JP2004104288A - Information processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus capable of executing a series of processes up to recording video data recorded in a first recording medium with a first format into a second recording medium with a second format without the need for manual operations of a user. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus sets any of a first setting including a maximum value (first value B1) of an image bit rate and a maximum value (second value B2) of an audio bit rate, a second setting including the first value of the image bit rate and a third value B3 of the audio bit rate, and a third setting including a fourth value of the image bit rate decided on the basis of a plotting 152 and the third value B3 of the audio bit rate according to a total time Tx of data written on a DVD without the need for manual operations of a user. This invention is applicable to information processing apparatuses for recording recorded data on a digital cassette video tape onto a DVD. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program, and more particularly, to a series of processes until video data recorded on a first recording medium in a first format is recorded on a second recording medium in a second format. And an information processing device capable of executing the program without manual operation of a user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers (hereinafter, also appropriately referred to as PCs) and digital video tape recorders (hereinafter, also appropriately referred to as DVs) have become widespread. Can be taken into a PC and recorded on a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventionally, the work of importing video data shot by a DV from a DV to a PC and the authoring work (for example, the work of recording the captured video data on a DVD) are different processes, respectively. Therefore, there is a problem that a user needs a complicated operation and a great amount of operation time when recording video data shot by a DV on a DVD.
[0004]
In other words, when recording video data shot by a DV onto a DVD, the user reads an application software program that loads DV format video data from a DV into a PC (see Non-Patent Document 1; such application software The program is hereinafter referred to as a data acquisition program) on a PC, and by performing an operation (manual operation) determined by the data acquisition program, video data is imported from the DV to the PC, and the DV format is used. As it is, for example, it is stored in the hard disk in the PC.
[0005]
Thereafter, the user manually shuts down the data acquisition program and records the video data stored in the hard disk on a DVD (see Non-Patent Document 2. Hereinafter, such an application software program is called a DVD). The recording program is manually activated on the PC, and the operation (manual operation) determined by the DVD writing program is performed to change the format of the video data stored on the hard disk from the DV format to the DVD format. After that, the video data in the DVD format is recorded on the DVD, and when the conversion is completed, the DVD writing program is manually shut down.
[0006]
As described above, when recording video data recorded in DV on a DVD using a PC, the user needs a complicated operation involving a plurality of manual operations, and accompanying this, a great amount of operation time is required. There was a problem of needing it.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and is a method for recording video data recorded on a first recording medium in a first format on a second recording medium in a second format. A series of processes can be executed without manual operation of a user.
[0008]
[Non-patent document 1]
"DVgate (DV gate)" product description, [online], Sony drive homepage, [August 30, 2002 search], Internet, <URL: http: // www. sony. jp / products / Consumer / PCOM / Software_02q2 / DVgate / index. html>
[Non-patent document 2]
"Simple DVD Maker" product description, [online], Sony Drive home page "Simple DVD Maker" description, [August 30, 2002 search], Internet, <URL: http: // www. sony. jp / products / Consumer / PCOM / Fun / DVD-RW / >>
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a connection unit that connects to a reproduction device that reproduces content data recorded in a first format, and a content data acquisition unit that acquires content data reproduced by the reproduction device connected to the connection unit. Means for converting the format of the content data obtained by the content data obtaining means from the first format to the second format; and processing the content data converted by the conversion means into the second format. A recording control means for controlling recording on a predetermined recording medium which is detachable from the apparatus, and a reproducing apparatus is connected to a connecting means supplied from the reproducing apparatus, and the reproducing apparatus can reproduce the content data. Detecting means for detecting a signal indicating that the signal has been detected. Content data acquisition means, converting means, and the processing of the recording control means, as a series of processes, characterized in that it comprises a process control means for controlling so as to execute in succession in that order.
[0010]
A reproduction control unit that controls reproduction of the content data by the reproduction device connected to the connection unit; and an information acquisition unit that acquires time information of the content data from the content data whose reproduction is controlled by the reproduction control unit. The content data obtaining means obtains the content data whose reproduction is controlled by the reproduction control means, and the recording control means converts the content data in the second format based on the time information of the content data obtained by the information obtaining means. The processing control unit controls the information acquisition unit to perform processing of the information acquisition unit as one of the series of processes described above when a signal is detected by the detection unit. It can be controlled to be executed before the processing.
[0011]
The playback device is a digital video tape recorder, the first format is a format of a digital video tape recorder, and the content data obtained by the content data obtaining means is stored on a digital video tape mounted on the digital video tape recorder. The recorded playback control means can control playback, fast-forward, and rewind processing of the digital video tape mounted on the digital video tape recorder, and stop the processing.
[0012]
The content data is data comprising a moving image and audio corresponding to the moving image. The content data is recorded on a recording medium under the control of the recording control unit based on the time information of the content data acquired by the information acquiring unit. In this case, the image quality of the moving image of the content data, and the image size, and further provided with a determining means for determining the sound quality of the sound, the recording control means, the image quality of the moving image determined by the determining means, The image size and the sound quality of the audio are controlled so that the content data is recorded on the recording medium, and the processing control means, when a signal is detected by the detection means, performs the processing of the determination means in the series of processing described above. As one of the processes, control is performed such that the process is executed after the process of the information acquisition unit and before the process of the recording control unit. It can be so.
[0013]
The second format is a format defined by the DVD standard, and generates a DVD menu of the content data acquired by the content data acquiring unit based on the time information of the content data acquired by the information acquiring unit. Means is further provided, wherein the recording control means controls the content data in the second format to be recorded on the recording medium based on the DVD menu generated by the generating means, and the processing control means controls the signal processing by the detecting means. Is detected, the process of the generating unit is executed as one of the series of processes described above, after the process of the information obtaining unit and before the process of the recording control unit. Can be controlled.
[0014]
A program according to the present invention includes a content data acquisition step of acquiring content data of a first format reproduced by a predetermined reproduction device, triggered by a predetermined condition, and a content data acquisition step performed by the content data acquisition step. A converting step of converting the format from the first format to the second format, and controlling the computer to record the content data converted into the second format by the processing of the converting step from a computer to a removable recording medium. The recording control step is performed by the computer continuously as a series of processes in that order.
[0015]
A control is performed so that a predetermined symbol is displayed when a signal supplied from the reproducing apparatus to the computer is connected to the computer and indicating that the reproducing apparatus can reproduce the content data. And a detecting step of detecting that a symbol whose display has been controlled by the processing of the display controlling step is selected by the user, and that the symbol is selected by the user by the processing of the detecting step. If detected, the trigger can be used as a trigger to cause the computer to successively execute the content data acquisition step, the conversion step, and the recording control step as a series of processes in that order.
[0016]
In the information processing apparatus and the program according to the present invention, a signal supplied from a predetermined reproduction apparatus and indicating that the reproduction apparatus is connected to the information processing apparatus and that the reproduction apparatus can reproduce content data is detected. When this is triggered, the content data of the first format reproduced by the reproducing device is acquired in the information processing device, and the format of the acquired content data is changed from the first format to the second format. The processing until the content data converted into the format and converted into the second format is recorded from the information processing apparatus to a removable recording medium is continuously executed in that order as a series of processing.
[0017]
The information processing device of the present invention may be connected to the playback device by wire or wirelessly.
[0018]
Further, the information processing apparatus of the present invention may control recording of a recording medium mounted on a drive built in the information processing apparatus itself, or an external drive device may be wirelessly or wiredly connected, By controlling the external drive device, the recording of the recording medium mounted on the external drive device may be controlled.
[0019]
Note that the present invention is of course applicable to an information processing method corresponding to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, and is also applicable to a recording medium for recording the program of the present invention.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration example of an information processing system to which the present embodiment is applied.
[0021]
1, the information processing system 1 includes a personal computer 11 (hereinafter, referred to as a PC 11) and a digital video tape recorder 12 (hereinafter, referred to as a DV 12) mutually connected by a connection line 15. Have been.
[0022]
The connection line 15 may be wired or wireless, and its embodiment is not particularly limited. In this example, for example, i. LINK (trademark). That is, in this example, for example, PC 11 and DV 12 are i. LINK. i. LINK is a trademark of Sony Corporation, the assignee of the present application, and is a high-speed digital serial interface of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394. Therefore, each of the PC 11 and the DV 12 transmits and receives data (data stored in a packet) conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard.
[0023]
When the digital video tape 13 on which predetermined video data is recorded by the DV 12 itself or another DV is mounted, the DV 12 writes the digital video tape 13 based on the control of the PC 11 (or a manual operation of the user). The recorded video data is reproduced and transmitted to the PC 11 via the cable 15 as a reproduced video signal.
[0024]
The PC 11 receives a playback video signal transmitted from the DV 12 via the connection line 15 and changes the format of video data corresponding to the received playback video signal from a DV format to a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) format (for example, , MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group-2) format, and writes (records) it on the DVD 14 mounted on the PC 11. Here, the DVD-R, the DVD-RW, the DVD + R, the DVD + RW, and the DVD-RAM are all collectively referred to simply as a DVD14.
[0025]
FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed configuration example of the PC 11.
[0026]
In the PC 11 of FIG. 2, the CPU 21 is composed of, for example, a Pentium (registered trademark) processor manufactured by Intel Corporation, and is connected to a front side bus (FSB) 54. The north bridge 23 is further connected to the FSB 54. The north bridge 23 has an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 55 and is connected to the hub interface 53.
[0027]
The north bridge 23 includes, for example, 440BX, which is an AGP Host Bridge Controller manufactured by Intel Corporation, and controls the CPU 21 and the memory 22. The memory 22 is configured as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a cache memory (neither is shown).
[0028]
The RAM includes, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) and stores a program executed by the CPU 21 or data necessary for the operation of the CPU 21. Specifically, for example, the RAM stores an OS (Operating System) or an Internet program loaded from the HDD 34 at the time when the startup is completed. The OS is a program that controls the basic operation of a computer represented by, for example, Windows XP (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation or Mac OS (registered trademark) of Apple Computer Corporation.
[0029]
The cache memory is configured by a memory such as an SRAM (Static RAM) that can execute a faster write or read operation than a RAM, and caches (temporarily stores) a program or data used by the CPU 21.
[0030]
The CPU 21 can operate at a higher speed than a primary cache memory, and has a cache controlled by the CPU 21 itself.
[0031]
The north bridge 23 also controls the video controller 24 via the AGP 55. The video controller 24 controls an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 25 or a VGA (Video Graphics Array) type display (hereinafter referred to as a VGA 26).
[0032]
The video controller 24 receives data (image data, text data, or the like) supplied from the CPU 21 and generates image data corresponding to the received data, or a video memory (FIG. (Not shown). The video controller 24 causes the LCD 25 or the VGA 26 to display an image corresponding to the image data stored in the video memory. The LCD 25 or the VGA 26 displays images or characters based on the data supplied from the video controller 24.
[0033]
The north bridge 23 is further connected to the south bridge 27 via a hub interface 53. The south bridge 27 is made of, for example, PIIX4E manufactured by Intel Corporation, and various I / O (Input / Output) such as control of devices connected to the AC link bus 56, the USB bus 57, or the IDE bus 58. Output).
[0034]
Specifically, the modem 28 and the voice input / output unit 29 are connected to the AC link bus 56. The modem 28 is connected to a public line network and executes communication processing via the public line network or the Internet (neither is shown). The voice input / output unit 29 takes in voice from a microphone (not shown), generates data corresponding to the voice, and outputs the data to the memory 22. Further, the audio input / output unit 29 drives a speaker (not shown), and causes the speaker to output audio.
[0035]
The USB connector 57 is connected to the USB bus 57 of the south bridge 27 so that various USB devices can be connected. The memory stick slot 31 and the Bluetooth communication unit 33 are connected via a USB bus 57. A Memory Stick (trademark) 32 is mounted in the Memory Stick slot 31.
[0036]
The memory stick 32 is a kind of flash memory card developed by Sony Corporation, the present applicant. This memory stick 32 is an electrically erasable and programmable EEPROM (EEPROM), which is a nonvolatile memory that can be electrically rewritten and erased in a small and thin plastic case of 21.5 × 50 × 2.8 [mm]. Read only memory), which stores a flash memory element, and enables writing and reading of various data such as images, sounds, and music via a 10-pin terminal. The Bluetooth communication unit 33 performs communication according to the Bluetooth standard.
[0037]
The HDD 34 is connected to the IDE bus 58 of the south bridge 27. Further, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) drive 35 and a DVD-R / RW drive 36, which are so-called IDE devices, are electrically connected to the IDE bus 58. The DVD 14 described above is mounted on the DVD-R / RW drive 36.
[0038]
The south bridge 27 also has a basic input output system (BIOS) 39, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus 51, and an LPC (Low Pin).
(Count) bus 52 is connected.
[0039]
The BIOS 39 is a program group in which basic operation commands of the PC 11 are collected, and is stored in, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown). The BIOS 39 controls data transfer (input / output) between the OS or the application program and the peripheral device.
[0040]
The I / O (Input / Output) interface 37 and the controller 38 are connected to the LPC bus 52.
[0041]
The parallel terminal 40 and the serial terminal 41 are connected to the I / O interface 37, and exchange data with a device connected to each terminal.
[0042]
Input devices (input means) such as a jog dial 42, a keyboard 43, and a mouse 44 are connected to the controller 38. The controller 38 controls these input devices and a power supply device (not shown). It also controls the power supplied.
[0043]
The PCI bus 51 has i. A LINK 45 and a PC card interface 46 are connected. I. As described above, the LINK 45 supplies the signal (for example, a control signal for instructing reproduction of the DV 12 described later) supplied from the CPU 21 to the DV 12 via the dedicated cable 15, and also supplies the signal from the DV 12 via the cable 15. The supplied signal (for example, a reproduced video signal described later) is supplied to the CPU 21, the memory 22, or the HDD 34. The PC card interface 46 supplies data supplied from a device (card (not shown)) connected to the slot 47 to the CPU 21 or the memory 22, and connects data supplied from the CPU 21 to the slot 47. Output to the existing card.
[0044]
A drive 48 is connected to the slot 47 as necessary, as shown in FIG. In this case, the drive 48 is connected to the PCI bus 51 via the slot 47 and the PC card interface 46. The drive 48 reads data recorded on a mounted removable recording medium 49 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and supplies the read data to the memory 22. The data generated by the processing of the CPU 21 is stored in a removable recording medium 49 mounted on the drive 48.
[0045]
FIG. 3 shows a detailed configuration example of the DV 12 in the information processing system 1 of FIG.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 3, the DV 12 captures a subject as a moving image and outputs the image as an image signal. The CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 71 captures the sound around the DV 12 when the CCD 71 captures the image. A video signal synthesizing section 73 for synthesizing an image signal supplied from the microphone 72 and the CCD 71 and an audio signal supplied from the microphone 72 and outputting it as a recording video signal; The recording video signal supplied from the unit 73 is subjected to A / D conversion (Analog to Digital conversion), and then encoded, further modulated and supplied to the head 75 for recording on the digital video tape 13 and digital video tape. Reproduction reproduced from 13 via the head 75 A video signal recording / reproducing section 74 for outputting a video signal and a head 75 are provided.
[0047]
The DV 12 also receives a supply of a vertical synchronization signal from the video signal recording / reproducing unit 74, outputs a control signal corresponding to the vertical synchronization signal to the video signal recording / reproducing unit 74 in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal, and operates the operation unit 77. From the PC 11, the connection cable 15 from the PC 11, and i. The control unit 76 controls the entire operation of the DV 12 based on a control signal supplied via a LINK 78, and includes a button, a switch, or a remote controller. When an operation is performed, an operation unit 77 that outputs an operation command signal corresponding to the input operation is provided.
[0048]
DV12 further includes: i. A LINK 78, a video signal separation unit 79, a speaker 80, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 81 are provided.
[0049]
i. The LINK 78 is an i. The LINK 45 (FIG. 2) is connected via the dedicated connection cable 15 and transmits the reproduced video signal (digital signal) supplied from the video signal recording / reproducing unit 74 to the PC 11 via the cable 15 and from the PC 11 The control signal thus received is received via the cable 15 and supplied to the control unit 76.
[0050]
The control signal transmitted by the PC 11 is not particularly limited, and a control signal for performing various controls can be used. In this example, for example, among the control signals, the digital video tape 13 attached to the DV 12 is reproduced at a normal speed, and is reproduced at a k-times speed relative to the normal speed (k is arbitrary except 1). A positive number indicates forward playback, a negative number indicates reverse playback), and fast-forward, rewind, and tape operation (playback (including K-speed playback), At least a control signal for commanding to stop the fast-forward or rewind operation is used.
[0051]
Therefore, in this example, for example, when a control signal for reproduction (including reproduction at k-times speed), fast forward, or rewind is transmitted from the PC 11 via the cable 15, the control unit 76 outputs the i. The digital video tape 13 received via the LINK 78 and executed on the digital video tape 13 mounted on the DV 12 is played back (including k-speed playback), fast-forwarded, or rewinded, in accordance with the received control signal. . Then, when a stop control signal is transmitted from the PC 11 via the cable 15, the control unit 76 sets it to i. The video tape recorder 13 received via the LINK 78 and mounted on the DV 12 stops the processing currently being executed. Thus, DV12 is i. It can be remotely controlled by the PC 11 via the LINK 78.
[0052]
The video signal separating section 79 demodulates and decodes the digital reproduced video signal output from the video signal recording / reproducing section 74, further performs D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion, and separates the signal into an audio signal and an image signal. Then, an audio signal is supplied to the speaker 80 and an image signal is supplied to the LCD 81. The speaker 80 outputs the audio signal supplied from the video signal separating unit 79 as audio. The LCD 81 displays the image signal supplied from the video signal separation unit 79 as a moving image.
[0053]
Next, referring to the drawings, of the functions of the PC 11 in FIG. 2, the functions to which the present invention is applied, that is, the video data recorded on the digital video tape 13 attached to the DV 12 (hereinafter referred to as , Which is simply referred to as recording data), and writes (records) the data on the DVD 14 mounted on the DVD-R / RW drive 36 continuously (all at once) as a series of processes. A software program (hereinafter, such a software program is referred to as a data acquisition / DVD writing unit) will be described.
[0054]
FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the data acquisition / DVD writing section 91 of this example.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 4, the data acquisition / DVD writing section 91 includes a start section 101, a processing control section 102, a DV control section 103, an investigation section 104, an acquisition section 105, a bit rate setting section 106, and a menu creation section 107. , A DVD writing unit 108, a DVD format unit 109, and a survey content / setting content storage unit 110.
[0056]
Of these, those excluding the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110, that is, each of the start-up unit 101 to the DVD format unit 109 is configured by, for example, a module in this example. Each of the plurality of modules has one independent algorithm, and performs a unique operation according to the algorithm. That is, each of the modules is appropriately read and executed by the CPU 21 (FIG. 2).
[0057]
More specifically, the activation unit 101 constantly monitors the connection state with the DV 12 and, when detecting that the DV 12 is connected to the PC 11 and that the power of the DV 12 is turned on, starts the entire data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91. Start.
[0058]
When the data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 is activated, the processing control unit 102 executes the processes of the inspection unit 104 to the DVD format unit 109 in a predetermined order (in this example, the processing control unit 102 and the , And sequentially (as a series of processes) in the order of the numbers described above the arrows drawn between the investigation unit 104 and the DVD format unit 109.
[0059]
That is, first, when the DVD format unit 109 puts the DVD 14 mounted on the DVD-R / RW drive 36 into a writable state, the investigation unit 104 makes the recording content of the recording data of the digital video tape 13 mounted on the DV 12 The bit rate setting unit 106 sets the optimum bit rate (bit rate of image data and bit rate of audio data) when video data is written to the DVD 14 based on the result of the check.
[0060]
Then, the acquisition unit 105 acquires the recording data of the digital video tape 13 attached to the DV 12, converts the format from the DV format to the DVD format, and temporarily stores the DVD format video data in the HDD. Let it.
[0061]
Subsequently, the menu creation unit 107 creates a DVD menu corresponding to the video data stored in the HDD 34, and the DVD writing unit 108 writes the video data stored in the HDD 34 based on the created DVD menu. Write (record) to the DVD 14 mounted on the R / RW drive 36.
[0062]
The DV control unit 103 generates the above-described control signal based on a command (request) from the investigation unit 104 or the acquisition unit 105 via the processing control unit 102, and transmits the control signal to the DV 12, so that the digital control unit attached to the DV 12 It controls reproduction (including k-times speed reproduction), rewinding, and fast-forwarding of the video tape 13.
[0063]
The investigation content / setting content storage unit 110 is configured in, for example, the memory 22 (FIG. 2), and is configured by the content of the recording data of the digital video tape 13 investigated by the investigation unit 104 and the bit rate setting unit 106. The content of the bit rate setting is stored.
[0064]
Next, the processing of the data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0065]
First, in step S1, the activation unit 101 determines whether or not the DV 12 (FIG. 1) is connected to the PC 11 (FIG. 1) and the power supply (not shown) is turned on.
[0066]
In step S1, when the DV 12 is connected to the PC 11 and determines that the power is not turned on, the activation unit 101 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the subsequent processes. That is, the activation unit 101 constantly monitors whether or not the DV 12 is connected to the PC 11 and its power (not shown) is turned on.
[0067]
For example, in FIG. 3, i. LINK 78 and i. If the LINK 45 (FIG. 2) is connected via the cable 15 and the power of the DV 12 is turned on, the control unit 76 of the DV 12 sets a predetermined identification number representing the DV 12 to i. The data is transmitted to the PC 11 via the LINK 78 and the cable 15.
[0068]
That is, turning on the power of the DV 12 indicates that the content data (the recording data of the digital video data 13) can be reproduced, and connecting to the PC 11 means that the PC 11 is reproduced by the DV 12. This indicates that the content data can be acquired. Therefore, this identification number can be said to be a signal indicating that the DV 12 is connected to the PC 11 via the cable 15 and that the content data can be reproduced by the DV 12.
[0069]
Therefore, in FIG. 4, the activation unit 101 sets this identification number to i. When the DV 12 is received via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), it is determined in step S1 of FIG. 5 that the DV 12 is connected to the PC 11 and its power is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S2.
[0070]
When the process proceeds to step S2, the process control unit 102 controls so that processes of steps S2 to S13 described later are collectively (continuously) executed as a series of processes. In other words, when viewed from the user, the processing of steps S2 to S13 is automatically and sequentially executed without the intervention of the manual operation of the user. In this case, even if there is no manual operation by the user (even if there is no input from the input device such as the jog dial 42, the keyboard 43, or the mouse 44 in FIG. 2), the CPU 21 determines at its own discretion (to be executed now). Executing the processing in accordance with the program being executed) is called automatic.
[0071]
However, in this case, a trigger for executing the processing of the processing control unit 102 (the above-described sequence control) is required. This trigger is not particularly limited, and, for example, the detection of the activation unit 101 (detection that the DV 12 is connected to the PC 11 and the power thereof is turned on) itself is used as a trigger (in the process of step S1, the condition is not satisfied). Is determined to be satisfied), the process of step S2 may be started immediately. Alternatively, after the detection of the activation unit 101, a soft button (not shown) for instructing the execution of the processing after step S2 is displayed on the LCD 25 (FIG. 2) or the like, and the user who sees it displays the mouse 44 (FIG. 2). ), Etc. to select the soft button (when the cursor (not shown) of the mouse 44 is placed on the soft button and the left button (not shown) of the mouse 44 is clicked), The user's click operation (soft button selection operation) may be used as a trigger to start the process of step S2.
[0072]
In response to such a trigger, in step S2, the DVD format unit 109 determines whether the DVD 14 mounted on the DVD-R / RW drive 36 has been written.
[0073]
If it is determined in step S2 that the DVD 14 has not been written, the DVD format unit 109 proceeds to step S6.
[0074]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the DVD 14 has been written, the DVD format unit 109 determines in step S3 whether the recorded content of the DVD 14 can be erased.
[0075]
If it is determined in step S3 that the recorded content of the DVD 14 cannot be erased (it is not possible), the DVD format unit 109 displays a message prompting the replacement of the DVD 14 on the LCD 25 (FIG. 2) or the like in step S4. The process returns to step S2, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, when the DVD 14 from which the recorded content cannot be erased by the user is removed from the DVD-R / RW drive 36 and a new DVD 14 is mounted on the DVD-R / RW drive 36, the DVD format unit 109 proceeds to step S2. It is determined whether or not the new DVD 14 has already been written.
[0076]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the recorded contents of the DVD 14 can be erased, the DVD format unit 109 erases the recorded contents of the DVD 14 in step S5.
[0077]
As described above, the DVD format unit 109 sets the state of the DVD 14 to a state in which new data can be written in the processing of steps S2 to S5. The order of the processing of the DVD format unit 109 (the processing of steps S2 to S5) is not limited to the example of FIG. 5, but may be performed before the processing of the DVD writing unit 108 (the processing of step S13 described later). , May be in any order.
[0078]
If it is determined in step S2 that the DVD 14 has not been written, or if the process in step S5 has been completed, that is, if the DVD format unit 109 has completed the process, the process control unit 102 Subsequently, the processing of the investigation unit 104 is executed.
[0079]
That is, the investigating unit 104 rewinds the digital video tape 13 attached to the DV 12 in step S6.
[0080]
Specifically, the investigation unit 104 requests the DV control unit 103 via the processing control unit 102 to rewind the digital video tape 13. Upon receiving this request, the DV control unit 103 generates a control signal for instructing “rewind”, and performs i. It is transmitted to the DV 12 via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2).
[0081]
In FIG. 3, the transmitted control signal comprises a cable 15 and i. When supplied to the control unit 76 via the LINK 78, the control unit 76 executes a process of rewinding the digital video tape 13.
[0082]
Then, the investigating unit 104 in FIG. 4 informs the i. If it is detected via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), the recorded contents of the digital video tape 13 are checked in step S7 of FIG.
[0083]
The method of the investigation performed in the process of step S7 is not particularly limited, but in this example, for example, the following method is used.
[0084]
That is, the investigation unit 104 requests the DV control unit 103 via the processing control unit 102 to perform fast-forward playback of the digital video tape 13. In response to this request, the DV control unit 103 generates a control signal instructing “k (k is an arbitrary positive number greater than 1) double speed”, and i. It is transmitted to the DV 12 via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2).
[0085]
In FIG. 3, the transmitted control signal comprises a cable 15 and i. When supplied to the control unit 76 via the LINK 78, the control unit 76 starts fast-forward playback processing of the digital video tape 13 at k-times speed. Then, the video signal recording / reproducing section 74 converts the reproduced video signal reproduced from the digital video tape 13 via the head 75 into i. LINK 78 and the data are sequentially transmitted to the PC 11 via the cable 15.
[0086]
In the case of k-times fast-forward playback, not all frames recorded on the digital video tape 13 are played back, but a predetermined number of frames are skipped and played back. That is, in this case, of all the frames recorded on the digital video tape 13, frames at predetermined intervals are scanned, and only data corresponding to the scanned frames is converted to a DV12 as a reproduced video signal. From the PC 11. The format of the digital video tape specifies that 30 frames (images) are recorded per second, and these frames are referred to as frames here.
[0087]
Then, the investigation unit 104 in FIG. 4 converts the reproduced video signal (scanned frame data) into i. The time information of the frame is acquired from the data of the acquired frame via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2).
[0088]
That is, in the frame data, in addition to the video data (image and audio data) corresponding to the frame, for example, information on the frame number of the frame, the shooting time of the frame (year, month, date, hour, If the frame is a recording start point, time information including information indicating the frame (hereinafter, referred to as recording start point information) is included. Here, in FIG. 3, the position (point) of the digital video tape 13 at the time when the user presses the recording button (not shown) of the operation unit 77 to start shooting is defined as a recording start point. Name. In addition, the frame immediately before the frame including the recording start point information is referred to as a frame including the recording end point information for convenience. That is, the frame including the recording end point information may not include specific information corresponding to the recording end point information.
[0089]
Therefore, the investigation unit 104 in FIG. 4 acquires the time information of such a frame (however, a scanned frame), and examines the recorded contents of the digital video tape 13 based on the acquired time information.
[0090]
Specifically, when detecting the frame including the recording start point information, the investigation unit 104 acquires the time information of the frame, and then detects the frame including the recording end point information, and then detects the time information of the frame. To get. Then, the investigation unit 104 recognizes the currently detected frame including the recording start point information to the frame including the recording end point information as one recording section, and generates time information of the recording section. That is, the start time (year, month, day, hour, minute, and second) of the recording section, the end time (year, month, day, hour, minute, and second), and the length of the recording section Time information of a recording section including (time) is generated.
[0091]
By the way, in the DVD 14, generally, all the recorded data is divided into a plurality of recording sections in advance, and when a predetermined operation is performed, reproduction from an arbitrary recording section can be started from the beginning. . Such a recording section of the DVD 14 is generally called a chapter. In the present embodiment, as described later, when the recording data of the digital video tape 13 taken into the PC 11 is written (recorded) on the DVD 14, a predetermined recording of the recording data of the digital video tape 13 is performed. One recording section from the start point to the next recording end point is handled as one DVD 14 chapter. Therefore, hereinafter, such a recording section from the recording start point to the recording end point is referred to as a chapter even before being recorded on the DVD 14.
[0092]
However, as described above, in this case, the frames that can be investigated by the investigation unit 104 (the frames that are actually acquired) are only the scanned frames, and the frames including the recording start point and the recording end point are scanned. Not necessarily. Therefore, the investigation unit 104 compares the shooting time of the first frame that has just been obtained with the shooting time of the second frame that has been obtained immediately before. Are recognized as frames of different chapters. That is, the CPU 21 (FIG. 2) regards the second frame acquired immediately before as the frame including the recording end point information (the last frame of the target chapter investigated so far), and Is regarded as the frame including the recording start point information (the first frame of the next chapter (the next chapter to be examined) after the target chapter), and the second frame acquired immediately before the first frame and the first frame acquired just The gap is recognized as a chapter break.
[0093]
In this way, each time the research unit 104 recognizes a chapter, it generates time information of the newly recognized chapter.
[0094]
More specifically, for example, now, as shown in FIG. 6, a part of the recorded content of the digital video tape 13 is a recording section 121 composed of frames of frame numbers 0 to 1000, and frame numbers 1001 to 1999. , A recording section 123 composed of frames with frame numbers 2000 to 3300, and a recording section 124 composed of frames with frame numbers 3301 to 4000. . In the drawing, in each of the recording sections 121 to 124, the area (frame for one second (30 frames)) described as “ST” has the above-described recording start point information and the like added to the video data. An area (frame) stored and stored is referred to as an “interval data”, and an area in which only video data is recorded represents an area.
[0095]
In this case, as described above, when the checking unit 104 checks the recorded contents of the digital video tape 13 in FIG. 4, only the frames scanned by fast-forward playback are supplied. Therefore, the contents investigated in the process of step S7 (FIG. 5) of the investigation unit 104 are not actual recording sections 121 to 124 but chapters (section data) 131 to 134 as shown in the investigation contents of FIG. It becomes.
[0096]
That is, in the example of FIG. 6, in the recording section 121, the data of the frames of frame numbers 1 to 998 are recognized as the chapter 131, and the frames 0, 999, and 1000 are not recognized as the chapter 131.
[0097]
In the recording section 122, data of frames with frame numbers 1003 to 1998 are recognized as the chapter 132, and the frames 1001, 1002, and 1999 are not recognized as the chapter 132.
[0098]
In the recording section 123, data of frames with frame numbers 2003 to 3228 are recognized as the chapter 133, and the frames 2000 to 2002, the frame 3229, and the frame 3300 are not recognized as the chapter 133.
[0099]
In the recording section 124, frame data of frame numbers 3307 to 3338 are recognized as chapters 134, and frames 3301 to 3306, frame 3339, and frame 4000 are not recognized as chapters 134.
[0100]
Hereinafter, the data 141 to 148 that are not recognized in the process of step S7 (FIG. 5) as shown in FIG. 6 are referred to as unrecognized data.
[0101]
Then, the investigating unit 104 in FIG. Upon detection through the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), a chapter list (not shown) is created in which time information of each of the chapters recognized so far is listed, and the time of each chapter included in the chapter list (not shown) is generated. The total time Tx of the data recorded on the digital video tape 13 is calculated by summing the respective times from the start time to the end time of the chapter) and adding the time corresponding to the unrecognized data to the summed time. I do.
[0102]
Further, as described above, the first frame and the last frame of each chapter included in the chapter list do not always match the first frame and the last frame of the actual recording section. For example, in FIG. 6, the first frame of the recording section 121 is a frame of frame number 0, and the last frame is a frame of frame number 1000. On the other hand, the first frame of the chapter 131 recognized by the investigation unit 104 (FIG. 4) is the frame of the frame number 1, and the last frame is the frame of the frame number 998.
[0103]
Therefore, of the first frame and the last frame of each chapter included in the chapter list, the investigating unit 104 sets a predetermined flag (for that frame) that does not include the recording start point information or the recording end point information. Such a flag is hereinafter referred to as an ambiguous flag), and these ambiguous flags are also added as chapter list information.
[0104]
In this way, in this example, the investigation unit 104 investigates the time information (chapter list) of all chapters and the total time Tx of the recorded data as the recorded contents of the digital video tape 13. Then, the investigation unit 104 causes the investigation contents / setting contents storage unit 110 to store the investigated recording contents (the chapter list and the total time Tx) via the processing control unit 102. The content stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110 (the content of the recording data of the digital video tape 13 investigated in the process of step S7 (FIG. 5)) is, of course, information other than this example. Is also good.
[0105]
When the recorded content of the digital video tape 13 is stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110, the processing control unit 102 subsequently causes the bit rate setting unit 106 to execute the processing.
[0106]
That is, in step S8 of FIG. 5, the bit rate setting unit 106 determines the later-described step S13 of step S13 based on the total time Tx of the recording data of the digital video tape 13 stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110. In the process, when the recording data of the digital video tape 13 is written (recorded) on the DVD 14 mounted on the DVD-R / RW drive 36, the image quality and the image size of the moving image (image data) In addition, the sound quality of the sound (speech data) is determined.
[0107]
Of the data recorded on the digital video tape 13, the image quality and the image size of the image data and the sound quality of the audio data are respectively represented by the bit rate (image) when the recording data of the digital video tape 13 is written to the DVD 14. (The bit rate of an image when data is written and the bit rate of audio when audio data is written). That is, in the process of step S8, all the record data of the digital video tape 13 can be written within the maximum capacity (writable capacity) of the DVD 14 based on the total time Tx of the record data of the digital video tape 13. The optimal bit rate among the various bit rates is set.
[0108]
Therefore, hereinafter, such processing in step S8 is referred to as “bit rate setting processing”. The details of the "bit rate setting process" in this example will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0109]
After such processing by the bit rate setting unit 106, the processing control unit 102 causes the acquisition unit 105 to continue executing the processing. That is, in step S9 of FIG. 5, the acquiring unit 105 converts the recording data of the digital video tape 13 into i.v. The data is obtained via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2) and is temporarily stored in the HDD 34. The acquisition unit 105 further converts the format of the video data stored in the HDD 34 from a DV format to a DVD format (for example, MPEG-2 format), stores the converted format in the HDD 34, and converts the format of the DV format before conversion. The video data is deleted from the HDD 34. Hereinafter, the process of step S9 is referred to as “acquisition process of digital video tape recording data”. The details of the “processing of acquiring recorded data on a digital video tape” in this example will be described later with reference to FIGS.
[0110]
Incidentally, in addition to actual video data, a menu called a DVD menu can be recorded on the DVD 14, and the user can perform various operations related to the reproduction of the video data recorded on the DVD 14 according to the DVD menu. It can be performed. Further, the DVD menu can include a menu called a chapter menu, and the user selects a desired chapter from the chapters registered in the chapter menu to select the chapter. Can be reproduced from the beginning of the chapter.
[0111]
Therefore, the process control unit 102 causes the menu creation unit 107 to execute the process following the process of the acquisition unit 105. That is, in step S10, the menu creation unit 107 generates a chapter list generated in the process of step S7 and stored in the survey content / setting content storage unit 110 (actually, as described later, in the process of step S9, A predetermined chapter is selected from the chapters included in the updated chapter list, registered in the chapter menu, and a final chapter menu (when writing to the DVD 14) is generated. Hereinafter, such processing in step S10 is referred to as “chapter registration processing”. The details of the “chapter registration process” in this example will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0112]
The menu creation unit 107 creates a DVD menu including the chapter menu generated in the process of step S10 in step S11 following the “chapter registration process” in step S10.
[0113]
When a DVD menu is created by the process of the menu creating unit 107, the process control unit 102 causes the DVD writing unit 108 to execute the process subsequently. That is, when the DVD writing unit 108 creates a DVD structure in step S12, the DVD writing unit 108 sets the bit rate (investigation content / setting) set by the bit rate setting unit 106 in the process in step S8 in step S13 according to the created DVD structure. At the bit rate stored in the content storage unit 110, the video data (video data in the DVD format stored in the HDD 34) acquired by the acquisition unit 105 in the process of step S 9 is transferred to the DVD-R / RW drive 36. Is written (recorded) on the DVD 14 mounted on the DVD. Here, the data structure such as the layout position and the hierarchy of the data to be recorded on the DVD 14 which is generated according to the DVD menu is called the DVD structure.
[0114]
As described above, in FIG. 2, the PC 11 collectively performs a series of processes from acquiring the recording data of the digital video tape 13 from the DV 12 to recording it on the DVD 14 mounted on the DVD-R / RW drive 36. A data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 as shown in FIG. 4 is installed in the HDD 34 or the like in advance. Therefore, when the startup unit 101 of the DV data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 detects that the DV 12 is connected to the PC 11 and that the power is turned on, the DV data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 automatically starts. And the process (a series of processes in steps S2 to S13 described above) is executed (automatically) without the intervention of a manual operation by the user.
[0115]
In other words, the PC 11 includes a connection unit that connects to a playback device that plays back content data recorded in the first format, a content data acquisition unit that acquires content data played back by the playback device connected to the connection unit, Converting means for converting the format of the content data obtained by the content data obtaining means from the first format to the second format; and converting the content data converted to the second format by the converting means from the information processing apparatus. A recording control unit for controlling recording on a removable recording medium, and a connection unit supplied from the playback device, the playback device being connected to the connection device, and the playback device being capable of playing back content data. Detecting means for detecting a signal representing the signal, and detecting a signal detected by the detecting means. Content data acquisition means, converting means, and the processing of the recording control means, as a series of processes, characterized in that it comprises a process control means for controlling so as to execute in succession in that order.
[0116]
That is, the user does not particularly perform any special operation (just connect the DV 12 to the PC 11 and turn on the power of the DV 12 (if necessary, further instruct the execution of the data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91). Just click the soft button with the mouse 44), and after the recording data of the digital video tape 13 from the DV 12 is automatically taken into the PC 11, the DVD 14 attached to the DVD-R / RW drive 36 is continued. Automatically recorded on
[0117]
Therefore, the data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 can solve the above-described conventional problem.
[0118]
In FIG. 2, the video data automatically taken into the PC 11 includes not only the DVD 14 mounted on the DVD-R / RW drive 36 but also various recording media such as a CD-ROM drive, as described above. The data can be recorded on a CD-R (not shown) mounted on the 35, a memory stick 32 mounted on the memory stick slot 31, a removable recording medium 49 mounted on the drive 48, or the like.
[0119]
Next, with reference to the drawings, the above-described “bit rate setting processing (processing of step S8)”, “processing of acquiring recording data of digital video tape (processing of step S9)”, and “chapter registration processing (step S9)” Of the processing of S10) will be individually described in that order.
[0120]
First, the details of the “bit rate setting process” of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0121]
First, in step S31, the bit rate setting unit 106 shown in FIG. 4 checks the digital video tape that has been checked by the checking unit 104 in the process of step S7 (FIG. 5) described above and stored in the check content / setting content storage unit 110. Based on the total time Tx of the recording data of the T.13, the image data of the data (the recording data of the digital video tape 13) of the data to be written to the DVD 14 is converted into the audio data at the bit rate of the highest first value. It is determined whether the DVD 14 can be written at the bit rate of the second value.
[0122]
In this example, for example, the first value (highest value) of the image bit rate is set to 8 mega [bps], and the second value (highest value) of the audio bit rate is set to an uncompressed straight PCM. (Pulse Code Modulation) format is 1.567 mega [bps].
[0123]
In this case, the bit rate setting unit 106 determines whether or not the following inequality (1) is satisfied in the process of step S31, and thereby sets the image data of the data to be written on the DVD 14 to the highest first data. It is determined whether or not the audio data can be written to the DVD 14 at the highest bit rate of the second value.
[0124]
(B1 + B2) × Tx <Cmax (1)
[0125]
In the equation (1), B1 is the first value [bps] of the image bit rate, B2 is the second value [bps] of the audio bit rate, and Tx is the total time of video data written to the DVD 14 [ s] (total time [s] of the recording data of the digital video tape 13 stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110), and Cmax represents the maximum recordable capacity [bit] of the DVD 14.
[0126]
If it is determined in step S31 that the above inequality expression (1) is satisfied, the bit rate setting unit 106 determines in step S32 that the image data has the bit rate of the first value B1 and the audio data has the second value B2. At the bit rate (in the uncompressed straight PCM format), the first setting for writing to the DVD 14 is set, and the process returns.
[0127]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that the above inequality (1) does not hold, the bit rate setting unit 106 determines in step S33 that the image data among the data to be written on the DVD 14 is the highest image data. At a bit rate of 1, it is determined whether the audio data can be written to the DVD 14 at a preset third bit rate lower than the highest second value.
[0128]
In this example, for example, the third value of the audio bit rate is 0.384 mega [bps] specified in the Dolby AC-3 compression format.
[0129]
In this case, the bit rate setting unit 106 determines whether or not the following inequality (2) holds in step S33, thereby converting the image data of the data to be written to the DVD 14 into the first value bit. At the rate, it is determined whether or not the audio data can be written to the DVD 14 at the third value bit rate.
[0130]
(B1 + B3) × Tx <Cmax (2)
[0131]
In Expression (2), B3 represents a third value [bps] of the audio bit rate.
[0132]
If it is determined in step S33 that the above inequality expression (2) is satisfied, the bit rate setting unit 106 determines in step S34 that the image data has the bit rate of the first value B1 and the audio data has the third value B3. At the bit rate (in the Dolby AC-3 compression format), the second setting for writing to the DVD 14 is set, and the process is returned.
[0133]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that the above inequality (2) does not hold, the bit rate setting unit 106 sets the writing of the audio data to the bit rate of the third value B3 in step S35. Then, the bit rate of the image data which can be written in the capacity of the DVD 14 is calculated.
[0134]
In this example, for example, the bit rate setting unit 106 calculates a bit rate value B4 of image data that satisfies the following inequality (3).
[0135]
(B4 + B3) × Tx <Cmax (3)
[0136]
In the equation (3), B4 represents a fourth value of the bit rate of the image data set (calculated) in the process of step S35.
[0137]
Then, the bit rate setting unit 106 converts the audio data into the third value B3 bit rate (Dolby AC-3 compression format) using the image data at the fourth value B4 bit rate calculated in step S35. ), The third setting for writing to the DVD 14 is set, and the process is returned.
[0138]
A specific example of the “bit rate setting process” will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the total time Tx of the data written to the DVD 14 (the total time Tx of the data recorded on the digital video tape 13 investigated in the process of step S7 (FIG. 5)) and the set bit rate. I have. FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the total time Tx of the data written to the DVD 14 and the data capacity when the data is written to the DVD 14.
[0139]
For example, as the data to be written to the DVD 14, the total time Tx is the data Da of the time Ta (however, the total time Ta is a time equal to or less than the maximum time T1 to which the first setting is applied), and the total time Tx is the time Tb. (However, the total time Tb is equal to or less than the maximum time T2 to which the second setting is applied) Data Db, and the total time Tx is the time Tc (however, the third setting is applied to the total time Tc). It is assumed that there is data Dc for a time within a certain range).
[0140]
In this case, the first setting is set in the data Da. That is, since the total time of the data Da is the time Ta, the value of the bit rate of the image is set to the first value B1, which is the maximum value of the image, as shown by the line 151 in FIG. As the bit rate value, a second value B2, which is the maximum value of audio, is set (uncompressed straight PCM format is set), as shown by the line 153 in FIG. Therefore, as shown by the line 161 in FIG. 9, when the data Da is written to the DVD 14, the capacity Cb of the total writable capacity (maximum capacity Cmax) of the DVD 14 is used (recorded). .
[0141]
In the data Db, the second setting is set. That is, since the total time of the data Db is the time Tb, the value of the bit rate of the image is set to the first value B1, which is the maximum value of the image, as shown by the line 151 in FIG. As the value of the bit rate, a third value B3 lower than the maximum value B1 of the audio is set (a compression format such as Dolby AC-3 is set) as shown by a line 154 in FIG. Therefore, as shown by the line 162 in FIG. 9, when the data Db is written to the DVD 14, the capacity Ca of the total writable capacity (maximum capacity Cmax) of the DVD 14 is used (recorded). .
[0142]
In the data Dc, a third setting is set. That is, since the total time of the data Dc is the time Tc, the value of the image bit rate has a characteristic that the bit rate decreases linearly with the increase of the total time Tx (represented by a line 152 in the example of FIG. 8). A fourth value B4 determined by the (characteristic) is set (calculated in the process of step S35), and the value of the audio bit rate is set to the third value B3 as shown by a line 154 in FIG. (A compression format such as Dolby AC-3 is set). Therefore, as shown by the line 163 in FIG. 9, when the data Dc is written to the DVD 14, up to the writable maximum capacity Cmax of the DVD 14 is used (recorded).
[0143]
As described above, when the total time Tx of the data written on the DVD 14 (the total time Tx of the data recorded on the digital video tape 13 investigated in the process of step S7 (FIG. 5)) is equal to or shorter than the time T1, the image and the audio The first setting is set so that the bit rate is the highest value (the first value B1 of the image and the second value B2 of the audio).
[0144]
If the total time Tx is longer than the time T1 and shorter than the time T2, the bit rate of the image is reduced only in the bit rate of the audio while maintaining the highest first value B1 (lower than the second value). (The third value is specified.) The second setting is set.
[0145]
In the second setting, in this example, as described above, the setting is such that the image quality is reduced and the sound quality is reduced first. You may. However, for the following reason, the second setting is more preferable in this example (a setting in which the image quality is reduced and the sound quality is reduced first). That is, the first reason is that, even if the bit rate is reduced, the degree of deterioration accompanying the audio data is less likely to be transmitted to the user than the image data. In other words, even if the bit rate of the audio is reduced from the second value B2 to the third value B3, the deterioration of the sound quality is not often felt in human hearing. The second reason is that, as a general tendency, many users prefer image quality over sound quality.
[0146]
The method of lowering the audio bit rate is not particularly limited. For example, as the fourth value B4 of the image bit rate is calculated and determined (as determined according to the line 152 in FIG. 8). , The bit rate may be gradually (continuously) reduced according to the length of the total time Tx. However, for the following two reasons, the method of lowering the bit rate of audio is, as described above, at a certain point (time T1), from the second fixed value B2 to the lower third fixed value B3. Is more preferable. That is, for the same reason as the first reason described above, and the second value B2 itself, which is the highest value of the sound, is considerably lower than the bit rate of the image. The third reason is that even if it is gradually lowered, it does not contribute much to the reduction of the capacity written to the DVD 14.
[0147]
When the total time Tx is longer than the time T2, a third setting for further reducing the image bit rate is set.
[0148]
The method of lowering the bit rate of an image is not particularly limited. For example, a method of discontinuously lowering the bit rate at a certain point, such as audio, may be used. However, according to the length of the total time Tx, the fourth value B4 described above is calculated and determined (as determined according to the line 152 in FIG. 8) for the opposite reason to the voice. The method of gradually (continuously) lowering the bit rate is more preferable. That is, when the bit rate of image data is lower than that of audio data, the degree of deterioration accompanying the bit rate is more likely to be transmitted to the user (in human vision, image quality deterioration is often felt more sensitively). The fourth reason (the opposite reason to the first reason) and the first value B1 which is the highest value of the image is a considerably high value, and the decrease in the bit rate of the image is caused by the decrease in the capacity to be written to the DVD 14. The fifth reason (contrary to the third reason) is that it greatly contributes to the reduction.
[0149]
As described above, since the bit rate setting unit 106 of FIG. 4 executes the “bit rate setting process”, the following effects can be obtained.
[0150]
That is, conventionally, when a user writes video data (recorded data on the digital video tape 13) shot by the DV 12 to a DVD, the user manually calculates the total time Tx of the recorded data on the digital video tape 13 (or , Manually calculate the bit rate when writing to a DVD from the total time Tx, register the manually calculated bit rate in the PC, and execute the data acquisition program of the PC. Is started, the recording data of the digital video tape 13 is taken into the PC from the DV 12 and the data acquisition program is started. Then, the DVD writing program is started and the taken video data is registered in the PC. The DVD was written at a bit rate (a bit rate calculated manually).
[0151]
However, in order for the user to manually calculate the bit rate, the user can be familiar with and manipulate the DVD standard, the DV standard, and various other standards, and the accompanying knowledge. There was a problem that a high level of skill was required of the user. Furthermore, even if the user has such advanced knowledge and skills, a bit rate that satisfies the desired image quality and sound quality (generally, the highest image quality and sound quality within the range of DVD capacity). There is a problem that it is a very difficult operation to calculate.
[0152]
In addition, the user directly connected a DVD-R recorder device or the like to the DV 12 without using a PC, and attached video data (recorded data on the digital video tape 13) shot by the DV 12 to the DVD-R recorder. Although it is possible to write data on a DVD, in this case, since a bit rate preset on the DVD-R recorder side is used, it is not necessarily recorded on a DVD at an optimum bit rate (image quality and sound quality). There was a problem that there was not.
[0153]
On the other hand, as described above, in the PC 11 (FIG. 2), the bit rate setting unit 106 is provided as one function of the data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 (FIG. 4). That is, the user does not need to perform any special operation (just by connecting the DV 12 to the PC 11 and turning on the power of the DV 12) to optimize the data to be written to the DVD 14 (the data recorded on the digital video tape 13). Bit rate is set automatically.
[0154]
In other words, the PC 11 is detachable from the information processing apparatus based on the investigating means for investigating predetermined time information of the content data recorded in the first format, and the time information of the content data examined by the investigating means. Setting means for setting a bit rate when content data is recorded on a predetermined recording medium; converting a format of the content data from a first format to a second format; Recording control means for controlling recording at a rate on a recording medium.
[0155]
As described above, by performing the “bit rate setting process”, the bit rate setting unit 106 can achieve an effect that the above-described conventional problem with respect to the setting of the bit rate can be solved.
[0156]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, details of the “acquisition processing of the recording data of the digital video tape” of this example, which is executed by the acquisition unit 105 (FIG. 4), will be described.
[0157]
FIG. 10 illustrates a detailed configuration example of the acquisition unit 105.
[0158]
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the acquisition unit 105 checks the free space of the HDD 34 and selects an acquisition mode selection unit 171 and an acquisition mode selection unit 171 that select a mode when importing the recording data of the digital video tape 13 from the DV 12. When the mode for dividing and acquiring the data is selected, the recording data of the digital video tape 13 is divided, and each of the divided video data is sequentially divided and imported from the DV 12 in the DV format, and the HDD 34 will be described later. The division acquisition unit 172 that stores the data in the DV format storable area 34-2, converts the format of the video data stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34 from the DV format to the DVD format, To DVD format storage area 34-3 Format conversion unit 173 to 憶, and, obtaining data deletion unit 174 deletes the video data of DV format stored in the DV format storage enabled area 34-2 of the HDD34 is provided.
[0159]
When the acquisition mode selection unit 171 selects a mode for collectively acquiring data, the acquisition unit 105 collectively acquires the recording data of the digital video tape 13 from the DV 12 in the DV format, and stores the data in the DV format of the HDD 34 in the DV format. If the collective acquisition unit 175 to be stored in the storable area 34-2 and the recording data to be captured by the digital video tape 13 are data that is superimposed on old video data, the reproduction of the digital video tape 13 is performed. A superimposition monitoring unit 176 is provided to instruct the batch acquisition unit 175 (and the division acquisition unit 172 if necessary) to stop the acquisition process when the recording data to be acquired becomes old video data. I have.
[0160]
The acquisition unit 105 further issues an instruction to stop the acquisition processing to the batch acquisition unit 175 (the division acquisition unit 172 as necessary), similarly to the overlap monitoring unit 176, and an unrecorded area monitoring unit 177. , A tape end monitoring unit 178 is provided. The unrecorded area monitoring unit 177 outputs a stop command when an unrecorded area continues for a predetermined time or more during reproduction of the digital video tape 13. The tape end monitoring unit 178 outputs a stop command when the digital video tape 13 has been reproduced up to the tape end.
[0161]
Next, with reference to FIG. 11, details of the “processing of acquiring recorded data on a digital video tape” of this example will be described.
[0162]
First, in step S51, the acquisition mode selection unit 171 checks the capacity of the free area 34-1 of the HDD 34 (hereinafter referred to as free capacity). In step S52, the data of all chapters written to the DVD is checked. It is determined whether or not the free space of the HDD 34 fits.
[0163]
Specifically, in this example, for example, the acquisition mode selection unit 171 is investigated by the investigation unit 104 (FIG. 4) in the process of step S7 (FIG. 5), and the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110 (FIG. In the processing of step S8 (FIGS. 5 and 7), the bit rate setting unit 106 (FIG. 4) sets the total time Tx of the recording data of the digital video tape 13 stored in 4). The storage capacity of the DVD 14 is multiplied by the bit rate stored in the storage unit 110 (the sum of the value of the bit rate of the image and the value of the bit rate of the audio defined by any one of the first to third settings). Calculate Cd. That is, in FIG. 10, the capacity of the DVD format storage area 34-3 in the free area 34-1 of the HDD 34 is the recording capacity Cd of the DVD 14.
[0164]
Then, the acquisition mode selection unit 171 subtracts the calculated recording capacity Cd of the DVD 14 from the free capacity Ch1 of the HDD 34 checked in the processing of step S51, and captures the recording data of the digital video tape 13 in the DV format. , A capacity Ch2 (hereinafter, referred to as a capture capacity Ch2) that can be temporarily stored in the HDD 34. That is, in FIG. 10, the capacity of the DV format storable area 34-2 of the free area 34-1 of the HDD 34 is the capture capacity Ch2.
[0165]
The calculated capture capacity Ch2 is the data quantity of the data of all the chapters to be written to the DVD 14 (the data quantity of the recording data of the digital video tape 13 in the DV format to be captured from now on. For example, in this example, the acquisition mode selection unit 171 If the data is larger than the value calculated by itself, it is determined in step S52 that the data of all the chapters to be written to the DVD 14 fits in the free space of the HDD 34.
[0166]
Then, when the acquisition mode selection unit 171 advances the process to step S53, the collective acquisition unit 175 determines in step S53 that the i.v. Through the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), the recording data of the digital video tape 13 is collectively (all) obtained in the DV format and temporarily stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34. When the acquisition process by the batch acquisition unit 175 is completed, the format conversion unit 173 converts the DV format video data stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34 into a DVD format, and stores the DVD format storage data in the HDD 34. It is stored in the area 34-3. Then, the fetched data deleting unit 174 deletes the DV format video data stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34.
[0167]
Hereinafter, such processing of step S53 is referred to as “automatic acquisition processing”. The details of the "automatic acquisition process" in this example will be described later with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.
[0168]
That is, if the acquisition mode selection unit 171 determines in the process of step S52 that the data of all the chapters to be written to the DVD fits in the free space of the HDD, the acquisition mode is mainly executed by the collective acquisition unit 175. Select a mode corresponding to "automatic acquisition processing".
[0169]
On the other hand, the capture capacity Ch2 (the capacity Ch2 of the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34) is the data of all the chapter data written on the DVD 14 (recording data of the DV format digital video tape 13 to be captured from now on). If it is smaller than the amount, in step S52, it is determined that the data of all the chapters to be written to the DVD 14 does not fit in the free space of the HDD 34, and the following steps S54 to S62 are executed. Hereinafter, the processing of steps S54 to S62 is referred to as "batch capture processing" with respect to the "automatic acquisition processing" described above.
[0170]
In other words, the first data amount of the content data in the first format (for example, in this example, “the data of all chapters to be written to the DVD 14” described in step S52 of FIG. The data amount of the recording data in the DV format (corresponding to the description in the specification), the second data amount of the content data in the second format (for example, in this example, the DVD of the recording data of the digital video tape 13) The data amount in the format is calculated, and the capacity of the DVD format storage area 34-3 (the data amount corresponding to the recording capacity Cd of the DVD 14) in the free area 34-1 of the HDD 34 in FIG. 1 and the calculated second data amount are added. The first threshold value is calculated, and the free space of the HDD (for example, the capacity Ch1 of the free area 34-1 of the HDD 34 in FIG. 10 in this example) is calculated in the process of step S52. By determining whether or not the value is smaller than the threshold value, it is determined whether or not the data of all chapters to be written on the DVD fits in the free space of the HDD.
[0171]
That is, if the acquisition mode selection unit 171 determines in the process of step S52 that the data of all the chapters to be written on the DVD does not fit in the free space of the HDD, the acquisition mode selection unit 171 mainly executes the division acquisition unit 172 as the acquisition mode. Select the mode corresponding to the "batch capture process".
[0172]
Specifically, when the execution of the “batch capture process” is selected, first, in step S54, the division acquisition unit 172 determines the available capacity of the HDD 34 (capture capacity Ch2 of the DV format storable area 34-2). Then, a maximum data amount acquired at a time (hereinafter, simply referred to as a maximum data amount) is calculated. That is, the maximum data amount is set to be equal to or less than the capture capacity Ch2 of the DV format storable area 34-2.
[0173]
Then, in step S55, the division acquisition unit 172 investigates in the process of step S7 (FIG. 5) by the investigation unit 104 (FIG. 4) and stores the chapter stored in the investigation content / setting content storage 110 (FIG. 4). It is determined whether or not, among all the chapters included in the list (all the chapters constituting the recording data of the digital video tape 13), there is a chapter having a data amount equal to or larger than the maximum data amount calculated in the process of step S54. I do.
[0174]
If it is determined in step S55 that there is a chapter having a data amount equal to or larger than the maximum data amount, the division acquisition unit 172 determines in step S56 the chapter having the data amount equal to or larger than the maximum data amount It is divided into a plurality of divided sections having a predetermined data amount.
[0175]
Specifically, for example, in the process of step S7 (FIG. 5), a part of the recorded content of the digital video tape 13 has a chapter 181 having a data amount smaller than the maximum data amount as shown in FIG. Suppose that it has been investigated that it is composed of a chapter 182 having a data amount larger than the maximum data amount and a chapter 183 having a data amount smaller than the maximum data amount. In other words, it is assumed that chapters 181 to 183 are included in the chapter list stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110 (FIG. 4). Each of the data 191 to 196 represents unrecognized data.
[0176]
In this case, in the process of step S55 (FIG. 11), it is determined that there is a chapter 182 having a data amount larger than the maximum data amount, and in the process of step 56 (FIG. 11), the chapter 182 having a data amount larger than the maximum data amount is determined. As shown in FIG. 13, 182 is divided into a divided section 182-1 and a divided section 182-2 having a predetermined data amount equal to or less than the maximum data amount.
[0177]
In this case, the chapter list stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110 (FIG. 4) is also changed. That is, the chapter information of the chapter 182 is deleted, and the section information (information corresponding to the chapter information) of each of the divided section 182-1 and the divided section 182-2 is added to the deleted position.
[0178]
At this time, since the unrecognized data 193 exists before the divided section 182-1, the above-described ambiguous flag is added to the first frame of the divided section 182-1 (the leading frame of the chapter 182 before the division). Since the unrecognized data does not exist after the divided section 182-1 (the last frame of the divided section 182-1 and the first frame of the divided section 182-2 are continuously present). Therefore, no ambiguous flag is added to the last frame of the divided section 182-1. Similarly, no ambiguous flag is added to the first frame of the divided section 182-2, but an ambiguous flag is added to the last frame of the divided section 182-2 (the ambiguous flag of the last frame of the chapter 182 before division). Is left intact).
[0179]
Although the example of FIG. 13 shows an example in which the image is divided into two divided sections, the number of divided sections, that is, the number of divided sections divided from one chapter, is calculated by the processing in step S54. There is no particular limitation as long as it is divided into divided sections that are equal to or less than the maximum data amount.
[0180]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S55 of FIG. 11 that there is no chapter having a data amount larger than the maximum data amount, the process of step S56 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S57.
[0181]
If it is determined in step S55 that there is no chapter having a data amount equal to or greater than the maximum data amount, or if the process of step S56 is completed, the division acquisition unit 172 of FIG. Based on the chapter list stored in the content storage unit 110 (FIG. 4), data of a chapter to be acquired next or data of a divided section is transmitted from the DV 12 to the i. The data is acquired via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2) and stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34.
[0182]
Specifically, for example, it is assumed that the division acquisition unit 172 has now recognized a chapter composed of frames with frame numbers 53 to 68 as the next chapter to be acquired. In addition, the actual recorded content of the digital video tape 13 corresponding to the recognized chapter is a recording section 201 including frames of frame numbers 50 to 70, as shown in FIG.
[0183]
In this case, as described above, since the data 201-1 and the data 201-3 in the recording section 201 are unrecognized data, the first frame (see FIG. 4) of the chapter recognized by the investigation unit 104 (FIG. 4). The above-mentioned ambiguous flag is added to each of the frame of frame number 53) and the last frame (frame of frame number 68).
[0184]
Accordingly, upon detecting the ambiguous flag of the first frame, the division acquisition unit 172 requests the DV control unit 103 (FIG. 4) to perform rewind reproduction (for example, -1 × speed reproduction). Upon receiving the request, the DV control unit 103 generates a control signal for instructing “rewind playback”, and i. By transmitting to the DV 12 via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), the DV 12 controls the digital video tape 13 to perform rewind playback.
[0185]
When the rewind playback of the digital video tape 13 is performed (the position of the head 75 (FIG. 3) of the DV 12 moves relatively from the position shown in FIG. 14 in the direction of the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 15. And) the playback video signals corresponding to the frames of those frame numbers are sequentially transmitted from the DV 12 while the numbers are returned one by one from the frame number 53.
[0186]
Therefore, the division acquisition unit 172 sets i. This reproduced video signal is obtained via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), and it is checked for each frame whether or not recording start point information is included. Then, upon detecting the recording start point information, the division acquisition unit 172 acquires the next frame (the frame of the frame number 50 in the present case (in the case of FIG. 15) including the detected recording start point information). Update as the first frame of the chapter (update the chapter list stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110).
[0187]
Then, the division acquisition unit 172 requests the DV control unit 103 (FIG. 4) to perform playback at the normal speed from the updated top frame (the frame with the frame number 50). Upon receiving the request, the DV control unit 103 generates a control signal for instructing “normal (1 ×) reproduction”, and i. By transmitting the digital video tape 13 to the DV 12 via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), the DV 12 controls the normal reproduction of the digital video tape 13.
[0188]
When normal reproduction of the digital video tape 13 is performed (when the position of the head 75 (FIG. 3) of the DV 12 relatively moves in the direction of the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 16), the frame number 50 (actually, The playback video signals corresponding to the frames of those frame numbers are sequentially transmitted from the DV 12 while the numbers advance one by one from (a frame number slightly earlier than that).
[0189]
Therefore, the division acquisition unit 172 sets i. The acquisition of the reproduced video signal is started via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), and in this case (in the case of FIG. 16), the process of storing the frame from the frame of the frame number 50 in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34 is started Then, when an ambiguous flag is detected (in this case (in the case of FIG. 16), the frame of frame number 68 is acquired), a frame including the next recording end point information (one frame before the frame including the recording start point information) After storing the current frame (in the case of FIG. 16, the frame of frame number 70) up to the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34, the acquisition processing of itself is stopped, and the normal reproduction is performed. Is requested to the DV control unit 103 (FIG. 4). Upon receiving the request, the DV control unit 103 generates a control signal for instructing “stop”, and i. By transmitting the digital video tape 13 to the DV 12 via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), the DV 12 controls the normal reproduction of the digital video tape 13 to be stopped.
[0190]
If the ambiguous flag is not included, the above-described rewinding process and the like are not performed, and only the first frame to the last frame included in the chapter list are reproduced and recorded in the PC 11.
[0191]
As described above, the division acquisition unit 172 can acquire the recorded contents of the digital video tape 13 from the DV 12 without omission by the method described above (the method shown in FIGS. 14 to 16).
[0192]
That is, for example, based on the chapter list stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110 (FIG. 4), the division acquisition unit 172 simply stores the actual recorded content of the digital video tape 13 shown in FIG. Is attempted to be acquired as chapter data, only data 201-2 detected in the scan processing in step S7 (FIG. 5) is registered as a chapter in the chapter list. , The division acquisition unit 172 can acquire only the data 201-2 corresponding to the chapter detected by the scan in the recording section 201 (acquires the unrecognized data 201-1 and the unrecognized data 201-3) Can not do it).
[0193]
On the other hand, since the division acquisition unit 172 of this example performs the data acquisition processing by the above-described method (the method shown in FIGS. 14 to 16), the entire recording section 201 is reliably set as the chapter data 204. It will be possible to obtain.
[0194]
The chapter data stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34 remains in the DV format. In the DV format, one frame is set to 120,000 [bytes] and the frame rate is specified to be 29.97 [frames / second]. Therefore, the data amount of the digital video tape 13 per second is 3596400 [bytes]. / Second] (= 120,000 [bytes / frame] * 29.97 [frames / second]), which is 21578000 [bytes] (215.79 MB) when converted to one minute.
[0195]
On the other hand, in the DVD format, for example, in the MPEG-2 format of this example, as described above, the image bit rate is set to a maximum of 8 Mbps (set by the bit rate setting unit 106 (FIG. 4)). Therefore, the data amount per minute is 60 MB at the maximum, which is less than about 3.4 times less than the DV format.
[0196]
Therefore, in step S58 of FIG. 11, the format conversion unit 173 obtains the DV format data (chapter data) obtained by the division obtaining unit 172 in the process of step S57 and stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34. , Or the data of the divided section) is converted into the DVD format and stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34. Then, in step S59, the captured data deleting unit 174 obtains the DV format data acquired by the division acquisition unit 172 in the process of step S57 and stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34 (the process in step S58). Then, the format conversion unit 173 deletes the DV format data (corresponding to the DVD format data stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34).
[0197]
In step S60, the format conversion unit 173 converts the data into the DVD format in the process in step S58 and stores the data in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34, including the recording end point (information). Is determined.
[0198]
That is, when the video data stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34 in the processing of step S58 is data other than the last divided section among the divided sections divided in the processing of step S56, Since the video data does not include a frame including the recording end point information, it is determined in step S60 that the stored data does not include the recording end point, and the process proceeds to step S62.
[0199]
On the other hand, the video data stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34 in the processing of step S58 is the data of the last divided section among the divided sections divided in the processing of step S56. If the data is chapter data that has not been divided, in step S60, it is determined that the stored data includes the recording end point, and the format conversion unit 173 sets the chapter in step S61. .
[0200]
That is, if the video data stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34 is the data of the last divided section among the divided sections divided in the process of step S56, the format conversion unit 173 performs The other divided section stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34 and the last divided section are merged, stored as chapter data in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34 (overwritten), and investigated. The chapter list stored in the content / setting content storage unit 110 (FIG. 4) is also updated.
[0201]
If the data stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34 is data of an undivided chapter, the format conversion unit 173 simply stores the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110 (FIG. 4). Update the chapter list stored in. For example, when the data stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34 is the chapter data 204 in FIG. 16, as described above, the frame number of the first frame of the chapter list is determined by the processing in step S57. At this stage, it has been updated from 53 to 50. However, since the frame number of the last frame in the chapter list remains at 68, it is updated to 70 in the processing of step S61.
[0202]
Returning to FIG. 11, if it is determined in the processing of step S60 that the stored data does not include the recording end point, or if the processing of step S61 has been completed, the division acquisition unit 172 proceeds to step S62. In, it is determined whether or not data of all chapters to be written on the DVD (data of all chapters included in the chapter list) has been acquired from the DV.
[0203]
If it is determined in step S62 that the data of all chapters to be written to the DVD 14 has not been obtained from the DV 12, the process returns to step S57, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the data of the chapter to be obtained next or the data of the divided section is fetched in the DV format, stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34, converted into the DVD format, and converted into the DVD format. Is stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34, the data of the DV format stored in the DV format storage area 34-2 of the HDD 34 is deleted.
[0204]
Then, the processing of the above steps S57 to S62 is repeated, and when the data of the last chapter is stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34, in step S62, the data of all the chapters to be written on the DVD 14 is deleted. , DV12, and the process is terminated.
[0205]
As described above, the acquisition unit 105 (FIGS. 4 and 10) can execute “batch capture processing” of “acquisition processing of digital video tape recording data”. It will be possible to play.
[0206]
That is, conventionally, the following two methods have been known as methods for capturing video data from a digital video tape 13 mounted on a DV 12 to a PC or the like.
[0207]
That is, the first method is that, after the user operates the DV 12 to move the digital video tape 13 to the capture start position desired by the user himself, the PC starts the capture, and at the same time, the DV 12 In this method, when the playback of the digital tape 13 is completed, the capture process of the PC is stopped, and the DV 12 executes the stop process of the digital tape 13.
[0208]
In the second method, after the user operates the DV 12 to move the digital tape 13 to a capture start position desired by the user himself, the PC registers the position as a capture start position, , DV 12, the digital tape 13 is moved to the capture stop position, the PC is registered with the position as the capture end position, and the capture process is executed.
[0209]
However, in the first method, the user does not manually divide the capture range and perform the capture while checking the free space of the auxiliary storage device (such as the HDD of the PC) during the data capture. There is a problem that it is difficult to determine in which range (length) the division should be made. Further, in the first method, it is very difficult to control the joints of the divided parts thus divided, and even if the joints of the divided data are controlled, the joints are not controlled. There is also a problem that the data connected by the control is data in which the same data is duplicated or data is missing.
[0210]
Further, in the second method, the control of the joint of the divided portion is somewhat easier to execute than in the first method, but the setting of the range (length) to be divided is the same as in the first method. However, it is still a very difficult task, and it takes a long time to specify each division point.
[0211]
On the other hand, the PC 11 (FIG. 2) of the present invention can execute “batch capture processing” as one function of the data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 (FIG. 4).
[0212]
That is, even if it is impossible to collectively acquire data (recorded data on the digital video tape 13) to be written on the DVD 14, the user does not need to perform any special operation (just connect the DV 12 to the PC 11). , DV12), the following processing is performed, and the data recorded on the digital video tape 13 is automatically loaded into the PC 11.
[0213]
In other words, in the information processing apparatus that acquires content data recorded in the first format, a storage unit that stores the content data, a calculation unit that calculates the free space of the storage unit, and a storage unit that is calculated by the calculation unit Acquiring means for dividing content data into a plurality of section data based on the free space of the first section, acquiring predetermined first section data among the plurality of section data, and storing the first section data in the storage section And converting the format of the first section data acquired by the acquisition section and stored in the storage section from the first format to the second format, and the second section having a data amount smaller than the first section data. Converting means for generating section data and storing the generated second section data in the storage means; and converting the first section data by the converting means. When the mat is converted and the generated second section data is stored in the storage means, the third section data different from the first section data among the plurality of section data constituting the content data And an erasing unit for erasing the first section data stored in the storage unit before is acquired by the acquiring unit.
[0214]
That is, the recording data of the digital video tape 13 is divided into a plurality of data (chapter data or divisional division data), and each of the divided data is divided one by one and sequentially acquired, and the DV of the HDD 34 is obtained. After being temporarily stored in the format storage area 34-2, the data is converted into the DVD format and stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD. Is deleted in the DV format.
[0215]
As described above, even when the free space of the HDD 34 is small and it is impossible to collectively capture the recording data (data to be written on the DVD 14) of the digital video tape 13, all the recording data of the digital video tape 13 Can be captured. That is, the user can take all of the data recorded on the digital video tape 13 inserted into the DV 12 into the PC 11 in a short time without worrying about the free space of the auxiliary storage device (HDD 34). Will be possible. Also, even when such a “batch capture process” is performed, the digital video tape 13 does not generate an error such that some data is captured in duplicate or some data is not captured. All of the recorded data is reliably and accurately captured.
[0216]
Therefore, by performing the “batch capture process”, the acquisition unit 105 has an effect that the above-described conventional problem of capturing the data recorded on the digital video tape 13 from the DV 12 to a PC or the like can be solved. It becomes possible.
[0217]
The “batch capture processing (the processing of steps S54 to S62)” of the “processing of acquiring recording data on a digital video tape” has been described above with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Next, “automatic acquisition processing” of “acquisition processing of recording data of digital video tape” will be described.
[0218]
As described above, when it is determined in step S52 that the data of all chapters to be written on the DVD 14 fits in the free space of the HDD 34, "automatic acquisition processing" is executed in step S53.
[0219]
Details of the "automatic acquisition process" in this example are shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The details of the "automatic acquisition process" of this example will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0220]
First, in step S81 in FIG. 17, the collective acquisition unit 175 in FIG. 10 determines whether the data from the capture start position (the first frame of the first chapter included in the chapter list stored in the survey content / setting content storage unit 110) is correct. It is determined whether acquisition is possible. That is, the collective acquisition unit 175 determines whether the current position of the digital video tape 13 attached to the DV 12 matches the capture start position (actually, is a position slightly before the capture start position). I do.
[0221]
If it is determined in step S81 that data acquisition from the capture start position is impossible (if it is determined that data acquisition is not possible), the collective acquisition unit 175 determines in step S82 the digital video based on the capture start position. The tape 13 is fast-forwarded or rewound.
[0222]
That is, if the current position of the digital video tape 13 is before the capture start position, the collective acquisition unit 175 determines that fast-forwarding is to be performed, and if the current position is after the capture start position, rewinding is to be performed. , DV control unit 103 (FIG. 4). Upon receiving the request, the DV control unit 103 generates a control signal for instructing “fast forward” or “rewind”, and transmits the generated control signal to i. By transmitting to the DV 12 via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), the DV 12 controls the digital video tape 13 to perform fast forward or rewind.
[0223]
Specifically, for example, assuming that the collective acquisition unit 175 acquires recording data recorded from the top position of the digital video tape 13 now, Is requested to the DV control unit 103. Upon receiving the request, the DV control unit 103 generates a control signal for instructing “rewind”, and transmits the generated control signal to i. By transmitting the DV to the DV 12 via the LINK 45, the DV 12 controls the rewinding of the digital video tape 13.
[0224]
Then, when detecting that the rewinding to the head position of the digital video tape 13 is completed, the collective acquisition unit 175 causes the digital video tape 13 to start acquiring data in step S83, and reproduces the digital video tape 13 in step S84.
[0225]
Specifically, the collective acquisition unit 175 requests the DV control unit 103 (FIG. 4) to perform reproduction at the normal speed. Upon receiving the request, the DV control unit 103 generates a control signal for instructing “normal reproduction”, and performs i. By transmitting the digital video tape 13 to the DV 12 via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), the DV 12 controls the normal reproduction of the digital video tape 13. When the normal reproduction of the digital video tape 13 is performed, reproduced video data (reproduced video signal) is sequentially transmitted from the video data corresponding to the capture start position.
[0226]
Therefore, the batch acquisition unit 175 sets i. The video data is sequentially acquired via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), and the acquired video data is stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34.
[0227]
Then, in step S85, the batch acquisition unit 175 determines whether a recording start point has been detected.
[0228]
If the recording start point is detected in step S85, that is, if a frame including the recording start point information is acquired, the batch acquisition unit 175 determines in step S86 the recording start time (the photographing time information (year included in the frame)). , Month, day, hour, minute, and second)).
[0229]
If the recording start point has not been detected in step S85 (if it is determined that the recording start point has not been detected), or if the processing in step S86 has been completed, the collective acquisition unit 175 detects the recording end point in step S87. It is determined whether or not it has been performed.
[0230]
If the recording end point is detected in step S87, that is, if a frame including the recording end point information is obtained, the batch acquisition unit 175 determines in step S88 that the recording end time (the shooting time information (year included in the frame) , Month, day, hour, minute, and second)) and set a chapter.
[0231]
That is, as described above, the chapters included in the chapter list stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110 (FIG. 4) correspond to the steps of all the frames included in the data recorded on the digital video tape 13. In the process of S7 (FIG. 5), the frame is created only from the frame scanned by the fast forward reproduction (for example, see FIG. 6 described above). Therefore, in the processing of steps S85 to S88, the collective acquisition unit 175 detects the actual recording start point and the recording end point that appears next, sets the recording section between them as a chapter, and sets the recording of that chapter. It generates chapter information including a start time, a recording end time, and the like, and updates the chapter list stored in the investigation content / setting content storage unit 110 (FIG. 4).
[0232]
In step S89 in FIG. 18, the superimposition monitoring unit 176 uses the batch acquisition unit 175 to set the time of the currently acquired frame (the shooting time information (year, month, and date included in the first frame reproduced by the DV12). , Hour, minute, and second) are the shooting time information (year, month, date, and time) included in the second frame reproduced by the DV 12 immediately before the first frame (just before the first frame). Hours, minutes, and seconds)).
[0233]
In other words, when the time of the currently acquired frame is earlier than the time of the immediately previously acquired frame by the collective acquisition unit 175, the first video data composed of frames subsequent to the currently acquired frame is , The second video data consisting of a frame before the immediately preceding frame is not directly related data, and the first video data is data that is temporally earlier than the second video data. ing. In other words, it indicates that new second video data (currently acquired video data) has been overwritten on the previously recorded first video data.
[0234]
Accordingly, in step S89, when the batch acquisition unit 175 determines that the time of the currently acquired frame is earlier than the time of the frame acquired immediately before, the superimposition monitoring unit 175 acquires It determines that the reproduction of the second video data (to be captured) has ended, and instructs the collective acquisition unit 175 to stop the acquisition processing.
[0235]
When receiving the stop command, the collective obtaining unit 175 stops obtaining data in step S92, and stops the digital video tape 13 in step S93.
[0236]
That is, the collective acquisition unit 175 requests the DV control unit 103 (FIG. 4) to stop the normal reproduction. Upon receiving this request, the DV control unit 103 generates a control signal for instructing “stop”, and i. By transmitting the digital video tape 13 to the DV 12 via the LINK 45 (FIG. 2), the DV 12 controls the digital video tape 13 to stop.
[0237]
As described above, by the processing of the superimposition monitoring unit 176, the acquisition unit 105 reads from the digital video tape 13 in which the second video data to be captured this time has been overwritten on the previously recorded first video data. Also, it is possible to reliably acquire only the second video data to be captured.
[0238]
On the other hand, in step S89, when the batch acquisition unit 175 determines that the time of the currently acquired frame is not earlier than the time of the frame acquired immediately before, the superimposition monitoring unit 176 determines the current time. It is determined that the second video data acquired (to be captured) has not been finished yet, and the unrecorded area monitoring unit 177 determines that the unrecorded area has not been recorded for a certain period of time in step S90. It is determined whether or not.
[0239]
That is, when the unrecorded area continues for a certain time (when it is determined in step S90 that the area is an unrecorded area for a certain time), the unrecorded area monitoring unit 177 has been acquired until now ( Assuming that the second video data (to be captured) is not recorded in the subsequent portion (assuming that the reproduction of the second video data has been completed), the batch acquisition unit 175 performs the acquisition processing. Command to stop.
[0240]
Upon receiving the stop designation, the collective acquisition unit 175 stops acquiring data in step S92, and stops the digital video tape 13 in step S93.
[0241]
As described above, by the processing of the unrecorded area monitoring unit 177, the acquiring unit 105 determines that the second video data to be captured this time has not been recorded up to the tape end of the digital video tape 13, It is possible to surely acquire only the second video data to be captured without reproducing the video data. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the capturing time.
[0242]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S90 that the unrecorded area has not continued for a certain period of time, the unrecorded area monitoring unit 177 determines whether the second video data that has been acquired (to be captured) has been acquired. It is determined that the processing has not been completed yet, and the tape end monitoring unit 178 determines whether the digital video tape 13 has been reproduced up to the tape end in step S91.
[0243]
If it is determined in step S91 that the digital video tape 13 has not been played back to the tape end, the process returns to step S85 (FIG. 17), and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the data acquisition processing by the collective acquisition unit 175 is continuously performed until it is determined that the second video data that has been acquired (to be captured) has been completed.
[0244]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the digital video tape 13 has been reproduced up to the tape end, the batch acquisition unit 175 is instructed to stop the acquisition processing.
[0245]
When receiving the stop command, the collective obtaining unit 175 stops obtaining data in step S92, and stops the digital video tape 13 in step S93.
[0246]
In this way, when the data acquisition process by the batch acquisition unit 175 is completed (when the process of step S93 is completed), the format conversion unit 173 acquires the data by the batch acquisition unit 175 in step S94, and The video data of the DV format stored in the format storable area 34-2 is converted into the DVD format (in this example, the MPEG-2 format) and stored in the DVD format storage area 34-3 of the HDD 34. Then, in step S95, the acquired data deletion unit 174 deletes the data in the DV format acquired by the batch acquisition unit 175 and stored in the DV format storable area 34-2 of the HDD 34, and returns the processing.
[0247]
As described above, the acquisition unit 105 can execute the “automatic acquisition process” of the “acquisition process of the recording data of the digital video tape”, so that the following effects can be obtained.
[0248]
That is, as described in the effect of the "batch capture process", conventionally, the following two methods have been known as methods for capturing video data from a digital video tape 13 mounted on the DV 12 to a PC or the like.
[0249]
That is, the first method is that, after the user operates the DV 12 to move the digital video tape 13 to the capture start position desired by the user himself, the PC starts the capture, and at the same time, the DV 12 In this method, when the playback of the digital tape 13 is completed, the capture process of the PC is stopped, and the DV 12 executes the stop process of the digital tape 13.
[0250]
In the second method, after the user operates the DV 12 to move the digital tape 13 to a capture start position desired by the user himself, the PC registers the position as a capture start position, , The DV 12 is operated to move the digital tape 13 to the capture stop position, the PC is registered with that position as the capture end position, and then the PC executes the capture process.
[0251]
However, in the first method, the user must manually operate the DV 12 to execute the process of rewinding, stopping, and playing back the digital tape 13. There is a problem that the user must monitor the video being captured during the capture.
[0252]
Of course, the user can also capture the video to the PC up to the tape end of the digital tape 13 without monitoring the video. However, in this case, for example, if the second video data to be captured this time is overwritten on the first video data recorded in the past on the digital video tape 13, for example, the digital video tape From 13, not only the second video data that the user desires to capture, but also unnecessary (first not intended by the user) first video data and other problems, such as recording to the tape end Unnecessary unrecorded areas (undata) are captured from an unrecorded digital video tape, and as a result, there is a problem that the capturing time is longer than necessary.
[0253]
Also in the second method, the operation of moving the digital video tape 13 to the start position or the end position of the capture and the operation of confirming and registering the digital video tape 13 require manual operation of the user (manual operation of the DV 12). As a result, there has been a problem in that these operations take a long time.
[0254]
On the other hand, the PC 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the present invention can execute “automatic acquisition processing” as one function of the data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 (FIG. 4). That is, even if the recorded data on the digital video tape 13 is in any state, the user does not need to perform any special operation (only by connecting the DV 12 to the PC 11 and turning on the DV 12). Automatically captures only the desired video data, and upon completion of the capture, the capture process itself is immediately stopped.
[0255]
In other words, the PC 11 obtains predetermined content data composed of a plurality of frames to be reproduced by the predetermined reproduction device, and obtains time information included in each of the plurality of frames reproduced by the reproduction device. The recording time at which the frame was recorded is monitored, and the recording time of the currently monitored first frame of the plurality of frames is the second frame monitored temporally earlier than the first frame. If the time is earlier than the recording time, the acquisition stop control unit controls to stop the acquisition process of the content data by the acquisition unit.
[0256]
That is, even if the second video data to be captured this time is overlaid on the past first video data (first video data that does not need to be captured), the past first video data is captured. It is possible to reliably capture only the second video data to be captured without capturing the video data.
[0257]
Further, the PC 11 obtains predetermined content data to be reproduced by the predetermined reproduction device, and monitors the reproduction content of the reproduction device. If the recorded data of the content data is not reproduced for a predetermined time or more, the acquisition unit obtains the content data. And an acquisition stop control means for controlling so as to stop the content data acquisition process.
[0258]
As described above, by executing the “automatic acquisition process”, the acquisition unit 105 can solve the above-described conventional problem of capturing the recording data of the digital video tape 13 from the DV 12 to a PC or the like. Can be played.
[0259]
In the “batch capture process” as well, by inserting steps S89 to S91 in FIG. 18 instead of step S62 in FIG. 11, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the “automatic acquisition process” described above. Become. However, in this case, if it is determined as YES in any of the steps S89 to S91, the process returns. If it is determined as NO in the process of step S91, the process proceeds as follows. Returning to step S57, the subsequent processing is repeated. In other words, as shown by the dotted line of the arrow in FIG. It is also possible to output to the division acquisition unit 172.
[0260]
Next, the details of the “chapter registration process” of this example will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0261]
First, in step S111, the menu creation unit 107 in FIG. 4 selects a specified time. As the specified time, a time set by the user is selected. The user can set an arbitrary time, but in this example, for simplicity of description, it is assumed that the time is set from, for example, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 day (24 hours). The details of the specified time will be described later.
[0262]
In step S112, the menu creation unit 107 sets the target chapter to all the chapters included in the chapter list updated in the processing of step S9 (FIG. 5) (the recorded data of the digital video tape 13 acquired in the processing of step S9). Is set as the first chapter (the first chapter) of all the chapters that make up.
[0263]
In the description of the “chapter registration process”, a chapter to be processed is referred to as a target chapter to distinguish it from other chapters.
[0264]
In step S113, the menu creation unit 107 sets the recording start time of the chapter registered immediately before in the chapter menu (the shooting time information (year, year, and year) included in the first frame of the chapter registered in the process of step S114 immediately before that point). Month, day, hour, minute, and second) and the recording start time of the target chapter (shooting time information (year, month, day, hour, minute, and second included in the first frame of the target chapter)) It is determined whether or not the interval is equal to or longer than the specified time selected in the process of step S111.
[0265]
If it is determined in step S113 that the time interval between the recording start time of the previous chapter registered in the chapter menu and the recording start time of the target chapter is equal to or longer than a specified time, the menu creation unit 107 proceeds to step S114 In, the target chapter is registered in the chapter menu. That is, in this case, the target chapter is a chapter displayed in the chapter menu.
[0266]
On the other hand, in step S113, when the time interval between the recording start time of the previous chapter registered in the chapter menu and the recording start time of the target chapter is shorter than the specified time (determined that the time is not longer than the specified time) In this case, the menu creating unit 107 does not register the target chapter in the chapter menu (without executing the processing of step S114), and advances the processing to step S115.
[0267]
In this case, or when the process of step S114 is completed, the menu creation unit 107 determines in step S115 whether the target chapter is the last chapter.
[0268]
If it is determined in step S115 that the target chapter is not the last chapter, the menu creating unit 107 sets the next chapter as the target chapter in step S116, returns the processing to step S113, and executes the subsequent processing. repeat.
[0269]
That is, for each of the chapters included in the chapter list updated in the process of step S9 (FIG. 5) (all the chapters constituting the recording data of the digital video tape 13 obtained in the process of step S9). It is determined for each chapter whether or not the condition of step S113 is satisfied. Of all the chapters, the chapter that satisfies the condition of step S113 is registered in the chapter menu (displayed in the chapter menu). Are registered as chapters).
[0270]
Then, when the process of determining whether or not the last chapter is the target chapter and registered in the chapter menu is performed (the process of step S113 and, if necessary, the process of step S114 are performed), the process proceeds to step S115. , The target chapter is determined to be the last chapter, and the process is returned.
[0271]
A specific example of the “chapter registration process” will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0272]
That is, as described above, the specified time is variable, and in this example, is selected from 10 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 day (24 hours). 20 shows an example in which the specified time is selected for 10 minutes, FIG. 21 shows an example in which the specified time is selected for 30 minutes, and FIG. 22 shows a case in which the specified time is selected in one day. Are respectively shown.
[0273]
For example, assume that there is video data in which chapters 211 to 217 are arranged in that order (so that they are reproduced in that order) as shown in FIG. In the figure, the numerical value described at the upper left of each of the chapters 211 to 217 represents the time of the recording start point of the chapter (the time of the first frame of the chapter). The numerical value described at the upper right of each represents the time of the recording end point of the chapter (the time of the last frame of the chapter). For example, the time of the recording start point of the chapter 211 is 10:00 (10:00), and the time of the recording end point is 10:08 (10:08).
[0274]
In this case, first, the chapter 211 is set as the target chapter. At that time, there are no chapters registered in the chapter menu 221-1, and in such a case, the chapter 211 is registered in the chapter menu 221-1. That is, the first chapter of the chapters constituting the video data is automatically registered in the chapter menu.
[0275]
Next, when the next chapter 212 after the chapter 211 is set as the target chapter, the time 10:00 of the recording start point of the chapter 211 registered immediately before in the DVD menu 221-1 and the target chapter 212 Since the time interval (10 minutes) from the recording start time 10:10 is equal to or longer than the specified time (10 minutes), the chapter 212 is registered in the chapter menu 221-1.
[0276]
Thereafter, the same processing is repeated, and the chapter 213 is also registered in the chapter list 221-1. This time, when the next chapter 214 of the chapter 213 is set as the target chapter, the chapter 213 is registered in the DVD menu 221-1. Since the time interval (4 minutes) between the recording start point 10:35 of the previous chapter 213 and the recording start point 10:39 of the target chapter 214 is less than the specified time (10 minutes). , The chapter 214 is not registered in the chapter menu 221-1, and the chapter 215 is subsequently set as the target chapter.
[0277]
Thereafter, the above-described processing is repeated up to the last chapter 217, and finally, a chapter menu 221-1 as shown in FIG. 20 is generated.
[0278]
That is, the chapter 215 has a time interval (7 minutes) between the time 10:35 of the recording start point of the previous chapter 213 registered in the DVD menu 221-1 and the time 10:42 of the recording start point of the chapter 215. ) Is less than the specified time (10 minutes), and is not registered in the chapter menu 221-1.
[0279]
On the other hand, the chapter 216 is a time interval between the time 10:35 of the recording start point of the previous chapter 213 registered in the DVD menu 221-1 and the time 11:30 of the recording start point of the chapter 216. Since (55 minutes) is longer than the specified time (10 minutes), it is registered in the chapter menu 221-1.
[0280]
Similarly, the chapter 217 has a time interval (30) between the recording start point time 11:30 of the previous chapter 216 registered in the DVD menu 221-1 and the recording start point time 12:00 of the chapter 216. Minutes) is longer than the specified time (10 minutes), and is registered in the chapter menu 221-1.
[0281]
As described above, the specified time is variable, and an arbitrary time can be set in the process of step S111 (FIG. 19). For example, in FIG. 20, the specified time is set to 10 minutes, but if the specified time is set to 30 minutes, the same video data (video data including chapters 211 to 217) as in FIG. A chapter menu 221-2 as shown in FIG. 21 is generated.
[0282]
Comparing the chapter menu 221-1 of FIG. 20 with the chapter menu 221-2 of FIG. 21, the chapter menu 212 registered in the chapter menu 221-1 of FIG. You can see that it is not registered. This is because, in the chapter 212, the time interval between the time 10:00 of the recording start point of the previous chapter 211 registered in the DVD menu 221-1 and the time 10:10 of the recording start point of the target chapter 212 is If the specified time is 10 minutes and the specified time is 10 minutes as shown in FIG. 20, the condition of step S113 (FIG. 11) is satisfied, but if the specified time is 30 minutes as shown in FIG. This is because the condition of step S113 is not satisfied.
[0283]
Further, the specified time is not limited to an arbitrary time, and may be set in units such as one day, one week, one month, or one year (a unit different from a unit expressed in seconds, minutes, or hours). It is possible.
[0284]
However, when these units are set, the unit is separated by the date. This date boundary may simply be fixed at 0:00 midnight. However, due to recent lifestyle changes, one event often continues from 0:00 at midnight from the previous day and continues until the next day, and in such a case, it is simply 0:00 at midnight. , A problem occurs that one event is divided. Therefore, in this example, for example, an arbitrary time can be set at the boundary of the date. That is, a date boundary may be set in advance by a designer, but in this example, for example, an arbitrary time can be set by a user.
[0285]
In this manner, when the specified time is a date (one day), as shown in FIG. 22, the first chapter (for example, 7/1 chapter 231 and chapter 232 of the chapters of the same day) as shown in FIG. , The first chapter 231) is registered in the chapter menu 241. That is, in the chapter menu 241 are registered the first chapter 231 of 7/1, the first chapter 233 of 7/2, the first chapter 234 of 7/3, and the first chapter 235 of 7/4.
[0286]
In this example, for example, as shown in chapter 234, even if the end time of the chapter exceeds the time of the above-described date boundary, continuous recording (from the recording start point to the recording end point) In this case, data is divided at the boundary of the date, and the data after the boundary of the date is not treated as the first chapter of the next day, but is treated as one chapter. That is, the next chapter (in this case, chapter 235) is treated as the first chapter of the next day and registered in the chapter menu.
[0287]
As described above, since the chapter menu creation unit 107 (FIG. 4) can execute the “chapter menu registration process”, the following effects can be obtained.
[0288]
That is, conventionally, when a user records video data (recorded data on the digital video tape 13) shot by the DV 12 on a DVD, it is possible to cause the PC to create a chapter menu of a corresponding DVD menu. .
[0289]
However, in the related art, the PC registers a chapter specified manually by the user in the chapter menu, or registers all chapters included in the captured video data in the chapter menu. Therefore, there is a problem that the chapter menu creation time is long and a problem that unnecessary chapters are registered in the DVD menu.
[0290]
For example, when the recording section from the recording start point to the recording end point is a chapter as in the present embodiment, one video data (video data recorded on the DVD 14) is composed of a very large number of chapters. That is, if all of these many chapters are registered in the chapter menu, it takes time to create the chapter menu, and it is difficult for the user to search for a desired chapter from the created chapter menu. Become.
[0291]
A method of creating a chapter menu by simply dividing continuous video data at a predetermined time interval is also known. In this method, a chapter registered in the chapter menu is not necessarily created for each event. Therefore, it is difficult to automatically create a chapter menu desired by the user using this method.
[0292]
On the other hand, in the PC 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the present invention, “chapter registration processing” is provided as one function of the data acquisition / DVD writing unit 91 (FIG. 4). That is, the user does not need to perform any special operation (just connect the DV 12 to the PC 11 and turn on the DV 12), and the chapter menu is automatically set based on the recording start information (recording start point). Since it is generated automatically, it is possible to automatically create a chapter menu without the need for a user's work.
[0293]
In other words, when the predetermined content data is divided into a plurality of sections, the PC 11 generates information indicating a recording order of the sections of the content data with the predetermined section of the plurality of sections as an item. A processing device, wherein each of a plurality of sections is sequentially set as a target section in the order of recording of the section, and a recording start time of a section registered immediately before as a table of contents item, and a recording of the set target section If the time interval from the start time is equal to or longer than a predetermined specified time, a table of contents creating means for creating a table of contents by repeating the process of registering the target section as a table of contents item is provided.
[0294]
As described above, since the chapter menu is generated based on the shooting start time between the chapters, the chapter menu can be created at intervals of a predetermined shooting event. In particular, if each of the various sports in the athletic meet was taken as a shooting event, if each of the first and second parties of the wedding was taken as a shooting event, or if the first and second half of soccer were taken as shooting events, etc. In this case, the effect of the “chapter registration process” in this example is particularly remarkable.
[0295]
Therefore, by executing the “chapter menu registration process”, the menu creating unit 107 can achieve an effect that the above-described conventional problem of creating a chapter menu can be solved.
[0296]
As described above, the information processing system 1 in FIG. 1 has been described as an embodiment of the present invention, but the embodiment is not limited to the example in FIG. 1 and takes various embodiments. It is possible.
[0297]
For example, the connection method between the PC 11 and the DV 12 is not particularly limited as long as the above-described series of processing can be performed.
[0298]
Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, the cradle 301 is connected to the PC 11, and the DV 12 is mounted on the cradle 301, so that the PC 11 and the DV 12 may be connected. That is, in this case, when the cradle 301 is connected instead of the cable 15 (FIG. 1) and the DV 12 is placed on the cradle 301, the i. LINK45 (FIG. 2) and i.v. LINK 78 (FIG. 3) is connected.
[0299]
Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, the PC 11 and the DV 12 may be connected to each other via a network 311 including the Internet.
[0300]
Further, the information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the form of a PC, but can take various embodiments. For example, an optical drive device 321 as shown in FIG. May be.
[0301]
Although not particularly shown, the configuration of the optical drive device 321 may basically have the same function as that of the DVD-R / RW drive 36 in FIG. 2 described above. However, in this case, the optical drive device 321 stores the software program (capture / DVD writing unit 91 (FIG. 4)) for executing the above-described series of processing and the recording data of the digital video tape 13 supplied from the DV 12. A memory for storage (for example, a hard disk such as the HDD 34 in FIG. 2), a CPU for executing the program (for example, a CPU such as the CPU 21 in FIG. 2), and parameters and data for executing the program are temporarily stored. A memory (e.g., RAM, etc.) and i. LINK is also required.
[0302]
Alternatively, a software program (capture / DVD writing unit 91 (FIG. 4)) for executing the above-described series of processing may be installed in the DV 12 itself.
[0303]
By the way, when a series of processing is executed by software, various functions are executed by installing a computer in which a program constituting the software is built in dedicated hardware, or installing various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium to a general-purpose personal computer or the like.
[0304]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium is a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded and an optical disk (CD-ROM) which are distributed in order to provide the user with the program separately from the personal computer. (Including a Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magneto-optical disk (including an MD (Mini-Disc) (registered trademark)), or a removable recording medium 49 (package media) including a semiconductor memory or the like. ) As well as a hard disk including the ROM 34 and the HDD 34, which are provided to the user in a state where the program is incorporated in the computer in advance, and which includes the HDD 34.
[0305]
Further, the series of processes described above can be executed by software, but can also be executed by hardware. In this case, the information processing apparatus has, for example, hardware corresponding to the import / DVD writing unit 91 as shown in FIG.
[0306]
In this specification, the steps of describing a program provided by a medium are not necessarily performed in chronological order, but may be performed in parallel or individually according to the described order. This includes the processing to be executed.
[0307]
Further, in the above-described example, the frame is used because the description has been made by taking the format of DV12 as an example, but a field may be used. In this specification, such a frame (frame or field) is used. ) Is also referred to as an access unit.
[0308]
Further, in the present specification, the system refers to a processing unit and an entire apparatus including a plurality of apparatuses.
[0309]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, recording data of a digital video tape can be recorded on a DVD. In particular, the user simply connects the DV on which the digital video tape is mounted to the PC and turns on the DV. (Furthermore, if necessary, one click operation of the PC mouse to instruct the execution of the process. Just by turning), the recording data of the digital video tape is taken from the DV to the PC, the format of the DV is changed to the format of the DVD, and a series of processes from the recording to the DVD can be automatically executed. . That is, a series of processes until video data recorded on the first recording medium in the first format is recorded on the second recording medium in the second format is executed without a user's manual operation. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system including a personal computer to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a personal computer to which the present invention is applied in the information processing system of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a digital video recorder in the information processing system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a data acquisition / DVD writing unit, which is one piece of software included in the personal computer of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of a data acquisition / DVD writing unit in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of contents of a survey on recording on a digital video tape.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed example of a bit rate setting process in the data acquisition / DVD writing process of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the total time of data to be written to a DVD and the bit rate.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the total time of data to be written to a DVD and the capacity when writing to a DVD.
10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an acquisition unit in the data acquisition / DVD writing unit of FIG. 4 in FIG. 4;
11 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed example of a process of acquiring recording data of a digital video tape in the data acquisition / DVD writing process of FIG. 5;
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a specific processing example of a division acquisition unit among the acquisition units in FIG. 10;
13 is a diagram illustrating a specific processing example of a division acquisition unit of the acquisition units in FIG. 10;
14 is a diagram illustrating a specific processing example of a division acquisition unit of the acquisition units in FIG. 10;
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a specific processing example of a division acquisition unit of the acquisition units in FIG. 10;
16 is a diagram illustrating a specific processing example of a division acquisition unit of the acquisition units in FIG. 10;
17 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed example of an automatic acquisition process in the acquisition process of the recording data of the digital video tape in FIG. 11;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed example of an automatic acquisition process in the acquisition process of recording data of the digital video tape in FIG. 11;
19 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed example of a chapter registration process in the data acquisition / DVD writing process of FIG. 5;
20 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a chapter registration process of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the chapter registration processing of FIG. 19;
22 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a chapter registration process of FIG. 19;
FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of an information processing system including a personal computer to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of an information processing system including a personal computer to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of an information processing system including another information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Personal Computer (PC) 12 Digital Video Tape Recorder (DV), 13 Digital Video Tape, 14 DVD, 21 CPU, 34 HDD, 34-1 Free Area, 34-2 DV Format Storage Area, 34-3 DVD Format Storage Area, 36 DVD-R / RW drive, 45 i. LINK, 101 activation unit, 102 processing control unit, 103 DV control unit, 104 investigation unit 104 acquisition unit, 106 bit rate setting unit, 107 menu creation unit, 108 DVD writing unit, 109 DVD format unit, 110 investigation contents / setting contents Storage unit, 121 to 124 recording sections, 131 to 134 chapters, 171 acquisition mode selection unit, 172 division acquisition unit, 173 format conversion unit, 174 acquired data deletion unit, 175 batch acquisition unit, 176 superimposition monitoring unit, 177 unrecorded Area monitoring unit, 178 tape end monitoring unit, 182 chapters, 182-1, 182-2 divided sections, 211 to 217 chapters, 221-1, 221-2 chapter menu,
231 to 235 chapters, 241 chapter menu

Claims (9)

Investigation means for examining predetermined time information of the content data recorded in the first format;
Setting means for setting a bit rate when the content data is recorded on a predetermined recording medium that is detachable from an information processing device, based on the time information of the content data investigated by the investigation means;
Recording control means for converting a format of the content data from the first format to a second format and controlling to record on the recording medium at the bit rate set by the setting means. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the examination unit examines a recording time of the content data recorded in the first format as the time information. The content data is a moving image, and data composed of audio corresponding to the moving image,
The setting means sets the bit rate to a first bit rate corresponding to the data of the moving image and a second bit rate corresponding to the data of the audio,
The recording control unit records the moving image data of the content data at the first bit rate set by the setting unit, and sets the audio data by the setting unit. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein control is performed such that recording is performed at the set second bit rate. A first fixed value is determined in advance as the highest value among the settable values of the first bit rate,
A second fixed value is determined in advance as the highest value among the settable values of the second bit rate,
The setting means,
The recording time of the content data examined by the examination means is Tx, the first fixed value is B1, the second fixed value is B2, and the recording is controlled by the recording control means. The maximum recordable capacity of the recording medium is defined as Cmax.
(B1 + B2) × Tx <Cmax
When it is determined that the first inequality represented by the following equation is satisfied, the first fixed value is set as the value of the first bit rate, and the second fixed The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a fixed value is set. As a settable value of the second bit rate, a third fixed value lower than the second fixed value is further determined in advance,
The setting means determines that the first inequality expression does not hold and the third fixed value is B3.
(B1 + B3) × Tx <Cmax
When it is determined that the second inequality represented by the following expression is satisfied, the first fixed value is set as the value of the first bit rate, and the third fixed value is set as the value of the second bit rate. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a fixed value is set. When the setting unit determines that the first inequality does not hold and the second inequality does not hold,
(B4 + B3) × Tx <Cmax
Calculates a fourth value represented by B4 in the third inequality such that a third inequality represented by
The method according to claim 5, wherein the calculated fourth value is set as the value of the first bit rate, and the third fixed value is set as the value of the second bit rate. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The setting means is configured to satisfy the third inequality, and to have a predetermined characteristic that the value of the first bit rate decreases linearly as the recording time of the content data checked by the checking means increases. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the fourth value is calculated based on: The first format is a format of a digital video tape recorder,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second format is a format defined by a DVD standard. On the computer,
An investigation step of examining predetermined time information of the content data recorded in the first format;
A setting step of setting a bit rate when the content data is recorded on a predetermined recording medium that is detachable from the computer based on the time information of the content data investigated by the processing of the examination step;
A recording control step of converting the format of the content data from the first format to a second format, and controlling to record on the recording medium at the bit rate set by the processing of the setting step; A program characterized by executing

Images