. 38), and this program chain information is the control information (DA21 of FIG. 4).
It is stored in 1). In the information medium thus configured, the control information is configured to include the representative image information (representative reduced image PGC number in FIG. 22) of the program. The reduced image indicated by this representative image information can be used for the user menu (see the processing of FIG. 93).

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A digital information recording / reproducing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As a typical embodiment of the digital information recording / reproducing system according to the present invention, there is an apparatus for recording / reproducing a moving image encoded according to MPEG2 at a variable bit rate, for example, a DVD digital video recorder. (A specific example of this DVD digital video recorder will be described later.) FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a recordable optical disc 10 used in the DVD digital video recorder.

As shown in FIG. 1, this optical disk 10
Is a pair of transparent substrates 1 each provided with a recording layer 17.
4 has a structure in which the adhesive layers 20 are bonded together. Each board 14
Can be made of polycarbonate having a thickness of 0.6 mm, and the adhesive layer 20 can be made of an ultrathin (for example, 40 μm thick) ultraviolet curable resin. These pair of 0.
By laminating the 6 mm substrate 14 so that the recording layer 17 is in contact with the surface of the adhesive layer 20, the large-capacity optical disk 10 having a thickness of 1.2 mm is obtained.

A central hole 22 is provided in the optical disk 10, and a clamp area 24 for clamping the optical disk 10 during rotational driving is provided around the central hole 22 on both sides of the disk. A spindle of a disc motor is inserted into the center hole 22 when the optical disc 10 is loaded in a disc drive device (not shown).
Then, the optical disc 10 is clamped in the clamp area 24 by a disc clamper (not shown) while the disc is rotating.

The optical disc 10 has, around the clamp area 24, an information area 25 in which video data, audio data and other information can be recorded.

A lead-out area 26 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the information area 25. In addition, the lead-in area 27 is provided on the inner peripheral side in contact with the clamp area 24.
Is provided. A data recording area 28 is defined between the lead-out area 26 and the lead-in area 27.

Recording layer (light reflecting layer) 17 in the information area 25
Recording tracks are continuously formed in, for example, a spiral shape. The continuous track is divided into a plurality of physical sectors, and these sectors are numbered consecutively. Various data is recorded on the optical disc 10 using this sector as a recording unit.

The data recording area 28 is an actual data recording area, and as recording / reproducing information, video data (main image data) of movies, sub-image data of subtitles / menus, lines / sound effects, etc. Audio data is recorded as a series of similar pits (a physical shape or phase state that causes an optical change in laser reflected light).

The optical disk 10 has a single-sided single layer and double-sided recording R
In the case of an AM disc, each recording layer 17 can be composed of a triple layer in which a phase change recording material layer (for example, Ge2Sb2Te5) is sandwiched between two zinc sulfide / silicon oxide mixtures (ZnS / SiO2).

The optical disc 10 is a single-sided single-layered R recording medium.
In the case of an AM disc, the recording layer 17 on the read surface 19 side
Can be composed of a triple layer including the phase change recording material layer. In this case, the layer 17 arranged on the opposite side from the reading surface 19 does not need to be an information recording layer, and may be a simple dummy layer.

The optical disk 10 is a single-sided read type dual layer R
In the case of an AM / ROM disc, the two recording layers 17 are
One phase change recording layer (back side from the reading surface 19; for reading and writing) and one semitransparent metal reflection layer (reading surface 19
The front side when viewed from the side; only for playback).

When the optical disk 10 is a write-once DVD-R, polycarbonate is used as the substrate, gold is used as the reflection film (not shown), and ultraviolet curable resin is used as the protection film (not shown). In this case, an organic dye is used for the recording layer 17. As this organic dye, cyanine, squarylium, croconic, triphenylmenthane dye, xanthene, quinone dye (naphthoquine, anthraquinone, etc.), metal complex dye (phthalocyanine, porphyrin, dithiol complex, etc.) and others can be used. is there.

For writing data to such a DVD-R disc, the output is 6 to 12 m at a wavelength of 650 nm, for example.
It can be performed using a semiconductor laser of about W.

The optical disc 10 is a single-sided read type dual layer R
In the case of an OM disc, the two recording layers 17 can be composed of one metal reflective layer (the back side when viewed from the read surface 19) and one semitransparent metal reflective layer (the front side when viewed from the read surface 19).

Read-only DVD-ROM disc 1
In the case of 0, a pit train is formed in advance on the substrate 14 by a stamper, a reflective layer of metal or the like is formed on the surface of the substrate 14 on which the pit train is formed, and this reflective layer is used as the recording layer 17. . In such a DVD-ROM disc 10, normally, no groove is provided as a recording track, and a pit row formed on the surface of the substrate 14 functions as a track.

In the various optical discs 10 described above, read-only ROM information is recorded in the recording layer 17 as an embossed signal. On the other hand, the substrate 14 having the recording layer 17 for reading and writing (or for write once) is not engraved with such an emboss signal, but instead is engraved with a continuous groove groove. A phase change recording layer is provided in the groove. In the case of a read / write DVD-RAM disc, the phase change recording layer in the land portion is also used for information recording in addition to the groove.

When the optical disk 10 is a single-sided reading type (whether the recording layer is one layer or two layers), the substrate 14 on the back side as viewed from the reading surface 19 does not need to be transparent to the reading / writing laser. In this case, the label may be printed on the entire surface of the back substrate 14.

The DVD digital video recorder described below is a D-RAM disc (or a DVD-RW disc) for which repeated recording / reproducing (reading / writing) and D
One-time recording / repeating playback for VD-R discs and D
The VD-ROM disc can be configured to be repeatedly played back.

FIG. 2 shows the optical disk (DVD-RA of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the correspondence of the data recording area 28 of M) 10 and the recording track of the data recorded there.

The disk 10 is a DVD-RAM (or D
In the case of VD-RW), the main body of the disk 10 is housed in the cartridge 11 in order to protect the delicate disk surface. When the DVD-RAM disk 10 together with the cartridge 11 is inserted into a disk drive of a DVD video recorder to be described later, the disk 10 is pulled out from the cartridge 11 and clamped by a turntable of a spindle motor (not shown) so as to face an optical head (not shown). It is driven to rotate.

On the other hand, the disk 10 is a DVD-R or D
In the case of the VD-ROM, the main body of the disc 10 is not housed in the cartridge 11, and the bare disc 10 is set directly on the disc tray of the disc drive.

The recording layer 17 of the information area 25 shown in FIG.
The data recording tracks are continuously formed in a spiral shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the continuous track is divided into a plurality of logical sectors (minimum recording unit) having a constant storage capacity, and data is recorded on the basis of the logical sectors. The recording capacity of one logical sector is set to 2048 bytes (or 2 kbytes), which is the same as the one-pack data length described later.

The data recording area 28 is an actual data recording area in which management data, main video (video) data, sub-video data and audio (audio) data are similarly recorded.

Although not shown, the disk 1 of FIG.
The 0 data recording area 28 can be divided into a plurality of recording areas (a plurality of recording zones) in a ring shape (annular ring shape). Although the angular velocity of disk rotation differs for each recording zone, the linear velocity or angular velocity can be made constant within each zone. In this case, a spare recording area (free space) can be provided for each zone. The free space for each zone can be collected and used as a reserve area for the disc 10. The storage capacity (reserved capacity) of this reserved area can be used in an automatic image quality setting process or the like described later.

FIG. 3 shows the optical disk of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchical structure of information recorded in a (RAM or DVD-RW disc) 10.

The lead-in area 27 includes an embossed data zone having a light-reflecting surface having an uneven shape, a mirror zone having a flat surface (mirror surface), and a rewritable data zone in which information can be rewritten.

Data recording area (volume space)
Reference numeral 28 is composed of volume / file management information 70 and a data area DA which can be rewritten by the user. In the data area DA, computer data,
Video data, audio data, etc. are recorded. The volume / file management information 70 includes a data area D
Information about the file of audio / video data recorded in A or the entire volume is recorded.

The lead-out area 26 is also constructed so that information can be rewritten.

The following information, for example, is recorded in advance in the embossed data zone of the lead-in area 27: (1) DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM (or DVD
-RW), DVD-R and other disc types; 12 cm,
Disc size such as 8 cm; recording density; physical sector number indicating recording start / recording end position and other information about the entire information storage medium; (2) recording power and recording pulse width; erasing power; reproducing power; recording / erasing Recording / playback of time linear velocity, etc.
Information regarding erase characteristics; and (3) Information regarding the manufacture of individual information recording media, such as the serial number.

The rewritable zones of the lead-in area 27 and the lead-out area 26 are respectively
For example, the following areas are included: (4) Area for recording a unique disc name for each information recording medium; (5) Test recording area (for confirmation of recording and erasing conditions); (6) Defect in data area DA Area for recording management information about the area.

The areas (4) to (6) can be recorded by a DVD recording device (DVD video recorder or the like).

In the data area DA, audio / video data DA2 and computer data DA1 and DA3 can be mixed and recorded.

Computer data and audio
The recording order of video data and the size of recorded information are arbitrary. It is possible to record only computer data or only audio / video data in the data area DA.

Audio / video data area DA2
Is control information DA21, video object DA22,
The picture object DA23 and the audio object DA24 are included.

The control information DA21 is recorded (recorded and / or recorded).
(Or recording), reproduction, editing, search, and the like, the control information necessary for performing each processing is included.

The video object DA22 includes information on the contents (contents) of the recorded video data.

The picture object DA23 includes still image information such as still images and slide images.

The audio object DA24 includes information on the contents (contents) of the recorded audio data.

The recording information of the reproduction target (content) of the audio / video data is included in the video object set VOBS of FIG. 5 described later.

The control information DA21 is the reproduction control information DA2.
11, recording control information DA212, edit control information DA21
3 and miniature control information DA214.

The reproduction control information DA211 includes control information necessary for reproduction.

The recording control information DA212 includes control information necessary for recording (recording and / or recording).

The edit control information DA213 includes control information necessary for editing.

The reduced-scale control information DA214 is management information and reduced-scale data (corresponding to the reduced-scale data DA2143 below) relating to a reduced-scale (Thumbnail Picture) for searching or editing a desired place in video data.
Is included.

The reduced-scale control information DA214 includes an anchor pointer DA2141, a picture address table DA21.
42 and miniaturized data DA 2143. (For the anchor pointer DA2141, see FIG.
Will be described later with reference to. The reduced-scale control information DA214 also includes menu index information INFO1 and index picture information IN as lower layer information of the picture address table DA2142 and reduced-scale data DA2143.
FO2, slide and still picture information INFO
3, information picture information INFO4, defect area information INFO5 and wallpaper picture information INFO
6 may be included.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for further explaining the information hierarchical structure of FIG. Here, the configuration of the reproduction control information DA211 is specifically illustrated.

That is, the reproduction control information DA211 includes a reproduction management table PLY_MAT and a program chain management table PGCIT. Details of the reproduction management table PLY_MAT will be described later with reference to FIG.

Program chain management table PGCI
T is program chain management information PGC_MAI (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 27) and one or more program chain information search pointers PGCI_SRP # 1 to #n.
Program chain search pointer table P consisting of
GC_SRPT and one or more program chain information P
GCI # 1 to #n (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 28). Each PGCI search pointer has a size of 4 bytes and indicates the start address of each program chain information PGCI.

Here, PGC designates a cell reproduction order, and indicates a unit for executing a series of cell reproduction. A cell indicates a reproduction section in which reproduction data is designated by its start address and end address. The reproduction order of the contents of the audio / video data area DA2 is determined by the program chain PGC and the cells.

The recording control information DA212 has a recording management table REC_MAT (details are shown in FIG. 26).
See below).

FIG. 5 shows the cell structure of the video object and the program chain PGC in the information hierarchical structure of FIG.
It is a figure which illustrates the example of correspondence with. In this information hierarchical structure, a case described later with reference to FIG. 6 (DVD video ROM
In the above case), the information unit called the video title set VTS is not handled. Also, the video manager information VM
The functions of the GI and the video title set information VTSI are integrated in the control information DA21.

In the information hierarchical structure of FIG. 5, the video object DA22 is the video object set VOBS.
It is composed of This VOBS has one or more program chains P each of which specifies a cell reproduction order by a different method.
It has contents corresponding to GC # 1 to #k.

FIG. 6 shows the optical disk of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of information recorded on the (R disc) 10.

The data recording area 28 formed on the optical disk 10 of FIG. 1 has a structure as shown in FIG. The logical format of this structure is defined in accordance with, for example, one of the standards, ISO9660 and Universal Disc Format (UDF) Bridge.

The data recording area 28 between the lead-in area 27 and the lead-out area 26 is assigned as a volume space. The volume space 28 is used for space (volume / file management information) 70 for volume and file structure information, and space for audio / video applications (audio / video data) and other applications (computer data). Rewritable data area DA formed of the space

The volume space 28 is physically divided into a large number of sectors, and these physical sectors are numbered consecutively. The logical address of the data recorded in this volume space (data recording area) 28 is
Indicates a logical sector number, as defined by ISO9660 and UDF Bridge. The logical sector size here is the same as the effective data size of the physical sector,
It is 2048 bytes (2 kbytes). Serial numbers are added to the logical sector numbers in ascending order of the physical sector numbers.

That is, the volume space 28 has a hierarchical structure, and the volume / file management information 7
0, a computer data area DA1, an audio / video data area DA2 and a computer data area DA3. The areas of these data areas are divided on the boundaries of logical sectors. Where 1
A logical sector is defined as 2048 bytes, and one logical block is also defined as 2048 bytes. Therefore, one logical sector is defined as one logical block. Note that unlike the logical sector, redundant information such as error correction information is added to the physical sector. Therefore, to be exact, the physical sector size does not match the logical sector size.

The volume / file management information 70 is I
It corresponds to the management area defined by SO9660 and UDF bridge. Based on the description of this information 70, the contents of the following video manager VMG are stored in the system memory (not shown) inside the DVD video recorder described later.

Control information, a video object, a picture object and an audio object as shown in FIG. 3 are arranged in the lower hierarchy of the audio / video data area DA2. The control information and the video object are the file 74A of the video manager VMG and one or more video title sets VTS # 1 to # n7.
Corresponds to a file containing 2.

In FIG. 6, the video manager VMG
Is composed of a plurality of files 74A. This file 74A contains video title sets (VTS # 1 to #
n) information for managing 72 (video manager information VMG
I75, video object set for video manager menu VMGM_VOBS, and video manager information backup file VMGI_BUP) are described.

Each video title set VTS 72 includes
Video data compressed according to the MPEG standard (video pack described below), audio data compressed according to a predetermined standard or uncompressed (audio pack described below),
And run-length compressed sub-picture data (sub-picture pack described later; including bitmap data in which one pixel is defined by multiple bits), and information for reproducing these data (navigation pack described later; presentation control) Information PCI and data search information DSI) are stored.

The video title set VTS72 is also composed of a plurality of files 74B, like the video manager VMG.
It is composed of. This file 74B includes video title set information VTSI94, video title set menu object set VTSM_VOBS, video title set title video object set VTSTT_VOBS, and video title set information backup VTSI_BUP.

Here, the video title set VTS
The number of (VTS # 1 to #n) 72 is limited to 99 at the maximum, and the number of files 74B constituting each video title set VTS 72 is set to 12 at the maximum.
These files 74A and 74B are similarly divided at the boundaries of logical sectors.

The control information of the lower hierarchy of the audio / video data area DA2 is functionally the above video manager information VMGI75 and video title set information VT.
Corresponds to SI94.

As will be described later (see FIG. 12), a video object set VTST for a video title set title.
T_VOBS defines a collection of one or more video objects VOBs. Each VOB defines a collection of one or more cells. A program chain PGC is composed of a group of one or more cells.

If one PGC is compared to one drama,
The plurality of cells forming this PGC can be interpreted as corresponding to various scenes in the drama. The contents of the PGC (or the contents of the cell) are determined by, for example, a software provider (or a software producer including the device user) who produces the contents recorded on the disc 10.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the information recorded in the lead-in area 27 of the optical disc 10. When the disc 10 is set in a DVD video recorder (or a DV video player (not shown)) which will be described later, the information in the lead-in area 27 is first read. In the lead-in area 27, predetermined reference codes and control data are recorded in the ascending order of sector numbers.

The reference code of the lead-in area 27 is composed of two error correction code blocks (ECC blocks). Each ECC block is composed of 16 sectors. These two ECC blocks (32 sectors) are generated by adding scrambled data. When the reference code to which the scramble data is added is reproduced, a filter operation on the reproducing side is performed so that a specific data symbol (for example, 172) is reproduced to ensure the accuracy of subsequent data reading.

The control data of the lead-in area 27 is 1
It is composed of 92 ECC blocks. In this control data portion, the contents of 16 sectors in each block are 1
It is recorded 92 times repeatedly.

FIG. 8 shows the contents of the control data in the lead-in area 27. This control data composed of 16 sectors includes physical format information in the first 1 sector (2048 bytes), and thereafter includes disc manufacturing information and content provider information.

FIG. 9 includes 20 data included in the control data of FIG.
The contents of the 48-byte physical format information are shown.

At the first byte position "0", which version of the DVD standard the recorded information complies with is described.

At the second byte position "1", the size (12 cm, 8 cm, etc.) of the recording medium (optical disk 10) and the minimum read rate are described. Read-only DV
For D-video, the minimum read rate is 2.52M
Although bps, 5.04 Mbps and 10.08 Mbps are specified, other minimum read rates are also reserved. For example, when a DVD video recorder capable of variable bit rate recording is recorded at an average bit rate of 2 Mbps, the minimum read rate can be reduced to 1.5 to 1.8 M by using the reserved portion.
It can be set to bps.

At the third byte position "2", the disc structure of the recording medium (optical disc 10) (the number of recording layers, track pitch, recording layer type, etc.) is described. It is possible to identify whether the disc 10 is a DVD-ROM, a DVD-R, or a DVD-RAM (or a DVD-RW) depending on the type of the recording layer.

At the fourth byte position "3", the recording density (linear density and track density) of the recording medium (optical disk 10) is written. The linear density is the recording length per bit (0.267 μm / bit or 0.29
3 μm / bit). Also, the track density is
The adjacent track spacing (0.74 μm / track or 0.80 μm / track, etc.) is shown. DVD-RAM
Alternatively, a reserve portion is also provided at the fourth byte position "3" so that different numerical values can be designated as the DVD-R linear density and track density.

At the fifth byte position "4 to 15", the start sector number and end sector number of the data area 28 of the recording medium (optical disc 10) are recorded.

A burst cutting area (BCA) descriptor is described in the sixth byte position "16".
This BCA is optionally applied only to DVD-ROM discs, and is an area for storing recording information after the disc manufacturing process is completed.

At the seventh byte position "17-20",
The free space of the recording medium (optical disc 10) is described.
For example, the disk 10 is a DVD-RAM with single-sided single-layer recording
If it is a disc, this position on disc 10
2.6 GB (or the number of sectors corresponding to this number of bytes)
The information indicating is described. Double-sided recording on the disk 10 DV
If it is a D-RAM disk, 5.2
Information indicating GB (or the number of sectors corresponding to this number of bytes) is described.

The eighth byte position "21 to 31" and the ninth byte position "32 to 2047" are reserved for the future.

FIG. 10 exemplifies the directory structure of information (data files) recorded on the optical disc 10. When the hierarchical structure of FIG. 6 is adopted, a subdirectory of the video title set VTS and a subdirectory of the audio title set ATS are located under the root directory, similar to the hierarchical file structure adopted by the general-purpose operating system of a computer. It is connected. Then, in the subdirectory of the video title set VTS, various video files (VMGI, VMG
M, VTSI, VTSM, VTS, etc.) are arranged so that each file is managed in an orderly manner. A particular file (eg a particular VTS) can be accessed by specifying the path from the root directory to that file.

On the other hand, when the hierarchical structure of FIGS. 3 to 5 is adopted, the video title set VT of the sub-directory is used.
S is replaced with a subdirectory of audio / video data, for example.

In the audio / video data subdirectory, (a) video manager information VMG
I, video title set information VTSI, video manager menu data VMGM, and video title set menu data VTSM, instead of the files
A file of control information DA21 is stored, and (b) a video object DA is used instead of the video data VTS.
22, files of the picture object DA2 and the audio object DA24 are stored.

A specific file (for example, specific control information) can be accessed by designating the path from the root directory to the file.

DVD-RA as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.
The M (DVD-RW) disc 10 or DVD-R disc 10 is pre-formatted so as to have the directory structure shown in FIG. 10, and this pre-formatted disc 10 is an unused disc (raw disc) for DVD video recording. Can be marketed as.

For example, the root directory of the pre-formatted raw disc 10 may include a sub-directory called a video title set or audio / video data. This subdirectory is a menu data file (VMGM, VTSM or microscopic control information DA21) for storing predetermined menu information.
4 etc.) can be further included.

FIG. 11 shows the contents of the directory record corresponding to the directory structure of FIG.

The directory record length is described in the first relative byte position "0".

At the second relative byte position "1", the assigned extended attribute record length is written.

At the third relative byte position "2", the number of the first logical sector assigned to the extension is written.

At the fourth relative byte position "10", the data length of the file portion is written.

The fifth relative byte position "18" describes the date and time when the information in the extension described in the directory record was recorded. This relative byte position "1"
The data of 8 "can be used for recording the recording date and time of a recorded program (corresponding to a specific VTS or specific audio / video data) in a DVD video recorder.

At the sixth relative byte position "25", I
A file flag indicating the characteristics of the file defined in Table 10 of SO9660 is described.

At the seventh relative byte position "25", the file unit size assigned to the file portion is described.

At the eighth relative byte position "27", the size of the interleave gap assigned to the file part is written.

At the ninth relative byte position "28", the volume serial number in the expanded volume set described in the directory record is described.

At the tenth relative byte position "32",
The length of the file ID field of the directory record is described.

At the 11th relative byte position "33",
The file ID or the directory defined by ISO9660 is described.

Next to the above file ID, the file ID
The padding field used as a padding when the field length is an even byte is described.

Next to the padding field, management information used by the system is described.

Next to the above copyright management information, a specific recorded file (for example, VTS_01_1.
Read flag (or played flag) indicating whether VOB or audio / video data file (not shown) has been read once (or whether the file has been played even once in the past) Is described. The read flag for a file that has never been read is set to "0". Once read, the read flag of the file is "
It is set to 1 ".

Next to the read flag, an archive flag (or a permanent save flag) indicating whether or not a particular recorded file has a content to be permanently stored (or a content to prevent accidental erasure). be written. The archive flag for files that can be deleted is set to "0". The archive flag of the file that you want to keep without deleting it is set to "1".

FIG. 12 shows a hierarchical structure of information included in the video object set VTSTT_VOBS of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, each cell 84 is composed of one or more video object units (VOBU) 85. And each video object unit 8
5 is configured as an aggregate (pack row) of a video pack (V pack) 88, a sub-picture pack (SP pack) 90, and an audio pack (A pack) 91, which starts with a navigation pack (NV pack) 86. ing.
That is, the video object unit VOBU85
Is defined as a set of all packs recorded from one navigation pack 86 to immediately before the next navigation pack 86.

These packs are the minimum unit for performing data transfer processing. Further, the minimum unit for performing logical processing is a cell unit, and the logical processing is performed in this cell unit.

The navigation pack 86 is incorporated in the video object unit VOBU85 so that any angle change (non-seamless reproduction and seamless reproduction) can be realized.

Video object unit VOBU
The playback time of 85 is the video object unit VOB
This corresponds to the reproduction time of the video data composed of one or more video groups (group of pictures; GOP for short) included in U85, and the reproduction time is 0.4 seconds to 1.
It is set within the range of 2 seconds. 1 GOP is screen data that is normally about 0.5 seconds according to the MPEG standard and is compressed so as to reproduce about 15 frame images during that time.

Video object unit VOBU85
Contains video data, a GOP (conforming to the MPEG standard) including a video pack 88, a sub-picture pack 90 and an audio pack 91 is arranged to form a video data stream. However, regardless of the number of GOPs, the video object unit VOBU85 is defined on the basis of the reproduction time of GOPs, and the navigation pack 8 is always provided at the head of the video object unit VOBU85, as shown in FIG.
6 are arranged.

Incidentally, even in the reproduction data of only audio and / or sub-picture data, the reproduction data is constituted by the video object unit VOBU85 as one unit. For example, if the video object unit VOBU 85 is composed of only the audio pack 91 with the navigation pack 86 at the head, the video object unit V to which the audio data belongs, as in the case of the video object VOB 83 of the video data.
The audio pack 91 to be reproduced within the reproduction time of the OBU 85 is the video object unit VOBU.
It is stored in 85.

By the way, a VO having a structure as shown in FIG.
In the DVD video recorder capable of recording the video title set VTS including BS82 on the optical disc 10, this VTS
There may be a case where it is desired to edit the recorded contents after recording the TS. In order to meet this requirement, a dummy pack 89 can be inserted into each VOBU 85 as appropriate. The dummy pack 89 can be used when recording the editing data later.

As shown in FIG. 12, the video object set (VTSTT_VOBS) 82 is defined as a set of one or more video objects (VOB) 83. The video object VOB83 in the video object set VOBS82 is used for the same purpose.

The VOBS 82 for a menu is usually composed of one VOB 83, and a plurality of menu screen display data is stored therein. On the other hand, the VOBS 82 for the title set is usually composed of a plurality of VOBs 83.

Here, a VOB forming the video object set VTSTT_VOBS 82 for the title set.
If a concert video of a certain rock band is taken as an example, 83 can be considered to correspond to video data of the performance of the band. In this case, by designating VOB 83, it is possible to reproduce the concert performance music, for example, the third music of the band.

Further, the VOB 83 forming the menu video object set VTSM_VOBS stores the menu data of all the songs of the concert performance songs of the band, and according to the display of the menu, a specific song,
For example, an encore performance song can be reproduced.

In a normal video program, one VOB 83 can constitute one VOBS 82. In this case, one video stream is one VO
It will be completed at B83.

On the other hand, in the case of an animation collection of multiple stories or a movie of omnibus format, for example, one VO
A plurality of video streams (a plurality of program chains PGC) can be provided in the BS 82 corresponding to each story. In this case, each video stream is stored in the corresponding VOB 83. At that time, the audio stream and the sub-picture stream related to each video stream are also completed in each VOB 83.

The VOB 83 has an identification number (IDN # i;
i = 0 to i) is added, and the VO is identified by this identification number.
B83 can be specified. The VOB 83 is composed of one or a plurality of cells 84. Although a normal video stream is composed of a plurality of cells, a menu video stream may be composed of one cell 84.
An identification number (C_IDN # j) is attached to each cell 84 as in the case of the VOB 83.

The video object set V in FIG.
The information contained in the OBS is the information obtained by removing the navigation pack 86 from the hierarchical structure of FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a pack format data string (pack string) obtained after being read from the optical disk (DVD-ROM or DVD-RAM) 10 and subjected to signal demodulation / error correction in a disk drive (not shown). Is illustrated. This pack row is composed of a navigation pack (control pack) 86, a video pack 88, a dummy pack 89, a sub-picture pack 90, and an audio pack 91. All of these packs are made up of data in units of 2 kbytes, like the logical sector in FIG.

The navigation pack 86 includes a pack header 110, reproduction control information / presentation control information (PCI) packet 116, and data search information (DS).
I) It contains packet 117. PCI packet 11
6 includes a packet header 112 and PCI data 113, and the DSI packet 117 includes a packet header 11
4 and DSI data 115. PCI
The packet 116 includes control data used when switching the non-seamless angle, and the DSI packet 117 includes control data used when switching the seamless angle.

Here, the angle switching means changing the angle at which the subject image is viewed (camera angle). In the example of a rock concert video, in a performance scene (same event) of the same song, a scene mainly captured by vocalists, a scene mainly captured by guitarists,
This means that you can see scenes from various angles, such as scenes captured mainly by drummers.

[0138] Angles can be switched (or changed) when the angle can be selected according to the viewer's preference and when the same scene is automatically changed and repeated in the story flow. (If the software producer / provider configured the story as such; or if the user of the DVD video recorder described below made such an edit).

When selecting an angle,
There are the following: In other words, in the case of non-seamless non-seamless playback where the angle changes when returning to the beginning of the same scene (for example, the scene at the moment when the boxer inserts a counter punch, the camera angle changes to another angle and the counter starts to be launched again) If it is played back) and the scene changes from one scene to the next, the angle changes. For example, in the case of seamless playback that is continuous in time (for example, at the moment the boxer puts in the counter and the punch comes in, the camera angle changes to another angle and the counter is eaten). (When the scene where the opponent blows is played continuously in time)
There is.

The video pack 88 has a pack header 881.
And a video packet 882. The dummy pack 89 is composed of a pack header 891 and a padding packet 890, and the padding packet 890 is composed of a packet header 892 and padding data 893. However, padding data 893 contains invalid data.

The sub-picture pack 90 has a pack header 901.
And a sub-picture packet 902. The audio pack 91 is composed of a pack header 911 and audio packets 912.

The video packet 882 of FIG. 13 includes a packet header (not shown), and a decoding time stamp (DST) and a presentation time stamp (PTS) are recorded in this packet header.
Further, each of the sub-picture packet 902 and the audio packet 912 includes a packet header (not shown), and a presentation time stamp (PTS) is recorded in these packet headers.

In addition, DVD-RAM or DVD-RW
The pack sequence included in the video object set VOBS recorded on the optical disc 10 does not include the navigation pack 86 of FIG. FIG. 103 shows an example of the pack sequence structure when the navigation pack is not included.

FIG. 14 shows another example of the contents of the lowermost pack of the hierarchical structure of FIG. 12 (however, the navigation pack 86 is deleted when applied to the structure of FIGS. 3 to 5).

In the pack structure shown in FIG. 14, two types of video packs are provided. That is, the main video pack (M
A V1 pack 88A including a PEG2 video) and a V2 pack 88B including a search image pack and others are prepared as video packs. A stream ID = 0xe0 is assigned to the V1 pack 88A. In the case of MPEG2 video, the V2 pack 88B has stream I
D = 0xe1 is assigned.

FIG. 15 shows the structure of one navigation pack of FIG.

That is, the 1-pack navigation pack 86 includes a 14-byte pack header 110, a 24-byte system header 111, and two packets (11
6, 117) including 2010 bytes of navigation data. The two packets forming the navigation data are the reproduction control information (PCI) packet 116 and the data search information (DSI) packet 117 mentioned in the description of FIG.

The PCI packet 116 is composed of a 6-byte packet header 112A, a 1-byte substream identifier (substream ID) 112B, and a 979-byte PCI data 113. Substream I
The data stream of the PCI data 113 is designated by the 8-bit code “00000000” of D112B.

The DSI packet 117 includes a 6-byte packet header 114A, a 1-byte substream identifier (substream ID) 114B, and 101.
It is composed of 7-byte DSI data 115. 8-bit code “0000000” of substream ID 114B
1 ”designates the data stream of the DSI data 115.

The data length of one pack of the navigation pack 86 configured as described above is equal to the logical sector 1 of FIG.
This corresponds to 2048 bytes (2 kbytes).

The pack header 110 and the system header 111 in FIG. 15 are defined by the MPEG2 system layer. That is, the pack header 110 stores the pack start code, the system clock reference (SCR), and the information of the multiplexing rate.
In 1, a bit rate and a stream ID are described.
Similarly, the packet header 112 of the PCI packet 116
Packet header 114 of A and DSI packet 117
In A, a packet start code, a packet length, and a stream ID are stored as defined in the MPEG2 system layer.

FIG. 16 shows the structure of one dummy pack shown in FIG. That is, one dummy pack 8
9 includes a pack header 891, a packet header 892 having a predetermined stream ID, and padding data 893 filled with a predetermined code. (The packet header 892 and the padding data 893 constitute the padding packet 890.) The padding data 893 of the unused dummy pack has no special meaning.

This dummy pack 89 can be used as appropriate when editing the recorded contents after a predetermined recording is made on the disc 10 of FIG. The dummy pack 89 can also be used to store the reduced-size data DA2143 of FIG. 3 used for the user menu.

For example, consider a case where a video tape recording a family trip is recorded on a DVD-RAM (or DVD-RW) disk 10 and edited by a portable video camera.

In this case, first, only the video scenes to be put together on one disc are selectively recorded on the disc 10. This video scene is recorded in the video pack 88 of FIG. 12 (or the V1 pack 88A of FIG. 14). Also,
The audio simultaneously recorded by the video camera is recorded in the audio pack 91.

Further, the reduced image data for menu showing each chapter of the video scene put together on one disc can be appropriately recorded in the V2 pack 88B of FIG.

When the data structure of FIG. 6 is adopted, the VOBU 85 including the video pack 88 and the like always has the navigation pack 86 at its head (in the case of FIGS. 3 to 5, the navigation pack is not provided). . FIG.
As shown in, the navigation pack 86 includes reproduction control information PCI and data search information DSI. Each VOBU using this PCI or DSI
You can control the playback procedure of (for example, you can automatically connect scattered scenes and record multi-angle scenes).

After the video tape is edited and recorded on the disk 10, after-recording voices / sound effects or the like in each VOBU unit or when adding background music BGM, the after-recording voice or BGM is added.
The dummy pack 89 can be recorded. Further, in the case of adding a description of the recorded contents, additional images such as additional characters and figures can be recorded in the dummy pack 89. When it is desired to insert an additional video image, the insert video can be recorded in the dummy pack 89.

The above-described post-recording voice and the like are written in the padding data 893 of the dummy pack 89 used as an audio pack. In addition, the above additional explanation, etc.
It is written in the padding data 893 of the dummy pack 89 used as a sub-picture pack. Similarly, the insert video is written in the padding data 893 of the dummy pack 89 used as a video pack.

That is, the dummy pack 89 is a pack such as a wild card which can be an audio pack, a sub-picture pack or a video pack depending on the purpose of use.

FIG. 17 shows a PCI packet 116 included in the navigation pack 86 arranged at the head of each VOBU 85. As shown in the figure, the PCI packet 116 is reproduction control information PCI which is navigation data for changing display contents or reproduction contents (presentation contents) in synchronization with the reproduction state of the video data in the video object unit (VOBU) 85. (PC
I data) 113.

FIG. 18 shows the reproduction control information (PCI) of FIG.
Data) 113. The PCI data 113 is
60 bytes of PCI general information (PCI_GI) and 36
Angle information for non-seamless playback of bytes (NSML
_AGLI) and 694-byte highlight information (HL
I) and 189 bytes of recording information (RECI). The record information (RECI) can include an international standard copyright control code (ISRC).

The highlight information HLI can be used when executing the following highlight processing. That is,
DVD video recorder MPU (or CP)
U) reads the highlight information HLI and displays X / X of the rectangular area (highlight button) displayed by the sub-picture.
The Y coordinate value, color, contrast value, etc. are detected. According to the detection information, the MPU of the DVD video recorder,
For example, highlight processing is performed on the display of menu selection items and the like. This highlighting process is used as a means for allowing the user to easily recognize the displayed specific item in the visual user interface. Specifically, a DVD recorded on the optical disc 10
If the video title is a multilingual program, highlighting the specific audio language (for example, English) and subtitle language (for example, Japanese) of a specific language with the highlighting process To be selected.

FIG. 19 shows the contents of the reproduction control information general information PCI_GI of FIG. This reproduction control information general information PCI_GI includes the logical block number (NV_PCK_LBN) of the navigation pack and the category (VOBU_CA) of the video object unit (VOBU).
T), the user operation control (VOBU_UOP_CTL) of the video object unit (VOBU), and the display start time (V) of the video object unit (VOBU).
OBU_S_PTM) and the display end time (VOBU_E_PTM) of the video object unit (VOBU)
And the display end time (VOBU_SE_PTM) at the end of the sequence in the video object unit (VOBU)
And the cell elapsed time (C_ELTM) are described.

Here, the logical block number (NV_P
CK_LBN is the address (recording position) of the navigation pack containing the reproduction control information (PCI), and the video object set (VOB) containing the PCI.
It is shown by the relative block number from the first logical block of S).

The above category (VOBU_CAT) is
The contents of copy protection of analog signals corresponding to video and sub-picture in a video object unit (VOBU) including reproduction control information (PCI) are described.

The user operation control (VOBU_UOP_)
CTL) describes a user operation prohibited during a display (presentation) period of a video object unit (VOBU) including reproduction control information (PCI).

The above display start time (VOBU_S_PT
M) describes the display (presentation) start time of the video object unit (VOBU) including the reproduction control information (PCI). More specifically, this VOBU_S_PTM indicates the display start time of the first video (first picture) in the display order of the first GOP in the video object unit (VOBU).

The display end time (VOBU_E_PT)
M) describes the display (presentation) end time of the video object unit (VOBU) including the reproduction control information (PCI). More specifically, when the video data in the video object unit (VOBU) is continuous, this VOBU_E_
PTM indicates the display end time of the last picture (last picture) in the display order of the last GOP in the video object unit (VOBU).

On the other hand, the video object unit (VO
This VOBU_E_PTM is aligned with the time grid of the field interval (1/60 seconds for NTSC video) when there is no video data in BU) or when the playback of that video object unit (VOBU) is stopped. It comes to indicate the end time of virtual video data.

The display end time (VOBU_SE_PT)
M) describes the display (presentation) end time by the sequence end code of the video data in the video object unit (VOBU) including the reproduction control information (PCI). More specifically, it refers to the display end time of the last video (last picture) in the display order, which includes the sequence end code in the video object unit (VOBU).
When the video (picture) with the sequence end code does not exist in the video object unit (VOBU), 0000BU is set in VOBU_SE_PTM.
(H means hexadecimal) is entered.

The cell elapsed time (C_ELTM) is the first video frame in the display order of the video object unit (VOBU) including the PCI from the first video frame in the display order of the cell including the reproduction control information (PCI). The relative display (presentation) time to the frame is described in hours, minutes, seconds and frames in the BCD format. When there is no video data in the video object unit (VOBU),
The first video frame of the virtual video data is
Used as the video frame.

FIG. 20 shows the video manager VMG of FIG.
Indicates the contents of. This VMG is composed of a plurality of files 74A. This video manager VMG corresponds to each file, and the video manager information (VMG
I) 75, video manager menu object set (VMGM_VOBS), and backup of video manager information (VMGI_BUP).

Here, the video manager information VMGI
And video manager information backup VMGI
_BUP can be an essential item, and the video object set VMGM_VOBS for displaying the video manager information menu VMGM can be an option.

As shown in FIG. 20, the video manager V
Video manager information (VM
The GI) 75 includes a video manager information management table (VMGI_MAT; required), a title search pointer table (TT_SRPT; required), a program chain information unit table of the video manager menu (VMGM_PGCI_UT; required when VMGM_VOBS exists), parental Management information table (P
TL_MAIT; optional), video title set attribute table (VTS_ATRT; required), text data manager (TXTDT_MG; optional), video manager menu cell address table (VMG)
M_C_ADT; required if VMGM_VOBS exists), and Video Manager Menu Video Object Unit Address Map (VMGM_VOBU_
(ADMAP; essential when VMGM_VOBS exists) are described in this order.

The end address (VMGI_MAT_) of the video manager information management table VMGI_MAT.
Addresses such as EA) and the start address (TT_SRPT_SA) of the title search pointer TT_SRPT are described as the number of logical blocks relative to the head logical block in which this table VMGI_MAT is stored.

Video manager information (VMGI) 75
Includes information used when reproducing each video title set (VTS) 72 of FIG. 6, and the optical disc 10 is arranged so that these pieces of information match the boundaries of logical sectors.
Recorded in.

The video object information for the video manager information menu VMGM_VOBS stores menu information (managed by the video manager VMG) relating to the video data, audio data and sub-picture data recorded on the optical disc 10.

This video manager information menu video object set (VMGM_VOBS) can display the volume name of the optical disc to be played, the audio and the sub-picture description accompanying the volume name display, and selectable items in the sub-picture. Can be displayed.

For example, the video object set for the video manager information menu (VMGM_VOBS)
With this, it becomes possible to display, in the sub-picture, that the video (in the form of single story or multi-story) including the games up to the Boxer X world champion who has the optical disk to be played is stored. That is, the fighting pose of Boxer X is played back in video data along with the volume name of Boxer X's glory history, etc., and his theme song is output as audio (if any), and in addition, his career / war history is shown in the sub-picture. Timeline etc. are displayed.

As selection items displayed in the sub-picture by the video object set for VMGM (VMGM_VOBS), for example, in the menu format, (1) the narration voice of the game is in any language such as English, Japanese, French, or German. (2) Whether to display subtitles in a predetermined language in the sub-picture, and (3)
An inquiry as to which of the selectable multi-language subtitles is selected is output. From the display by the video object set for VMGM (VMGM_VOBS), the viewer (user of the DVD video recorder described later) can select, for example, English for audio and Japanese for sub-picture subtitles. Now you're ready to watch the Boxer X match video.

The features such as the description of the recorded contents using the sub-picture and / or the audio as described above, the optional selection of the audio language or the subtitle language, and the change of the playback angle described above are the same as those of the conventional video recorder (VHS type VCR).
Etc.), the DVD video recorder adopting the data structure of FIG. 6 can have these features.

FIG. 21 shows the contents of the video manager information management table VMGI_MAT shown in FIG. That is, this video manager information management table VMGI_
The MAT contains the video manager identifier (VMG_I
D); Video manager end address (VMG_E
A); End address of video manager information (VMG
I_EA); version number (VERN) of the standard adopted by the optical disk (DVD disk) 10; category of video manager (VMG_CAT); volume setting identifier (VLMS_ID); free space (recordable capacity) of optical disk 10 FREE_SPACE; optical disk A flag indicating whether or not 10 has a user menu; the number of video title sets (VTS_Ns); the identifier of the provider (software creator / seller) (PVR
_ID); end address of video manager information management table (VMGI_MAT_EA); start address of first play program chain information (FP_)
PGCI_SA); Start address of the video object set in the video manager menu (VMGM_V)
OBS_SA); start address of title search pointer table (TT_SRPT_SA); start address of unit table of program chain information of video manager menu (VMGM_PGCI_UT)
_SA); start address of parental management information table (PTL_MAIT_SA); start address of video title set attribute table (VTS_ATRT)
_SA); start address of text data manager (TXTDT_MG_SA); start address of video manager menu cell address table (VMG)
M_C_ADT_SA); start address of video manager unit video object unit address map (VMGM_VOBU_ADMAP_SA); video attribute shown in video manager menu (VMG)
M_V_ART); the number of audio streams shown in the video manager menu (VMGM_AST_N)
s); Audio stream attribute (VMGM_AST_ATR) shown in the video manager menu; Sub-picture stream number (V) shown in the video manager menu
MGM_SPST_Ns); Sub-picture stream attribute (VMGM_SPST) shown in the video manager menu
_ATR); and first play program chain information (FP_PGCI).

The video manager category VM of the video manager information management table VMGI_MAT.
G_CAT describes the video copy flag and audio copy flag of the video manager and the video title set. Depending on the contents of these flags,
Whether to copy video and audio is individually determined.

Free space (recordable capacity) FR in FIG.
EE_SPACE is the same as the free capacity data in the physical format information of FIG. 9 for the unused blank disk 10. As a storage method of the free space of the disk 10, storage in a file descriptor (physical format information) and storage in management information (VMGI_MAT or the like) can be considered. The free space on the disk after recording and using the disk 10 partially is FREE_SP in FIG.
The ACE and / or the free space portion of the physical format information in FIG. 9 can be written (here, FRE).
We will write both E_SPACE and physical format information). For example, in the case of the single-sided DVD-RAM disk 10 having a capacity of 2.6 GB, information representing 2.6 GB is written in the byte positions 17 to 20 in FIG. If there is no recording on this disc 10,
Information representing a value obtained by subtracting management data (including the video manager VMG) and the like from 2.6 GB is written in FREE_SPACE of FIG.

If, for example, 1 GB of video is recorded on this disk 10, the information at byte positions 17 to 20 in FIG. 9 is equivalent to 2.6 GB, but FREE_S in FIG.
The information of PACE is rewritten to be equivalent to 1.6 GB. When such a partially recorded disc 10 is set in a DVD video recorder described later, the DVD video recorder first reads the information at byte positions 17 to 20 in FIG. 9 and the set disc 10 is a 2.6 GB disc. Is detected, and then FREE_SPACE in FIG. 21 is detected.
It is detected that the free space of the disk 10 set by reading the information of 1.6 is a 1.6 GB disk. If this disk 10 is completely erased, FREE_S in FIG.
Information on the free space portion of the PACE and the physical format information of FIG. 9 is rewritten to be equivalent to 2.6 GB.

That is, even if the same "free space" is represented, the free space in FIG. 9 and FREE_SPACE in FIG.
Can make a difference in the content.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the title search pointer table TT_SRPT of FIG.
In the title search pointer table TT_SRPT, title search pointer information TT_SRPTI,
Title playback type TT_PB_TY and number of angles A
GLNs and the number of part-of-title (chapter) PT
T_Ns, parental ID field, video title set number VTSN, video title set title number VTS_TTN, video title set start address VTS_SA, user title menu existence flag, main PGC number, and display position (X, Y). ) Etc. are recorded.

If the title has a user title menu, the user title menu existence flag is "0.
If there is no user title menu, the user title menu existence flag will be "00".

The main PGC number is written with the PGC number having a representative reduced image used for the user title menu.

At the display position (X, Y), the XY coordinates of the reduced image on the user title menu screen are written.

FIG. 23 shows the video title set V of FIG.
The contents of TS72 are shown. This video title set VT
The S is composed of a plurality of files 74B similarly to the video manager VMG of FIG. Each file 74
B is video title set information (VTSI) 94, video title set menu object set (V
TSM_VOBS), video object set for video title set title (VTSTT_VOBS; maximum 9 files), and backup of video title set information (VTSI_BUP).

As shown in FIG. 23, in the video title set information VTSI 94 arranged at the head of the video title set VTS 72, a video title set information management table (VTSI_MAT; essential) and a part of title of the video title set (eg, Title search pointer table (V) for program chapters
TS_PTT_SRPT; mandatory) and the video chain set program chain information table (VTS_PG
CIT; required) and the program chain information unit table (VTSM_) for the video title set menu.
PGCI_UT; required when VTSM_VOBS exists), video title set time map table (VTS_TMAPT; option), and cell address table for video title set menu (VTSM)
_C_ADT; required when VTSM_VOBS exists), and video object unit address map (VTSM_VOBU) for the video title set menu.
_ADMAP; required if VTSM_VOBS exists), video title set cell address table (VTS_C_ADT; required), and video object unit address map for video title set (V
TS_VOBU_ADMAP; essential) are described in this order.

FIG. 24 shows the contents of the video title set information management table VTSI_MAT shown in FIG. This video title set information management table VTSI_MA
T is the video title set identifier (VTS_ID)
And the end address of the video title set (VTS_
EA) and the program recorded on the optical disk 10 is 1
The reproduced flag (PLAY_END Flag) indicating whether or not the program has been completely reproduced even once, and the archive flag which functions to prevent erroneous erasure when the program recorded on the optical disc 10 is to be retained without being erased ( ARCHIVE Flag), the end address (VTSI_EA) of the video title set information, the version number (VERN) of the standard adopted by the optical disc (DVD disc) 10, the video title set category (VTS_CAT), and the video title set information. End address of management table (VTSI_MAT
_EA) and the start address (VTSM_VO) of the video object set in the video title set menu.
BS_SA) and the start address (VTSTT) of the video object set of the video title set title.
_VOBS_SA), the start address (VTS_PTT_SRPT_SA) of the part of title search pointer table of the video title set, the start address (VTS_PGCIT_SA) of the program chain information table of the video title set, and the start of the unit table of the program chain information of the video title set menu. Address (VTSM_PGCI
_UT_SA) and the start address (VTS_TMAPT_) of the time map table of the video title set.
SA) and the start address (VTSM_C_ADT) of the cell address table of the video title set menu.
_SA), the start address (VTSM_VOBU_ADMAP_SA) of the video object unit address map of the video title set menu, the start address (VTS_C_ADT_SA) of the video address set cell address table, and the start address of the video object unit address map of the video title set. (VTS_VOBU_ADMAP
_SA), information such as video, audio and sub-picture attributes, the number of sub-picture streams of the video title set (VTS_SPST_Ns), and sub-picture stream attribute table of the video title set (VTS_SPST_).
ATRT) and the multi-channel audio stream attribute table (VTS_M) of the video title set.
U_AST_ATRT) is described.

The information items of the table VTSM_MAT are aligned with the boundaries of logical blocks of data recorded on the optical disc 10.

FIG. 25 is a reproduction management table PLY of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the content of _MAT. This reproduction management table PLY_MAT contains the identifier ID of the reproduction management target data and the start address VO of the video object set.
BS_SA, end address VOBS_EA of video object set, end address CTLI of control information
_EA and end address PLYCI_E of reproduction control information
A, the category CAT of the reproduction management target data, the video attribute V_ATR, and the number of audio streams ST_
Ns and audio stream attribute AST_ATRT
, Sub-picture stream number SPST_Ns, sub-picture stream attribute SPST_ATRT, user menu existence flag, main PGC number, and display position (X, Y)
Then, a reproduction end flag and the like are recorded.

When the reproduction management target data has a user menu, the user menu existence flag is "01",
If there is no user menu, the user menu existence flag is "00".

In the main PGC number, a PGC number having a representative reduced image used in the user menu is written.

At the display position (X, Y), the XY coordinates of the reduced image on the user menu screen are written.

[0200] If the reproduction management target data has never been reproduced after recording, "0" is written in the reproduction end flag, and if all the data has been reproduced even once, "1" is written in this flag. Be done.

FIG. 26 shows the recording management table REC of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the content of _MAT. In this recording management table REC_MAT, the end address RECI_EA of the recording control information, the end address REC_MAT_EA of the recording management table REC_MAT, and the free space FRE.
E_SPACE, an archive flag, etc. are described.

In the free space FREE_SPACE, the recordable capacity left on the disk 10 after the user records or erases various data is written.

Further, "1" is written in the archive flag of the data desired to be permanently stored among the data recorded on the disk 10. “0” is written in the archive flag of the data which may be erased later.

FIG. 27 shows the PGC management information PGC_ of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the content of MAI. This PGC management information PGC_MAI contains the end address PGCI_TABLE_EA of the program chain information table PGCIT.
And the end address PGC of the program chain management information
_MAI_EA, program chain search pointer start address PGC_SRP_SA, and program chain search pointer end address PGC_SRP_
EA and start address PGC of program chain information
I_SA and end address P of program chain information
GCI_EA and total number of program chains PGC_N
s and are included.

Program chain search pointer PGC
_SRP points to the beginning of each program chain information PGCI, and by using this pointer, each PGCI can be easily searched.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the PGC information PGCI of FIG. The PGC information PGCI includes program chain general information PGC_GI, a program chain program map PGC_PGMAP indicating the number of program entries, and one or more cell reproduction information CEL.
L_PLY_INF # 1 to #m.

FIG. 29 shows the PGC general information PGC of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the content of _GI. This PGC general information PGC_GI is the content PGC_C of the program chain.
NT and program chain playback time PGC_PB_
TM, program chain audio stream control table PGC_AST_CTLT, and program chain sub-picture stream control table PGC_SPS
T_CTLT, program chain navigation control PGC_NV_CTL, sub-picture color palette table PGC_SP_PTL, program chain program map start address PGC_PGMAP
_SA and cell playback information start address CELL_PL
It includes Y_I_SA, the number of used cells CELL_Ns in the target program chain, a menu data existence flag of the program chain, a display position (X, Y), a reproduction end flag, an archive flag and the like.

When the target program chain has menu data, the PGC menu data existence flag is "0.
If there is no menu data, the PGC menu data existence flag will be "00".

XY coordinates in the display of PGC menu data are written in the display position (X, Y).

If the target program chain has never been reproduced after recording, "0" is written in the reproduction end flag, and if it has been completely reproduced even once, "1" is written in this flag. .

If the user wishes to permanently save the target program chain, "1" is written in the archive flag,
If the data may be deleted later, "0" is written in the archive flag.

FIG. 30 shows the cell reproduction information CELL shown in FIG.
It is a figure explaining the content of _PLY_INF. This cell reproduction information CELL_PLY_INF is the cell category C.
_CAT, cell playback time C_PBTM, playback end flag, archive flag, and cell start address CEL
L_SA and cell end address CELL_EA are included. The start address of the section reproduced as a cell is written in the cell start address CELL_SA, and the end address of the section is written in the cell end address CELL_EA.

If the target cell has never been reproduced after recording, "0" is written in the reproduction end flag, and if all the cells have been reproduced even once, "1" is written in this flag.

Further, "1" is written in the archive flag when it is desired to permanently store the target cell, and "0" is written in the archive flag when it may be erased later.

The cell category C_CAT and the cell reproduction time C_PBTM are the cell general information (CELL).
_GI).

FIG. 31 shows the video title set program chain information table VTSI_PGCIT shown in FIG.
Indicates the contents of.

As shown in FIG. 31, the program chain information table VTS_PGCIT of this video title set includes video title set program chain information table information (VTS_PGCITI) and video title set program chain information search pointers (VTS_PGCI_SRP # 1 to VTS_PGCI_).
SRP # n) and video title set program chain information (VTS_PGCI) are included.

[0218] The order of a plurality of video title set program chain information VTS_PGCI provided is as follows.
Multiple video title set program chain information search pointers VTS_PGCI_SRP # 1 to VTS_
It is set regardless of the order of PGCI_SRP # n. Therefore, for example, the same program chain information VTS_PGCI can be pointed by one or more program chain information search pointers VTS_PGCI_SRP.

FIG. 32 shows the contents of the video title set program chain information VTS_PGCI of FIG. That is, program chain information (PGCI)
Indicates program chain general information (PGC_GI; required), program chain command table (PGC_GI)
CMDT; option), program chain program map (PGC_PGMAP; essential if the next C_PBIT exists), cell playback information table (C_PB
IT; option) and cell position information table (C
_POSIT; mandatory when the C_PBIT exists).

FIG. 33 shows the contents of the cell reproduction information table C_PBIT shown in FIG. The cell reproduction information table C_PBIT has a configuration as shown in FIG. 33, and has a maximum of 255 pieces of cell reproduction information (C_PBIn; # n = # 1 to # 1.
# 255) is included.

FIG. 34 shows the cell reproduction information C_PB shown in FIG.
The contents of I (C_PBI # 1 to #n) are shown. That is,
As shown in FIG. 34, each cell playback information (C_PBI) includes a cell category (C_CAT; 4 bytes), a cell playback time (C_PBTM; 4 bytes), and a start address (VOBU) of the first video object unit (VOBU) in the cell. C_FVOBU_SA; 4 bytes), end address of the first interleaved unit (ILVU) in the cell (C_FILVU_EA; 4 bytes), start address of the last video object unit (VOBU) in the cell (C_LVOBU_SA; 4 bytes), and in the cell Final Video Object Unit (VOB
U) end address (C_LVOBU_EA; 4 bytes).

FIG. 35 shows the cell category C_C of FIG.
The contents of AT are shown. This cell category (C_CAT)
As shown in FIG. 35, lower 8 bits (b0 to b7)
Indicates the number of cell commands, and the next 8 bits (b8 to b1
5) indicates the cell still time, and the next 5 bits (b16 to
b20) indicates the cell type (for example, karaoke),
The next 1 bit (b21) indicates the access restriction flag,
The next 1 bit (b22) indicates the cell playback mode (for example, moving image or still), the reserved bit is skipped, and the next 1 bit (b24) indicates the seamless angle change flag.
The next 1 bit (b25) is the system time clock ST
C discontinuity flag (whether or not STC is reset) is indicated, and the next 1 bit (b26) indicates whether the interleave placement flag (cell designated by C_PBI is in a continuous block or in an interleaved block). The next 1 bit (b27) indicates a seamless playback flag (whether or not the cell specified by C_PBI should be seamlessly played), and the next 2 bits (b2).
8 to b29) indicate the cell block type (for example, whether it is an angle block), and the last 2 bits (b30 to
b31) indicates the cell block mode (for example, whether it is the first cell in the block).

Here, the cell block mode is 00b (b
Indicates that it is not a cell in the block, 01b indicates that it is the first cell in the block, and 10b indicates that it is a cell in the block. , It is the last cell in the block when it is 11b.

Further, when the cell block type is 00b, it indicates that the cell block is not a part of the corresponding block, and it is 01
When it is b, it indicates that the corresponding block is an angle block (a block including a multi-angle cell).

If the cell block type is not 01b during the reproduction of a title including multi-angle cells, for example, an angle mark (not shown) is kept lit.

On the other hand, if this cell block type = 01b is detected during reproduction, the angle mark not shown blinks (or the lighting color is changed or the shape of the angle mark is changed) indicating that the angle block is currently being reproduced. Can notify the viewer. As a result, the viewer can know that the image currently being reproduced can be reproduced at a different angle.

When the interleaved arrangement flag is 0b, it indicates that the corresponding cell is in a continuous block (a plurality of VOBUs are continuously recorded). When the interleaved arrangement flag is 1b, the corresponding cell is interleaved. Block (ILVU each containing one or more VOBUs
Is interleaved and recorded).

When the seamless angle change flag is set (= 1b), it indicates that the corresponding cell is a target for seamless reproduction, and this flag is not set (=).
0b) indicates that the corresponding cell is the target of non-seamless reproduction.

That is, interleave arrangement flag = 1
When the seamless angle change flag = 0b in b, the non-seamless angle changeable state is set, and when the interleave arrangement flag = 1b, the seamless angle change flag = 1.
In the case of b, the seamless angle can be changed.

A media drive system with an extremely short access time (a system that can access the beginning of a desired angle block within one frame period of video;
(Not necessarily limited to the optical disc drive system) is used, interleave arrangement flag = 0b,
That is, a quick angle change can be realized between a set of VOBUs (separate angle cells) that are not interleave-recorded.

Optical disk 10 having a relatively low access speed
When used as a recording medium, it is preferable to allocate one recording track of the disc for recording one interleaved block. Then jump between adjacent interleaved blocks (angle change)
Sometimes, the tracing destination of the optical head needs to be finely moved by one track in the radial direction of the disk, so that a track jump (suitable for seamless angle change) with almost no time lag becomes possible. In this case, if a track jump for one video object unit (VOBU) is performed, a maximum time lag for one rotation of the disc may occur. Therefore, the angle change accompanied by the jump in VOBU units is suitable for the non-seamless angle change.

Here, the content of the seamless angle change flag is usually determined in advance by the provider (the software producer who produces the program content of each title recorded on the optical disc 10). That is, by determining the content of the seamless angle change flag in advance, it is possible for the provider to unambiguously decide whether to make a non-seamless angle change or a seamless angle change.

However, after reading the cell data of the corresponding title set from the optical disc, the contents of the seamless angle change flag in the read data can be changed arbitrarily by the viewer (user of the DVD video recorder described later) so that the DVD video can be changed. It is possible to configure the recorder.

The seamless angle change flag is a flag indicating whether the angle information (not shown) described in the navigation pack 86 is a seamless angle or a non-seamless angle. Therefore, when this flag is changed, the navigation pack 86 is changed. It becomes necessary to correct the angle information (not shown) in (for example, change from seamless angle information to non-seamless angle information).

When the cell reproduction mode is 0b, continuous reproduction is performed in the cell, and when it is 1b, still reproduction is performed in each VOBU existing in the cell.

When the user performs recording / playback, etc., the access restriction flag can be used to prohibit direct selection by user operation. For example, by setting the access restriction flag of the cell in which the answers to the questions are recorded to 1b, it is possible to prohibit the user from pinching the answers to the questions.

Further, the cell type can indicate the following depending on the contents of 5 bits when the corresponding cell is created for karaoke, for example.

That is, if 00000b, the cell type is not specified, if it is 00001b, the title image of karaoke is specified, if it is 00010b, the intro of karaoke is specified, and if it is 00011b, the climax (rust).
Is designated as 00100b, the first climax singing portion is designated, and 00101b is designated as the second climax singing portion.
If it is 0b, the vocal part of the male vocal is designated,
If it is 1b, the singer part of female vocal is specified, and 0100
If it is 0b, the singing part of the mixed voice of men and women is designated, and 01
If it is 001b, the interlude (playing only the musical instrument) part is designated, if it is 01010b, the fade-in of the interlude is designated, if it is 010111b, the fade-out of the interlude is designated, if it is 01100b, the first ending performance part is designated, and if it is 01101b. The second ending performance part is designated. The content of the remaining 5-bit code can be used for other purposes.

Note that the angle change can also be applied to the angle change of the karaoke background video. (For example, a full-length image of a singer singing a guide vocal, a close-up image of the face, a close-up image of the mouth, etc. can be seamlessly followed along the flow of karaoke music, or it can go backwards a short time to be non-seamless, and even between desired bars. The angle can be changed as desired by the viewer during repeat reproduction.) Also, the 8-bit contents of the cell still time in FIG.
When it is 00000b, it is specified that it is not still,
When it is 11111111b, a timeless still is specified, which is 00000001b to 1111111.
When it is 0b, the decimal number (1-25
4) The still display of the length in which the number of seconds is displayed is designated.

The cell command number indicates the number of commands to be executed at the end of reproduction of the corresponding cell.

FIG. 36 shows the contents of the program chain general information PGC_GI shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 36, the program chain general information PGC_GI includes program chain contents (PGC_CNT), program chain playback time (PGC_PB_TM), and program chain user operation control information (PGC_UO).
P_CTL) and a control table (PGC_AST_CTLT) of the program chain audio stream,
Program chain sub-picture stream control table (PGC_SPST_CTLT) and program chain navigation control information (PGC_NV_CTL)
And the program chain sub-picture palette (PGC_S
P_PLT), the start address of the program table of the program chain (PGC_CMDT_SA), and the start address of the program map of the program chain (P
GC_PGMAP_SA) and the start address (C_PBIT) of the playback information table of the cell in the program chain.
_SA), the start address (C_POSIT_SA) of the position information table of the cell in the program chain, the program chain menu data existence flag, and the display position (X, Y).

In FIG. 36, the content PGC_CNT of the program chain indicates the number of programs and the number of cells (maximum 255) in the program chain. In the program chain without the video object VOB, the number of programs is “0”.

Play time of program chain PGC_P
B_TM indicates the total playing time of the programs in the program chain in hours, minutes, seconds, and the number of video frames. This PGC_PB_TM has a flag (tc_flag) indicating the type of video frame.
The frame rate (25 frames per second or 30 frames per second) and the like are designated by the content of this flag.

User operation control information PGC_UOP_CTL of the program chain indicates a user operation prohibited in the program chain being reproduced.

The program chain audio stream control table PGC_AST_CTLT can include control information for each of the eight audio streams. Each of these pieces of control information includes a flag (availability flag) indicating whether or not the audio stream is available in the program chain and conversion information from the audio stream number to the audio stream number to be decoded.

The program chain sub-picture stream control table PGC_SPST_CTLT contains a flag (availability flag) indicating whether the sub-picture stream is available in the program chain and a sub-picture to be decoded from the sub-picture stream number (32). It contains conversion information for stream numbers.

The navigation control information PGC_NV_CTL of the program chain includes Next_PGCN indicating the program chain number to be reproduced next to the program chain currently being reproduced, and the navigation command “L”.
"inkPrevPGC" or "PrevPGC_S
"Previous_PGCN" indicating the program chain number (PGCN) quoted by "each ()"
And GoUp_PGCN indicating the program chain number to be returned from the program chain, and PG Playback indicating the program reproduction mode (sequential reproduction, random reproduction, shuffle reproduction, etc.).
It includes a mode and a Still time value indicating the still time after reproduction of the program chain.

[0248] Program chain sub-picture palette PG
C_SP_PLT describes 16 sets of luminance signals and two color difference signals used in the sub-picture stream in the program chain.

The start address PGC_CMDT_SA of the command table of the program chain is a description area for a pre-command executed before PGC reproduction, a post command executed after PGC reproduction, and a cell command executed after cell reproduction.

The start address PGC_PGMAP_SA of the program map of the program chain describes the start address of the program map PGC_PGMAP showing the structure of the program in the program chain, as a relative address from the first byte of the program chain information PGCI. .

The start address C_PBIT_SA of the reproduction information table of the cells in the program chain is the relative start address of the cell reproduction information table C_PBIT that determines the reproduction order of the cells in the program chain from the first byte of the program chain information PGCI. It is described by address.

The start address C_POSIT_SA of the cell position information table in the program chain is the cell position information table C_POSI indicating the VOB identification number and the cell identification number used in the program chain.
The start address of T is the program chain information PGCI
It is described by the relative address from the first byte of.

The PGC menu data existence flag describes whether or not there is user menu data in the target program chain. If the target program chain has menu data, the PGC menu data existence flag is "01", and if there is no menu data, the PGC menu data existence flag is "00".

XY coordinates in the display of PGC menu data are written in the display position (X, Y).

The program chain general information PGC_GI shown in FIG. 29 described above is a DVD video recorder (DVD) for recording / playback using the data structure shown in FIGS.
-RAM disk or DVD-RW disk).

On the other hand, the program chain general information PGC_GI in FIG. 36 can be used in a DVD video recorder (which uses a DVD-R disc) for recording / playback using the data structure in FIG.

FIG. 37 schematically shows an example of reproducing cell data recorded on the disc of FIG.
As shown, the reproduction data is designated in the reproduction section from cell A to cell F. The playback combinations of these cells in each program chain are defined in the program chain information.

FIG. 38 exemplifies the relationship between the program chain information and each cell shown in FIG. That is, 3
PGC # 1 composed of two cells # 1 to # 3 is a cell A
Cell reproduction is designated in the order of → cell B → cell C. In addition, PGC # composed of three cells # 1 to # 3
2 designates cell reproduction in the order of cell D → cell E → cell F. Further, the PGC # 3 composed of the five cells # 1 to # 5 has a cell E → cell A → cell D → cell B →
Cell playback is specified in the order of cell E.

FIG. 39 shows a first method of determining a break point of video content recorded on the disc of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the example of. Here, the mode change of the recording source is used as a break point of the individual PGC as illustrated in FIG. For example, assume that the recording source is a television broadcast of a movie with a mixture of stereo audio commercials and mono audio (or bilingual audio). When such a television movie program is recorded, the point at which the audio mode switches from stereo to monaural (or bilingual) or the point at which the audio mode switches from mono (or bilingual) to stereo is automatically detected as the PGC break point. it can.

FIG. 40 is a second method of determining a break point of video content recorded on the disc of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the example of. Here, a certain recording time elapses as a break point of the individual PGC. For example, the recording time is 1 regardless of the recorded content.
Every 5 minutes, the PGC break point can be automatically detected.

FIG. 41 shows a third method of determining the break point of the video content recorded on the disc of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the example of. Here, a marker key input by the user is used as a delimiter point of the individual PGC. For example, when the user inputs a marker key when recognizing a scene change while watching the recorded contents, the break point of the PGC is determined each time.

FIG. 42 is a fourth method for determining a break point of video content recorded on the disc of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the example of. For example, in a recording operation of a digital video movie camera using a DVD-RW disc, every time the user performs a pause operation during recording, the pause point can be automatically detected as a PGC delimiter point. Alternatively, even after recording, the recorded DVD-R
Each time a playback pause operation is performed during playback of the W disc, the pause point can be automatically detected as a PGC delimiter point.

FIG. 43 shows a fifth method of determining a break point of video content recorded on the disc of FIG.
It is a figure explaining the example of. For example, 1/15 second to 1 /
When the recorded content suddenly changes from a completely white frame (or field) to a completely black frame (or field) or vice versa within a short time of about 3 seconds, such a sudden change is detected. Then, the detection point can be automatically detected as a PGC delimitation point.

A moving image and a still image can be considered as the reduced image used for the user menu of the recorded contents. In the case of a moving image, there is no problem with the normal MPEG video format, but in the case of a still image, a sequence end code is inserted after the I picture to handle it.

44 to 46 show some examples of the structure of the video pack of the portion where the still image is reproduced in the video content recorded on the disc of FIG. 44 to 4
6 illustrates various insertion forms of the sequence end code.

In the example of FIG. 44, the sequence end code "000001B7" is added to the end of the I picture to pack the I picture including the still image for user menu.

In the example of FIG. 45, after the I picture data including the still image for the user menu is packetized, the packet of only the sequence end code "000001B7" is added.

In the example of FIG. 46, after the I picture data including the still image for the user menu is packed, a packet having only the sequence end code "000001B7" is added. In addition, in the method of adding the pack of only the sequence end code, a padding packet is appropriately added to the pack so that one pack is always 2048 bytes.

The format of the user menu file can be conceptually configured as shown in FIG. 47, and specifically, can be configured as shown in FIGS. 48 to 49.

First, the order of the data contained in the user menu file is, as illustrated in FIG. 47 from top to bottom, the anchor point, the reduced image management section,
The backup (not shown) of the reduced image management unit, the reduced image data group, and the anchor point are described in this order.

An anchor point (a, p, b, in FIG. 47) is first put in this user menu file.
A pointer address called q) describes the start address (a) and end address (p) of the reduced image management unit, and the start address (b) and end address (q) of the backup data of the reduced image management unit. Has been done.

A reduced image management section is recorded next to the anchor point, and this data has been subjected to the "32 kbyte align" processing described later. In this reduced image management unit, data regarding each reduced image forming the user menu is recorded.

The actual data relating to each reduced image forming the user menu includes PGC number, time code (which can be used for time search, etc.), reduced image start address, number of used sectors (= data length), and reduced image There are a size, an address (pointer) to the original file (AV data) of the reduced image, text data used for searching and titles, and the like.

After that, if there is a defective area in the file, the start address and data length of the defective area are recorded. Then, with respect to the background image data of the user menu, the registration number and its start address are recorded.

[0275] Further, although not shown, a backup of the reduced image management section is recorded thereafter. This backup is recorded for insurance against damage to the reduced image management area.

[0276] Further, after that, a packed actual reduced image data group is recorded. However, these data are aligned in 32 kbytes for each reduced image.

Further, after that, the same anchor point (a, p, b, q) as the head of the user menu file is described. This is done by considering that the file is usually damaged from the first management area that is accessed frequently. Anchor points are also placed at the end of the file to improve safety.

32 kbytes are aligned at each delimiter of this file because consideration is given to making it possible to access each 32 kbyte unit ECC group when changing, adding or deleting data. This enables faster access, and will be described later with reference to FIG.
The operational load on the data processor 36 shown in FIGS. 0 to 52 is reduced.

The address information in this user menu file is all represented by relative addresses from the beginning of the file.

The user menu file shown in FIG. 47 has the following characteristics: (a) User menu in which the image data for menu selection (that is, reduced image data) that represents at least a still image of video data is the same. One or more is recorded in the file.

(B) A reduced image management section is provided, and all the reduced image data (the storage location of the video signal corresponding to the storage location thereof) recorded on the recording medium (DVD-RAM disc, DVD-RW disc or DVD-R disc) is recorded. Designate) management collectively.

The contents specifically illustrated in FIGS. 48 to 49 are written in the user menu file of FIG. 47.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49, as the first anchor pointer for the picture address table, the start position of the picture address table, the end position of the picture address table, the start position of the reserved picture address table, and the reserved picture. The end position of the address table is described; as the picture address table (corresponding to DA2142 in FIG. 3), menu index information (INFO1), index picture information (INFO2), defective area information (INFO5), wallpaper picture information (INFO6) and Padding data is described; as the second anchor pointer for the picture address table, the start position of the picture address table,
The end position of the picture address table, the start position of the reserved picture address table, and the end position of the reserved picture address table are described.

Note that the slide and still picture information INFO3 and information picture information INFO4 of FIG. 3 are also described in the picture address tables of FIGS. 48 and 49 as appropriate.

The menu index information of FIG. 48 includes the number of index pictures, the number of information pictures, the number of slide & still pictures, the number of defective areas and the number of wallpaper pictures.

The index picture information of FIG. 48 includes the content characteristics, the ID of the index picture program chain, the time code of the index picture, the start position of the index picture, the number of sectors used for index picture recording, the picture size, and the original audio / video. Includes data address and search text data.

[0287] Note that the content characteristic included in the index picture information describes "1" if a still image used in the user menu has been recorded, and only the recording position (address) of this still image is recorded. Then, "0" is described.

As shown in FIG. 49, the index picture information in the case of designating the user menu image only by the address has the content characteristic in which "0" is described and the slide &
Program chain PGC ID for still picture
And the address of the original audio / video data and the time code of the slide & still picture.

The wallpaper picture information shown in FIG. 49 includes the number of wallpaper pictures that can be used as the background image of the user menu (registered background image number), the start position of the wallpaper picture, and the area in which the wallpaper picture is recorded. Including the number of used sectors.

The padding data in FIG. 49 includes the contents of the index picture, the contents of the defective area, the contents of the wallpaper picture, and the like.

Next, the above-mentioned "32 kbyte alignment"
Will be described.

The user menu files shown in FIGS. 47 to 49 are all divided into 32 kbytes, which are units of an error correction code (ECC group), regardless of the recorded area and unrecorded area. The position of the “ECC boundary”, which is the boundary part, is fixed in advance.

When recording each reduced image data, anchor point, reduced image management section and backup of the reduced image management section, the recording start position and recording end position of all data match the above-mentioned "ECC boundary" position. Be recorded to do so.

When the amount of each data is slightly smaller than the integer value of 32 kbytes, as shown in FIG. 47, "dummy area"
Is added to match the recording end position with the “ECC boundary” position. This "dummy area" means the "padding" area in FIG.

At the time of recording / erasing the reduced image data, information is recorded / erased for each "ECC boundary" described above. In this case, since it is not necessary to change a part of the information in the ECC group, the reduced data can be directly overwritten according to the ECC boundary during recording.

By performing the "32 kbyte alignment" as described above, the reduced image data is recorded in the ECC group unit.
Since the error correction information added for erasing is not required to be corrected, the recording / erasing process for each ECC group can be speeded up.

The user menu file of FIG. 47 takes portability into another recording medium using a personal computer or the like into consideration. Therefore, the reduced image for the user menu, the background image, and the storage address of the reduced image management area are all represented by the differential address (relative address) from the user menu file top position.

In the related table in the reduced image management area of FIG. 47, two rows from the PGC number to the search text data size represent one set of correspondence tables.

In this case, the relationship between the reduced image data recorded and the video signal can be known from the correspondence between the time code of the video signal and the set of the start address.

By searching the entire related table, the unrecorded area in the user menu file or the erased position of the reduced image data after deletion can be found, and new reduced image data can be recorded in this area. it can.

In the user menu file of FIG. 47, the defective area is managed in the relation table between the position on the AV file containing audio / video data and the reduced image recording position.

A specific processing method when the reduced image management unit is damaged by dust or scratches attached to the surface of the disc (recording medium) 10 will be described.

First, damage to the reduced image management unit due to dust or scratches on the surface of the disk (recording medium) is detected. (It can be judged whether it is damaged or not by the error correction of the ECC group.) When the damage is detected, the information of the anchor point is read, the backup data address of the reduced image management section is checked, and the reduced image is read. Read the backup data of the management section.

Next, the unrecorded area in the user menu file is searched from the relation table between the reduced image recording positions in FIG. Then, the reduced image management data is recorded in the unrecorded area in the user menu file, and the address information of the anchor point is updated.

Subsequently, the location where the reduced image management section is damaged due to dust or scratches on the surface of the disk (recording medium) is registered as a defective area in the relation table between the reduced image recording positions in FIG.

When the user menu file formats shown in FIGS. 47 to 49 are adopted, the following effects can be expected: (a) Addition / search of reduced image data and high-speed access can be achieved by the "32 kbyte alignment"; b) When displaying a plurality of reduced images at one time on the display unit of a monitor display (not shown), it is necessary to access the corresponding reduced image data position on the recording medium for each reduced screen. When the reduced image data is scattered (scattered) on the recording medium, it takes time to access, and it takes a long time to display a plurality of reduced images. However, as shown in FIG. 47, if a plurality of reduced image data are collectively arranged in the same user menu file, a plurality of reduced images can be displayed at high speed simply by reproducing the user menu file. it can.

(C) By collectively managing all the reduced image data in the reduced image management unit, it becomes easy to manage the reduction image data and the addition process. That is, the unrecorded area (or the reduced image data deletion area) in the user menu file can be easily searched, and new reduced image data can be additionally registered at high speed.

(D) In the DVD video recorder, which will be described later, the data processor 36 collects 16 packs (= 32 kbytes) at a time and adds error correction information as an ECC group to the disc (DVD-RAM, DVD-RW or DVD-R). ) 10 is recorded. Therefore, if a part of the information in the ECC group is changed, it is necessary to correct the added error correction information, which makes the process complicated and takes a lot of time for the information changing process. However, by performing the "32 kbyte alignment", it is not necessary to correct error correction information added when recording / erasing reduced image data in units of ECC groups, and recording and erasing of user menu data can be processed at high speed. It will be possible.

(E) It is possible to secure high reliability of the anchor points and the backup data of the reduced image management section and the reduced image management section by the following method: * Securing reliability of the reduced image management area ... Backup of the reduced image management area An area is provided to prepare for a defect in the reduced image management area and it is possible to move the recording location when a defect occurs; * Securing the reliability of anchor point information indicating the recording location in the reduced image management area ... ECC block is configured independently However, the number of data changes is reduced and the data is recorded at two locations (first and second anchor points in FIG. 47); * Defect management processing ... Reduced image management section and anchor points due to dust and scratches on the surface of the disk (recording medium) If the information cannot be played back from the device, the data can be reread from the backup unit and re-recorded at another position. Unisuru. As a result, it is possible to prevent the defective area from being registered and the defective location being used again by mistake.

There are cases where the reduced image data used for the user menu has a closed caption or multiple characters superimposed on the original image. In such a case, the reduced image may be formed after the characters are multiplexed. It is also possible to construct a reduced image using only this character data.

Furthermore, without having actual reduced image data,
It is also possible to represent the reduced image for the user menu only by the pointer to the main image (in the configuration of FIG. 51 described later, in order to configure the user menu on the hardware side, the reduced image is displayed in the decoder while being displayed. If you do). According to this method, since the disk search is frequently performed when the menu is displayed, it takes some time to display the user menu, but there is an advantage that the disk capacity to be used is small because the user does not actually have a reduced image.

FIG. 50 shows the disk of FIG.
The configuration of an apparatus (DVD video recorder) that records and reproduces digital moving image information at a variable recording rate by using the information having the structure described in FIG.

The apparatus main body of the DVD video recorder shown in FIG. 50 is roughly a DVD-RAM (DVD-R
W) A disk drive unit (32, 34, etc.) that rotationally drives the disk 10 or the DVD-R disk 10 to read / write information from / to the disk 10, an encoder unit 50 that constitutes a recording side, and a reproduction side And a microcomputer block 30 for controlling the operation of the main body of the apparatus.

The encoder section 50 includes an ADC (analog /
Digital converter) 52, video encoder (V encoder) 53, audio encoder (A encoder)
54, a sub-picture encoder (SP encoder) 55,
The formatter 56 and the buffer memory 57 are provided.

The ADC 52 has an external analog video signal from the AV input section 42 and an external analog audio signal,
Alternatively, the analog TV signal + analog audio signal from the TV tuner 44 is input. The ADC 52 digitizes the input analog video signal with, for example, a sampling frequency of 13.5 MHz and a quantization bit number of 8 bits. (That is, each of the luminance component Y, the color difference component Cr (or Y−R) and the color difference component Cb (or Y−B) is quantized with 8 bits.) Similarly, the ADC 5
2 digitizes the input analog audio signal with a sampling frequency of 48 kHz and a quantization bit number of 16 bits.

When analog video signals and digital audio signals are input to the ADC 52, AD
C52 allows the digital audio signal to pass through.
(The contents of the digital audio signal may not be modified, and only the jitter associated with the digital signal may be reduced, or the sampling rate or the number of quantization bits may be changed).

On the other hand, when a digital video signal and a digital audio signal are input to the ADC 52, AD
The C52 allows a digital video signal and a digital audio signal to pass through (these digital signals may be subjected to jitter reduction processing, sampling rate changing processing, etc. without changing the contents).

The digital video signal component from the ADC 52 is sent to the formatter 56 via the video encoder (V encoder) 53. The digital audio signal component from the ADC 52 is sent to the formatter 56 via the audio encoder (A encoder) 54.

The V encoder 53 has a function of converting an input digital video signal into a digital signal compressed at a variable bit rate based on the MPEG2 or MPEG1 standard.

The A encoder 54 has a function of converting the input digital audio signal into a digital signal (or linear PCM digital signal) compressed at a fixed bit rate based on the MPEG or AC-3 standard. .

A DVD video signal having a data structure as shown in FIG. 12 to FIG. 14 or FIG. 103 (no navigation pack when recording on a DVD-RAM / DVD-RW; a navigation pack when recording on a DVD-R). Is input from the AV input unit 42, or when a DVD video signal having such a data structure is broadcast and received by the TV tuner 44, a sub video signal component (sub video pack) in the DVD video signal. However, it can be taken out from a sub-picture encoder, for example, a DVD video player with an independent output terminal for sub-picture signals. The sub-picture data input to the SP encoder 55 is arranged in a predetermined signal form and sent to the formatter 56.

The formatter 56 has a buffer memory 57.
Using as a work area, the specified signal processing is performed on the input video signal, audio signal, sub-picture signal, etc., and the recording conforms to the format (file structure) described with reference to FIGS. The data is output to the data processor 36.

Here, a brief description will be given of the contents of standard encoding processing for creating the recording data. That is, when the encoding process is started in the encoder unit 50 in FIG. 50, parameters (see step ST20 in FIG. 60 or step ST508 in FIG. 79 described later) necessary for encoding video (main image) data and audio data are set. To be done. Next, the main video data is pre-encoded using the set parameters, and the distribution of the optimum code amount for the set average transfer rate (recording rate) is calculated. In this way, the main video is encoded based on the code amount distribution obtained by the pre-encoding. At this time, audio data encoding is also executed at the same time.

As a result of the pre-encoding, if the data compression amount is insufficient (if the desired video program does not fit on the DVD-RAM disk or DVD-R disk to be recorded), if there is an opportunity to pre-encode again. If the source of the recording is a repeatable source, such as a videotape or video disc, then a partial re-encoding of the main video data is performed, and the re-encoded part of the main video data is pre-encoded earlier. The replaced main video data portion is replaced. By such a series of processing, the main video data and the audio data are encoded, and the value of the average bit rate required for recording is significantly reduced.

Similarly, the parameters necessary for encoding the sub-picture data are set, and the encoded sub-picture data is created.

The main video data, audio data and sub video data encoded as described above are combined and converted into a data structure for recording.

That is, main video data (video data)
The cell is set as the minimum unit of, and cell reproduction information (CELL_PLY_INF) as shown in FIG. 30 or cell reproduction information (C_PBI) as shown in FIG. 34 is created. Next, the configuration of cells forming the program chain as shown in FIG. 5 or 6 and the attributes of the main video, sub-video, and audio are set (some of these attribute information are set when each data is encoded. The obtained information is used) and information management table information including various information (VMGI_MAT in FIG. 21 and VTSI_MA in FIG. 24).
T, or PLY_MAT in FIG. 25) is created.

The encoded main video data, audio data and sub video data are subdivided into packs of a fixed size (2048 bytes) as shown in FIG.
Dummy packs (FIG. 16) are appropriately inserted into these packs. In packs other than the dummy pack, PTS (Presentation Time Stamp), D
A time stamp such as TS (decode time stamp) is described. For the PTS of the sub-picture, a time arbitrarily delayed from the PTS of the main picture data or audio data in the same reproduction time zone can be described.

Each data cell is arranged in units of VOBU85 so that the data can be reproduced in order of the time code of each data, and a VOB83 composed of a plurality of cells as shown in FIG. 103 is formed. VOBS82 that is one or more of this VOB83 (when there is no navigation pack)
Is formatted into the structure of FIGS. Alternatively, a VOBS 82 (when there is a navigation pack as shown in FIG. 12) in which one or more VOBs 83 are collected is formatted into the structure shown in FIG.

When the DVD reproduction signal is digitally copied from the DVD video player, the contents of the cell, program chain, management table, time stamp and the like are determined from the beginning, and it is not necessary to create them again. (However, to configure the DVD video recorder so that the DVD playback signal can be digitally copied,
Electronic watermarks and other copyright protection measures must be taken. ) The disc drive unit for reading / writing information (recording and / or reproducing) from / to the DVD disc 10 includes a disc changer unit 100, a disc drive 32, a temporary storage unit 34, and a data processor 36.
And a system time counter (or system time clock; STC) 38.

The temporary storage unit 34 is used for the disk drive 32.
Buffering a fixed amount of data (data output from the encoder unit 50) written to the disk 10 via the disk 10 or data reproduced from the disk 10 via the disk drive 32 (input to the decoder unit 60). Data) to be buffered.

For example, when the temporary storage unit 34 is composed of a semiconductor memory (DRAM) of 4 M to 8 M bytes, it is possible to buffer recording or reproducing data for about 8 to 16 seconds at a recording rate of 4 Mbps on average. . Further, when the temporary storage unit 34 is composed of a 16 Mbyte EEPROM (flash memory), the average is 4 Mbps.
It is possible to buffer recording or reproducing data for about 32 seconds at the recording rate of. Furthermore, the temporary storage unit 34
When it is composed of an ultra-small HDD (hard disk) of 100 Mbytes, it is possible to buffer record or reproduction data for 3 minutes or more at an average recording rate of 4 Mbps.

[0333] The temporary storage unit 34 stores the data in the disk 1 during recording.
When 0 is used up, it can be used for temporarily storing recording information until the disc 10 is replaced with a new disc.

Further, when the high speed drive (double speed or more) is adopted as the disk drive 32, the temporary storage unit 34 temporarily stores the data read extra than the normal drive within a fixed time. Is also available. If the read data at the time of reproduction is buffered in the temporary storage unit 34, the reproduction data buffered in the temporary storage unit 34 is switched and used even when an optical pickup (not shown) causes a reading error due to vibration shock or the like. This makes it possible to prevent playback video from being interrupted.

Although not shown in FIG. 50, if the DVD card recorder is provided with an external card slot, the EE
PROM can be sold separately as an optional IC card.
If the DVD video recorder is provided with an external drive slot or a SCSI interface, the above HDD can be sold separately as an optional expansion drive.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 59 (which converts a personal computer into a DVD video recorder by software), which will be described later, a part of the free space of the hard disk drive of the personal computer itself or a part of the main memory is changed to the part shown in FIG. Can be used as a temporary storage unit 34 of.

According to the control of the microcomputer block 30, the data processor 36 of FIG. 50 supplies the DVD recording data from the encoder section 50 to the disc drive 32, and the DVD reproduced from the disc 10.
The playback signal is taken out from the drive 32, or the disc 1
Management information recorded in 0 (directory record in FIG. 11, VMGI_MAT in FIG. 21, VTSI_M in FIG. 24).
AT, PLY_MAT in FIG. 25, etc.) is rewritten, or data recorded on the disk 10 is deleted.

The microcomputer block 30 has M
It includes a PU (or CPU), a ROM in which a control program and the like are written, and a RAM that provides a work area necessary for executing the program.

The MPU of the microcomputer block 30 uses the RAM as a work area in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM, detects the free space (ST12 in FIG. 60, etc.) described later, the recording amount (the number of recording packs). ) Detection (see FIGS. 55 to 58) and remaining amount detection (FIG. 6)
2 ST420A; ST424E, etc. in FIG. 68), warning (see FIG. 84), recording mode change instruction (ST4 in FIG. 68)
21E, ST424F / ST426F in FIG. 69, FIG.
ST218 to ST226, etc .; see FIG. 85) and other processes (FIG. 60 to FIG. 83 or FIG. 89 to FIG. 98) are executed.

Of the execution results of the MPU 30, the contents to be notified to the user of the DVD video recorder (FIGS. 84 to 88).
99 to 102, etc.) are displayed on the display unit 48 of the DVD video recorder or on-screen display (OSD) on the monitor display (FIG. 84).

It should be noted that the MPU 30 includes the disk changer unit 100, the disk drive 32, the data processor 36,
The timing for controlling the encoder unit 50 and / or the decoder unit 60 can be executed based on the time data from the STC 38 (the recording / playback operation is normally executed in synchronization with the time clock from the STC 38). However, other processing may be executed at a timing independent of the STC 38).

The decoder section 60 has a separator 62 for separating and extracting each pack from DVD reproduction data having a pack structure as shown in FIG. 12 to FIG. 14 or FIG.
Memory 6 used when performing pack separation and other signal processing
3, a video decoder (V decoder) 64 for decoding the main video data (contents of the video pack 88, 88A, or 88B) separated by the separator 62, and the sub video data (of the sub video pack 90) separated by the separator 62. Sub-picture decoder (SP decoder) 6 for decoding contents)
5, an audio decoder (A decoder) 68 for decoding the audio data (contents of the audio pack 91) separated by the separator 62, and the video data from the V decoder 64 and the sub-picture data from the SP decoder 65 are appropriately combined. , A video processor 66 that outputs sub-images such as menus, highlight buttons, subtitles, etc. on the main image, and a video digital signal that converts the digital video output from the video processor 66 into an analog video signal.
Analog converter (V / DAC) 67 and A decoder 68
An audio / digital / analog converter (A / DAC) 67 for converting a digital audio output from the device into an analog audio signal is provided.

The analog video signal from the V / DAC 67 and the analog audio signal from the A / DAC 67 are transmitted via the AV output section 46 to an external component (not shown) (a multi-channel stereo device of 2 to 6 channels + monitor TV or projector). ) Is supplied to.

The OSD data output from the MPU 30 is input to the separator 62 of the decoder unit 60, passes through the V decoder 64 (is not particularly decoded) and is input to the video processor 66. Then this O
SD data is superimposed on the main video, which is the AV output unit 46.
Is supplied to an external monitor TV connected to. Then, for example, a warning message as shown in FIG. 58 is displayed together with the main image.

FIG. 51 shows a user menu of a disc (DVD video recorder) for recording / reproducing digital moving image information at a variable recording rate by using information having a structure as described in FIGS. 3 to 5 on the disc of FIG. It is a block diagram explaining an example of a device provided with a function to create.

In the following, parts common to those in FIG. 50 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The description will be centered on the configuration unique to FIG.

First, the data processor 36 can directly access the large capacity temporary storage section 34A.

The encoder section 50 includes a reduced video encoder 58 for generating a reduced image used for a user menu at the time of encoding, and a memory (RAM) 59 used as a work area for the reduced image encoding. This memory 59 is used for storing the reduced image for the user menu.

The decoder unit 60 is the separator 6 of FIG.
2. The circuit block 600 in which the functions of the V decoder 64, the SP decoder 65, and the A decoder 68 are integrated, the video processor 66 that processes the video data and the sub-picture data decoded by the circuit block 600, and the circuit block 600 It includes an audio DAC and a digital audio output interface 69 for converting the converted audio data (digital) to analog and outputting it.

The apparatus of FIG. 51 further has a video mixer (V mixer) 602 and a frame memory 60 on the decoding side.
4 and a video DAC and a digital video output interface 67 for analog-converting and outputting video data (digital) obtained by appropriately mixing user menu data in the V mixer 602.

As will be described later in detail, the MPU 30 gives the encoding setting data to the encoder section 50 and receives the PGC break information (see the description of FIGS. 39 to 43) from the encoder section 50. Further, the MPU 30 receives the reduced image data used for the user menu from the V mixer 602, and outputs the text data to be displayed on the user menu, the menu display move command, and the background image data of the user menu as necessary to the V mixer. Give to 602.
Text data sent from the MPU 30 to the V mixer 602 can be input from the key input unit 49. This text data can be used as a search keyword.

The data processing in the apparatus of FIG. 51 can be divided into two processings, recording processing and reproduction processing.

In the recording process, when the MPU 30 receives a recording command from the user (such as the recording button on the remote controller being turned on), the MPU 30 reads the management data from the disk drive 32 and writes the area to the disk 10 set in the drive. To decide. Next, the management area is set so that the determined area is written, the write start address of the video data is set in the disk drive 32, and the data is prepared for recording.

Next, the MPU 30 resets the timer for the STC 38. Here, the STC 38 is a system timer, and recording / playback is performed based on this timer value. Further, when the timer is reset, the PGC division setting is also performed.

For example, when PGC division is performed at regular intervals, the MPU 30 sets the division interval time to 15 minutes, as shown in FIG. Further, when PGC separation is performed by a stereo / monaural switching signal (or a stereo / bilingual switching signal) of an audio signal, the MPU 30 sets the setting.
Run against. Further, the MPU 30 makes various other necessary settings.

In the structure of FIG. 51, the flow of video signals during recording is as follows.

First, the TV tuner 44 or AV input 4
The external AV signal input from 2 is A / D converted and digitized. The digitized video signal is input to the V encoder 53 and the reduced video encoder 58.
The digitized audio signal is input to the A encoder 54. Further, a text signal such as a closed caption signal or a character broadcast is input from the TV tuner 44 to the SP encoder 55.

Further, a mode change signal (stereo / mono signal, image aspect change signal, etc.) of the source data for PGC separation is input from the TV tuner 44 to the encoder section 50.

Each encoder (53 to 55) compresses each input signal (video, audio, sub-picture) and packetizes it. (However, each packet is divided into packets so that each pack has 2048 bytes when packed.) These compressed signals are input to the formatter 56. here,
The formatter 56, if necessary, according to the timer value from the STC 38, the presentation time stamp PTS and the decode time stamp DTS of each packet.
Determine and record.

However, the reduced image packet used for the user menu is transferred to the reduced image storage memory 59 and temporarily stored therein. The packet data of the reduced image is recorded as a separate file after the recording is completed. The size of the reduced image in the user menu is
For example, about 144 pixels × 96 pixels are selected.

In the configuration of FIG. 51, the same MPEG2 compression as the main video can be used as the compression format of the reduced image, but other compression methods may be used. For example,
JPEG compression, run length compression (palette 256 colors:
256 color reduction required), TIFF format, P
A compression method such as ICT format can be used.

The formatter 56 has a buffer memory 57.
Packet data is temporarily stored in the packet data, and then the input packet data is packed, mixed for each GOP of MPEG (navigation pack is not added in the data structure of FIGS. 3 to 5), and transferred to the data processor 36. To do.

At this time, the formatter 56 uses the PGC division address as PGC division information.
Send to.

The data processor 36 has a formatter 56.
EC from all the packs sent from 16 packs
A C group is set, and error correction information is added to the ECC group and the ECC group is sent to the disk drive 32. However, if the disc drive 32 is not ready to record on the disc 10, the ECC with the error correction information is added.
The group data is transferred to the temporary storage unit 34A and temporarily stored until the data recording is ready. When the disk drive 32 is ready for recording, recording of the data stored in the temporary storage unit 34A on the disk 10 is started.

As the temporary storage unit 34A, a large-capacity memory or a high-speed HDD is assumed because it holds recorded data for several minutes or more by high-speed access.

When the recording is completed based on the data structure shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the MPU 30 previously detects the encoder unit 50.
According to the PGC separation address information received from
A PGC information table PGCIT (see FIGS. 27 to 28) is created and recorded in the reproduction control information DA211 (see FIG. 4).

However, the MPU 30 sends data to the data processor 36 in order to read and write the file management area and the like.
It can be accessed via the MPU bus. This access enables the MPU 30 to read and write to the track buffer in the data processor 36.

It is also conceivable to insert the user menu reduced image data as separate video pack data into the recording data instead of as a separate file. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, in the DVD video format, the stream number is defined as 0 (stream ID: 0E0h) as the main video, but the stream number is further reduced to 1 (stream) for the reduced image. ID: 0E1h)
It is also possible to specify and to multiplex. The reduced image of the stream number “1” thus multiplexed becomes the original data used in the menu editing process.

When a separate file for a reduced image is created, this file is a separate file used when creating a user menu file which will be described later. This separate file can also be the original file used during the user menu editing process.

Further, when the user menu file is automatically created, the first frame data of the PGC is encoded by the reduced video encoder 58 as the source data of the reduced image based on the division information, and the memory 59 is used.
Accumulate to. Then, at the end of recording, after the header of the user menu file is created, the packet data group stored in the memory 59 is recorded on the disk 10.

In the structure of FIG. 51, the data processing at the time of reproduction is as follows.

First, when the reproduction start command is received by the user operation, the MPU 30 reads the management area of the disk 10 from the disk drive 32 via the data processor 36 and determines the reproduction address.

Next, the MPU 30 uses the disk drive 3
The address of the reproduction data and the read command which have been determined are transmitted to the second.

The disk drive 32 reads the sector data from the disk 10 according to the sent command, corrects the error in the data processor 36, and outputs it to the decoder unit 60 in the form of pack data.

In the decoder unit 60, the read pack data is received by the separator in the circuit block 600 and packetized. Then, depending on the purpose of the data, video packet data (MPEG video data) is transferred to the video decoder, audio packet data is transferred to the audio decoder, and sub-picture packet data is transferred to the SP decoder.

[0376] At the start of transfer of each of the above packet data, the presentation time stamp PTS is set to STC.
Load at 38. After that, each decoder in the circuit block 600 performs a reproduction process in synchronization with the value of PTS in the packet data (while comparing the values of PTS and STC), and a moving image with audio / subtitles is displayed on a monitor TV (not shown). Can be displayed.

When displaying the reduced image for the user menu, the reduced image file previously saved in another file is sent as a stream pack, and the display position (X, Y coordinate values) is specified in the frame memory 604. To display. At this time, if there is text data or the like, the character ROM (or kanji ROM) is used to display the text below the reduced image.

FIG. 52 shows a user menu in a disc (DVD video recorder) for recording / reproducing digital moving image information at a variable recording rate by using information having a structure as described in FIGS. It is a block diagram explaining other examples of the device provided with the function to create.

The parts common to those in FIG. 50 or FIG. 51 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The structure peculiar to FIG. 52 will be mainly described.

The configuration of FIG. 52 has a large capacity temporary storage unit 34.
B, a video mixer 602, a frame memory (for two screens for text and video) 604, and the like. FIG. 51
The video DAC / interface 67 and the audio DAC / interface 69 are also used in the configuration of FIG. 52, though not shown.

The encoder unit 50 shown in FIG.
ADC 5 for digitizing analog video / analog audio signals from V input 42 or TV tuner 44
2, a selector 53S that selects a digital video signal from the ADC 52 or reduced image data from the video mixer 602 and sends it to the video encoder 53, and a buffer memory 57 as a work area.
And a formatter 56 for packing various data from the audio encoder 54 and the sub-picture encoder 55.
And are provided.

Further, in the decoder section 60 of FIG. 52, a separator 62 for separating the reproduction pack transferred from the data processor 36 into a main image, a sub image and an audio, and an audio and a sub image separated by the separator 62. Audio / sub-picture decoder 65/68 that expands (decodes) in a predetermined method, a video decoder 64 that expands (decodes) the main video separated by the separator 62 in a predetermined method, and the decoded video stream is reduced. A reduced image generation unit 64A that performs a process for displaying is provided.

In the structure of FIG. 52, the processing at the time of recording is as follows.

First, when the MPU 30 receives a recording command, it reads the management data from the disk drive 32 and determines the area to be written in the disk 10 (not shown). Next, the management area is set so that the determined area is written, the write start address of the video data is set in the disk drive 32, and the data is prepared for recording.

Next, the MPU 30 resets the time of the STC 38. Here, the STC 38 is a system timer, and recording / playback is performed based on this timer value. At this time, division setting of the program chain PGC is also performed.

Here, as the conditions of the division, when the division is performed every time (FIG. 40), when the division is performed by the stereo / monaural switching signal of the audio signal (FIG. 39), the aspect ratio of the image mode is 16 : 9 and 4: 3
There is a case where the division is performed by the switching signal of (1), a case where the change of the image data, which is found at the time of encoding, is large (FIG. 43).

[0387] The MPU 30 sets, in the encoding unit 50, the type of setting of the conditions for PGC division and the parameters associated therewith (such as the interval time in the case of division at constant time intervals). Further, the MPU 30 makes other various settings.

In the structure of FIG. 52, the flow of video signals is as follows.

First, in order to encode the main image, the selector 53S in the encoding section 50 is switched to the side for selecting the main image.

Next, the TV tuner 44 or AV input 4
The digital video signal obtained by A / D converting the external AV signal input from the A2 by the ADC 52 is transferred to the V encoder 53 via the selector 53S. The digital audio signal A / D converted by the ADC 52 is the A encoder 54.
Transferred to. When the broadcast from the TV tuner 44 includes character / subtitle information (closed caption, characters of character multiplex broadcasting, etc.), the text signal is transferred to the SP encoder 55.

Further, a stereo / monaural signal (or stereo / bilingual signal) used for PGC division is input from the TV tuner 44 to the encoder section 50.

The above encoders (53 to 55) compress the respective signals and packetize them. (However, each packet is divided into packets so that each pack has 2048 bytes when packed, and packetized.) Each packetized signal is input to the formatter 56. Here, the formatter 56 determines and records the presentation time stamp PTS and the decode time stamp DTS of each packet as necessary according to the timer count value of the STC 38.

The formatter 56 has a buffer memory 57.
The packet data is temporarily stored in, and then the input packet data is packed and mixed for each GOP. Then, the formatter 56 transfers the data stream in which the navigation pack is appropriately added to the head of this GOP to the data processor 36. At this time, PG
The C separation address is sent to the MPU 30 and the PG
Used as C separation information.

In the data processor 36 of FIG. 52, error correction information is added as an ECC group collectively for every 16 packs (= 32 kbytes), and the disk drive 32
Sent to. However, if the disk drive 32 is not ready to record on the disk 10, the data of the ECC group to which the error correction information is added is transferred to the temporary storage unit 34B, and the disk 10 is ready to record data. Wait until you can. Then, when the recording is ready, the disc drive 32 starts recording on the disc 10.

Here, as the temporary storage section 34B, a large capacity memory is assumed because it holds recorded data for several minutes or more by high speed access.

When recording is completed based on the data structure shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the MPU 30 receives the PGC received previously.
According to the division address information, the reproduction control information DA21
1 (see FIG. 4), the PGC information table PGCIT (see FIG. 2).
7 to FIG. 28) and record it.

The MPU 30 sends the data to the data processor 36 in order to read and write the file management area and the like.
It can be accessed via the PU bus.

In the structure of FIG. 52, data processing at the time of reproduction is as follows.

[0399] First, when a user's playback command is received, MP
The U30 reads the management area from the disk drive 32 via the data processor 36 and determines the address to be reproduced. Next, the MPU 30 sends to the disc drive 32 the address of the reproduction data determined previously and its read command.

The disk drive 32 reads the sector data from the disk 10 in accordance with the sent read command, performs error correction in the data processor 36, and outputs it to the decoder unit 60 in the form of pack data.

Inside the decoder unit 60, the read pack data is received by the separator 62 and packetized. Then, depending on the purpose of the data, the video packet data (MPEG video data) is transferred to the V decoder 64, and the audio packet data / sub-picture packet data is transferred to the A / SP decoder 65/68, respectively.

The presentation time stamp PTS of each of the transferred packet data is loaded into the STC 38 at the start of the transfer. After that, each decoder (6
4, 65/68) performs a reproduction process in synchronization with the value of PTS in the packet data (while comparing the values of PTS and STC). As a result, a moving picture with audio subtitles can be reproduced on a monitor TV (not shown).

Further, when producing a reduced image for the user menu, the MPU 30 issues a reduced display command (reduction ON command) to the V decoder 64 and specifies the display position on the video mixer 602. Thereby, the reduced image for the user menu can be displayed on the monitor TV (not shown).
When the user selects the data to be stored, the reduced image data is transferred from the V mixer 602 to the V encoder 53 via the selector 53S. The transferred reduced image data is packetized by the V encoder 53, packed by the formatter 56, and recorded on the disc 10 via the data processor 36.

When displaying the reduced image for the user menu on a TV monitor (not shown) or the like, the reduced image file saved in another file is sent as a stream pack, and the display position is designated in the frame memory 604. Display it. At this time, if there is text data or the like, the text is displayed below the reduced image using a Kanji ROM or the like.

FIG. 53 shows an example of the appearance of the apparatus main body 200 of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 and an example of its front panel.

When the user presses the open / close button 5g of the remote controller 5 which will be described later with reference to FIG. 54, the disc tray inlet 202 of FIG. 53 is opened to the front.

[0407] D used for recording on this disc tray
A VD-RAM or DVD-RW disk (disk with cartridge) 10 or DVD-R disk (bare disk) 10 is set.

Subsequently, when the user presses the open / close button 5g of the remote controller 5, the disc tray entrance 202 is closed, and the disc (for example, DVD-RW) 10 set in the tray is inserted into the main body 20 of the apparatus.
It is drawn into the disk drive 32 in 0. Then,
The disk drive 32 automatically starts, and the physical format information (including disk structure data, blank disk free space data, etc.) of FIG.
Read by.

Subsequently, the control information DA21 shown in FIGS.
The MPU 30 reads (including the reproduction control information DA211, the microscopic control information DA214, etc.). Then, the set disc 10 is an unused DVD-RW.
In the case of a disc (or a DVD-RAM disc), in the DVD video recorder display section (liquid crystal or fluorescent display panel) 48 of FIG.
The item "W" is displayed conspicuously. In addition, the recording time is displayed as 00 (hour): 00 (minute): 00 (second), and the recording title / chapter is also displayed as 00-00 (if recorded even once, this recording title / chapter The display changes like 01-01).

If the device default or the user setting is recording mode = MPEG2 and average recording bit rate = 4 Mbps, the display unit 48 displays
The items "MPEG2" and "4 Mbps" are displayed conspicuously.

Further, when recording on the set disk 10 progresses and the remaining recordable time on the disk 10 becomes short (for example, 5 minutes left), the MPU 30 detects this (for example, ST422A in FIG. 62). Yes), the display section 48 prompts "DI
The item “SK TO BE CHANGED” is conspicuously displayed.

The front panel of the DVD video recorder main body 200 is further provided with a power switch button, open /
A close key, a play key, a stop key, a chapter / program skip key, a fast rewind key, a fast forward key, a recording start button (not shown), and other basic operation keys are provided.

The DVD video recorder shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the disc changer unit 100 of FIG. 50 is not built in (the disc changer unit 100 is connected to the device main body 200 of FIG. 53 by an SCSI cable or the like as an optional external device). In this case, the “DISK TO BE C” on the display unit 48 is displayed shortly before the disk 10 set in the apparatus main body is used up during recording.
"HANGED" starts to flash or blink. After that, when the remaining capacity of the disc 10 becomes zero, the recording is automatically continued for one or more DVD-RW discs 10 set in the external disc changer unit 100.

Alternatively, it is possible to prepare two or more DVD video recorders, connect each MPU 30 with a communication cable in a daisy chain, and perform relay recording using two or more DVD video recorders. In this case, it is also possible to say that "the first recorder records MPEG2 / average bit rate 4 Mbps for 1 hour and the second recorder records MPEG2 / average bit rate 2 Mbps for 2 hours".

[0415] When relay recording by the plural DVD video recorders as described above is performed, "MPE by recorder A
Recording at G2 / average bit rate 4 Mbps for 1 hour, and recorder B MPEG2 / average bit rate 2 Mbps
A display such as “Record ps for 2 hours” may be displayed on the monitor screen.

The DVD video recorders shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 are configured not to record warnings or notifications to the user as shown in FIGS. 85 to 88 on the disk 10. However, recording information (average bit rate of recording, recording channel number, recording date and time, etc.) as illustrated on the lower side of the monitor screen of FIG. 84 is recorded on the disk 10 for a few seconds immediately after the start of recording. Is also good.

FIG. 54 shows an example of the remote controller 5 for operating the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. Although the operation keys provided on the front panel of the DVD video recorder main body 200 shown in FIG. 53 can also be used for basic operations, the remote controller 5 is used to perform various operations that take advantage of the features of the DVD.

The function (or usage) of each key of the remote controller 5 shown in FIG. 54 will be described below.

[Function of Power Key (POWER) 5a] <1> Turn on / off the secondary side of the AC power supply circuit of the apparatus main body.

<2> When the power key is pressed while the disc is set inside the device, the disc type (D
VD-RW, DVD-R or DVD video) are discriminated and displayed. If the disc is a non-playable disc, that fact is displayed.

<3> When the power key is pressed while the disc set in the apparatus includes the first play program chain (auto start code), the reproduction of this program chain is automatically started.

<4> When the power key is pressed while the power is on and the tray is open, the power is turned off after the tray is closed.

[0423] [Open / Close key (OPEN / CLOSE)
5g function] <5> Open or close the disc tray.
When the open / close key is pressed during disk reproduction, the device operation up to that point is completed and the disk tray is opened. The operation of the key 5g is invalid during recording.

<6> When the open / close key is pressed while the power is off and the tray is closed, the power is turned on and the disc tray is opened.

<7> When the open / close key is pressed in the disc tray open state, the disc tray is pulled into the apparatus main body. At this time, if a disc is set in the tray, the management information is read and the type of the set disc (DVD-RW, DVD-R or DVD video) is displayed. If the disc is a non-playable disc, a message to that effect is displayed.

<8> When the open / close key is pressed in the disc tray open state, the disc tray is pulled into the apparatus main body. At this time, if no disc is set in the tray, the characters "NO DISK" are displayed on the display unit 48 or the monitor TV (OSD).

<9> When the disc drawn into the main body of the apparatus by turning on the open / close key includes the first play program chain (auto start code), the reproduction of this program chain is automatically started.

[Function of Stop Key (STOP) 5e] <10> When pressed during disk reproduction or recording, reproduction or recording is stopped. If pressed while stopped, the title number that was being played or recorded (or the default title number) will be displayed.

[Function of Playback Key (PLAY) 5c] <11> When the disc tray is pressed with the disc set, the setting conditions at that time (default setting or screen aspect ratio set by the user) , Audio language, subtitle language, etc.) will start playing the disc.

<12> Disc tray When the disc is set in the open state and the playback key is pressed after the disc is set on the tray, the tray is pulled into the main body of the device, and the default title (or title creator) recorded on the DVD disc is Playback starts from the specified title). However, if the disc contains a first play program chain (auto start code), execute it.

<13> Unless otherwise specified by the record information of the disc, the reproduction operation ends when the title is reproduced until the end.

<14> When the memory setting screen is displayed and the button is pressed while the chapter and title number are set on the setting screen, memory reproduction is started from the set chapter and title number.

<15> When pressed while the random mode is set, the contents of the disc set in the tray are randomly reproduced.

<16> When the cell reproduction mode of the disc becomes VOBU still during reproduction, after reproduction to the end of VOBU, the reproduction operation up to that point is canceled and a still image reproduction state is set.

[Function of Pause Key (PAUSE) 5d] <17> When pressed during reproduction of the program chain in a title, a still image is displayed in the video frame of the program chain currently being reproduced. If the pause key is pressed further in this state, the frame switches to the still image of the next frame. Similarly, each time the pause key is pressed, the frame switches in the time advancing direction, and the frame is advanced by the number of times the key is pressed.

<18> During the still image or frame-by-frame reproduction, the sub-picture may be reproduced but the audio may not be reproduced.

<19> This still image / frame advance is possible only in the program chain currently being reproduced, and after frame advance to the last frame in the title, this key operation becomes invalid.

<20> When the VOBU still is set in the cell reproduction mode, this key operation is invalid in the final cell of the still cells.

<21> When the reproduction key is pressed in the still image state by this key operation, normal reproduction is resumed.

[Skip key (SKIP / right-pointing vertical bar-equipped 2-stage triangular mark) 5f function 1; 1 sequential program chain title] <22> When pressed during playback, the next key in the currently playing title is displayed. Search for a chapter (or program) in and play it. If there is no next chapter, this key operation is invalid. During the chapter search, the user can be notified that the search is in progress by blinking the search destination chapter number on the display unit 48 (or OSD).

<23> When pressed while stopped, the next chapter of the current chapter is selected. When the playback key is turned on, the selected chapter is searched and played.

[0442] Note that chapters (or programs) spanning two titles can be skipped while stopped. For example, when the last chapter number of title 1 is displayed and the skip key is further pressed, the first chapter number of title 2 is selected. When the reproduction key is turned on here, the selected chapter (chapter 1 of title 2) is searched and reproduced.

<24> When stopped and held for a predetermined time or more, the chapter number is incremented by 1 at a constant speed (when there is a next title, it is possible to change the chapter number continuously from the current title to the next title). Can be enabled). If you press the play key after releasing the skip key you are holding, the chapter of the title at that time will be searched and played.

[Skip key (SKIP / right-pointing vertical bar-attached double-sided triangular mark) 5f function 2; in case of random program chain title] <25> If pressed during playback, next to the chapter in the title currently being played. Search a randomly selected chapter (or program) and play it. However, if the random play loop is the last and there is no next program chain in the title, this key operation is invalid.

<26> When pressed during still image playback,
The selected chapter (or program) is searched, and the still image is played back at the beginning. However, if the still mode is selected in the cell reproduction mode, the selected chapter is searched and the still at the head thereof is reproduced.

<27> It can be used for selecting the chapter number (program number) and title number set on the memory setting screen (incrementing numbers or moving the cursor forward).

<28> It can be used to page through menus.

[Function of skip key (SKIP / two-point triangular mark with left-sided vertical bar) 5f: 1; for sequential program chain title] <29> When pressed during playback, the chapter (or program) currently being played back. ) Search the beginning and play it. When it is pressed continuously, the chapter numbers are moved down by 1 up to the chapter number 1.

<30> When pressed while stopped, the current chapter is 1
The previous chapter is selected. When the playback key is turned on, the selected chapter is searched and played.

Note that chapters (or programs) spanning two titles can be skipped while stopped. For example, when the chapter number 1 of the title 3 is displayed and the skip key is further pressed, the last chapter number X of the title 2 is selected. When the reproduction key is turned on here, the selected chapter (chapter X of title 2) is searched and reproduced.

[0451] This chapter skip skipping over titles can be executed until chapter 1 of title 1 is reached.

<31> If the button is kept pressed for a predetermined time or longer in the stopped state, the chapter number is decremented by 1 at a constant speed (until chapter 1 of title 1 is reached). If you press the play key after releasing the skip key you are holding, the chapter of the title at that time will be searched and played.

[Function of skip key (SKIP / two-point triangular mark with vertical bar pointing to the left) 2f; Random program chain title] <32> When pressed during playback, the chapter (or Search the beginning of (Program) and play it. However, the search destination can be set to the beginning of the chapter (program) currently being reproduced even if the buttons are pressed continuously.

<33> When pressed during still image playback,
The beginning of the chapter (or program) currently being reproduced is searched, and then a still image is reproduced. If the still mode is set in the cell playback mode, the chapter currently being played back is searched and the still at the head is played back.

<34> It can be used for selecting the chapter number (program number) and title number set on the memory setting screen (decrement of number or backward movement of cursor).

<35> It can be used for page return of the menu.

[Function of menu key (MENU) 5n] <36> When a disc is set in the tray,
Play the root menu in the currently selected video title set recorded on the disc. If the disc is not set, an error (or warning) is displayed (OSD).

<37> If there is no root menu in the currently selected video title set, an error (or warning) is displayed.

<38> When the menu key is pressed during normal reproduction to reproduce the menu and then the menu is operated to exit the menu, the reproduction is restarted from the portion reproduced before the menu reproduction or the portion specified by the menu. .

<39> When pressed while the root menu is displayed, the state before the root menu is displayed is restored.

In the case of the DVD video RAM, the user menu is used. That is, when the root menu is not on the disc but there is a user menu, the user menu is used by operating the menu key.

[Function of Title Key (TITLE) 5p] <40> When the disc is set in the tray and the title menu is recorded on the disc, the title menu is displayed. If no disc is set, an error (or warning) is displayed (OS
D).

<41> When the title menu is not recorded on the disc set in the tray, the following operation can be performed during disc reproduction (or stop).

That is, when the title key is pressed, the title number and chapter number are displayed on a part of the screen (for example, the upper left corner). If the clear key, which will be described later, is pressed, the title key is pressed again, or if a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses without key operation thereafter,
The title number and chapter number are deleted from the screen.

When the desired title number (for example, "2") is entered from the numeric keypad while the title number (for example, "1") and chapter number (for example, "1") are displayed on the screen, the above example Speaking of which, the screen display is "Title number: 2" and "Chapter number: 1"
Becomes When the reproduction key is pressed in this state or left for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), reproduction is started from chapter 1 of title 2.

In this case, during the title and chapter search, the search destination title number and chapter number on the display section 48 can be blinked to notify the user that the search is in progress.

<42> When the title key is pressed during normal playback and the title menu is played again, if the title key is pressed again before the title selection is confirmed, from the point where the title menu was played before playback. Resume playback.

[Select key / cursor key (upward
Function of downward triangle mark pair) 5q] <43> Used for item selection in the disc menu (menu called by the title key or the menu key) and item selection in the setup menu. For example, when selecting an item by pressing the upward or downward triangle mark of the select key / cursor key and the item includes several selection branches, the select key / You can use the left or right triangle mark of the cursor key.

<44> When pressed while the set value of any of the audio stream, sub-picture stream, and angle is displayed, pressing the upward triangle mark of this select key switches to the next stream or angle, and the downward triangle mark is displayed. Press to switch to the previous stream or angle.

<45> When pressed while the title number is being displayed by the character generator, pressing the upward triangle mark of this select key switches to the next title, and pressing the downward triangle mark switches to the previous title.

[Function of end key (END) 5end] <46> This is used to notify the device of the end of the processing of the user selection setting (when exiting the processing loop such as the setting of the reproducible angle).

The select key / cursor key 5q or the ten-key 5t described later can be used for cursor operation for selecting a desired angle while a multi-angle selection menu screen (not shown) is displayed. (Although not shown, mouse operation or touch panel operation can also be realized.) [Function of enter key (ENTER) 5s] <47> Used when confirming the item selected in the disc menu or the setup menu.

<48> It can also be used when confirming the title number and chapter number on the memory screen.

[Function of return key (RETURN) 5r] <49> Title creator (software provider)
This is used when a search is performed on a preset address on the disc. Specifically, it is pressed when instructing a return operation to exit from the menu or to start (restart) playback. Alternatively, it can also be used to direct the action to return to a user selectable multi-story selection branch while playing one of the multi-story.

[Function of audio key (AUDIO) 5aud, 1; During playback] <50> When the audio key is pressed during playback (after checking the audio stream information recorded on the disc)
Using the character generator, the language name of the audio stream currently being reproduced (when the type of the audio stream is a language other than music etc.) is displayed on the reproduction screen for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) (OSD). If the audio key is pressed again during this display, the audio of the next audio stream number will be reproduced. When this audio key operation is repeated, the sounds (various languages) of the audio stream recorded in the title are sequentially and cyclically reproduced.

<51> By pressing the select key / cursor key 5q while the audio stream setting value is displayed on the screen, the audio stream next to the currently set audio stream or the audio stream immediately before can be switched. it can. Then, the contents of the switched audio stream are reproduced.

<52> When the ten key is pressed while the audio stream setting value is displayed on the screen, the audio stream of the number input by the ten key can be switched. Then, the contents of the switched audio stream are reproduced.

<53> When the clear key is pressed while the audio stream setting value is displayed on the screen, the audio stream setting value display can be erased from the screen.

[Function of audio key (AUDIO) 5aud: No. 2; when stopped (blue screen is displayed)] <54> When the audio key is pressed while stopped, (check audio stream information recorded on the disc Since then)
Using the character generator, the language name (when the audio stream type is language) of the audio stream set for the currently selected title is displayed on the blue back screen for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds).
If the audio key is pressed again during this display, the next audio stream number is set. When this audio key operation is repeated, the audio stream audio recorded in the title is sequentially set and displayed cyclically.

<55> When the select key / cursor key 5q is pressed while the blue back screen of the audio stream set value is displayed, the audio stream next to the currently set audio stream or the audio stream immediately before is switched.

<56> When the ten key is pressed while the blue back screen of the audio stream set value is displayed, the audio stream of the number input by the ten key is switched.

<57> If the clear key is pressed while the audio stream setting value blue background screen is displayed, the audio stream setting value display is erased from the screen.

[Subtitle key (SUBTITLE) 5sbt
Part 1; During playback] <58> When pressed during playback, the language name of the currently playing sub-picture stream is displayed using the character generator (after checking the sub-picture stream information recorded on the disc). (When the type of sub-picture stream is language) is displayed on the reproduction screen for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) (OSD). If the subtitle key is further pressed during this display, the sub-picture of the next stream number will be reproduced. When this subtitle key operation is repeated, the sub-picture streams recorded in that title are sequentially and cyclically reproduced.

<59> By pressing the select key / cursor key 5q while the sub video stream setting value is displayed on the screen, the sub video stream next to the sub video stream currently set or the sub video stream immediately before is displayed. Can be switched to. Then, the contents of the switched sub-picture stream are reproduced.

<60> When the ten key is pressed while the sub video stream setting value is displayed on the screen, it is possible to switch to the sub video stream of the number input by the ten keys. Then, the contents of the switched sub-picture stream are reproduced.

<61> If the clear key is pressed while the sub video stream setting value is displayed on the screen, the sub video stream setting value display can be erased from the screen.

[Subtitle key (SUBTITLE) 5sbt
Part 2; When stopped (when the blue back screen is displayed)] <62> When the subtitle key is pressed while stopped, the character generator is used (after checking the sub-picture stream information recorded on the disc). The language name (when the type of the sub-picture stream is language) of the sub-picture stream set for the currently selected title is displayed on the blue back screen for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). If the subtitle key is pressed again during this display, the next sub-picture stream number is set. When this subtitle key operation is repeated, the sub video stream audio recorded in the title is sequentially set and displayed cyclically.

<63> The select key / cursor key 5 while the blue back screen of the sub-picture stream set value is displayed
When q is pressed, the sub video stream next to the currently set sub video stream or the sub video stream immediately before is switched.

<64> When the ten key is pressed while the blue back screen of the sub video stream setting value is displayed, the sub video stream of the number input by the ten keys is switched.

<65> If the clear key is pressed while the blue video screen of the sub video stream set value is displayed, the sub video stream set value display is erased from the screen.

[Subtitle on / off key (SUBTITLE
ON / OFF) 5v function] <66> Turns on / off the display of sub-picture (subtitle).

<67> When the subtitle ON / OFF key is pressed during video playback and sub-picture display (sub-picture display ON setting state), the sub-picture stream number set value is turned off and the set value is set by the character generator. After being displayed (OSD) for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the sub-picture is erased from the screen.

<68> When the subtitle ON / OFF key is pressed while the video is being played but the sub-picture is not displayed (sub-picture display OFF setting state), the sub-picture stream number set value is turned on and the set value is set. Is displayed on the character generator for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), and then the sub-picture in the language of the set stream number that is turned on is reproduced (when the sub-picture is recorded on the disc being reproduced).

<69> When the subtitle on / off key is pressed while the video reproduction is stopped, only the on / off setting of the sub-picture display can be executed.

<70> In the sub-picture display off setting state, when the sub-picture stream having the same language code as the audio stream being reproduced includes the forced image output command, the sub-picture corresponding to this command is surely issued. Play and display on the screen.

[Function of angle key (ANGLE) 5 ang] <71> If a title having an angle block composed of multi-angle information is selected and this angle block (angle section) is being played, press this button. , The angle number currently being played is displayed by the character generator for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) (OS
D). When the angle key is pressed again during this angle number display period, the cell at the next angle number is searched for at the same time point and reproduction is started from that point.

[0497] For example, a batter's home run scene is being played at angle number 1 of the multi-angle block (camera angle from the center side looking at the back of the pitcher), and the bat is played 5 seconds after the playback start time of that angle block cell. Meet the ball and assume that the ball hits the light stand after another 3 seconds. When a user who wants to view this home run scene from another camera angle presses the angle key and presses the angle number 2, the playback start time point of the angle block cell is searched, and the angle 2 (for example, 1st base infield stand) is searched from there. Playback of the home run scene will be resumed at the camera angle that looks at the entire ground from the side).

When the angle key is further pressed during the above-mentioned angle number display period, the recorded angle numbers are sequentially changed to cyclic, and the reproduction of the selected angle is resumed.

<72> When the angle number is displayed on the screen by the character generator, it is possible to directly select the desired angle number by operating the ten keys (when an angle number which does not exist in the angle block being reproduced is input by the ten key). Key input is invalid). Alternatively, the select key / cursor key 5q
You can also raise and lower the angle number.

<73> When angles are switched during playback of a still image in a cell of a multi-angle block,
A similar reproduction time point search is performed, and the searched still image of another angle is reproduced.

For example, assume that a still image of a car is reproduced at angle number 1 (camera angle viewed from the front). When the user who wants to see this car with another camera angle presses the angle key and presses the angle number 2, the playback start time point of the angle block cell of the angle number 2 is searched, and the angle 2 (for example, the right side surface is searched from there). The still image at the camera angle viewed from is played back.

When the angle key is further pressed during the above-mentioned angle number display period, the recorded angle numbers are sequentially changed to cyclic, and the still image of the selected angle is reproduced.

<74> It is possible to prevent the angle setting (angle number switching) from being accepted even if the angle key operation is performed during reproduction of cells other than the multi-angle block.
Angle setting (angle number switching) is accepted only when there is a multi-angle block cell in the title being played back.

<75> When a multi-angle block cell exists in the selected title, the angle setting (angle number switching) can be accepted even when the title is stopped.

[Fast-forward (FWD) key / Fast-reverse (REV) key (double triangle mark facing left / right) 5j] <76> When the fast-forward key or fast-reverse key is pressed during movie playback or still image playback , Fast-forward or fast-reverse playback is performed faster than during normal playback (for example, about twice as much as during normal playback). (In video, the movement becomes double speed, and in still images, the frame-by-frame switching cycle is shortened to half.) If you continue pressing the button, fast-forward or faster than in normal playback (for example, about 8 times in normal playback). Fast reverse playback is performed. (The motion becomes 8 times faster for moving images, and the frame-by-frame display switching cycle is shortened to 1/8 for still images.) It should be noted that in fast-forward / fast-reverse main video playback display, double-speed Can reproduce MPEG I-picture + P-picture, and can reproduce I-picture at higher multiple speeds.

At this time, audio reproduction can be performed as follows. That is, in the case of double speed reproduction,
Decode audio data with double the clock of normal playback,
Decodes double speed audio data. In the case of multiple speed, the audio data at the jump destination (from one I picture to the next I picture) is partially reproduced by normal reproduction to perform audio decoding at multiple speed.

<77> When the reproduction key is pressed, the fast-forward reproduction or the fast-reverse reproduction is canceled and the normal speed reproduction is resumed.

<78> The fast-forward or fast-reverse reproduction by the fast-forward key or the fast-reverse key is performed only in the program chain being reproduced at the time when the key is operated.
After being fast-forwarded to the end of the program chain or fast-returned to the beginning of the program chain, there is a temporary stop state there.

<79> Audio (audio stream) and subtitle (sub-picture stream) during fast-forward or fast-reverse playback by the fast-forward key or fast-reverse key.
Can be automatically prohibited.

[0510] Note that the sound may be reproduced while changing the reproduction pitch in accordance with the fast-forward speed. When the moving image is, for example, a recorded movie of a marathon competition, and the subtitle is used to display the time elapsed from the start of the competition, the subtitle may be played during fast forward or fast reverse playback.

<80> The cell playback mode is set to V during fast forward or fast reverse playback by the fast forward key or fast reverse key.
When it becomes the OBU still, the fast forward or fast rewind operation is canceled and the still image reproduction is started.

[0512] The "when the cell reproduction mode is VOBU still" means the still (VOBU still) in units of video object units in Fig. 12, so when the fast forward key (or fast rewind key) is pressed, (Or previous) VOBU is reproduced, and when the reproduction of that VOBU is completed, it becomes a still. However, if the fast-forward key (or fast-reverse key) is further pressed during VOBU playback, the VOBU is fast-forwarded (or fast-reverse), and then the VOBU
It becomes a BU still and stops.

[Functions of display key (DISPLAY) 5u] <81> When this key is pressed during stop or playback, a display corresponding to the contents of various key operations at that time (display section 48 of the apparatus main body and / or (On the screen of the monitor unit 6).

[Function of numeric keypad ([0] to [9] & [+10]) 5t] <82> During normal reproduction, it can be used to specify a chapter number in the current reproduction title. At the same time when the ten-key input is confirmed (the confirmation key is operated), a search operation for a chapter of a designated number is started (this search can also be made possible by a title number key T described later).
Chapter numbers that do not exist will not be accepted.

<83> When stopped, it can be used to specify a chapter number in the selected title. At the same time when the numeric keypad input is confirmed, the search operation for the specified number of chapters starts (this search is performed using the title number key T
Also possible). Chapter numbers that do not exist will not be accepted.

<84> When a title including a multi-angle block is being reproduced (angle cell reproduction is in progress) and the angle number is being displayed, the angle number entered on the ten-key pad is directly selected. However, the input of the angle number that does not exist is not accepted.

<85> While the disc menu is displayed, if the items on each disc menu screen are numbered, the item corresponding to the number entered on the ten key is selected and executed. However, input of item numbers that do not exist will not be accepted.

<86> When setting the parental lock from the setup menu, the numeric keypad can be used to input the personal identification number.

[Function of clear key (CLEAR) 5cr] <87> Used to cancel key input of title number or chapter number.

<88> This is used to cancel the input of the personal identification number for changing the parental level.

<89> Used to cancel the repeat mode described later.

<90> Used to cancel the input number when operating the memory setting screen described later.

<91> This is used to release the memory reproduction mode described later.

<92> Used for canceling the random reproduction mode described later.

<93> Used to cancel the number display of each of the title, audio (audio stream), subtitle (sub-picture stream), and angle.

[Function of repeat key (REPEAT) 5k] <94> Used for repeat setting of chapter or title (however, only title of 1 sequential program chain).

<95> Each time this key is pressed, the repeat mode is sequentially and cyclically switched such as “Chapter repeat” → “Title repeat” → “Repeat off” → “Chapter repeat”.

<96> When the repeat key is pressed during the AB repeat operation described later, the AB repeat operation is canceled,
Can be moved to chapter repeat.

<97> When the player departs from the repeat section by operating the fast-forward key, fast-return key, or skip key,
Repeat operation is canceled.

<98> When there is a multi-angle block in the repeat section, the angle change is possible (the angle key functions even in the repeat mode).

[AB repeat key (AB REPEAT) 5k
Function] <99> Used to set the start point and end point of the repeat operation between two points (however, only for the title of one sequential program chain).

<100> When this key is pressed the first time, the start point (A) is set, and when it is pressed the second time, the end point (B) is set.
Is set. The set starting point is searched at the same time when the setting of the ending point is completed, and thereafter, the reproduction between A and B is repeated.

<101> A-B repeat can be canceled by operating the clear key.

<102> A-A during repeat operation between A-B
When the title or chapter other than B is changed to playback, or when the repeat key is pressed, A
-The repeat between B can be canceled.

<103> When the A-B repeat section is deviated by operating the fast-forward key, the fast-return key, or the skip key, the A-B repeat operation is canceled.

<104> By pressing the clear key, the fast-forward key, the fast-reverse key or the skip key before setting the repeat end point (B), the repeat operation between A and B can be canceled.

<105> If the title ends before the end point (B) is reached during repeat playback between AB, AB
The repeat operation is canceled.

<106> Within the multi-angle block section, the setting of the start point (A) of A-B repeat can be invalidated. (A head of a multi-angle block section can be set as a start point of A-B repeat. For example, a camera angle scene of an angle number 1 of a certain multi-angle block is A in the proposed bull block.
-B can be repeated. ) <107> When the multi-angle block comes during the A-B repeat reproduction, the A-B repeat operation can be canceled.

<108> The start point (A) and end point (B) set by the A-B repeat key point to the head (start address) of the corresponding image data (group of picture) immediately after the setting. .

[Function of memory key (MEMORY) 5m] <109> When this key is pressed when the tray is closed and the disc is set, the memory setting screen is displayed (OSD). If this key is pressed while the memory setting screen is displayed, the display returns to the state before the memory setting screen was displayed.

<110> The memory setting method is performed by sequentially inputting the title and chapter number to be reproduced in the memory while the memory setting screen is displayed, using the ten keys and the title number (T) key described later.

<111> When the cursor on the display screen is moved with the select key / cursor key and the above memory setting is input with the memory number at the cursor position, the titles set with the memory numbers after that memory number are displayed. The chapter number is shifted to the next memory number one by one.

For example, "Title 1 / Chapter 3" and "Title 2 / Chapter 1" have already been set in memory number 1 and memory number 2, and memory number 3
After that, it is assumed that there is no setting. If the cursor is moved to the memory number 1 and "Title 2 / Chapter 5" is set, the contents previously set in the memory number 1 and the memory number 2 are shifted to the memory number 2 and the memory number 3. As a result, the setting contents of the memory numbers 1, 2 and 3 are "title 2 / chapter 5", "title 1 / chapter 3" and "title 2 / chapter 1", respectively.

<112> When the cursor on the display screen is moved by the select key / cursor key and the clear key operation is performed at the memory number at the cursor position, the contents set at that memory number are cleared, The contents set in the memory numbers after the memory number are carried forward to the memory number one before.

For example, "Title 2 / Chapter 5", "Title 1 / Chapter 3" and "Title 2 / Chapter 1" are set in memory number 1, memory number 2 and memory number 3, respectively, It is assumed that there is no setting after number 4. Memory number 2 here
Move the cursor to and perform the clear key operation. The contents that were set in memory number 2 until then, "Title 1.
"Chapter 3" is cleared, the contents previously set in memory number 3 are shifted to memory number 2, and the contents previously set in memory number 4 (unset) are shifted to memory number 3. As a result, the setting contents of the memory numbers 1, 2 and 3 are “title 2 · chapter 5”, “title 2 · chapter 1” and “no setting”, respectively.

Although it is not always necessary to limit the number of memory settings (upper limit of memory numbers), the maximum number of memory settings is required due to the necessity of actual software and the physical memory capacity of the device. Is, for example, 3
It is selected as 0. (Even if 99 titles are recorded on one disc, from the standpoint of general users,
The maximum number of memory settings does not necessarily need to be 99. On the other hand, in a commercial device, there is a possibility that a request for memory setting will be made to a plurality of chapters in each of 99 titles. ) <113> When the reproduction key is pressed while the memory setting screen is displayed, the memory reproduction is started in the order in which the memory settings are registered.

For example, "Title 2 / Chapter 5", "Title 1 / Chapter 3" and "Title 2 / Chapter 1" are set in memory number 1, memory number 2 and memory number 3, respectively. After the number 4, no setting is made, and when the reproduction key is pressed while the memory setting screen is displayed in that state, memory reproduction is performed as follows. That is, first, "Title 2 / Chapter 5" is reproduced, then "Title 1 / Chapter 3" is reproduced, and finally "Title 2 / Chapter 1" is reproduced. When the reproduction of "Title 2 / Chapter 1" is completed, the reproduction is stopped.

<114> By pressing the clear key during the memory reproduction, the memory reproduction mode can be canceled and the normal reproduction can be directly performed.

<115> The contents set on the memory setting screen can be cleared by the following method.

(B) While the memory setting screen is displayed, all the set title numbers and chapter numbers are erased by the clear key.

(B) When the tray is opened and the disc is ejected to the outside of the apparatus. (However, in a commercial device, a non-volatile internal memory may be provided inside the device so that even if the disc is ejected, the memory settings may be saved together with a code for identifying the disc.) [Random key (RANDOM) 5 rm function] <116> When the selected title is one sequential program chain, the chapters in the title are randomly played.

<117> If this key is pressed during reproduction, random reproduction is started from the chapter next to the chapter currently being reproduced. (For example, if a random key is pressed during playback of chapter 2 of a title including chapters 1 to 9, random playback is performed when playback of chapter 3 is started, and random playback is performed, for example, in chapters 5, 3, 7, 1, and 9. Each chapter is played.

<118> If this key is pressed while stopped, random reproduction is started from the time when the reproduction key is next pressed and disk reproduction is started.

<119> After the random reproduction of all chapters in the selected title is completed, the reproduction is stopped. During this random reproduction, normally, duplicate reproduction of the same chapter number is not performed, and the reproduction order is merely randomized. However, random reproduction including duplicate reproduction may be possible, or random reproduction may be repeated in an endless loop unless the power is turned off or the stop key is pressed.

<120> By pressing the clear key during random reproduction, it is possible to cancel the memory reproduction mode and directly shift to normal reproduction.

<121> If the random key is pressed during random reproduction, the random reproduction mode is canceled.

[Function of slow key (SLOW) 5sw] <122> If the slow key is pressed during playback, slow playback of, for example, 1/2 speed is performed in the forward direction, and at the same time, the character image is displayed on the video image being played. 1
/ 2 "or the corresponding numbers / symbols are displayed.

<123> When this key is subsequently pressed, slow reproduction of, for example, ⅛ speed is performed in the forward direction. Further press, 1/16 → 1/8 → 1/2 → 1/8 → 1/1
The slow playback speed is periodically switched like 6 ...
The slow display on the video image during playback also changes correspondingly.

<124> When the slow key is pressed while the reproducing operation is temporarily stopped (by the operation of the temporary stop key), for example, 1/16 slow speed reproduction is performed. After that, the way the slow keys work is the same as above.

<125> When the playback key is pressed during slow playback, normal playback starts.

<126> When the title is changed during the slow playback, the slow playback mode is canceled and the normal playback is started.

<127> The slow key operation is invalid during the VOBU still reproduction in the cell reproduction mode.

<128> Normally, no sound is reproduced during slow reproduction, but the pitch of audio data may be changed according to the reproduction speed.

[Last play key (LAST PLAY) 5tp
Function] <129> When the last play key is pressed after playback (including power failure) is interrupted by turning off the stop key or power key during disk playback, the interrupted position or a position slightly before the interrupted position Start playback.

<130> When the disc tray is opened after the stop, the memory at the reproduction interruption position can be cleared to invalidate the last play key. If the memory at the playback interruption position is not cleared and saved in the memory of the device, even after the disc is taken in and out of the tray, by pressing the Last Play key, playback will start from the position where it was interrupted or a position slightly before the interruption position. Can be restarted.

<131> When the disc has a first play program chain (auto start) and the playback is interrupted by turning off the power,
This last play key is invalid. (That is, playback starts from the first play program chain.

<132> When the reproduction is interrupted during the reproduction of the random program chain, if the number of loops of the random reproduction is stored in the device, the last play key is pressed to cause the interruption or a little before the interruption position. Playback can be restarted from the position.

[Function of setup key (SETUP) 5y] <133> Various device settings (screen size / aspect ratio setting, angle mark setting, parental lock setting, desired voice language type setting, desired It is a key that calls the setup menu for setting the subtitle language type, setting the desired menu language type, setting the auto angle mode, etc.) and is valid only while playback is stopped.

<134> If this setup key is pressed while the setup menu is displayed, the setup menu display is turned off and the playback is stopped (blue back screen).
Becomes

[Function of title number key (T) 5tt] <135> When a title number / chapter number for performing a search operation or a memory playback operation is specified, the number entered on the numeric keypad before pressing this key is the title. It is set as a number, and the number entered on the numeric keypad after pressing this key is set as the chapter number.

<136> If this title number key is pressed before the random key is pressed, random playback of titles is performed instead of random playback of chapters. For example, titles 1, 2, 3,
4 and 5 are recorded, and if you press the random number key after pressing the title number key (if the playback key is pressed while stopped), for example, titles 2, 5, 1, 4, and 3 will be randomized in title units. Playback starts.

[Function of remote controller switching key 5x] <137> The remote controller 5 of FIG.
Equipment other than the DVD video recorder shown in FIG. 52 (for example, A
It is used when switching for operation of V television or VCR. Alternatively, when one DVD video player and one DVD video recorder are installed at the same time, the D
When operating the VD video player and the DVD video recorder individually, the remote controller switching key 5x can be used to switch the operations.

The functions of the keys described above are the same as those of the DVD video player (playback-only machine), but the remote controller 5 for the DVD video recorder is further provided with keys having the following functions.

[Function of recording mode key 5rmd] <138> When this key is pressed while recording is stopped or during recording pause, MPEG2 / 8Mb is pressed each time the key is pressed.
ps → MPEG2 / 6 Mbps → MPEG2 / 4 Mbp
s → MPEG2 / 2 Mbps → MPEG1 / 2 Mbps
→ MPEG1 / 1 Mbps → automatic image quality mode (see ST226 in FIG. 76) → MPEG2 / 8 Mbps → ...
The recording mode is switched to cyclic as shown in.

If you want the quality of NTSC broadcasting studios, the recording time will be shorter, but MPEG2 / 8Mb
Select ps. Extend the recording time a little more to S-VH
If you want to obtain image quality higher than the standard mode of S-video, use MP
Select EG2 / 6 Mbps or MPEG2 / 4 Mbps. If you want to further extend the recording time and obtain image quality that is more than the triple mode of S-VHS video, MPEG2 / 2
Select Mbps. Usually VHS (or video CD)
If the image quality is good, the recording time can be further extended by selecting MPEG1 / 2 Mbps or MPEG1 / 1 Mbps.

[Function of recording key 5rec] <139> DVD-RW disc (or DVD-R disc) 10 set in the main body of FIG. 53 has free space and initial setting for recording (MPEG2 / MPE).
If the button is pressed while the G1 distinction, the recording average bit rate setting, etc.) are completed, recording starts.

When the user presses the record key without performing the initial setting, the default setting is automatically adopted as the initial setting and the recording is started.

[Function of display mode key 5dm] <140> Recordable DVD-RW disc (or D
When this key is pressed with the VD-R disc) 10 set in the main body 200 of FIG. 53, the OSD display (or the display unit 48 of the apparatus main body) is switched with the following contents each time the key is pressed: (1) Recording source (TV channel number or AV input number) + current date and time; (2) Current title set number, recorded time, remaining recordable time + average recording rate at that time; (3) Display off The above items (1) and (2) may be displayed simultaneously, as illustrated in FIG.

[Function of OSD key 5osd] <141> If this key is pressed while the MPU 30 of FIGS. 50 to 52 is outputting character (or image) data for OSD display, the OSD not desired by the user The display (eg, the warning text on the upper side of the screen in FIG. 84) disappears from the monitor screen. When this key is pressed again, the OSD data output by the MPU 30 is displayed on the monitor screen.

[Function of timer key 5tme] <142> When this key is pressed, M in FIGS.
The PU 30 outputs a timer reservation menu (including a table for specifying a desired recording channel, a reserved recording date and time, a recording mode, an average recording rate, etc. for each reserved program) on a screen of a monitor (not shown) (OSD). Program reservation settings in this menu can be made with the cursor keys 5q, numeric keys 5t,
It can be performed using the enter key 5s or the like.

<143> After the timer reservation operation is performed, the recordable DVD-RW disc (or DVD-
When the timer key 5tme and the recording key 5rec are simultaneously pressed while the R disc) 10 is set in the main body 200 of FIG. 53, the DVD video recorder of FIGS. 50 to 52 displays the reserved recording mode (timer recording standby state).
to go into.

A concrete example of timer reservation will be described later with reference to FIG.

[Function of menu edit key 5edt] <144> When this key is pressed, M in FIGS.
The PU 30 enters a user menu editing mode described later (user menu editing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 91 to 92 and FIGS. 99 to 102).

FIG. 55 is an example of a recording capacity detecting circuit for detecting the number of recording bytes of information recorded on the disk 10 by counting the number of recording bytes in the DVD video recorder of FIGS. 50 to 52 (without transfer clock). Is a block diagram showing a case). Also, FIG. 56 corresponds to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a timing diagram illustrating the timing at which the counter 31 of FIG.

DVD-recorded data formatted by the formatter 56 in the encoder section 50 shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 is composed of a plurality of data packs (1 pack is 2048 bytes) 86 arranged in a line as shown in FIG. It is composed of 91.

When the MPU 30 of FIG. 55 instructs recording of the DVD recording data via the MPU bus, the data processor section 36 sends a request signal RS requesting the transfer of the data PD of the data pack to the encoder section 50 ( (Upper side of FIG. 56). The encoder unit 50 (formatter 56) that has received the request signal RS outputs an acknowledge signal AS that confirms that the request has been received to the data processor unit 36 (lower side in FIG. 56). At the same time as the output of this acknowledge signal AS, the encoder unit 50
The (formatter 56) transfers 1-byte data PD to the data processor unit 36. That is, the encoder unit 50 (formatter 56) transmits the acknowledge signal AS of one pulse every time one byte is transferred to the data processor unit 36.
Is output.

This acknowledge signal AS is sent to the counter 31.
Entered in. The counter 31 counts up by 1 at the rising edge of the signal AS (trigger point ta in FIG. 56) and holds the contents after the count up. Counter 3
The contents of 1 are returned to the MPU 30 via the MPU bus.

The MPU 30 determines the encoder unit 50 (formatter 5) according to the contents (count value) of the counter 31.
The number of bytes transferred from 6) to the data processor 36 (that is, the number of bytes recorded on the disk 10) is detected. The number of data (the number of bytes) transferred to the data processor unit 36 becomes the data capacity recorded on the disc 10. In addition, the free space of the disk 10 (VMGI in FIG. 21)
FREE_SPACE in _MAT or RE in FIG. 26
By subtracting the recording data capacity (count value byte) from the capacity written in FREE_SPACE in C_MAT, the remaining capacity of the disk 10 (indicating how many more bytes can be recorded) can be known. Further, if this remaining capacity is divided by the average recording bit rate, the remaining time of the disk 10 (indicates a predicted value of how much time can be recorded)
I understand.

FIG. 57 is another example of the recording capacity detection circuit for detecting the number of recording bytes of the information recorded on the disc of FIG. 1 by counting the number of recording bytes in the DVD video recorder of FIGS. 50 to 52 ( FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a case (with a transfer clock). Also, FIG.
FIG. 6 is a timing diagram for explaining the timing when the counter of FIG.

FIG. 57 shows an example in which the transfer clock signal CK is output from the encoder section 50 every time the pack data PD is transferred from the encoder section 50 to the data processor section 36.

That is, when the data processor unit 36 sends a request signal (upper side in FIG. 58) to the encoder unit 50 in accordance with an instruction from the MPU 30, the encoder unit 50
Sends an acknowledge signal AS (see FIG. 5) to the data processor unit 36.
Return (8 inside). This acknowledge signal AS is
It is a gate signal that does not occur every 1-byte transfer but becomes active during the transfer period of the number of bytes to be transferred. The transfer clock signal CK (lower side in FIG. 58) output from the encoder unit 50 is sent to the data processor unit 36 as a byte transfer synchronization signal.

The acknowledge signal AS is applied to the first input of the OR gate 33 as a gate signal. This O
The transfer clock signal C is applied to the second input of the R gate 33.
K is given. Then, the OR gate 33 keeps the rising edge of the transfer clock signal CK (FIG. 5) during the period when the acknowledge signal AS is active (logical “0”).
Count up to 8 multiple trigger points tb),
Holds the contents after counting up. The content of the counter 31 is returned to the MPU 30 via the MPU bus.

The MPU 30 detects the number of bytes (the number of recording bytes) transferred from the encoder section 50 to the data processor section 36 by the content (count value) of the counter 31. The content (count value) of the counter 31 becomes the data capacity recorded on the disk 10. Also, disk 1
If you subtract (count value byte) from the free space of 0,
The remaining capacity of the disk 10 is known. Further, if the remaining capacity is divided by the average recording bit rate, the remaining time of the disk 10 can be known.

FIG. 59 is a block diagram for explaining a case where the recording / reproducing function of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 is realized by using a general-purpose personal computer. The personal computer 1000 shown in FIG. 59 may be configured with dedicated hardware, but may be configured with a general-purpose general-purpose personal computer.

That is, the personal computer 100
0 internal bus 1002 has a main CPU 1004, a basic input / output system ROM (BIOS / ROM) 100
8, main memory 1010, video memory 1012, floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FDD) 10
22, keyboard I / O device 1024, mouse I /
An O device 1026, a communication I / O device 1028, etc. are connected. A cache memory 1006 is directly connected to the main CPU 1004 via a dedicated high speed bus.

The internal bus 1002 of the personal computer 1000 is provided with a plurality of general-purpose bus slots (not shown). In these slots, a scan interface (SCSI board) 1014, a DVD processing board 1030, a video I / O device (video card) 1
032, an audio I / O device (audio card) 1034, etc. are inserted.

The SCSI type board 1014 has an SC
An SI hard disk drive (HDD) 1018 and a SCSI type DVD-ROM / DVD-RAM compatible drive 1020 are connected (drive 10
20 may also be CD compatible).

A high resolution bitmap display (analog RGB type) 6 is connected to the video card 1032, and a speaker 8 of a two-channel stereo pair is connected to the audio card 1034 (the card 1034 has a built-in power amplifier). If not, a power amplifier is built in the speaker 8 or a stereo amplifier (not shown) is inserted between the card 1034 and the speaker 8).

The DVD processing board 1030 of FIG. 59 incorporates the hardware corresponding to the devices 38, 50 and 60 of FIGS. 50 to 52. The disk drive 32 of FIGS. 50 to 52 is the DVDROM / RAM of FIG.
It corresponds to the drive 1020.

A part of the storage area of the memory 1010 or 1012 of FIG. 59 is used as the temporary storage unit 34 (or 34A / 34B) of FIG. 50 to FIG. 52, the buffer memory 57, or the memory 63 of the separator, if necessary. It is possible to use.

Further, the hard disk 1018 of FIG.
Part of the temporary storage unit 34 (or 3
4A / 34B). If the hard disk 1018 is a few gigabytes (eg 3 ...
In the case of a large-capacity disk of 5 GB, a predetermined area (for example, 2.6 GB) in this disk is partitioned, and it is virtual DVD-RAM (or DVD
It can also be handled as a -RW or DVD-R) disc 10.

The DVD video recorder main body 200 of FIG.
The function of the operation key of can be assigned to a keyboard (not shown) connected to the keyboard I / O device 1024 of FIG. Further, the functions of various keys (buttons, cursors) of the remote controller 5 of FIG.
Keyboard I / O device 102 connected to the keyboard I / O device 1024 or mouse I / O device 102
Mouse or communication I / O not shown connected to 6
It can be assigned to an external controller (not shown) connected to the device 1028.

Typical data processing in the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 is recording (including variable bit rate recording of moving images and fixed bit rate recording of audio or sub-picture) and reproduction (reading) processing. There is special processing.

[0606] As the above recording processing, normal recording (see Fig. 6) is performed.
0, FIG. 79) and timer reserved recording (FIGS. 75 to 78).

Most of the above-mentioned reproduction processing is the same as the processing of the DVD video player (processing corresponding to the key operation of the remote controller 5 in FIG. 54), but the present invention is DV.
Since it relates to the D-video recorder, there is also a reproduction process unique to the present invention. That is, a reproduction flag (read flag) setting process for a recording program (video title set VTS) that has been reproduced once, and an archive flag setting process for a recording program (VTS) that is not desired to be erased (desired to be permanently saved). (Figs. 81 to 8
3, FIG. 89 to FIG. 90).

[0606] Further, as the special processing, a recording disk remaining capacity monitoring processing (Fig. 62), a display processing when the remaining capacity is small (Figs. 63 and 64), and a specific program in the recorded disk are included. Disk rearrangement process to increase the free disk space by selectively erasing (Figs. 65 to 67)
A disk exchange process (Figs. 71 to 74) for exchanging the recording disc when the disc is used up during recording, a process for setting an average recording rate for recording (Fig. 68), and a video recording mode. (MPEG2 or MPEG1
69) for switching MPEG, a dummy insertion stop process (FIG. 70) for increasing the remaining capacity of the disc when the remaining capacity of the disc becomes insufficient during recording, and after normal recording (FIG. 79). A process of initializing the reproduced flag and the archive flag (FIG. 80), a user menu editing process (FIGS. 91 to 92), a user menu file automatic creation process (FIG. 93), and a search process using the user menu ( 94 to 95) and processing (FIGS. 96 to 98) at the time of reproducing the user menu.

Hereinafter, FIGS. 60 to 83 and 89 to 9 will be described.
The recording process, the reproduction process, and the special process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the monitor display examples of FIGS. 84 to 88, and the user menu explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 99 to 102.

FIG. 60 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the recording operation of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52.

First, when a recording command is received from the remote controller 5 or the timer reservation program, FIG.
~ The MPU 30 shown in FIG.
DVD-RAM (or DVD that is set there)
-R) The management data of the disk 10 (control information DA21 of FIGS. 3 to 5 or VMGI of FIG. 6) is read (step ST10).

Free space information in the read management data (FREE_SPACE in REC_MAT in FIG. 26 or FREE_SPAC in VMGI_MAT in FIG. 21)
From E), it is determined whether or not the set disk 10 has free space (step ST12).

When the content of the free space information (FREE_SPACE) is zero or substantially zero (the disk is full in a few seconds even when recording is started) (NO in step ST12), the monitor TV screen (not shown) displays
The OSD display of the content such as "There is no recording space" is output (step ST14). At this time, FIG.
In a part of the display section 48 of the apparatus main body 200 as shown in
"NO R" which means the same as "no recording space"
The display "EC SPACE" may be displayed.

When there is free space, for example, FREE_
When SPACE indicates 150 Mbytes or more, which is equivalent to a recording time of about 5 minutes in MPEG2 recording with an average of 4 Mbps, the next processing is performed. In this case (step ST12
Yes), determine the write address to the set disk 10 (the head position of the empty space), and set the MPU 30
Register "FreeAr" in the RAM of
A free space value corresponding to the free space information (FREE_SPACE) read from the management data of the disk 10 is written (step ST16).

Here, the "free space value" written in the register "FreeAr" is the size of one logical sector in FIG. 2 or one pack in FIGS. 12 to 20.
48 bytes are represented as one unit of recording.

The disc 10 is configured to record data in a normal file format, and a file allocation table (FAT) is used to manage the recorded contents.
If there is no free space information as described above, FAT
It is also possible to read the number of unused clusters (the number of unused blocks) from this and multiply this by the number of bytes of one cluster (one block) to calculate the free space of the disk.

Then, writing is performed in the management area of the set disk 10 (step ST18). For example, the video title set VTS corresponding to the program to be recorded is registered in the video manager information VMGI,
Create a file for this VTS.

Specifically, at step ST18, if it is the first recording for the disc 10,
VTS # 1 in FIG. 6 is registered and its related files (see FIG.
0 of each file in the VTS directory) is created. If VTS # 1 has already been recorded on the disc 10 and there is free space remaining on the disc 10,
Registration of VTS # 2 and its related file creation are performed in step ST18.

Next, initial settings for recording are made (step ST20). In this initial setting, FIGS.
Initialization of each encoder (53 to 55) (setting of average transfer rate of V encoder 53, that is, average recording rate, etc.), reset of system time counter STC38,
Setting of the write start address to the disk drive 32, initialization of the formatter 56 (dummy pack insertion setting, P
The setting of the GC break mode, the setting of the PGC break time, the setting of the cell break time, etc.) and the like (reset of the counter in FIG. 55 or FIG. 57) are performed.

As the PGC break mode, as described above with reference to FIGS. 39 to 43, various modes (source mode,
There are time cutoff mode, marker key mode, user action mode, image sudden change mode, etc.). If the time division mode (FIG. 40) is selected, the division time interval is also set in the initial setting of step ST20.

When the recording initial setting (ST20) is completed, the recording start setting is made (step ST22). As a result, a recording start command is sent from the MPU 30 to each of the encoders (53 to 55) in the encoder section 50, and recording in the free space of the disk 10 set in the disk drive 32 is started.

Thereafter, when there is a recording end input (when the user instructs recording end or the timer reservation program issues a recording end command) (YES in step ST24), recording end processing (step ST34) is executed, The recording process of FIG. 60 ends.

Here, in the recording end processing of step ST34, initialization of each encoder (53 to 55) of FIGS. 50 to 52 (returning the recording rate to the default setting value, etc.) and initialization of the formatter 56 (various types). Write settings related to video manager information (such as setting settings back to default) (see FIG. 21).
Or the content update of FREE_SPACE in FIG. 26),
Writing regarding video title set information (such as updating the contents of PGCI in FIG. 4 or FIG. 32) is included.

If there is no input to end recording (NO in step ST24), and the recording is continuing, the remaining capacity calculation process (see FIG. 62) of the disk 10 being recorded is executed in parallel with the recording operation (step ST26). . In this process, when the remaining capacity of the disk 10 falls below a predetermined value (remaining capacity monitoring process; “1” is set in the minimum capacity flag of FIG. 62), the remaining capacity becomes low (see FIG. 63). )to go into.

After the processing in step ST26 (remaining capacity calculation processing, remaining capacity monitoring processing, remaining capacity small processing) is completed, if the program chain being recorded changes (YES in step ST28), the change point (break of PGC). Address) is stored in the internal work memory of the MPU 30 as the PGC partition information described in FIG. 51 or 52 (step ST30). The contents stored in the work memory (PGC information) are recorded in the recording end process (step ST3).
4) At the time, it is used to create the program chain information PGCI.

After the above processing, the disc 1 being recorded is recorded.
When there is no more recordable capacity in 0 (YES in step ST32; step ST4 in FIG. 63)
22B, the remaining time is zero), and the above-mentioned step ST34
The recording end process is started.

[0625] As a result of the processing in step ST26, when there is still a recordable capacity in the recording disk 10 (NO in step ST32), there is a recording end input (step ST24 YES) until there is no remaining capacity ( The loop of steps ST24 to ST32 is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 61 is a view for explaining the processing procedure of various processing executed during the recording operation of FIG.

The first interrupt is generated by the interrupt to the data processor 36 that the 1-pack transfer is completed.

When this interrupt is entered, the interrupt factor is checked first. The interrupt factor counts up the number of recording packs (incrementing recording packs; RECpa
ck ++), the counter 3 in FIG. 55 or FIG.
The count-up process of 1 is executed.

In the case where there is no navigation pack in the data structure of FIGS. 3 to 5 (see FIG. 103), the timer count of the STC 38 and its count value are displayed (reproduction time) at regular time intervals (for example, every 1 second). Display of progress)
The interrupt of the process that executes is executed.

FIG. 62 is a flow chart for explaining the processing for monitoring the remaining recordable capacity left on the recording target disc. This process is performed by step ST26 in FIG.
Corresponding to.

First, the contents of the register FreeAr set in step ST16 of FIG. 60 are updated.

That is, the number of recording packs is subtracted from the free space set in the register FreeAr before the current recording is started. This "free space-number of recording packs"
Is the free space remaining in the disk 10 being recorded at that time. The remaining free capacity is reset in the register FreeAr as the remaining capacity. Then register F
The content of reeAr becomes information indicating the remaining capacity that monotonically decreases as the recording progresses.

Note that the above-mentioned number of recording packs is obtained by dividing the cumulative number of recording bytes counted by the counter 31 of FIG. 55 or 57 by 2048 bytes of one pack size when the processing is performed by hardware. . That is, “the number of recording packs = the cumulative number of recording bytes / 2048 bytes”.

In the case of software processing, the RECpack obtained by the interrupt processing for each pack as shown in FIG. 61 becomes a recording pack.

If the content (remaining capacity) of the register FreeAr is not less than a predetermined value (step ST422 in FIG. 62).
A No) The minimum capacity flag is set to "0" (step ST424A), and when this remaining capacity falls below a predetermined value (step ST422A Yes), the minimum capacity flag is set to "1" (step ST426A).

The "predetermined value" in step ST422A does not always have to be fixed to a constant value, but in the example of FIG.
When MPEG2 is recorded at an average bit rate of 4 Mbps, 150 Mbytes, which corresponds to about 5 minutes, is adopted as the predetermined value.

That is, the average bit rate is 4 Mbps and M
When continuing the PEG2 recording, if the minimum capacity flag is 0, it is expected that more than 5 minutes of recording will be possible, and when the minimum capacity flag becomes 1, the recording disk 10 is used up within 5 minutes. It is expected that it will end up. (Since MPEG2 recording is variable bit rate recording, an error occurs in the remaining recordable time calculated from the average bit rate. That is, step ST in FIG. 62.
Even if the remaining capacity of 420A is accurate, the remaining recordable time varies depending on the subsequent recording contents, so that it is not so accurate to predict whether the remaining recordable time is 5 minutes. These 5 minutes are just a guide. FIG. 63 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the remaining capacity small processing executed according to the result of the remaining capacity monitoring processing of FIG. 62 (contents of the minimum capacity flag). Also, in FIG.
Shows an example of a display on the monitor TV screen, such as a warning display when the disc being recorded is running low, the average recording rate and the remaining recordable time at that rate, and the like.

If the minimum capacity flag in FIG. 62 is "0" (YES in step ST420B), the disc 1 being recorded is recorded.
Since there is still remaining capacity in 0, the processing in FIG.
Move to the next processing.

When this minimum capacity flag is "1" (NO in step ST420B), it is determined that the disk 10 being recorded is almost full. In this case, the free space written in the register FreeAr at that time (2048 bytes as one unit of recording) × 204
8 bytes divided by the average bit rate at that time (512 kbytes / sec which is 4 Mbps byte conversion),
It becomes the expected "remaining time" (step ST422).
B).

The MPU 30 of FIGS. 50 to 52 uses the “remaining time” calculated in step ST422B and the average transfer rate (recording bit rate) set in step ST20 of FIG. 60 to determine “remaining at 4 Mbps. Time is about 5 minutes. "Or, assuming that 4 Mbps is equivalent to standard image quality," remaining time is about 5 in standard image quality mode.
The content such as "It's minutes" is displayed on the monitor TV by OSD. At that time, the TV channel number being recorded and the recording date and time may be simultaneously displayed in the OSD. Furthermore, step ST42
At the same time as the OSD display of 4B, a warning message (see the upper part of the monitor screen of FIG. 84) notifying the user how to continue recording may be OSD displayed.

The above-mentioned warning text and other OSD display contents can be written in advance in the ROM in the MPU 30 shown in FIGS.

If the number of recording packs written at every predetermined time is A and the previous number of recording packs written at every predetermined time immediately before the writing of A is B, then in the variable bit rate MPEG recording, every moment. The instantaneous value of the recording rate that can be changed can be obtained from the absolute value of [AB] (unit is pack; 1 pack is 2048 bytes = 16384 bits). Specifically, the predetermined time is T
If it is (seconds), the absolute value of [AB] × 16384 ÷ T
The recording rate (bps) at the moment can be calculated from (seconds). The "remaining time" may be calculated by using this instantaneous recording rate instead of the average recording rate. In this case, the remaining time does not always decrease monotonically with the progress of recording due to the change of the pattern during recording. However, it is possible to calculate the remaining time and notify the user or the like by using this instantaneous recording rate.

FIG. 64 is a flow chart for explaining another example of the remaining capacity small processing executed according to the result of the remaining capacity monitoring processing (contents of the minimum capacity flag) of FIG.

When the minimum capacity flag of FIG. 62 is "1" (NO in step ST420C), the disc 10 being recorded is recorded.
Is determined to be full soon. In this case, FIG.
The MPU 30 shown in FIG. 52 is the disk replacement indicator “DI” provided on the display unit 48 of the apparatus main body 200 shown in FIG.
"SK TO BE CHANGED" is turned on (illuminated by a backlight and continuously lit or blinked) (step ST422C). At the same time, the MPU 30 displays an OSD warning message (see the upper part of the monitor screen in FIG. 84) prompting the user to replace the disk (step ST4).
26C).

If the minimum capacity flag is "0" (YES in step ST420C), it is determined that the disk 10 being recorded is still recordable. In this case, the MPU 30 shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 uses the disk replacement indicator “DISK” provided on the display unit 48 of the apparatus main body 200 shown in FIG.
"TO BE CHANGED" is turned off (step ST424C).

[0646] Step ST426C or ST42
After the processing of 2C is executed, the processing of FIG. 64 ends, and the process proceeds to the next processing.

FIG. 65 is a disk rearrangement process (process on the MPU side) for deleting the reproduced data (data that has been reproduced up to the end in the past) from the recording target disc among the processes of the disc remaining amount of FIG. 60. ) Is a flowchart for explaining the above. Further, FIG. 87 shows an example of a dialog box displayed on the monitor during disk organization (during data deletion).

When the minimum capacity flag in FIG. 62 is "0" (YES in step ST420D), the disc 1 being recorded is recorded.
Since 0 still has the remaining capacity, the processing of FIG.
Move to the next processing.

If the minimum capacity flag is "1" (NO in step ST420D), it is determined that the disk 10 being recorded is almost full. In this case, MPU30
Pops up a dialog box (a kind of setup menu) as shown in FIG. 87 on the monitor screen of FIG.

When the user looking at the upper left dialog box in FIG. 87 turns on the end key 5end of the remote controller 5 in FIG. 54, the process in FIG. 65 ends and the process shifts to the next process (this process in FIG. Not shown in the flow chart).

When the user looking at the upper left dialog box in FIG. 87 turns on the enter key 5s of the remote controller 5 in FIG. 54, the disk organization mode is entered and an OSD display such as "Disk organization" is performed ( Step ST421D).

Thereafter, a disk organization command is issued to the disk drive 32 shown in FIGS. 50 to 42 (step ST4).
22D), until the processing on the side of the disk drive 32 is completed, the OSD display having the contents illustrated in the upper right of FIG.

The processing on the disk drive 32 side (disk organization mode 1) is as shown in FIG. 66, for example.

First, from the disc 10 set in the disc drive 32, the directory record (FIG. 11) of each file recorded therein or the management table of each video title set (VTSI_MA in FIG. 24) is recorded.
T) or the reproduction control information DA211 in FIG. 4 is read (step ST4220D in FIG. 66).

[0655] Next, it is determined whether or not the read directory record has a read flag "1" indicating that reproduction has been completed (or PLAY_E indicating that reproduction has been completed in the read video title set information management table VTSI_MAT).
Whether or not there is an ND Flag “1”, or FIG.
End reproduction flag in the reproduction management table PLY_MAT of
1 "or whether the PGCI has a reproduction end flag" 1 ") is checked (step ST4221D).

[0656] Read flag "1" or reproduced flag "
If there is even one 1 "(YES in step ST4221D), the disk drive 32 (specifically, the drive 32
(Not shown in the figure) is a file with a read flag "1" or a reproduced flag "1" or V
Set TS or PGC to the deleted state (step S
T4222D). Then, the status of deleted file, deleted VTS, or deleted PGC is set as the status (step ST4223D), and this status is shown in FIG.
~ Output to MPU 30 in FIG. 52 (step ST422)
5D).

Note that the contents of the file or VTS put in the deleted state in step ST4222D are not yet actually erased at that point, but are simply overwritable. When the recording is continued thereafter, the recorded data is overwritten in the deleted data area. By this overwrite, the deleted file or VTS is actually erased.
If deleted, the file management data (VMGI, V
TSI or control information CTRI = DA21 in FIG. 3) is updated.

On the other hand, when there is no read flag "1" or reproduction completed flag "1" (step ST4221).
D no), no deleted file, no deleted VTS, or no deleted PGC is set as the status (step ST4).
224D), this status is indicated by the MPU of FIGS.
It outputs to 30 (step ST4225D).

The MPU 30 of FIGS. 50 to 52 receives the status (ST422 of FIG. 40) from the disk drive 32.
5D) is sent (NO in step ST424D of FIG. 65). Upon receiving this status (YES in step ST424D), the MPU 30 can detect whether there is deleted data (deleted file or deleted VTS or deleted PGC) from the contents of the status.

[0660] If there is deleted data (step ST4
25D), the MPU 30 recalculates the remaining recordable time of the disc 10 set in the disc drive 32 at that time (step ST426D).
This remaining time recalculation is performed by step ST422B in FIG.
The calculation is performed in the same way as the calculation of the remaining time performed in.

Thereafter, the OSD display having the contents exemplified in the lower right part of FIG. 87 is made (step ST427D).

If there is deleted data in step ST425D, the free space of the disk 10 increases by the deleted data, and the recalculated remaining time becomes longer than that before the data deletion. In this case, the remaining time OSD before organizing the disc
The display (for example, 5 minutes at 4 Mbps) is corrected in the increasing direction (for example, the display "5 minutes at 4 Mbps" is corrected to the display "6 minutes 15 seconds at 4 Mbps").

On the other hand, when there is no deleted data in step ST425D (NO in step ST425D), the remaining time is not recalculated, and the OSD display of the remaining time according to the remaining capacity at that time (for example, 5 minutes at 4 Mbps) is performed. )But,
This is done in step ST427D. For the remaining time OSD display (5 minutes at 4 Mbps) in this case, the calculation result in step ST422B in FIG. 63 can be used.

When the disc organization is completed, the dialog box for organizing the disc is erased and the video image being reproduced or broadcast is displayed on the monitor screen, as illustrated in the lower left part of FIG.

FIG. 67 shows another example (modification of FIG. 66) of the disk drive processing of FIG. 65, which deletes unnecessary data from the recording target disk on the disk drive side.

The processing (disk organization mode 2) on the disk drive 32 side shown in FIG. 67 is as follows.

First, from the disc 10 set in the disc drive 32, the directory record (FIG. 11) of each file recorded therein or the management table of each video title set (VTSI_MA in FIG. 24) is recorded.
T) is read (step ST4230D).

[0668] Next, it is determined whether or not the read directory record has a read flag "1" indicating that reproduction has been completed (or PLAY_E indicating that reproduction has been completed in the read video title set information management table VTSI_MAT).
Whether or not there is an ND Flag “1”, or FIG.
End reproduction flag in the reproduction management table PLY_MAT of
1 "or whether the PGCI has a reproduction end flag" 1 ") is checked (step ST4231D).

Read flag "1" or reproduced flag "
If there is even one "1" (YES in step ST4231D), the read directory record or video title set information management table VTSI_MAT contains
It is checked whether there is an archive flag "1" indicating permanent storage (or erroneous erasure prevention) (step ST4232D).

[0670] Read flag "1" or reproduced flag "
There is even one "1" (YES in step ST4231D), and the read flag "1" or the reproduced flag "
1 "files or VTSs are all archive flags"
If it is not 1 "(that is, the archive flag is"
(If there is at least one 0 ") (step ST4232)
D No), the disk drive 32 performs the following processing. That is, the disk drive 32 sets the file or VTS whose read flag or reproduced flag is "1" and whose archive flag is "0" to the deleted state (step ST4233D). Then, the presence of a deleted file or the presence of a deleted VTS is set as the status (step ST4234D), and this status is shown in FIG.
~ Output to MPU 30 of FIG. 52 (step ST423)
6D).

On the other hand, when there is no file or VTS having the read flag "1" or the reproduced flag "1" (NO in step ST4231D), or even if the read flag or the reproduced flag is "1", the file or If all archive flags of VTS are set to "1" (YES in step ST4232D), there is no deleted file or no deleted VTS (step ST4235D), and this status is shown in FIGS.
To the MPU 30 (step ST4236D).

[0672] Recording on the disk 10 is suspended while the disks are organized in Figs. Meanwhile, FIGS.
The recording program (for example, TV broadcast program) input to the second DVD video recorder continues to be recorded in the temporary storage unit 34 (or 34A or 34B).

[0673] The disk organization shown in Figs. 65 to 67 is completed,
When the free space of the disk 10 increases and it becomes possible to continue recording on the disk 10, recording on the disk 10 is started while reading the contents stored in the temporary storage unit 34 (or 34A or 34B). For example, when the disk rearranging of FIG. 65 is started at 9:58:30 on December 12, 1997, the disk rearranging is completed at 9:58:49, and the recording is restarted at 9:58:50. To do. In this case, the temporary storage unit 34 (or 34
The recording program after 9:58:30 stored in A or 34B) is continuously recorded on the disk 10.

In this case, the temporary storage section 34 functions as a recording time shift means for 20 seconds. That is, even if the actual recording program ends at 10:00:00, recording on the disk 10 is continued until 10:00:20. As a result, even if a recording blank (20 seconds) occurs due to the disk rearranging process from 9:58:30 to 9:58:50, the contents broadcast during that time will not be interrupted at 10:00:00. All programs that have finished at 00 seconds can be recorded.

Alternatively, if the disk drive 32 of FIGS. 50 to 52 is of a type capable of high-speed recording, the delay of the time consumed for disk organization is recovered during the remaining recording time (to catch up with the normal recording pace). ) It may be possible. In this case, for example, it becomes possible to end the recording on the disk 10 at the same time as the end of the actual recording program.

[0676] From 9:58:30 to 9: 58: 5
Recording is continued with a recording blank of 20 seconds until 0 seconds, and after the end of the broadcast at 10:00:00, the temporary storage unit 3
9 stored in 4 (or 34A or 34B)
The broadcast program from the hour 58 minutes 30 seconds to the time 9:58 minutes 30 seconds may be recorded in the margin of the disc 10.

In this case, when the recording is interrupted at 9:58:30, the last VOBU85 navigation pack DSI packet (FIG. 13) is recorded in the margin of the disk 10 from 9:58:30 to 9:59. The start address of the first VOBU during the time of 58 minutes and 50 seconds is written (by the automatic processing by the MPU 30). Similarly, disk 1
In the DSI of the navigation pack of the last VOBU recorded from 9:58:30 to 9:58:50 recorded in the blank space of 0, the first VO of the recording after 9:58:50 is recorded.
The start address of BU is written (by automatic processing by MPU 30).

Then, immediately after the disk reproduction up to 9:58:30 is completed, the VOBU additionally recorded in the margin of the disk 10 is reproduced from 9:58:30. Then, 9 is additionally recorded in the margin of the disc 10.
Immediately after the reproduction up to hour 58:50 is completed, the VOBU recorded from another location on the disc 10 from 9:58:50 to 10:00:00 is reproduced.

In other words, each video object unit V
If the OBU has a control pack called Navigation Pack 86 at its head, this Navigation Pack 86
Contains data search information (DSI) that enables data search in units of video object units VOBU.

[0680] The above-mentioned "joining reproduction of recording programs which have become discontinuous in time" is DV
The recorded data handled by the D-video recorder is recorded in the navigation pack 86 including the data search information DSI as a recording unit (V
This is an advantage obtained when always held at the beginning of (OBU). Moreover, since the recording medium 10 of the present invention is a disk, the access time can be shortened even if the recording locations are physically separated, so the above-mentioned "joining reproduction of recording programs which have become discontinuous in time". When doing, there is no need to wait so much that the user is annoyed at the juncture.
(If access to the disk drive 32 becomes faster,
It is also possible for the user not to notice the connection. ) FIG. 68 is a flowchart illustrating processing for changing the recording rate (average bit rate) of recording (MPEG2) according to desired image quality. This recording rate changing process
In step ST20 of "Initial setting for recording" of FIG. 60, the user manually sets. In addition, FIG.
An example of the dialog box displayed by OSD on a monitor screen when changing the average bit rate of recording is shown.

The user selects the remote controller 5 shown in FIG.
It is assumed that, for example, the menu key 5n and the OSD key 5osd among the keys are pressed simultaneously. In response to this key combination, a dialog box as illustrated on the left side of FIG. 85 pops up on the monitor screen of FIG. 84 (step ST420E).

[0682] Here, when the enter key 5s of the remote controller 5 is pressed, the dialog box on the left side of Fig. 85 disappears, and instead, the selectable bit rate is OSD-displayed as a "recording bit rate change menu". (Step ST421E). When the end key 5end of the remote controller 5 is pressed, the dialog box on the left side of FIG. 85 disappears and the state before the process of FIG. 68 is resumed.

The recording bit rate change menu is high for the edit image quality mode 1 which uses the highest bit rate (8 Mbps) in order to minimize the image quality deterioration due to the dubbing edit, and for the recording purpose in which the dubbing is not repeated. Bit rate that guarantees recording quality (6Mbp
High quality mode 2 which uses s) and a bit rate (4 Mbp) that can obtain sufficient image quality for normal recording purposes.
s) standard recording mode 3 and a bit rate (2 Mbp that enables long-term recording with some deterioration in image quality)
s) is used for a long time mode 4.

When the user uses the cursor key 5q of the remote controller 5 to move the cursor to one of modes 1 to 4 and presses the enter key 5s, the bit rate of the mode at the cursor position at that time is MPEG2.
Selected as the average recording rate for recording.

The bit rate before entering the processing of FIG. 68 is, for example, 4 Mbps, and the user has step ST421.
It is assumed that the long time mode (2 Mbps) is selected in the menu of E. In this case, a bit rate different from the current one has been selected (step ST422E, Yes), and therefore FIG.
The average transfer rate (recording bit rate) of the V encoder 53 in FIG. 52 is set to the selected long-time mode rate (2M
bps) (step ST423E). Then, the estimated remaining time corresponding to the current free space is calculated at the changed bit rate (2 Mbps) (step ST424E). This calculation is performed in step ST of FIG.
The calculation is performed similarly to the remaining time calculation in 422B.

When the calculation result of the remaining time at the changed bit rate (2 Mbps) is obtained, as shown in the dialog box on the right side of FIG. 85, the changed bit rate (2 Mbps) is displayed.
bps), and the remaining time (predicted value) is displayed by OSD (step ST425E). This OSD display is
It is generated instead of erasing the menu in step ST421E, and can be configured to automatically disappear after a lapse of a fixed time (for example, 10 seconds). Alternatively,
Although it does not disappear automatically, the dialog box in FIG. 85 can be erased at any timing by pressing the OSD key 5osd of the remote controller 5 in FIG.

If the user is informed beforehand of the correspondence between the average recording rate and the image quality mode (see the instruction manual of the DVD video recorder and / or step S).
(T421E menu display), step ST425E
The OSD generated in step 1 may be something like "remaining time in long-time mode ..." Without using the numerical value of the average bit rate.

It is to be noted that the bit rate before entering the processing of FIG.
When the standard recording mode (4 Mbps) is selected in the menu of 421E, it means that the same bit rate as the current state is selected (NO in step ST422E), and the menu of step ST421E disappears (before that, the dialog box in FIG. 68) and returns to the state before entering the processing of FIG. 68 (for example, step ST20 of FIG. 60).

FIG. 69 shows the remaining capacity of the disc being recorded in the high image quality mode (MPEG2) in the processing of FIG.
When there is a shortage compared to the remaining recording time, the recording mode is set to a low image quality mode (MPEG
It is a flowchart explaining the process switched to 1).

[0690] First, the remaining capacity is calculated by the same method as in step ST420A of Fig. 62 (step ST420).
F). The calculated remaining capacity is a predetermined value (for example, 150M
If it is equal to or larger than the byte or a value corresponding to it (NO in step ST422F), recording is continued with high quality MPEG2 (step ST424F).

On the other hand, the calculated remaining capacity is the predetermined value (15
When 0 MB is cut (YES in step ST422F), the recording mode (moving image compression method) is changed from MPEG2 to MPEG1, and recording is continued (step ST426F). Although the image quality of MPEG1 is lower than that of MPEG2, the compression rate can be made higher than that of MPEG2, so that recording can be performed for a longer time with the same capacity.

[0692] The method of extending the recording time by lowering the average bit rate while fixing the recording mode to MPEG2 and the method of extending the recording time by switching the recording mode from MPEG2 to MPEG1 result in There is a difference in reproduced image quality.

That is, according to the DVD video standard, even if the average bit rate is lowered in MPEG2, NT
The horizontal resolution of 500 can be secured with SC, but MPEG1
Switching to, the horizontal resolution is almost halved. If the same recording area is consumed per unit time, MPEG2 with a lower average bit rate may result in better image quality than using MPEG1 with a higher average bit rate. There is.

For example, a certain high-quality program is set to a few
1 master disc (first recording disc) or 5 to 1
A high bit rate (6
~ 8 Mbps). Then, using the personal computer shown in FIG. 59, edit the master disk (C
M cut, unnecessary commentary cut, etc.) and bit rate reduction processing for 1 to 2 passes (encoder unit 50 in FIG. 50)
The pre-encoding described in the above section) is performed to reduce the average bit rate to 2-3 Mbps. That way, the image quality of the master disk will not be significantly degraded (ie 500
While maintaining the horizontal resolution of the book), the recorded contents of the two or three master disks can be combined into one child disk. Creating such high-quality child discs requires MPE
With G1 this is not possible (ie the high resolution of the master is not maintained).

On the other hand, if the recording time is more important than the image quality (the entire long-time sports program is recorded as one DV
The pre-encoded moving image data may be recorded by MPEG1 such as by putting it on a D-RW disc.

FIG. 70 shows a dummy when the remaining capacity of the disk 10 becomes insufficient as compared with the remaining recording time during the recording of the moving image together with the editing dummy pack in the processing of FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of stopping recording of a pack and expanding the moving image recording area by that amount.

First, the remaining capacity is calculated by the same method as in step ST420A of FIG. 62 (step ST420).
G). The calculated remaining capacity is a predetermined value (for example, 150M
If it is equal to or larger than the byte or a value corresponding to it (NO in step ST422G), the dummy pack is inserted into each video object unit VOBU (85 in FIG. 12 or FIG. 103) and recording is continued by, for example, MPEG2 (step ST424G).

On the other hand, the calculated remaining capacity is the predetermined value (15
When 0 MB is cut (YES in step ST422F), the insertion of the dummy pack into each VOBU is stopped and the recording is continued (step ST426G).

Here, the average bit rate of recording is 4 Mb.
ps is set, and the average time of the recording contents stored in each VOBU 85 in FIG. 12 (or FIG. 103) is 0.5.
Assuming seconds, an average of 2 Mbits (256 kbytes) of data is consumed per VOBU. VOBU
Since the size of each pack forming 85 is 2048 bytes (2 kbytes), one VOBU is composed of 128 packs on average (the number of packs forming each VOBU varies greatly depending on the picture to be recorded. It is an approximate average value).

As described above with reference to FIG. 16, the dummy pack is a pack such as a wild card which can be an audio pack, a sub-picture pack or a video pack depending on the purpose of use. Such a dummy pack is 1V
How much automatic insertion per OBU is determined by the initial setting in step ST20 of FIG. To determine the number of automatically inserted dummy packs, the device manufacturer of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 prepares one or several types as default values, and the user can input any number of dummy packs. ing.

Assuming that the number of automatically inserted dummy packs is set to about 28 of 1 VOBU (128 packs on average), subsequent dummy pack stop processing (step ST426G) of FIG. 70 enables subsequent recording. The time can be increased by about 28% (128 packs can be used per 1 VOBU, although only 100 packs per 1 VOBU can be used for recording images and the like).

FIG. 71 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the processing of automatically changing the recording disk using the disk changer in the processing of FIG. Also, FIG.
Shows an example of a dialog box displayed on the monitor during disk replacement.

The automatic disk exchange process of FIG. 71 is performed by referring to FIG.
~ The DVD video recorder in Fig. 52 has multiple DVD-Rs.
This processing is premised on the provision of a disc changer unit 100 capable of automatically and sequentially setting AM discs in the disc drive 32. (In addition, when the large-capacity hard disk 1018 of FIG. 59 is partitioned into several DVD-RAM disks and these partitions are used as a plurality of DVD-RAM disks, the hard disk 1018 is a virtual disk changer unit 100. 71. The disk automatic exchange process of FIG. 71 can be executed as one of the "remaining capacity small" processes (ST26) when the remaining capacity of the disk 10 being recorded falls below a predetermined value.

That is, when the remaining capacity of the disk 10 during recording falls below a predetermined value (for example, 150 Mbytes), FIG.
Enter the disk exchange processing 1 of 1.

[0705] When this processing is entered, the MP shown in Figs.
U30 causes the monitor screen of FIG. 84 to display the dialog box as illustrated in the upper left of FIG. 86 by OSD (step ST80 of FIG. 71).

Subsequently, the MPU 30 issues a command to the disk drive 32 of FIGS. 50 to 52 to stop the rotational drive of the disk 10 currently being recorded (step ST8).
2). Upon receipt of this disk stop command, the microcomputer (not shown) of the disk drive 32 interrupts recording on the disk 10, stores the write address at the time of recording interruption, stops the rotation of the disk 10, and executes the processing. The end status of is returned to the MPU 30.

Upon receiving the processing completion status (YES in step ST84), the MPU 30 outputs a disk exchange command to the disk changer unit 100 (step ST86).

When the microcomputer (not shown) of the disc changer unit 100 receives this disc exchange command, it stores DVD-RA in the disc changer unit 100.
Check whether an M (DVD-RW) disc or a DVD-R disc is loaded. As a result, for example, when it is detected that one or more DVD-RW discs 10 are loaded, a process end status indicating that is returned to the MPU 30.

When the processing completion status is received (YES in step ST88), the MPU 30 sets 1 in the disc changer unit 100 based on the contents of the received status.
It is determined whether or not one or more DVD-RAM (DVD-RW) disks or DVD-R disks are loaded (step ST90).

One or more DVD-RAM (DVD-RW) discs or DVs in the disc changer unit 100
If it is determined that the DR disk is loaded (YES in step ST90), that disk (when two or more disks are loaded, for example, the disk with the smaller disk slot number or the disk with the smaller disk ID)
The management data is read from (step ST92).

To read the management data, first, the control information of the target disk 10 (FIG. 4) or the video manager information management table VMGI in the video manager VMG is read.
Start by reading the _MAT (Fig. 21). If FREE_SPACE indicating the free space is not described therein, the free space information written in the physical format information (FIG. 9) of the lead-in of the target disk 10 is read. In this case, the lead-in free space information is the recording management table REC_MAT (byte positions 8 to 1 in FIG. 26).
1) or video manager information management table VMGI
It is written to the FREE_SPACE portion of _MAT (byte positions 46 to 49 in FIG. 21).

The above REC_MAT or VMGI_MA
If the free space written in the FREE_SPACE of T is zero or insufficient (for example, the timer-reserved recording ends after 5 minutes but the remaining time corresponding to the free space of the disk is only 3 minutes) (step ST94). No), the disc will be replaced again.

That is, the MPU 30 outputs the disk exchange command again to the disk changer unit 100 (step ST86). If there is a second exchange disk (YES in step ST90), the management data is read from that disk (step ST92). REC_MAT or VMGI_MAT FRE of the second exchange disk
If the free space written in E_SPACE is sufficient (for example, the remaining time is 10 minutes or more converted at the average recording rate used at that time) (step ST9
4 Yes) The write address (the leading position of the empty space) to the second exchange disk 10 is determined, and 2 is set in the register “FreeAr” provided in the RAM of the MPU 30.
Management data (VMGI-MA) of the first exchange disk 10
Free space information (FREE_SPAC read from T)
The free space value corresponding to E) is written (step ST9).
6).

Next, writing is performed in the management area of the second exchange disk 10 (step ST98). For example, the video title set VTS corresponding to the program to be recorded is registered in the video manager information VMGI,
A file related to this VTS (a file such as video title set information VTSI) is created.

Thereafter, the MPU 30 causes the monitor TV to display the contents such as "average recording rate 4 Mbps and remaining time is about 10 minutes" on the OSD (step ST100),
The process returns to the normal process (for example, the loop of ST24 to ST32 in FIG. 60).

FIG. 72 is a flow chart for explaining the processing in step ST90 of FIG. 71 when there is no replacement disk in the disk changer section 100.

The MPU 30 shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 records when the disc changer unit 100 does not have a replacement disc (or when the disc changer unit 100 has a disc but does not have any free space). 84. A dialog box (lower left in FIG. 86) containing a message prompting the user to load a playback disc is displayed in FIG.
OSD display on the monitor screen (step ST1)
02).

When the user loads the disc 10 into the disc changer unit 100 (YES in step ST104), the process returns to step ST92 in FIG. 71, and the free space of the loaded disc 10 is checked (step STST).
94). If the loaded disc 10 is a disc having no free space (NO in step ST94) and another disc for replacement is not loaded in the disc changer unit 100 (NO in step ST90), the process proceeds to step ST102 in FIG. 72 again. .

After entering the disk exchange processing of FIG. 71, this processing is exited and the recording processing loop of FIG. 60 (ST2
4 to ST32), that is, the elapsed time (that is, the elapsed time from when the disk 10 should be replaced to when the disk 10 that can be used for continuous recording is completely set in the disk drive 32) is as shown in FIGS. A timer (not shown) in the MPU 30 is measuring. MPU30 is
The time measurement value of this timer is regularly monitored (step ST106 in FIG. 72).

When the user searches for a new replacement disk and the time passes and the time measured value of the timer exceeds the predetermined time (NO in step ST108), the dialog box at the lower right of FIG. 86 is displayed. The OSD is displayed to the effect that "disk replacement will not be in time and recording will be stopped" (step ST110).

Note that the predetermined time checked in step ST108 is the average bit rate at that time.
The temporary storage unit 34 (or 34A or 34 in FIG. 52)
It is decided based on the time that can be surely buffered in B). For example, when the temporary storage unit 34 has a capacity capable of buffering a recording program at an average of 4 Mbps for at least 30 seconds, for example, 25 seconds can be adopted as the predetermined time at the average recording rate of 4 Mbps.

If the disk exchange cannot be completed within the predetermined time, recording on the disk 10 set in the disk drive 32 at that time is stopped,
The recording information buffered in the temporary storage unit 34 is cleared (step ST112). When the recording is stopped in this way, a dialog box as shown in the lower right part of FIG. 86 is displayed by the OSD.

The recording stop in step ST112 corresponds to the input of recording end (step ST24 in FIG. 60).
Jesus). In this case, the recording end process of step ST34 is executed, and the recording operation of the DVD video recorder of FIGS. 50 to 52 is stopped. By the recording end processing of this step ST34, FREE_SPACE of the DVD-RAM (or DVD-RW or DVD-R) disk 10 set in the disk drive 32 at that time point.
(FIG. 21 or FIG. 26), step ST94 of FIG.
A value (zero or a value such that the remaining capacity becomes zero in a very short time) when it is determined that there is no free space is written.

The disc changer unit 100 has a new DVD-RAM (or DVD-RW or DVD).
-R) The disc 10 is loaded (step ST in FIG. 72).
If the disk has sufficient free space (YES in step ST94 of FIG. 71), the dialog box as illustrated in the upper right of FIG. 86 is displayed by the OSD by the processes of steps ST96 to ST100.

FIG. 73 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the processing for the user to manually replace the recording disk. Further, FIG. 88 shows an example of a dialog box for notifying the user of elapse of the disc exchange time when the user manually exchanges the disc.

The disc exchange process of FIG. 73 can be used when the DVD video recorder of FIGS. 50 to 52 has only the disc drive 32 for processing the discs 10 one by one and the disc changer unit 100 is not provided. Is. In addition, this process is performed by the disc changer unit 10.
Even if it has 0, it can be used even when there is no empty disk to be replaced in the changer.

The disk exchange processing of FIG. 73 can be executed as one of the "remaining capacity small" processing (ST26) when the remaining capacity of the disk 10 during recording falls below a predetermined value.

[0728] That is, when the remaining capacity of the disk 10 during recording falls below a predetermined value (for example, 150 MB),
Enter the disk exchange processing 2 of 3.

When this process is entered, the MP of FIGS.
The U 30 issues a command to the disc drive 32 to stop the rotational drive of the disc 10 currently being recorded. The microcomputer (not shown) of the disk drive 32 is
When this disk stop command is received, recording on the disk 10 is interrupted, the write address at the time of recording interruption is stored, the rotation of the disk 10 is stopped, and the end status of the processing is set to M.
Return to PU30.

When the above processing end status is received, M
The PU 30 initializes a time bar for notifying the user of the passage of time when the disc is replaced (step ST1).
22). Specifically, the microcomputer block 3
A register "Timebar" is provided in the RAM built in 0, and the parameter indicating the time bar is set in this register "Timebar" (this time bar parameter has an upper limit, for example, "10" at maximum). , Here, it is assumed that “9” was used for the initial setting).

[0731] When the initial setting of the time bar is completed, MP
U30 has a "mark □ is 9" as shown in the upper left of FIG.
A dialog box including "a time bar which is arranged side by side" is popped up on the monitor screen of FIG. 84, and a message prompting the user to change the disk and a time bar are displayed (step ST124). After that, a time bar process and a disk exchange process for shortening the "time bar with nine marks □ aligned side by side" are started (step ST126).

FIG. 74 is a flow chart for explaining a concrete example of the time bar display processing and disk exchange processing (step ST126) of FIG.

[0733] First, the user who saw the message "Please insert the disc" displayed in step ST124 of Fig. 73 is operated by the user with a disc exchange key (not shown; this key is, for example, the device main unit 200 of Fig. 53 or Fig. 54). When the time elapses as it is without pressing (located at a predetermined position of the remote controller 5) (NO in step ST1260), the MPU 30 in FIGS. 50 to 52 checks the elapse of the time (step ST1261).

Although not shown, the MPU 30 includes a clock oscillator, a main timer for monitoring the above-mentioned elapsed time (for example, up to 27 seconds) while counting clock pulses from this clock oscillator, and a divided time within this elapsed time (for example, It is equipped with a sub-timer that monitors the time bar mark (up to 3 seconds corresponding to one).

[0735] The time checked by the MPU 30 is within a predetermined time (for example, within 27 seconds corresponding to nine time bar marks □ initially set in step ST122 of FIG. 73;
If the timer value used for determining whether the time is within the predetermined time decreases with the passage of time and finally becomes zero (YES in step ST1261), the MPU 30 allows the user to record on the currently used disc 10. It is checked whether it is stopped (for example, whether the recording state is canceled by pressing the stop key of the apparatus body or the remote controller) (step ST1262).

Recording on the disc 10 is not stopped (NO in step ST1262), but the disc 1 is not recorded.
When the remaining amount of 0 is exhausted (step ST126
6 Yes), the management area of the disc (D in FIGS. 3 to 5)
A21, VMGI in FIG. 20, VTSI in FIG. 23, etc. are set to respective values (free space value of the disk 10 thereof) (step ST1267), and a disk stop command is issued to the disk drive 32 (step ST1268). This disc stop command causes the microcomputer (not shown) of the disc drive 32 to stop recording on the disc 10. After that, the MPU 30 starts checking whether it is time to erase one time bar mark □ (step ST
1263).

Incidentally, when recording on the disc 10 is stopped (step ST1262: Yes), or when the disc 10 has a remaining capacity (step ST126).
6 No), the processes of steps ST1267 to ST1268 are skipped, and the process of MPU 30 jumps to check whether it is time to erase one time bar mark □ (step ST1263).

If it is not time to erase one time bar mark □ (that is, 3 seconds for one mark □ has not elapsed) (step ST1263 NO), step ST1260.
Then, the MPU 30 returns to steps ST1260 to ST12.
The process of the loop of 63 is executed.

When it is time to erase one time bar mark □ (that is, when 3 seconds elapse) (step ST1263)
Yes), the MPU 30 erases one time bar mark □ on the OSD display as shown in the upper left part of FIG. 88 (step ST1264). Then, the register "Timeba"
decrement the content of "r" by one (step ST
1265), the process returns to step ST1260 and the MPU 30
Executes the processing of the loop of steps ST1260 to ST1265.

[0740] Steps ST1260 to ST1265
As time passes along with the processing of the loop, the time bar mark □ (one corresponds to 3 seconds) in step ST122 of FIG. 73.
When 27 seconds have passed immediately after entering the process of FIG. 74 after the number of is set to 9, that is, within a predetermined time (NO in step ST1261), the OSD display “disk exchange A message such as "It was not in time. Recording will be stopped" is displayed in Fig. 84.
Is displayed on the monitor screen (step ST126).
9). Then, at that point, the recording process is stopped, and FIG.
~ Temporary storage unit 34 (or 34A or 34 in FIG. 52)
The recording information buffered in B) is cleared (step ST1270). Then, FIGS.
The process returns to the normal process of the DVD video recorder (here, a process of waiting for a user operation such as reproduction in a disc stopped state).

On the other hand, when the user sees the message "Please insert the disk" displayed in step ST124 of FIG. 73 and presses the disk exchange key (not shown) (YES in step ST1260), the MPU 30 determines that the user It is checked whether recording on the disk 10 currently in use has been stopped (for example, whether the recording state has been canceled by pressing the stop key of the apparatus body or the remote controller) (step ST1271).

If recording on the disk 10 is not stopped (NO in step ST1271), the MPU 30 determines the management area (DA21, VMGI, VTSI) of the disk.
To the disk drive 32 (step ST1272), and an eject command for the disk is issued to the disk drive 32 (step ST12).
73).

If recording on the disc 10 is stopped (YES in step ST1271), the MPU 30 issues an eject command for the disc to the disc drive 32 (step ST1273). In this case, each value setting process (step ST1272) in the management area (DA21, VMGI, VTSI) of the disk 10 is skipped.

The microcomputer (not shown) in the disk drive 32 which has received the eject command ejects the existing disk 10. After that, the user inserts a new disc 10 into the tray 2 of the apparatus main body 200 of FIG.
54 is pressed and the open / close key 5g of the remote controller 5 of FIG. 54 is pressed, the new disk 10 is drawn into the inside of the apparatus main body 200, and the new disk 10 is loaded into the disk drive 32 (step ST1).
274). When this loading is completed, the process moves to step ST128 in FIG.

Returning to the processing of FIG. 73, the MPU 30 of FIGS. 50 to 52 manages the management data (lead-in physical format) of the disk (exchanged disk) 10 loaded in the disk drive 32 in step ST1274 of FIG. Information, video manager information VMGI management table, etc.) is read (step ST128), and it is checked whether or not the exchanged disk 10 has free space (step ST130). During this check, a dialog box as shown in the middle right part of FIG. 88 is displayed by OSD.

If there is no free space (step ST130)
No), MPU30, as shown in the lower left of FIG.
A dialog box notifying that there is no free space in the disk (replaced disk) 10 set in the disk drive 32 is displayed by OSD (step ST
132).

After that, the MPU 30 again enters the processing of FIG. 74, and the user makes another disk 1 within a predetermined time.
It waits for loading 0 into the disk drive 32 (step ST1274). When this disc loading is performed, the process returns to step ST126 in FIG.

[0748] In this way, step ST12 including the processing of Fig. 74 is performed until the disk 10 having the free space is loaded or set in the disk drive 32 within the predetermined time.
The loop of 6 to ST132 is repeated.

When there is free space in the new disk 10 set in the disk drive 32 (step ST13
0)), the write address for the disk 10 is determined, and the register "Fr" provided in the RAM of the MPU 30 is determined.
The free space information (FREE_SPACE) read from the management data of the new disk 10 is written in "eeAr" (step ST134). After that, the management area (DA21, VMGI, VTSI) of the set new disk 10 is set.
Etc.) is written (step ST136).

Then, the remaining recordable time (estimated) is estimated based on the average recording rate selected at that time and the free space set in the register "FreeAr" by the same method as ST422B in FIG. 63, for example. Value) is calculated. The remaining time calculated in this manner is displayed on the ODS along with the average recording rate at that time by a dialog box as shown in the lower right part of FIG. 88 (step ST138). In this way, when the new disk 10 having free space is completely set in the disk drive 32 within the predetermined time, the process returns to the normal process of continuing the recording. By this processing, the temporary storage unit 34 (or 3 shown in FIGS.
Recording on the new disk 10 is restarted using the recording information buffered in 4A or 34B).

FIG. 75 is a flow chart for explaining the timer reservation operation of the DVD video recorder. here,
The recording rate is automatically set even if the user does not specify the recording rate.

When the user of the DVD video recorder of FIGS. 50 to 52 presses the timer key 5tme of the remote controller 5 of FIG. 54, the MPU 30 causes the timer reservation menu (recording desired channel, recording reservation date and time, recording mode, average recording rate). (Including a table that specifies, etc. for each reserved program)
The monitor screen of FIG. 84 is output by OSD (step ST50). The program reservation setting in this menu is
This can be done by using the cursor keys 5q, ten keys 5t, enter key 5s and the like. Further, the recording mode (MPEG2 or MPEG1) and the average recording rate of the recording can be calculated by the recording mode key 5r of the remote controller 5.
It can be set to what the user desires using md.

[0755] The reservation setting in step ST50 is completed, and the user presses the enter key 5 of the remote controller 5 in Fig. 54.
When s is pressed, the MPU 30 of FIGS. 50 to 52 is set as the free capacity of the disk set in the disk drive 10 (the remaining capacity corresponding to the number of unused packs of the disk minus the spare capacity). The remaining recordable time Tr is calculated from the average recording rate Rs (step ST52).

[0754] Here, an error may occur in the estimated value of the remaining time based on the remaining capacity of the disk 10 and the average recording rate to be used. Therefore, the error (excess so that the recording is not cut off) is expected. It is desirable to set it. The reserve capacity (or reserve capacity) is determined according to this error. For example, when various program recordings are simulated and it is found that the remaining time calculated value Tr has a maximum error of 10%, 10% of the remaining capacity may be set as the reserve capacity (reserve capacity). .

As the reserve capacity, the disk 10
The space area for each zone in the data area of can be allocated. The DVD disc 10 is divided into a lead-in 27, a data area 28, and a lead-out 26. The data area 28 is, for example, zone 0.
~ Zone 23 is divided into 24 zones. In this zone, the linear velocity at which the optical pickup reads is constant. Further, in the DVD-RAM disc, each zone is divided into a user area and a space area which are actual data areas. This space area is usually an area prepared as a replacement sector when a defective sector occurs in the zone.
Therefore, if no defective sector occurs, this space area is an unused area. This unused area can be used as the reserve capacity (reserve capacity).

Next, the MPU 30 shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 has the total time (reserved time) Tt of the program timer-reserved in step ST50 and the remaining time T calculated in step ST52.
It is compared with r (step ST54).

When the remaining time Tr is shorter than the reserved time Tt (Yes in step ST54), step ST5
The timer reserved recording recording rate (current recording rate) Rs set at 0 is the minimum value of the average recording rates adopted by the DVD video recorders of FIGS. 50 to 52 (for example, 1.
It is checked whether it is smaller than 8 Mbps to 2 Mbps) (step ST58).

If the current recording rate Rs is higher than the minimum recording rate (Yes in step ST56), the remaining time Tr can be increased by lowering this rate Rs. Therefore, the recording rate Rs is slightly increased (for example, 4 Mb).
ps to 3.8 Mbps) (step ST5)
8).

The remaining time Tr is recalculated with the new recording rate Rs thus reduced (step ST5).
2). When the remaining time Tr after the recalculation is still smaller than the reserved time Tt (YES in step ST54), step S
The loop of T52 to ST58 is repeated.

When the recording rate Rs becomes equal to or lower than the minimum recording rate during the loop repetition of the steps ST52 to ST58 (the situation where the remaining time Tr is less than the reserved time Tt) (No in step ST56), the minimum recording is performed. Even at the rate, all programs reserved by the timer cannot be accommodated within the remaining time Tr of the disc 10. In this case, MPU
In step 30, the OSD display of "The disk capacity is insufficient. All the reserved programs cannot be recorded" is displayed (step ST60), and the process returns to the normal process.

The normal process after the return may be the process state before the timer reservation, or the process of forcibly entering the timer reservation.

Now, assume that the reserved time Tr is 75 minutes, but the remaining time Tr is only 60 minutes even if the recording is performed at the minimum recording rate Rs = 2 Mbps. In this case, when the MPU 30 is programmed to forcibly enter the timer reservation, the timer reservation recording of the reservation number <3> in step ST50 ends with an end of the tail (the latter half 15 minutes is not recorded).

On the other hand, when the remaining time Tr calculated in step ST52 is equal to or longer than the timer reservation time Tt (NO in step ST54), the MPU 30 shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 indicates, for example, "The timer has been reserved at the recording rate of 2 Mbps. Display the OSD display (step ST6
2). Then, when the user simultaneously presses the timer key 5tme and the recording key 5rec of the remote controller 5 in FIG. 54 (YES in step ST64), step ST62.
The value (2 Mbps, etc.) of the average recording rate Rs displayed at is set in the video encoder 53 (step ST
68), enter the reserved recording mode, and enter D in FIGS.
The power of the VD video recorder is turned off.

[0764] Note that in the OSD display state of step ST62, the user sets the timer key 5tme + record key 5
Operation keys of the remote controller 5 other than rec (stop key 5e, end key 5end, clear key 5cr, etc.)
When is pressed, the timer reservation is canceled and the recording rate change is canceled (step ST70). For example, the average recording rate that was set before entering the timer reservation is 4
Mbps, and steps ST52 to ST58 in FIG.
If the average recording rate at the time of coming to the step ST62 after exiting the processing loop of 2) is changed to 2 Mbps, this recording rate "2 Mbps" is canceled and "4 Mbps" is canceled.
Return to "s".

FIG. 76 is a flow chart for explaining another example (including automatic image quality setting processing) of the reserved recording operation by the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS.

A DVD-RAM (DVD-RW) disc (or D
VD-R disk) 10 is set, MPU30
Indicates the management data of the disk (VMGI_MA in FIG. 21).
T or REC_MAT in FIG. 26 is read, and the free space (FREE) at the present time of the set disk 10 is read.
_SPACE) is detected (step ST200).

If the detected free space is zero (or substantially zero) (NO in step ST202), MPU30
Displays the OSD display such as “There is no free space” on the monitor screen of FIG. 84 (step ST
204), and the processing in FIG. 76 ends.

If it is detected that the set disk 10 has free space (YES in step ST202),
The MPU 30 determines the write address for the disk 10 and writes the detected free space in the register “FreeAr” (step ST206).

Thereafter, a "reservation screen" similar to that in step ST50 of FIG. 75 is displayed as an OSD display on the monitor screen of FIG. 84 (step ST208). The user performs a process of designating a reserved program (N program) to be recorded while looking at the "reservation screen" (step ST210).

In this reserved program designation, the user designates a desired program, its recording time, and an image quality mode of high image quality, medium image quality, low image quality, or automatic image quality mode.

When the user finishes the program reservation and presses the end key 5end of the remote controller 5 in FIG. 54 (NO in step ST212), the MPUs in FIGS.
Reference numeral 30 denotes the disk drive 32 at which the recording capacity (corresponding to the product of the total reservation time and the average bit rate set as default at that time) corresponding to the total reservation time of all reserved programs (N programs) The remaining capacity of the disk 10 set in the
It is checked whether it is within the free space written in "eAr") (step ST214).

If the recording capacity exceeds the remaining capacity of the disc 10 (NO in step ST214), the MPU 30
The OSD display such as "Don't fit in disc" is displayed (step ST224), and reserved program designation processing (ST
Return to 210).

As a result of the user changing the reservation content in this reserved program designation processing (ST210) (for example, reducing the number of reserved programs N or reducing the reserved time for one or more of the reserved programs), the recording capacity is the disk. 10
When the remaining capacity is within the remaining capacity (YES in step ST214), the MPU 30 determines (remaining capacity-reserve capacity-ST21).
The recording capacity of the program designated by 0) is stored in the register "Lftsp" indicating the new remaining capacity (step ST
216).

[0774] The remaining capacity stored in the register "Lftsp" records all the programs set as the automatic image quality among the programs reserved at that time at the high image quality rate (eg, 6 Mbps) as the recording rate for the automatic image quality. However, if it is large enough to allow complete recording (YES in step ST218), 6 Mbps as the high image quality rate is set (step S218).
(T220), and the process of FIG. 76 ends.

After that, the user, for example, records the recording key 5rec and the reproduction key 5c of the remote controller 5 shown in FIG.
When and are pressed simultaneously, the DVD video recorder in FIGS. 50 to 52 starts recording the program reserved in step ST210 at a high image quality rate (6 Mbps).

[0776] The remaining capacity stored in the register "Lftsp" indicates that all the programs set as the automatic image quality among the programs reserved at that time have a high image quality rate (for example, 6 Mbp).
s) cannot be recorded (NO in step ST218), and when all programs reserved at that time cannot be recorded at a low image quality rate (for example, 2 Mbps) (NO in step ST222), the MPU 30
The OSD display such as "Don't fit in disc" is displayed (step ST224), and reserved program designation processing (ST
Return to 210).

[0777] When the remaining capacity stored in the register "Lftsp" is set to the high image quality rate (for example, 6 Mbp) for all the programs set as the automatic image quality among the programs reserved at that time.
It is not possible to record in (s) (step ST218).
No, if all the reserved programs can be recorded at a low image quality rate (for example, 2 Mbps) (Yes in step ST222), the MPU 30 enters the automatic image quality setting process (step ST226).

77. FIG. 77 shows the automatic image quality setting processing (S
14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an average recording rate setting process in (T226).

[0779] First, when the recording time is the recording time of all the programs set as the automatic image quality among the programs reserved in step ST210 of Fig. 76, the above-mentioned remaining capacity divided by this recording time (remaining (Capacitance / Recording time) is registered as the average recording rate Recreate (step ST
226A). Alternatively, in consideration of the above-mentioned reserve capacity (= reserved capacity), [remaining capacity-reserved capacity] / recording time is registered as an average recording rate Recreate (step ST226A).

[0780] Then, all the average recording rates of the recorded programs whose recording rates are automatically set are set in the Register registered in step ST226A (step ST226).
B) and returns to the processing of FIG.

FIG. 78 shows an automatic image quality setting process (S
22 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the average recording rate setting process in (T226).

[0782] First, the remaining capacity divided by a predetermined high image quality recording rate (eg, 6 Mbps) is registered as the recordable time RecTM, and the program number index N of the reserved program is initialized to "1" to set the program. The recording time ProgrecTM is initialized to "0", and the number of programs whose recording rate is automatically set is set in the program number parameter M (step ST226C).

Next, the program recording time ProgrecTM (zero at the beginning) is added to the N-th (first at the beginning) recording time to obtain a new program recording time Pro.
Register as grecTM (step ST226
D). As a result, the recording time of the first reserved program is recorded in the Progrec ™.

[0784] The ProgrecTM obtained in this way is the recordable time RecT registered in step ST226C.
It is compared with M (step ST226E).

If ProgrecTM is not larger than RecTM (that is, the recordable time has a margin with respect to the recording time of the reserved program) (NO in step ST226E), the reserved program number N is incremented by 1 (step ST226F). The new program recording time ProgrecT is obtained by adding the ProgrecTM (first recording time) up to the second recording time.
It is registered as M (step ST226D). As a result, the total recording time of the first and second reserved programs is recorded in ProgrecTM.

The above steps ST226D to ST226
After iteration of F loop, RecTM
If cTM becomes larger (that is, the available recording time is less than the recording time of the reserved program) (step S
(T226E Yes), the average recording rate up to the N-1st reserved program is set to the high image quality recording rate (here, 6 Mbps) shown in step ST226C (step ST226g).

With the above processing, the first to N-1st (for example, the first and second reserved programs when N = 3) reserved programs are automatically set to the high image quality mode using the high image quality recording rate.

[0788] Nth to Mth (for example, 3rd to 6th)
Since the reserved programs up to the th) cannot be recorded at the above high image quality recording rate, the average recording rate "Recrate" used for those recordings is changed (step ST226H).
This change is started by first subtracting the N-th recording time from the previous ProgrecTM (total recording time of the 1st to N-th reserved programs) as a new program recording time ProgrecTM.
Then, ProgrecTM becomes (total recording time of reserved programs that can be recorded with high image quality from the 1st to N-1th. Here, since the Nth recording time is subtracted, the recordable time RecTM is equal to or greater than the ProgrecTM. Therefore, the average recording rate Rerate required to put all the Nth and subsequent (up to Mth) reserved programs in this RecTM is calculated (step ST226).
H).

[0789] Recra in this Step ST226H
te (provisionally designated as "Recrate 1") is calculated from [remaining capacity-ProgressTM x high image quality recording rate] / N-th to M-th (for example, N = 3rd to M = 6th) total recording time of reserved programs. .

[0790] If the "Recrate" thus obtained is lower than the rate (eg, 1.8 Mbps) in the low image quality mode in which only the minimum image quality is guaranteed, the program number index N of the reserved program is decremented by 1 (eg from N = 3). N = 2) (step ST226)
J). Then, Pr calculated in step ST226H
ogrecTM decreases (the total recording time of the first to third reserved programs decreases to the total recording time of the first to second reserved programs). As a result, since the recording time ProgrecTM at the high image quality rate that consumes a large amount of data per unit time becomes small, the [remaining capacity-P
rogrecTM × high image quality recording rate] becomes large.

[0971] The capacity thus expanded [remaining capacity-Pr
[ogrecTM × high image quality recording rate]] divided by the total recording time of the Nth to Mth (here, 2nd to 6th) reserved programs
(Temporarily, Create2), but step ST22
Recalculated at 6H. Recra recalculated in this way
te2 is smaller than the above-mentioned Recall1.

The calculated RECREATE2 guarantees the minimum image quality in the low image quality mode (for example, 1.8M).
bps) or more (NO in step ST226I),
The N-th and subsequent reserved programs (here, the second to sixth reserved programs) are automatically set so as to be recorded at the average recording rate Recall2 (step ST226).
K).

The reservation process of FIGS. 76 to 78 can be used for timer recording, but this process is not limited to timer reservation. That is, FIGS.
When the user performs a recording start operation after the reservation process, the reserved program (not the timer recording) is recorded in the empty area of the disk 10 at various average recording rates without waste.

FIG. 79 is a flow chart for explaining still another example of the recording operation of the DVD video recorder.

First, the flow of video signals during recording in the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 will be briefly described.

First, the AV signal input from the TV tuner 44 or the AV input (external input) 42 is A / D converted. The converted digital video signal is input to the video encoder 53, and the converted digital audio signal is input to the audio encoder 54. Further, from the TV tuner 44, a closed caption signal or a text signal such as a teletext is input to the sub-video encoder 55 in addition to the video signal and the audio signal.

Each of the encoders 53 to 55 compresses each input signal and packetizes it, and inputs the packetized signal to the formatter 56. At that time, each packet is divided into packets so that each pack has 2048 bytes when packed, and packetized. Here, each of the encoders 53 to 55 determines and records the presentation time stamp PTS and the decode time stamp DTS of each packet according to the value of the STC 38 as necessary.

[0798] Here, the STC can be constituted by a timer that counts a 90 kHz clock with the recording start time being "0000", for example.

The formatter 56 has a buffer memory 57.
The packet data is temporarily stored in, and then the input packet data is packed and mixed for each group of picture GOP of MPEG. And each GO
Navigation pack 8 in FIG. 15 as needed for P's head
6 is added and sent to the data processor 36.

The data processor 36 has a formatter 56.
EC sent together with the data sent from 16 packs
It is set as a C group, and an error correction code ECC is attached to the disk drive 32 and sent. At that time, if the data recording to the disk 10 is not ready, the disk drive 32 transfers the data sent from the data processor 36 to the temporary storage unit 34, and waits until the data recording is ready. . Then, the disk drive 32 starts recording when the disk 10 is ready to record data. Here, as the temporary storage unit 34, in order to hold the recording data for several minutes or more by high-speed access,
Large capacity memory is used.

At the end of recording, the address data of each navigation pack is recorded in the data portion (not shown) for fast-forwarding and rewinding provided in each navigation pack 86 (only in the case of DVD-R). After that, necessary information is recorded in the management area (DA21, VMGI, VTSI, etc.), and the recording operation is ended.

In the case of DVD-RAM or DVD-RW adopting the data structure shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, FIG.
As shown in 3, the navigation pack is not recorded,
Recording ends.

A DVD-RW or DVD-R disc 10 can be used as a DVD video recorder for recording as described above.
Is set, its management data (lead-in, DA
21 or VMGI) is read (step ST
500).

[0804] Based on the free space information (FREE_SPACE) in the read management data, it is judged whether or not the set disk 10 has free space (step S).
T502).

[0805] When the content of the free space information (FREE_SPACE) is zero or virtually zero (the disk is full in a few seconds even when recording is started) (No in step ST502), "No recording space" Output OSD display of contents (step ST50)
4).

[0806] If there is free space (step ST50
2), writing is performed in the management area of the set disk 10 (step ST506). For example, the video title set V corresponding to the program to be recorded in the video manager information VMGI (or CTRI)
Register the TS and create a file related to this VTS.

[0807] Next, initial settings for recording are made (step ST508). In this initial setting, FIGS.
2 initialization of each encoder (53 to 55) (setting of average transfer rate of V encoder 53, that is, average recording rate, etc.), reset of system time counter STC, setting of write start address to disk drive 32, formatter 56 Initialization (dummy pack insertion setting, cell delimiter time setting, etc.) and others.

[0808] When the initial setting for recording (ST508) is completed,
A recording start command is set (step ST51).
0). As a result, a recording start command is sent from the MPU 30 to each of the encoders (53 to 55) in the encoder section 50, and the disc 10 set in the disc drive 32 is set.
The recording to the free area of is started.

[0809] Here, there is no recording end input (step S
(No in T512) If the recording is continuing, the remaining capacity calculation processing or the remaining capacity monitoring processing of the disk 10 being recorded (see FIG. 6).
2) is executed in parallel with the recording operation (step ST
514).

[0810] In step ST514, the disc 10 is processed.
When the remaining capacity of is less than a predetermined value (step ST51
6 Yes; “1” is set in the minimum capacity flag in FIG. 62),
The process when the remaining capacity is low (FIG. 63, etc.) is entered (step ST518).

[0811] As a result of the processing in step ST518, when there is still a recordable capacity in the recording disk 10 (NO in step ST520), there is a recording end input (YES in step ST512) until there is no remaining capacity ( Step ST520 Yes), Step ST512
The loop of ST520 is repeatedly executed.

During the repeated execution of the loop of steps ST512 to ST520, when there is no more recordable capacity on the recording disk 10 (step ST5).
20) or if there is a recording end input (YES in step ST512), the process moves to the process in FIG.

FIG. 80 is a flow chart for explaining the default setting of the writing and reproduction flag and the archive flag in the management area after the recording is completed in the procedure of FIG.

[0814] Steps ST512 to ST520 of FIG. 79.
When the process exits the loop and enters the process of FIG. 80, the recording end process is executed (step ST522). In this recording end processing, the encoders (53 to 5) shown in FIGS.
5) initialization (returning the recording rate to the default setting value), initialization of the formatter 56 (returning various settings to the default state), writing regarding the video manager information VMGI or the recording management table REC_MAT (FIG. 2).
1 or content update of FREE_SPACE in FIG. 26), writing of the video title set information VTSI or program chain information PGCI (content update of PGCI in FIG. 4 or FIG. 32), etc. are performed.

[0815] After that, the video title set information VTS
Playback flag (PALY_END Flag) in management table VTSI_MAT of I or general information PGCI_GI of program chain information PGCI (FIG. 4)
The reproduction end flag in (Fig. 29) indicates a non-reproduction state. "
Set to 0 "and PGCI_GI or VTSI
Archive flag in _MAT (ARCHIVE Fl
ag) is set to "0" indicating a state in which data is not stored (a state in which data can be erased or overwritten) (step ST
524).

[0816] Thus, the recording process illustrated in Figs. 79 to 80 is completed. According to this recording processing, it is possible to prevent the program once recorded from being inadvertently erased by overwriting or the like before being viewed even once, by using the reproduced flag (“0” state).

[0817] Fig. 81 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the reproducing operation of the DVD video recorder.

First, the flow of video signals during recording in the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 will be briefly described.

First, when the MPU 30 of FIGS. 50 to 52 receives a reproduction command from the user's remote controller operation or the like, the MPU 30 reads the management area of the disk 10 from the disk drive 32 via the data processor 36 and sets the address for reproduction. decide.

Next, the MPU 30 uses the disk drive 3
The address of the data to be reproduced and the read command which have been determined previously are sent to 2.

[0821] The disk drive 32 reads the sector data from the disk 10 in accordance with the transmitted instruction. The read data is error-corrected by the data processor 36 to be in the form of pack data, and the decoder unit 6
Sent to 0.

Inside the decoder unit 60, the separator 62 receives the read pack data. The separator 62 packetizes the received pack data. Then, depending on the purpose of the data, video packet data (MPEG video data) is transferred to the video decoder 64, audio packet data is transferred to the audio decoder 68, and sub-picture packet data is transferred to the SP decoder 65. Also, the navigation pack is MP
It is stored in the internal memory (RAM) of U30. This allows the MPU 30 to access the contents of the navigation pack in this internal memory at any time.

At the start of transfer of each packet data sent from the separator 62, the presentation time stamp PTS is loaded into the system time counter STC38. Specifically, the PT in the navigation pack
S is set by the MPU 30 to the STC 38, or the video decoder 64 automatically sets the PTS of the video data to the STC.
Set to 38.

After that, each decoder (64, 65, 68)
Is synchronized with the value of PTS in the packet data (PTS
(While comparing the STC value with the STC value), a reproduction process is performed to supply, for example, a moving image video with audio subtitles to the external monitor TV via the AV output 46.

When the DVD-RW disc (or DVD-R disc) 10 is set in the DVD video recorder for reproducing as described above, the record data is read from the lead-in first. If the read lead-in data includes data that cannot be recognized by the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52, or error correction of the read data fails (step ST300).
NG), the DVD video recorder performs error processing (step ST302) and stops reproduction. This error handling includes display output such as "This disc cannot be played."

There is no error in the read data, or even if an error occurs, the error correction is successful,
The read-in data that has been read is D in FIGS.
If the VD video recorder can be recognized (step ST
300 OK), this DVD video recorder reads its management data (VMGI) (step ST30).
4). Alternatively, another management data (control information CTRI, that is, DA21 in FIG. 3) is read (step ST30).
5).

Then, one or more title sets recorded on the set disc 10 are displayed in a menu format on the TV monitor (not shown). The user who views this menu selects a desired title set by using the cursor keys 5q of the remote controller 5 in FIG. 54, and presses the enter key 5s to determine the title set (step ST306).

When the title set to be reproduced is determined in this way, the MPU 30 shown in FIGS. 50 to 52 uses the information VTSI (FIG. 31) of the selected video title set VTS.
Is read from the set disk 10. And
The MPU 30 reads the read program chain information PG
The CI (FIG. 32) is stored in the work area of the RAM inside the MPU 30 (step ST308).

After this (after step ST305 or step ST305), the determined title set has a plurality of titles (or a plurality of chapters).
, The user selects a title (chapter) to be reproduced from the menu by operating the remote controller and determines the title (step S).
T310).

Thus, the program number and cell number of the title to be reproduced from now on (for example, PGC in FIG. 3).
# 1 and C_IDN # 1) are determined (step ST3).
12).

Subsequently, the MPU 30 shown in FIGS.
Program chain information PG stored in my RAM
Refer to CI (FIG. 4 or FIG. 32). And MPU
30 initializes each of the MPEG video decoder 64, the sub-picture decoder 65, and the audio decoder 68 corresponding to the initial setting at the time of recording (ST508 in FIG. 79) (step ST314).

[0832] After the completion of the initial setting, the preprocessing command is executed (step ST316), and then the cell reproducing process is started (step ST318). By this cell playback process,
For example, the cells forming the program chain PGC # 1 of FIG. 5 are sequentially reproduced.

In the above cell reproduction, if the final cell has not been reached (NO in step ST320), cell reproduction is performed while counting up a cell number counter (not shown) each time reproduction of one cell is completed (step ST322). Proceed (ST318 to ST322 loop).

In the cell reproduction described above, when the final cell is reached (YES in step ST320), the MPU 30 performs still processing of the PGC # 1 just reproduced (for example, the PG thereof).
Still screen of the last cell of C is executed for a predetermined time).

[0835] When the still time has elapsed, the MPU 30
Executes a predetermined post-processing command (step ST32
6) If the reproduction is not finished yet (NO in step ST328), the process returns to step ST316.

After the still time has elapsed and the post-processing command has been executed (step ST326), if the reproduction ends (for example, the user operates the remote controller 5).
After pressing the stop key 5e (step ST328: YES), the MPU 30 proceeds to the process of FIG.

FIG. 82 is a flow chart for explaining the update setting of the archive flag and the reproduced flag after the reproduction is completed by the procedure of FIG. 79.

First, a menu or the like (not shown) for inquiring the user whether to permanently save the title set just played (or to prevent accidental deletion)
Is displayed as OSD on the monitor TV. If the user selects the one for permanent storage (Yes in step ST330),
MPU30 is in the video title set information (Figure 24)
Alternatively, "1" is set to the archive flag in the recording management table (FIG. 26) (step ST332). If the user selects one that is not permanently saved (step ST
330 No), the archive flag is set to "0" (step ST334).

After the setting of the archive flag is completed, the reproduced flag (FIG. 24 or FIG. 25) of the title set or the video object which has just been reproduced is set to “1” (step ST336), and other reproduction end processing (disc A stop command is issued to the drive 32 and "S
Display such as "TOP" is executed) (step S
(T338), the reproduction process of FIGS. 81 to 82 is ended.

According to this reproduction processing, the program which has been reproduced once and is judged by the user to be erased by the reproduction completed flag ("1" state) can be automatically erased (or overwritten). Can be in a different state.
In addition, it is possible to prevent accidental erasure of a program that has been seen once but want to be saved due to overwrite or the like by setting an archive flag (set to "1").

FIG. 83 is a processing ST at the time of cell reproduction of FIG.
It is a flowchart explaining the content of 318.

[0842] When cell reproduction is started (step ST4
00), the MPU 30 of FIGS. 50 to 52 determines the reproduction start address based on the content of the program chain information PGCI (FIG. 28 to FIG. 30 or FIG. 32 to FIG. 36) (step ST404). After that, the MPU 30 sets a data read command in the disk drive 32 (step ST406).

[0843] The cell reproduction is not started (step ST400
No, when VOBU is also not continuous (step S
(No in T402), the processes of steps ST404 to ST406 are executed. Not start cell playback (step ST4
00 No) and when VOBU continues (Yes in step ST402), steps ST404 to ST406
Processing is skipped.

Following the above processing, MPU 30 takes in the navigation pack at the beginning of each VOBU (if any) (step ST408), sets synchronization information, etc. (step ST410).

Further, MPU 30 processes PCI packet 116 in the navigation pack (if any) (step ST412). This PCI packet 11
6 (FIG. 17) includes reproduction control information PCI (FIG. 18), and this PCI includes general PCI information PCI_GI (FIG. 19). The MPU 30 carries out step ST4.
12, highlight information HLI in PCI (see FIG.
8) is used to execute highlight processing, and user control information VOBU_UOP_CTL in PCI_GI (FIG. 19)
To execute an operation that prohibits a specific user operation.

Here, as the highlight processing, for example, the sub-picture frame surrounding the selectable item displayed on the menu is highlighted with a color such as green, and when the user decides to select that item, the color is changed to red. There is a process of changing.

[0847] Further, as the user operation prohibition operation,
For example, even if the user presses the angle key 5ang of the remote controller 5 shown in FIG. 54, the angle switching operation is prohibited and a mark indicating that the key operation is not possible is displayed on the monitor TV.

After the processing of step ST412 is completed, the MPU 30 checks whether it is a VOBU still (step ST414).

When performing VOBU still (for example, cell reproduction information C_PB of program chain information PGCI)
When the cell playback mode of I (FIG. 35) is "1" (YES in step ST414), the MPU 30 waits until the playback of the VOBU is completed (step ST416).
Since the reproduction time of one VOBU is about 0.4 seconds to 1.2 seconds, this waiting time is not so long.

When the reproduction of the VOBU is completed, the VOBU still process is started at the end of the reproduction (step ST4).
18). For example, the last appearing frame of the VOBU is still played. This still reproduction is continued until the user presses the reproduction key of the remote controller (FIG. 54) or the DVD video recorder main body (FIG. 53).

[0851] If the user does not press the pause key 5d in step ST414 (NO in step ST414),
Alternatively, when the user presses the play key 5C during the VOBU still process, the MPU 30 checks whether it is the end of the cell including the VOBU (step ST420).

[0852] If it is not the end of the cell (step ST42)
0 No) Return to step ST408, load the next VOBU navigation pack 86, and go to step ST4.
The processing from 08 to ST420 is repeated. If it is the last cell (Yes in step ST420), VOBU at that time
Waits until the reproduction of is completed (step ST42
2).

Thereafter, the cell still process is started, and the last appearing frame of the cell is still reproduced until the time set by the cell still time (FIG. 35) in the program chain information PGCI elapses (step ST42).
4). After this cell still reproduction is completed, the processing returns to FIG.

FIG. 89 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the reproducing operation of the DVD video recorder shown in FIG. 51 or 52.

Now, a DVD-RAM disc (or D
It is assumed that audio / video data is recorded on the VD-RW disc) 10 with the data structure as shown in FIGS. It is assumed that such a disc 10 is loaded into, for example, the disc drive 32 of the DVD video recorder shown in FIG. 51, and the reproduction start key is turned on.

Then, the MPU 30 of FIG. 51 first reads the control information DA21 recorded on the disk 10.
As shown in FIG. 4, reproduction control information DA211 is recorded in the control information DA21, and the program chain information table PGC is included in the reproduction control information DA211.
IT is stored. This PGCIT includes one or more program chain information PGCI (see FIG. 28).
The MPU 30 uses this program chain information PGCI
Is stored in one's own work memory (step ST70
0).

[0857] Next, the MPU 30 determines the reproduction of the reproduction title designated by the user using the remote controller 5 (step ST702). Here, when the user does not specify a reproduction title, or when there is only one title recorded in the audio / video zone, the title # 1 is the reproduction title by default.

From the user's point of view, the title mentioned here may be understood in the same manner as the video title set VTS in FIG. However, from the perspective of the MPU 30, V of FIG.
The TS and the title (recording program) recorded in the audio / video data area DA2 of FIG. 5 are recognized as different objects. Specifically, in the video object set of the VTS of FIG. 6, a cell is composed of a set of VOBUs including the navigation pack as shown in FIG. 12, but in the video object set of FIG. 5, the navigation pack is included as shown in FIG. A cell is composed of a set of non-VOBUs.

When the reproduction of the designated title is decided, the program chain number and the cell number of the reproduction title are decided (step ST704). Taking FIG. 38 as an example, PGC # and cell # 1 (= cell A in FIG. 37) are determined. Where the cell # 1 of the PGC # 1 is recorded on the disc 10 is to read the cell reproduction information CELL_PLY_INF # 1 from the PGC information of FIG. 28, and the cell start address and the cell end address included therein (FIG. 30). You can read it by reading.

After the program chain number and cell number to be reproduced are decided, the MPU 30 shown in FIG. 51 is an MPEG included in the circuit block 600 on the decoder section 60 side.
Initial settings of the video decoder, sub-picture decoder and audio decoder are performed (step ST70).
6). After the completion of the initialization, the preprocessing command is executed (step ST708), and then the cell reproducing process is started (step ST710). This processing at the time of cell reproduction is reproduction processing when the video object set does not include a navigation pack, and details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. 90.

[0868] Step ST710 When the cell playback process is executed to end the playback of the cell currently being played back, it is determined whether or not the playback end cell is the last cell of the PGC of the title to be played back (step ST7).
12). In the example of FIG. 38, since cell # 1 is not the final cell (NO in step ST712), the cell number is counted up (step ST714) and the process for reproducing the next cell (step ST710) is started. In this case, P
The reproduction of cell # 2 of GC # 1 (= cell B of FIG. 37) is executed. Similarly, the processing loop of steps ST710 to ST714 is repeatedly executed until the reproduction of the final cell # 3 (= cell C of FIG. 37) is completed.

[0862] When the reproduction of the final cell is completed (step ST7
12), the still picture reproduction processing of the PGC # 1 just reproduced is started (step ST716). The PGC still process is a process of performing still reproduction on one screen of the last cell # 3 of PGC # 1 for a predetermined time (this time is arbitrary, but is within a few minutes at most).

[0863] After the PGC still processing is completed, a post-processing command is executed (step ST718), and then the MPU 30
Indicates a reproduction end flag (see FIG. 30) in the program chain information stored in the work memory in step ST700.
(See) is updated to "01" in the reproduced state (step ST719).

Thereafter, if the user desires to reproduce the next program chain (for example, PGC # 2 in FIG. 38) (NO in step ST720), steps ST708 to S708.
The processing loop of T720 is repeatedly executed. When the reproduction of all the cells of PGC # 2 is completed, the reproduction end flag of PGC # 2 (see FIG. 30) is updated to "01" in the reproduced state (step ST719). The same applies to PGC # 3 in FIG. (Note that although the cells C and D partially overlap in FIG.
VOBU in the latter half of the cell and the VOBU in the first half of the cell D are cells C to
It is meant to be shared between cells D. ) When the user wants to end the reproduction, the remote controller 5 in FIG.
When the stop key 5e is turned on, the reproduction ends (YES in step ST720), and the processing at the end of the reproduction (for example, in FIG.
3 is displayed on the display panel 48 of the apparatus main body of No. 3) (step ST72)
2), the reproduction process of FIG. 89 ends.

FIG. 90 shows the processing ST at the time of cell reproduction in FIG.
It is a flowchart figure explaining the content of 710.

First, the continuity with the previous cell is checked (step ST7110). First cell of PGC # 1 #
When 1 is reproduced, there is no previous cell, so there is no continuity of cells (NO in step ST7110). In this case, M
The PU 30 uses the PGC information (FIG. 28) stored in its work memory to reproduce the cell # 1 reproduction information CELL_PLY_.
INF # 1 (FIG. 30) is read and the start address (specifically, logical block number LBN) of cell # 1 is determined (step ST7111). When the cell reproduction position is determined in this way, the MPU 30 sets a data read command in the disk drive 32 (step ST711).
2). Thus, from the disk 10 to the cell # of PGC # 1
Playback of 1 is started.

When cell playback is started, the MPU 30
The time of the cell recorded in the control information DA21 (see C_PBTM in FIG. 30) is set in an area called work TIME provided in its own work RAM (step ST7).
113). At the start of reproduction of the first cell # 1, the content of this work TIME is set to, for example, zero. on the other hand,
At the start of reproduction of the next cell # 2, the content of the work TIME is set to a value corresponding to the reproduction time of the cell # 1, for example.

After that, the user selects the remote controller 5
Alternatively, unless the stop key of the device body 200 is turned on (NO in step ST7114), the reproduction is continued until the end of the cell.

At the end of the cell currently being reproduced (YES in step ST7115), MPU 30 waits until the reproduction of the last VOBU of the cell is completed (step ST7116). When the reproduction of this VOBU is completed, the frame that appears at the end of the cell is still reproduced (step ST7117). After this still reproduction has been executed for a predetermined time, the process returns to the process in FIG.

[0870] If the user turns on the stop key during cell reproduction (YES in step ST7114), reproduction ends at that point, and reproduction interruption information (such as how much the cell has been reproduced) is stored in the work RAM of the MPU 30. After recording (step ST7118), the reproduction process ends.

[0877] Note that when the reproduction process of the next cell (step ST710) is executed after the reproduction of the cell # 1 is completed (NO in step ST712 and step ST714), the cell before the cell # 1 and the cell to be reproduced from now on are executed. # 2 is continuously recorded (YES in step ST7110). In this case, steps ST7111 to ST7112
Processing is skipped.

FIGS. 91 and 92 correspond to FIG. 51 or FIG.
It is a flowchart figure explaining an example of the process which edits a user menu in the 2nd apparatus. In addition, FIG.
Shows an example of a user menu (chapter menu) editing operation.

When the user presses the menu edit key 5edt of the remote controller 5 of FIG. 54, for example, FIG.
1 or the MPU 30 of FIG. 52 enters the user menu editing process of FIGS. 91 and 92.

Upon entering this process, the MPU 30 first creates the header of the user menu file (see FIG. 47) (step ST802). In this header, only those that can be recorded there are created and recorded. (When a reduced image for a user menu is registered in the reduced image file, the header data is updated each time.) In addition, the monitor screen of FIG. 84 displays a time bar (FIG. 102) corresponding to the reproduction time of the title to be edited by the user menu. 1 illustrated in the top row of
A character string such as 5 minutes, 30 minutes, ... 75 minutes and a square column thereunder) is displayed (step ST804). Then, under the time bar, a cursor (upward arrow ↑ = time cursor in FIG. 102) for selecting which time screen is used for the user menu is displayed (step S).
T808). This time cursor can be moved left and right by operating the cursor key 5q of the remote controller 5 of FIG.

The user can search for the target image by moving the time cursor by operating the cursor keys of the remote controller 5.

Of the title to be edited, the image (here, A) taken out from the time zone pointed by the time cursor is reduced and displayed on the monitor screen of FIG. 84 (step ST806).

For example, as shown in FIG. 100, it is assumed that five titles (five individual programs) A to E have been recorded on the disc 10 to be edited. Here, A is a photograph of the natural landscape of each country on the African continent, B is a photograph of the landscape of major cities in each state of North America, and C is a photograph of wild animals inhabiting the South American continent. It is assumed that D is a photograph of various natural landscapes of the continent of Australia, and E is a photograph of landscapes of tourist destinations in various countries on the continent of Europe.

Now, it is assumed that the title A is selected as an editing target. The title A is composed of five program chains PGC1 to PGC5, as illustrated in FIG. PGC1 is a video scene A that introduces the African continent, including the topography of the entire African continent.
2 is a video scene a1 introducing the nature of Ethiopia, PGC3 is a video scene a2 introducing the nature of Etruria, PGC4 is a video scene a3 introducing the nature of Kenya, and PGC5 is introducing the nature of Zaire. Assume that it is video scene a4.

Here, the video scene "African continent" A
Is PGC1 with a playback end time of 10 minutes and 15 seconds, and the video scene "Nature of Ethiopia" a1 has a playback end time of 1
It is PGC2 of 7 minutes and 8 seconds, the video scene "Nature of Etruria" a2 is PGC3 with a playback end time of 38 minutes and 8 seconds, and the video scene "Nature of Kenya" a3 is PGC4 with a playback end time of 50 minutes and 15 seconds. In the video scene “Zaire's Nature” a4, the playback end time is 63 minutes and 32 seconds.
It is GC5.

When the time cursor displayed in step ST808 in FIG. 91 points to the specific reproduction time zone of PGC1, the video scene "African continent" is displayed.
The image A cut out from the PGC1 of A is reduced and displayed in the center of the monitor screen (step ST810) (FIG. 102).
See the top row on the left).

When the user operates the cursor keys on the remote controller 5 to shift the time cursor in FIG. 102 to the right and point to a reproduction time zone having PGC2 (step ST810), the video scene "Nature of Ethiopia" a1
The image a1 cut out from the image is reduced and displayed in the center of the monitor screen (step ST810), and the previously displayed image A of “African continent” is moved to the lower left of the screen (step ST812) (the maximum in FIG. 102). (See upper right).

In the case of the configuration of FIG. 51, the I picture containing the image A (selected image) moved to the lower left of the screen is transferred to the data processor 36, and is temporarily stored as a reduced image in the temporary storage unit 3.
4A is stored (step ST814).

Further, in the case of the configuration of FIG. 52, the image A (selected image) moved to the lower left of the screen is the video encoder 5
Data processor 36 after being transferred to 3 and packed
And is stored in the large-capacity temporary storage unit 34B (step ST814).

Note that the reduced images A, a1 and the like are shown in FIG.
In the configuration of No. 2, the reduced video encoder 58 creates it at the time of encoding, and in the configuration of FIG. 52, the reduced image generator 64A creates it at the time of decoding.

Also, the information on the selected image is recorded in the user menu file header later so that the MP
Save in work RAM in U30. At this time, when the display position of the reduced image is also determined, it is possible to display a positioning cursor (not shown) and specify the position of the reduced image.

Subsequently, the MPU 30 makes the data processor 3
47 to the internal microcomputer (not shown) of FIG.
The above-mentioned "32 kbyte alignment" is instructed by referring to (step ST816).

When it is desired to add text information to the selected image, for example, to add the text "Africa" to image A, the user inputs the text (step ST818). This text input can be performed, for example, by displaying alphabets or kana characters on the monitor screen, selecting a specific character with the cursor keys of the remote controller 5, and confirming the desired character with the enter key. it can.

The text information regarding the selected image thus input is stored in the work RAM in the MPU 30 for later recording in the user menu file header (step ST820).

[0888] Step ST810 to Step ST820
The user operation of is repeated until all the desired PGC images have been selected. That is, the time cursor is shifted to a reproduction time zone in which PGC3 is present and the image a2 is displayed (see the left side of the middle part of FIG. 102). Similarly, the images a3 and a4 can be displayed by sequentially shifting the time cursor to a reproduction time zone in which PGC4 and PGC5 are present (see the middle right side of FIG. 102).

[0890] If the title A of "African continent" includes PGC6 of another video scene and the user shifts the time cursor to the playback time zone of this PGC5, the screen of the user menu switches to the next screen. (Yes in step ST822). For example, when the user shifts the time cursor to the reproduction time zone between 75 minutes and 90 minutes, the display area of the reduced screen of the user menu before that is cleared (step ST824) and a new PGC is displayed.
The image a5 of No. 6 is reduced and displayed in the center of the screen (see the lower left side of FIG. 102).

[0891] When there is no next screen, or when the user does not move the time cursor to the reproduction time zone of the next screen (NO in step ST822), the screen clear in step ST824 is not performed.

When all screen selecting operations in the desired reproduction time zone are completed, the user inputs the end of menu editing (after selecting "Yes" on the lower right side of FIG. 102, the enter key of the remote controller 5 is turned on). Be done). Then, the menu editing by the user ends (step S
T826).

[0891] When the user has finished editing the menu, the process of registering the edited data in the disk 10 is started.

That is, in FIG. 92, first, "1" is set in the index N and MP is set in the index M.
The total number of background images stored in the internal ROM of U30 is set (step ST828).

Next, the Nth background image in the ROM of MPU 30 is displayed (step ST830). This Nth background image includes all selectable background patterns (see screen example G1 in FIG. 99).

Furthermore, steps ST810 to ST8 of FIG.
The selected image stored in the temporary storage unit 34A or 34B in the process of 26 (A, a1, a2, and a3 in the example of FIG. 101).
And a4) are displayed on the background image as the registered reduced image (step ST832). Here, a request sentence such as “Please select a background image” is displayed to the user (see the screen example G2 in FIG. 99).

If the user has not yet decided the type of the background image (NO in step ST834), he or she operates the cursor key (or numeric keypad) of the remote controller 5 to select the desired background image pattern from the plurality of types. Is specified. Then, in response to this designation, the index N set to "1" in step ST828.
Changes (step ST836). With the change in the numerical value of the index N, the displayed background image pattern changes (see the screen example G3 in FIG. 99).

When the user turns on the enter key of the remote controller 5 while the desired background image pattern is displayed, the background pattern corresponding to the numerical value of the index N at that time is confirmed as the background image (YES in step ST834). ) (See screen example G4 in FIG. 99).

The background image (or its registration number) thus determined is read from the ROM of MPU 30 and recorded in the user menu file (step ST83).
8). For the background image data to be registered, see FIG.
Similar to step ST816 of, the process of “32 kbyte alignment” is performed (step ST840).

Next, a "frame image" to be the border of the registered reduced images forming the user menu is selected.

That is, first, “1” is set in the index N and the internal RO of the MPU 30 is set in the index M.
The total number of frame images stored in M is set (step ST842).

Next, the Nth frame image in the ROM of MPU 30 is displayed (step ST844). The Nth frame image includes all selectable frame patterns. In this frame pattern, the temporary storage unit 34A or 3
The selected images stored in 4B (A, a1, a2, a3, and a4 in the example of FIG. 101) are displayed as reduced images. Here, a request message such as “Please select a frame image” is displayed to the user (screen example G5 in FIG. 99).
reference).

Here, the frame image is an image provided to decorate the periphery of the reduced image or to make it easier to see the boundary between the background image and the reduced image.

If the user has not yet decided the type of frame image (NO in step ST848), he or she operates the cursor key (or the numeric keypad) of the remote controller 5 to select the desired frame image pattern from a plurality of types of frame image patterns. Is specified. Then, in response to this designation, the numerical value of the index N set to "1" in step ST842 changes (step ST850). The frame image pattern to be displayed changes as the numerical value of the index N changes.

When the user turns on the enter key of the remote controller 5 while the desired frame image pattern is displayed, the frame pattern corresponding to the numerical value of the index N at that time is determined as the frame image (step ST
848 Jesus). For example, if the solid line frame of the reduced image A is selected, the solid line frame is used as the frame pattern of the reduced image (see screen example G6 in FIG. 99).

When the reduced image and the frame image used for the user menu are determined in this way, step ST in FIG. 901.
Required data is recorded in the header of the user menu file created in 802 (step ST852).

Thereafter, information necessary for managing the user menu file (for example, user menu existence flag, main PGC number, display position, etc. in FIG. 25) is recorded in VMGI, VTSI or control information DA21 (step ST854).

Then, finally, the created user menu file is registered in the area of the volume / file management information 70 of FIGS. 3 to 5 (step ST856), and the processing of FIG. 92 ends.

FIG. 93 is a flow chart for explaining an example of processing for automatically creating a user menu file in the apparatus of FIG. 51, for example. The user menu file automatic creation operation shown in FIG. 93 is executed after the recording process of FIG.

When the user presses the menu edit key 5edt of the remote controller 5 of FIG. 54 twice in a short time (for example, within 1 second) (that is, when the menu edit key is double-clicked), the user presses the menu shown in FIG. 51 or 52.
The MPU 30 enters the automatic user menu creation process of FIG. (If you want to cancel this automatic user menu creation process, you can press the clear key 5k of the remote controller 5, for example.) If you enter this process, the MPU
The 30 first creates the header of the user menu file (see FIG. 47) and records the necessary parts (step ST
900). In this header, only those that can be recorded there are created and recorded. Whenever the reduced image for the user menu is registered, the header data is updated.

[0911] Next, the title (audio,
The total number of program chains PGC forming video data) is set in the index "M", and the first program chain number (= 1) is set in the index "N" (step ST902).

Subsequently, the head reduced image of the N-th PGC is packed by the formatter 56 as a reduced image of the data in the reduced image memory unit, and the data processor 36
Are transferred (step ST904). After that, MPU
The 30 instructs the data processor 36 to "32 kbyte align" (step ST906).

Thereafter, index N is incremented by 1, and index M is decremented by 1 at the same time (step ST908).

If index M is larger than zero (NO in step ST910), the processing loop of steps ST904 to ST908 is repeated until index M becomes zero.

When the index M decreases to 0 (YES in step ST910), that is, when all the reduced images have been transferred, the display start coordinates (X, Y) of each reduced image obtained by the iterative process of steps ST904 to ST908.
Coordinates) are calculated and additionally described in the file header created in step ST900 (step ST912).
This display start coordinate calculation is performed so that the display positions of the reduced images do not overlap.

Next, the default background image of the user menu is determined, and the data of the background image is set to the data processor 3.
6 is transferred (step ST914). Where MP
The background image data in the internal ROM of U30 is MPEG2.
It is assumed that the data is stored in the form of being compressed and packed. After transferring this background image data, MPU
30 instructs the data processor 36 to perform the above-mentioned "32 kbyte alignment" (step ST916).

[0917] Thereafter, the background image data is changed to step ST9.
Added to the header created in 00 (step ST91
8) Further, necessary data is recorded in this header (step ST920).

Then, management information (VMGI or VTS
I) or necessary information (user menu presence flag, main PGC number, display position, etc.) is recorded in the control information DA21 (step ST922), and the automatically created menu file is registered in the volume / file management information 70 (step ST922). ST924).

Here, in determining the background image (and / or frame image) of the user menu, a method of selecting it in accordance with the type of reduced image data may be considered.

For example, a method of selecting a background image according to the brightness of the reduced image to be displayed can be considered. Specifically, first, images that have stepwise different brightness levels are prepared in the pattern ROM of the background image in the MPU 30 (the brightest image, the bright image, the normal image, the dark image,
Darkest image etc.). At the time of reproduction, the average of the luminances of all the reduced images to be displayed is calculated. When the average luminance is high, the image is selected from the dark background image, and when the average luminance is low, the image is selected from the bright background image.

[0921] Also, a method of selecting a background image according to the hue of the reduced image to be displayed can be considered. Specifically, first, images with different hues are prepared in the background image pattern ROM in the MPU 30 (reddish image, bluish image, greenish image, whitish image, darkish image, etc.). During playback, calculate the average hue of all the reduced images to be displayed.When the average hue is red, select the image from the blue background image.When the average hue is blue, select the image from the red background image and when the average hue is white. , Select an image from the black background images, and when the average hue is green,
Try to select an image from the red background image.

94 and 95 are the same as FIG. 51 or FIG.
It is a flowchart figure explaining an example of the process which searches a user menu in the 2nd apparatus.

When the menu key 5n of the remote controller 5 shown in FIG. 54 is pressed, a menu search is performed.

At this time, the disc 10 loaded in the disc drive 32 is a DVD having the data structure shown in FIG.
If -R (start 1 in FIG. 94), MPU30 is V
Read TSI (step ST1000), VTSM
If there is (YES in step ST1002), the process proceeds to the VTSM process. If there is no VTSM (step ST10
02 No) VMGI is read (step ST10).
04).

On the other hand, the disk 10 loaded in the disk drive 32 has the data structure shown in FIGS.
If it is VD-RW (start 2 in FIG. 94), MPU3
0 reads the reproduction control information DA211 (FIG. 4) (step ST1001).

[0926] The read VMGI management table (Fig. 2
If the user menu existence flag = "01" is present in 1) (Yes in step ST1006), or if the user menu existence flag = "01" is present in the management table (FIG. 25) of the read playback control information DA211 (Yes in step ST1006). ), First MPEG video decoder 6
Each initial setting of No. 4 is performed (step ST1008).

Subsequently, the user menu file created by the processing of FIG. 91 to FIG. 92 or FIG. 93 is read and the background image is displayed (step ST1010).

Here, the user is the remote controller 5
Keyword (such as Africa)
Is input (step ST1012). Then MPU
30 reads the text data in the user menu file header and searches for a reduced image to which the same word as the input keyword (Africa) is added (step ST1014).

As a result of this search, the MPU 30 sets the number of reduced images found to the index "USRNS", and the first reduced image number is set to the parameter "USR_NU".
M ”(step ST1016).

Next, the reduced image of "USR_NUM" is
It is displayed so as not to overlap with other reduced images (step ST1018). After that, the index "USRNS" is decremented (step ST1020). When the decremented index "USRNS" becomes zero (YES in step ST1022), the user selects a desired one of the displayed reduced images (for example, Kenya on the African continent) (step ST1024).

When a specific reduced image (for example, Kenya) is selected, the MPU 30 causes the reduced image management area (FIG. 47).
Is read, the target PGC is determined, and each decoder is initialized (step ST1026). And then
The MPU 30 searches for a target PGC (for example, a program in which the scenery of Kenya is recorded) (step ST102).
8) If the PGC is found, the reproduction is started.

[0932] If the decremented index "USRNS" is greater than zero in step ST1022 (NO in step ST1022), the process jumps to step ST1030 in Fig. 95.

[0933] First, the next reduced image number is the parameter "U
SR_NUM "(step ST103)
0). If the next screen is not needed (step ST103)
2 No), and returns to step ST1018 in FIG. Whether or not the next screen is required is determined by whether or not a plurality of reduced images can be displayed without overlapping.

If the next screen including another reduced image is required (YES in step ST1032), the cursor display for displaying the next screen is displayed (step ST1034), and the user selects a desired reduced image from the display (step ST1032). ST1
036). If there is no need to select the next screen (NO in step ST1038), step ST1026 in FIG.
Return to.

[0932] When selecting the next screen (step ST
1038), the screen is cleared and the background image is displayed again (step ST1040), and step ST1 in FIG.
Return to 018.

96 to 98 are flow charts for explaining an example of the processing for reproducing the user menu in the apparatus shown in FIG. 51 or 52.

When the menu key 5n of the remote controller 5 shown in FIG. 54 is pressed, a menu search is performed.

At this time, the disc 10 loaded in the disc drive 32 is a DVD having the data structure shown in FIG.
If -R (start 1 in FIG. 96), MPU30 is V
Read TSI (step ST1100), VTSM
If there is (YES in step ST1102), the process proceeds to VTSM processing. If there is no VTSM (step ST11
02 No) VMGI is read (step ST11)
04).

On the other hand, the disk 10 loaded in the disk drive 32 has the data structure D shown in FIGS.
If it is VD-RW (start 2 in FIG. 96), MPU3
0 reads the reproduction control information DA211 (FIG. 4) (step ST1101).

[0940] The read VMGI management table (Fig. 2)
If 1) has the user menu existence flag = "01" (YES in step ST1106) or if the read management table of the reproduction control information DA211 (FIG. 25) has the user menu existence flag = "01" (YES in step ST1106). ), First, the title search pointer table TT_SRPT (FIG. 22) is searched to detect a title with a user menu (step ST110).
8). Then, each initial setting of the MPEG video decoder 64 is performed (step ST1110).

Subsequently, the user menu file created by the processing of FIG. 91 to FIG. 92 or FIG. 93 is read and the background image is displayed (step ST1112).

Subsequently, the MPU 30 sets the number of titles of the user menu in the index "N", and sets the first title number in the parameter "M" (step ST1114).

[0943] Here, when entering from Start 2, FIG.
Jump to step ST1128 of 7. Start 1
In case of entering from, the VTSI of title number “M” is read (step ST1116).

[0944] Title search pointer table TT_S
Target coordinates described in RPT (byte position 1 in FIG. 22)
9 to 22) and if there is text data, the MPU 30 refers to the character ROM inside the MPU 30 based on the text data, and the MPU 30 displays the font data corresponding to the text data under the reduced image. Write to the frame buffer (step ST1118).

Then, the index "N" is decremented (step ST1120), and if the index "N" becomes zero (step ST1122 YES), the title is selected at that time (step ST1124). Then, it jumps to step ST1126 of FIG. When the index “N” is greater than 0 (step ST
No. 1122), jump to step ST1150 in FIG.

When a title is selected in step ST1124 of FIG. 96, the target VTSI is read in FIG. 97 (step ST1126).

Then, the reduced image file is read out and the background image is displayed (step ST1128). And P
The GCI is searched to detect the PGC with the reduced image (step ST1130).

Subsequently, the number of PGCs having the reduced image is set in the index "PGCNS", and the first PGC number is set in the parameter "PGC_NUM" (step ST1132).

[0949] The parameter "PGC set in this way
After displaying the reduced image of “_NUM” at the target coordinates (described in TT_SRPT) (in order not to overlap) (step ST1134), the index “PGCNS” is decremented (step ST1136). If the decremented index “PGCNS” is greater than 0 (NO in step ST1138), step ST in FIG.
Jump to 1170.

[0950] The decremented index "PGC
If "NS" becomes 0 (YES in step ST1138),
The PGC at that time is selected (step ST114
0), the target PGC is searched (step ST114).
2) Then, the reproducing process is started.

[0952] In step ST1122 of FIG.
When the decremented index “N” is larger than zero (NO in step ST1122), the process jumps to step ST1150 in FIG.

[0952] First, the next title number is set in the parameter "M" (step ST1150). If the next screen is not required (NO in step ST1152),
It returns to step ST1118 of FIG.

If the next screen is required (step ST1)
152), the cursor is displayed to bring up the next screen (step ST1154), and the user selects a desired title from the display (step ST1156). If it is not necessary to select the next screen (NO in step ST1158), the process returns immediately after step ST1124 in FIG.

When selecting the next screen (step ST
1158: Yes), the screen is cleared and the background image is displayed again (step ST1160), and step ST1 in FIG. 96.
Return to 118.

[0955] In step ST1138 of FIG.
When the decremented index "PGCNS" is larger than zero (NO in step ST1138), FIG.
Jump to step ST1170.

First, the next PGC number is the parameter "PG
C_NUM "(step ST117)
0). If the next screen is not needed (step ST117)
2 No), and returns to step ST1134 in FIG.

If the next screen is required (step ST1)
172), the cursor is displayed to bring up the next screen (step ST1174), and the user selects the desired P from that display.
GC is selected (step ST1176). If it is not necessary to select the next screen (NO in step ST1178), the process returns to step ST1142 in FIG.

When selecting the next screen (step ST
1178), the screen is cleared and the background image is displayed again (step ST1180), and step ST1 in FIG.
Return to 134.

The remote controller 5 of FIG. 54 has a menu key 5n and a title key 5p. Here, the title key 5p is used for the title menu (VMG
M), the menu key 5n
It can be used to call the root menu (VTSM). From the root menu, the audio switching menu,
It is possible to shift to a sub-picture switching menu, a part-of-title PTT menu (chapter menu), and the like. Where V
TSM is defined as a menu that a provider can freely create.

On the other hand, in a DVD video recorder capable of recording / reproducing, since a general user performs a recording operation, the DVD
-VMGM or VTSM such as video ROM is not normally set. Therefore, in the embodiments of FIGS. 96 to 98, as a part of the menu key processing, the user menu is displayed and the user menu file operation is performed when the VTSM is not recorded on the disc.

[0961]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can relatively easily create a visual menu used for searching recorded contents.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a recordable / reproducible optical disc (DVD-RAM or DVD-RW disc).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a data recording area of the optical disc (DVD-RAM) of FIG. 1 and a recording track of data recorded therein.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchical structure of information recorded on the optical disc of FIG.

4 is a diagram further explaining the information hierarchical structure of FIG.

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence between a cell structure of a video object and a program chain PGC in the information hierarchical structure of FIG.

6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a hierarchical structure of information recorded on the optical disc of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a logical structure of information (lead-in area) recorded on the optical disc of FIG.

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of control data recorded in a lead-in area in FIG. 7.

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of physical format information included in the control data of FIG.

10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory structure of information (data file) recorded on the optical disc of FIG.

11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a directory record corresponding to the directory structure of FIG.

12 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information included in the video object set VOBS of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of the contents of the lowermost pack of the hierarchical structure of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining another example of the contents of the lowermost pack of the hierarchical structure of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the navigation pack of FIG.

16 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the dummy pack of FIG.

17 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the PCI packet of FIG.

18 is a diagram for explaining the content of the reproduction control information PCI of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a reproduction control information general information PCI_GI of FIG. 18;
FIG.

20 is a view for explaining the contents of video manager information VMGI in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a view for explaining the contents of the video manager information management table VMGI_MAT shown in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a title search pointer table T of FIG.
The figure explaining the content of T_SRPT.

FIG. 23 is a view for explaining the content of video title set information VTSI of FIG. 6.

FIG. 24 is a view for explaining the contents of the video title set information management table VTSI_MAT shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a view for explaining the contents of the reproduction management table PLY_MAT shown in FIG.

26 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the recording management table REC_MAT of FIG.

27 is a diagram illustrating the contents of PGC management information PGC_MAI of FIG.

28 is a view for explaining the contents of PGC information PGCI of FIG.

FIG. 29 is a view for explaining the contents of PGC general information PGC_GI in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is the cell reproduction information CELL_PLY_I of FIG. 28.
The figure explaining the content of NF.

FIG. 31 is a view for explaining the contents of the video title set program chain information table VTSI_PGCIT shown in FIG. 23.

32 is a diagram illustrating the content of video title set program chain information VTS_PGCI of FIG. 31. FIG.

FIG. 33 is a cell reproduction information table C_PBIT shown in FIG. 32.
FIG.

FIG. 34 is a view for explaining the content of cell reproduction information C_PBI shown in FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a view for explaining the contents of cell category C_CAT in FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a program chain general information PGC of FIG. 32.
The figure explaining the content of _GI.

37 is a diagram for explaining a case of reproducing cell data recorded on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG.

38 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between each cell forming the reproduction data of FIG. 37 and program chain information.

39 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a method of determining a break point of video content recorded on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG.

40 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a method of determining a break point of video content recorded on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG.

41 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a method of determining a break point of video content recorded on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG.

42 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of a method of determining a break point of video content recorded on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG.

43 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example of a method of determining a break point of video content recorded on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG.

44 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a video pack of a portion in which a still image is reproduced in the video content recorded on the disc of FIG. 1.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating another example of a video pack of a portion in which a still image is reproduced in the video content recorded on the disc of FIG. 1.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating still another example of a video pack of a portion in which a still image is reproduced in the video content recorded on the disc of FIG. 1.

47 is a diagram conceptually explaining an example of a file structure of a menu created by the user among the video contents recorded on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG.

48 is a diagram (part 1) explaining a specific example of the file structure of the menu created by the user among the video contents recorded on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG.

49 is a diagram (part 2) explaining a specific example of the file structure of the menu created by the user among the video contents recorded on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG.

50 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a device (DVD video recorder) that records / reproduces digital moving image information at a variable recording rate on the disc of FIG. 1 using information having the structure described in FIG. 6.

51 is a function of creating a user menu in a disc (DVD video recorder) for recording / reproducing digital moving image information at a variable recording rate by using information having a structure as described in FIGS. 3 to 5 on the disc of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus including a device.

52 is a function of creating a user menu in a disc (DVD video recorder) for recording / reproducing digital moving image information at a variable recording rate by using information having a structure as described in FIGS. 3 to 5 on the disc of FIG. 1; The block diagram explaining the other example of the apparatus provided with.

53 is a diagram showing an example of the front panel of the device body of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52. FIG.

54 is a diagram illustrating a remote controller for operating the DVD video recorder of FIGS. 50 to 52. FIG.

55 is a block diagram for explaining a circuit (when there is no transfer clock) for detecting the number of recording bytes of the information recorded on the disc of FIG. 1 by counting the number of recording bytes in the DVD video recorder of FIGS. Fig.

FIG. 56 is a timing chart illustrating a timing at which the counter of FIG. 55 counts a recording byte.

57 illustrates another circuit (when a transfer clock is provided) for detecting the number of recording bytes of the information recorded on the disc of FIG. 1 by counting the number of recording bytes in the DVD video recorder of FIGS. 50 to 52. Block diagram.

FIG. 58 is a timing diagram illustrating a timing at which the counter of FIG. 57 counts a recording byte.

FIG. 59 is a diagram of a general-purpose personal computer used in FIG.
53 is a block diagram illustrating a case where the recording / reproducing function of the DVD video recorder of FIG. 52 is realized.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording operation of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52.

FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure of various interrupt processing executed during the recording operation of FIG. 60.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart diagram for explaining processing for monitoring the remaining recordable capacity left on the recording target disc.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a small remaining capacity, which is executed according to the result of the remaining capacity monitoring process of FIG. 62 (contents of the minimum capacity flag).

64 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the remaining capacity small processing executed according to the result of the remaining capacity monitoring processing (contents of the minimum capacity flag) of FIG. 62.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart diagram for explaining processing on the MPU side that deletes unnecessary data from the recording target disk.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart diagram for explaining an example of processing on the disk drive side for deleting unnecessary data from the recording target disk.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart diagram for explaining another example of the processing on the disk drive side that deletes unnecessary data from the recording target disk.

FIG. 68 is a flowchart diagram for explaining processing for changing the recording bit rate of recording (MPEG2) according to desired image quality.

[Fig. 69] When the remaining capacity of the disc being recorded in the high image quality mode (MPEG2) is insufficient as compared with the remaining recording time, the recording mode is changed to the low image quality mode (MPEG1) having a relatively high compression rate. The flowchart figure explaining the process which switches.

[Fig. 70] When the remaining capacity of the disk during moving image recording together with the editing dummy pack becomes insufficient as compared with the remaining recording time, the recording of the dummy pack can be stopped and the moving image recording area can be expanded accordingly. The flowchart figure explaining the process to do.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart diagram for explaining an example of a process of automatically exchanging a recording disc using a disc changer.

72 is a flow chart diagram for explaining the processing when there is no replacement disk in the disk changer in the processing of FIG. 71. FIG.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart diagram illustrating an example of a process in which the user manually replaces the recording disc.

FIG. 74 is a flow chart diagram for explaining a process of notifying the user of the lapse of time until the disk replacement is completed in the process of FIG. 73.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart diagram for explaining timer reservation operation of the DVD video recorder of FIGS. 50 to 52.

FIG. 76 is a flowchart diagram for explaining another example (including automatic image quality setting processing) of the recording operation of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52.

77 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an average recording rate setting process in the automatic image quality setting process of FIG. 76.

78 is a flowchart showing another example of the average recording rate setting process in the automatic image quality setting process of FIG. 76.

79 is a flowchart diagram for explaining still another example of the recording operation of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52. FIG.

FIG. 80 is a flowchart diagram for explaining the default setting of the writing and reproduction flag and the archive flag of the management area after the recording is completed by the procedure of FIG. 79.

81 is a flowchart diagram for explaining an example of a reproducing operation of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52. FIG.

82 is a flow chart diagram for explaining the update setting of the archive flag and the played flag after the playback is completed by the procedure of FIG. 81.

83 is a flowchart diagram for explaining the contents of processing ST318 during cell reproduction in FIG. 81. FIG.

FIG. 84 is a diagram showing a display example of a warning display, an average recording rate, a remaining recordable time at that rate, and the like when a disc remaining during recording is running low.

FIG. 85 is a view for explaining an example of a dialog box displayed on the monitor when changing the average bit rate of recording.

FIG. 86 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box displayed on the monitor during disk replacement.

FIG. 87 is a view for explaining an example of a dialog box displayed on the monitor during disc organization (unnecessary data deletion).

FIG. 88 is a view for explaining an example of a dialog box for notifying the user of elapse of the disc exchange time when the user manually exchanges the disc.

89 is a flowchart showing another example of the reproducing operation of the DVD video recorder shown in FIGS. 50 to 52.

FIG. 90 is a flowchart diagram for explaining the contents of processing ST710 at the time of cell reproduction in FIG. 89;

91 is a flowchart (part 1) explaining an example of processing for editing a user menu in the apparatus of FIG. 51 or FIG. 52. FIG.

92 is a flowchart (part 2) explaining an example of processing for editing a user menu in the apparatus of FIG. 51 or FIG. 52. FIG.

FIG. 93 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for automatically creating a user menu file in the apparatus shown in FIG. 51 or 52.

FIG. 94 is a flowchart diagram (1) explaining an example of processing for searching a user menu in the apparatus of FIG. 51 or FIG. 52;

95 is a flowchart (part 2) explaining an example of processing for searching a user menu in the apparatus of FIG. 51 or FIG. 52;

96 is a flowchart (part 1) explaining an example of a process of reproducing a user menu in the apparatus of FIG. 51 or FIG. 52.

97 is a flowchart (part 2) explaining an example of processing for reproducing a user menu in the apparatus of FIG. 51 or FIG. 52;

98 is a flowchart (part 3) explaining an example of processing for reproducing a user menu in the apparatus of FIG. 51 or FIG. 52;

99 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of selecting a background image and a frame image of a user menu (chapter menu) in the device of FIG. 51 or FIG. 52.

FIG. 100 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user menu including reduced images (A to E) corresponding to recorded contents.

101 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between chapters (corresponding to PGC1 to PGC5) in the specific recording title (A) in FIG. 100 and chapter menus (A, a1 to a4) composed of reduced images thereof.

FIG. 102 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user menu (chapter menu) editing operation.

103 is a video object set VOBS of FIG. 5;
Showing an example of a hierarchical structure of information included in (without navigation pack).

[Explanation of symbols]

5 ... Remote controller; 6 ... Monitor; 8 ... Speaker; 10 ... Recordable / reproducible optical disk (DVD-RAM
/ DVD-RW or DVD-R); 11 ... Cartridge (for DVD-RAM / DVD-RW); 14 ... Transparent substrate (polycarbonate); 16 ... Light reflecting layer; 17 ... Recording layer; 19 ... Read surface; 20 ... Adhesive layer; 22 ... central hole;
24 ... Clamping area; 25 ... Information area; 26 ...
Lead-out area; 27 ... Lead-in area; 28 ...
Data recording area; 30 ... Microcomputer block (MPU / ROM / RAM); 32 ... Disk drive; 34, 34A, 34B ... Temporary storage unit; 36 ... Data processor; 38 ... System time counter STC; 42
... AV input section; 44 ... TV tuner (terrestrial broadcast / satellite broadcast tuner); 46 ... AV output section; 48 ... DVD video recorder display section (liquid crystal or fluorescent display panel); 49 ...
Key input part / remote control receiving part; 50 ... Encoder part; 5
2 ... ADC; 53 ... video encoder; 54 ... audio encoder; 55 ... sub-picture encoder; 56 ... formatter; 57 ... buffer memory; 58 ... reduced video encoder; 59 ... memory; 60 ... decoder section; 62 ... separator; 63 ... Memory; 64 ... Video decoder; 64A
... reduced image generation unit; 65 ... sub-picture decoder; 66 ... video processor; 67 ... video DAC; 68 ... audio decoder; 69 ... audio DAC; 600 ... circuit block (separator / V decoder / SP decoder / A decoder); ... Video mixer; 604 ... Frame memory; 70 ... Volume / file management information (volume / file structure area); 71 ... DVD video area; 72
... video title set VTS # n; 73 ... other recording area; 74A ... video manager file; 74B ... video title set file; 75 ... video manager information VMGI; 82 ... video object set VOB
S; 83 ... video object VOB; 84 ... cell; 8
5 ... Video object unit VOBU; 86 ... Navigation pack; 88 ... Video pack; 89 ... Dummy pack; 90 ... Sub-picture pack; 91 ... Audio pack; 94 ... Video title set information VTSI;
... Disc changer section: 110, 881, 891, 9
01, 911 ... Pack header; 111 ... System header; 112B, 114B ... Substream ID; 11
2, 112A, 114, 114A, 892 ... Packet header; 113 ... PCI data; 115 ... DSI data;
116 ... PCI packet; 117 ... DSI packet; 2
00 ... DVD video recorder main unit; 202 ... Disc tray entrance; 882 ... Video packet; 890 ... Padding packet; 893 ... Padding data; 902 ...
Sub-picture packet; 912 ... Audio packet; 100
0 ... Hardware of personal computer; 1002
... bus; 1004 ... main CPU (main MPU); 1
006 ... Cash memory; 1008 ... Bios RO
M; 1010 ... Main memory; 1012 ... Video memory; 1014 ... Scan interface; 1018 ... Hard disk drive; 1020 ... DVD-ROM / D
VD-RAM compatible drive; 1022 ... Floppy disk drive; 1024 ... Keyboard I / O;
1026 ... Mouse I / O; 1028 ... Communication I / O; 10
30 ... DVD recording / playback processing board (card including MPEG2 encoder / decoder and the like and inserted into a general-purpose bus slot); 1032 ... Video I / O; 1034 ... Audio I / O; DA ... Data area; DA1, DA3 ... Computer data area DA2 ... audio / video data area; DA21 ... control information; DA22 ... video object; DA23 ... picture object; DA24
Audio object; DA211 ... Reproduction control information; DA212 ... Recording control information; DA213 ... Editing control information; DA214 ... Miniature control information; DA2141 ... Anchor pointer; DA2142 ... Picture address table; DA2143 ... Miniature data; INFO2 ... Index picture information; INFO3 ... Slide and still picture information; INFO4 ... Information picture information; I
NFO5 ... Defect area information; INFO6 ... Wallpaper picture information.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification Code FI Theme Coat (Reference) H04N 5/85 H04N 5/91 N 5/91 5/92 H 5/92 G11B 27/02 K (72) Inventor Masafumi Tamura 70 Yanagi-cho, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Inside the Yanagicho factory, Toshiba (72) Inventor Hideo Ando 70, Yanagi-cho, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Inside the Yanagicho factory, Toshiba (72) Inventor Shuichi Kutomi Tokyo 3-3-9 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Toshiba Abu E. Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Minosaki Mitsuyuki 70 Yanagimachi, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Toshiba Yanagimachi Factory (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Hirara, 3-3-9, Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Toshiba Abu E Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yuji Ito 70, Yanagimachi, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture (Reference) 5C052 AA02 AA03 AA04 AB05 AB09 AC08 CC01 DD04 EE03 5C053 FA05 FA14 FA25 GA11 GB06 GB12 GB21 HA29 JA01 JA21 JA22 JA24 KA24 LA06 5D044 AB05 AB07 AB08 BC04 CC04 DE24 DE48 DE53 EF05 FG18 G34 A07A15 AK23 AA17 AA27 AA29 CA16 CA45 CD15 DA03 DA20 DB03 FA09

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A data area in which an audio / video program and its control information are recorded, wherein the program corresponds to one or more cells, and the playback order of these cells is indicated by a program chain. In an information medium configured such that the reproduction of the program chain is managed by the program chain information and the program chain information is stored in the control information, the control information includes representative image information of the program. A digital information recording medium having the above-mentioned structure. 2. A data area in which an audio / video program and its control information are recorded,
The program corresponds to one or more cells, the playback order of these cells is indicated by a program chain, the playback of this program chain is managed by program chain information, and this program chain information is stored in the control information, In a digital information recording medium configured such that the control information includes representative image information of the program, the program is reproduced from the data area of the medium based on the control information. Playback device characterized by. 3. A data area in which an audio / video program and its control information are recorded,
The program corresponds to one or more cells, the playback order of these cells is indicated by a program chain, the playback of this program chain is managed by program chain information, and this program chain information is stored in the control information, In a digital information recording medium configured such that the control information includes representative image information of the program, the control information and the program are recorded in the data area of the medium. Recording device. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the representative image information is used for creating a menu or editing the menu.