JP2005341001A - Recording apparatus and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording apparatus and a recording method whereby the number of encode processing times applied to an original video signal is reduced and the video signal can be stored with higher image quality and a least degraded recording efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The recording apparatus includes: a means for encoding a received video signal at a first encoding rate; a means for calculating statistic data with respect to encoding by using a result of encoding at the first encoding rate in the case that application of encode processing using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate is set; a delay means for delaying the video signal; a means for encoding the delayed video signal at the second encoding rate on the basis of the calculated statistic data; and a means for recording the video signal encoded by the second encode means to a recording medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording a video signal on a recording medium. The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus for recording a video signal on a recording medium after encoding the video signal with an encoder.

  Currently, a recording apparatus that records video on a recording medium such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or a DVD (digital video disk) has been commercialized. Such a recording apparatus can be easily recorded (recorded) on a recording medium after receiving content such as a broadcast program or a video signal after being encoded by an encoder.

  In recent years, recording devices including a plurality of recording media for recording video signals such as HDDs and DVDs have been commercialized. The usage forms of a plurality of recording media included in these recording apparatuses differ depending on the user. For example, an HDD is used for temporary storage of video signals and an HDD is used for long-term storage of video signals. The form is common. For example, a video signal received by broadcasting or the like is encoded at a predetermined compression rate (relatively low compression rate) and then stored in the HDD (temporary storage use). Thereafter, whether or not to store the video signal stored in the HDD for a long time is selected by the user, and when it is selected to store the video signal stored in the HDD for a long time, the video signal is stored in the HDD. The encoded video signal is encoded at a predetermined compression rate (a compression rate higher than the above compression rate) and then stored on a DVD (for long-term storage use). In order to increase the recording efficiency, the encoding process cannot be avoided.

  In such a form, the video signal (compressed at a predetermined compression rate) stored in the HDD is further encoded at a predetermined compression rate and then stored on the DVD. From the viewpoint of high-quality video signal storage, it is desirable that the number of times of encoding processing for the original video signal is as small as possible. There was a problem that it was repeated several times (at least twice or more).

In Patent Document 1, two encoders are used, one is used for measuring a statistic, and the other is further optimally encoded from the first obtained statistic. A technique for performing variable rate coding close to a path is disclosed. However, this Patent Document 1 also has a problem that the original video signal is encoded several times in a long-term storage application of the video signal.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-98502

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and in the long-term storage application of video signals using a plurality of recording media, the encoding process for the original video signal performed several times. The purpose is to store the video signal with higher image quality without reducing the number of times of recording and reducing the recording efficiency as much as possible.

  The recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a video signal receiving unit that receives a video signal, a first encoding unit that encodes the received video signal at a first encoding rate, and the received video signal. A storage content setting determination unit for determining whether or not to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate, and the storage content setting determination unit; If it is determined that a storage encoding process is set, statistical data relating to encoding is calculated using a result of encoding the video signal for a predetermined time at the first encoding rate. Statistical data calculating means, delay means for delaying the received video signal, and the calculated statistics Second encoding means for determining the second encoding rate based on the data, and encoding the delayed video signal at the second encoding rate; and the video signal encoded by the second encoding means And recording means for recording the information on the recording medium.

  The recording method according to the present invention includes a step of receiving a video signal, a step of encoding the received video signal at a first encoding rate, and the first encoding rate for the received video signal. A step of determining whether or not to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the above, and a case of determining that the storage encoding process is set to be performed Calculating statistical data related to encoding using a result obtained by encoding the video signal at a predetermined time for a predetermined time; delaying the received video signal; and calculating The second encoding rate is determined based on the statistical data thus obtained, and the delayed video signal is processed. A step of encoding the second encoding rate, are configured with a step of recording the encoded video signal in said second encoding means to a recording medium.

  According to the above configuration, in the long-term storage application of video signals using a plurality of recording media, the number of times of encoding processing for the original video signal that has been performed several times is reduced, and the recording efficiency is minimized. The video signal can be stored with higher image quality without lowering.

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

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus.

  Reference numeral 100 denotes a recording apparatus, reference numeral 101 denotes a video signal input terminal (video signal receiving means), reference numeral 103 denotes a video signal selection section (video signal reception means), reference numeral 104 denotes a video signal selection section (video signal reception means), and reference numeral 105. Is a first encoder (first encoding means), reference numeral 106 is a delay unit (delay means), reference numeral 107 is a second encoder (second encoding means), and reference numeral 108 is an HDD (first recording medium). is there.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes an HDD (recording medium), reference numeral 110 denotes an output selection unit, reference numeral 111 denotes an output selection unit, reference numeral 112 denotes an HDD (recording medium), reference numeral 113 denotes a DVD drive (second recording medium), and reference numeral 114 denotes It is a control unit.

  Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 114 includes a video signal selection unit (video signal reception unit) 103, a video signal selection unit (video signal reception unit) 104, a first encoder (first encoding unit) 105, a delay unit ( Delay means) 106, second encoder (second encoding means) 107, HDD (first recording medium) 108, HDD (recording medium) 109, output selection section 110, output selection section 111, HDD (recording medium) 112 and a DVD drive (second recording medium) 113 are connected to each other to control them.

  The recording apparatus 100 receives a video signal from the outside via a video signal input terminal 101. Here, although not particularly illustrated, the recording apparatus 100 may further include video signal receiving means such as a tuner, for example, and the video signal received through this broadcast may be used as the video signal.

  The video signal input via the video signal input terminal 101 is input to the video signal selection unit (video signal reception unit) 103 and the video signal selection unit (video signal reception unit) 104. As described above, the video signal selection unit (video signal reception unit) 103 and the video signal selection unit (video signal reception unit) 104 are controlled by the control unit 114, and each video signal is selected by an instruction from the control unit 114. Output.

  A video signal selected and output by the video signal selection unit (video signal receiving unit) 103 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 114 is received by a first encoder (first encoding unit) 105. At this time, the encoding mode for encoding by the first encoder (first encoding means) 105 is a fixed compression rate, and this fixed compression rate is encoded at the maximum rate for temporary storage purposes. Shall be.

  The video signal received by the first encoder (first encoding means) 105 is encoded in the above mode for a predetermined time (predetermined predetermined time) from the beginning of the video signal (content). Then, statistical data relating to encoding is acquired from the encoding operation for a certain time (predetermined predetermined time), and is transmitted to the control unit 114.

  The video signal received by the first encoder (first encoding means) 105 continues to be encoded in the above mode after a certain time (predetermined predetermined time) of the video signal (content) until the end. Done. The video signal received by the first encoder (first encoding means) 105 is encoded in the above mode from the beginning to the end of the video signal (content) and output. The encoded video signal output from the first encoder (first encoding means) 105 is received and recorded by the HDD 1 (HDD (first recording medium)) 108.

The control unit (statistical data calculating means) 114 calculates statistical data related to the control described below from the statistical data. The control unit (statistical data calculation means) 114 controls the selection unit 104 based on the calculated statistical data to receive the video signal. The video signal received by the selection unit 104 is output to a delay unit (delay unit) 106.
A delay unit (delay unit (delay unit)) 106 receives the video signal output from the selection unit 104 and outputs the video signal after being delayed by a predetermined time according to an instruction from the control unit 114. Here, it is desirable that the delay unit 106 is configured by a device that can delay a video signal for a relatively long time, such as a flash memory or a hard disk.

  The video signal delayed from the delay unit 106 by a predetermined time is received by the encoder 2 (second encoder (second encoding means)) 107. In the encoder 2 (second encoder (second encoding means)) 107, the control unit 114 controls the encoder 1 (first encoder (first encoding means)) 105 as described above, and the calculated statistics Data is set in the encoder 2 (second encoder (second encoding means)) 107 under the control of the control unit 114. The encoder 2 (second encoder (second encoding means)) 107 starts encoding a video signal for long-term storage based on the set statistical data.

  Here, for example, the statistical data measured by the encoder 1 (first encoder (first encoding means)) 105 is mainly a code amount generated in 1 GOP (Group Of Picture). In the encoder 1 (first encoder (first encoding means)) 105, the encoding rate is set to be constant (fixed), so the generated code amount in GOP units may vary. The encoder 2 (second encoder (second encoding means)) 107 allocates the code amount of each GOP based on the frequency of occurrence of these code amounts. Specifically, a large bit rate is allocated to a GOP with a large generated code amount, and a small bit rate is allocated to a GOP with a small generated code amount. These are encoded so as to adjust the code amount in accordance with the target encoding rate of the encoder 2 (second encoder (second encoding means)) 107 (storage content determination means and statistical data calculation). means). The stream of the delayed video signal thus encoded is output from the delay unit 106, received by the HDD 2 (HDD (recording medium)) 109, and recorded.

  By the way, the video signal encoded by the encoder 1 (first encoder (first encoding means)) 105 and recorded on the first recording medium 108 is used for temporary storage as described above, and has a high rate. It is a fixed rate. Therefore, in general, the user can accurately store the data in a hard disk (HDD (recording medium)) 112 for temporary storage and delete it after reproduction.

  In contrast, the delayed video signal stream encoded by the encoder 2 (second encoder (second encoding means)) 107 is not a fixed rate but a variable rate controlled by the control unit 114 as described above. And encoded at a relatively lower rate than the encoder 1 (first encoder (first encoding means)) 105 and then recorded on the recording medium (HDD 2) 109. Thereafter, the delayed video signal stream is moved to a DVD drive 113 (such as a medium such as a DVD-R / RW / RAM) and recorded for storage.

  Here, the output selection unit 110 is connected to the output of the first recording medium (HDD 1), and is configured to receive a video signal and perform selective output. The output selection unit 111 is connected to the output of the recording medium (HDD 2), and is configured to receive a video signal and perform selective output.

  For example, the output selection unit 110 and / or the output selection unit 111 is controlled by the control unit 114 by a user operation, and a stream that is a high-rate / fixed-rate video signal encoded by the temporary storage encoder 1 is converted into a DVD drive 113. The video signal for long-term storage can be recorded in the HDD 3 (recording medium) 112.

  FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing the timing of encoding a video signal by the first encoding means after the video signal is encoded by the first encoding means.

  Here, the operation timings of the encoder 1 (first encoding means) and the encoder 2 (second encoding means) that encode these input video signals are shown.

  As described above, a video signal is input. Subsequently, the encoder 1 (first encoder (first encoding means)) 105 receives the video signal and starts the encoding. Subsequently, the statistical data and the encoded stream are output. The video signal is input after being delayed for a predetermined time. The encoder 2 ((first encoder (first encoding means))) 107 receives this delayed video signal and starts the encoding. The predetermined time is adjusted by the delay unit 106 controlled by the control unit 114 as described above. This time is a predetermined time delay in the figure. With these configurations, it is possible to save the video signal with higher image quality by reducing the number of encoding processes for the original video signal and reducing the recording efficiency as much as possible.

  FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting storage content recording.

  Here, a setting screen for saving content recording is displayed. This storage content recording setting screen is configured to allow selection of storage content recording settings.

  For example, the storage content recording setting screen is displayed on the monitor (display) 29 when the user operates the remote controller 30 to control the video recording apparatus 100. The user views the storage content recording setting screen and operates the remote controller 30 to select YES or NO. Here, YES (set content recording for storage) is selected.

  FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing a setting screen for setting the capacity of content recording for storage.

  Here, a setting screen for setting the capacity of content recording for storage is displayed. The setting screen for setting the storage content recording capacity is configured to selectively set the storage content recording capacity setting.

  For example, a setting screen for setting the storage content recording capacity is displayed on the monitor (display) 29 by the user operating the remote controller 30 and controlling the video recording apparatus 100. For example, the user operates the remote controller 30 while viewing the setting screen for setting the storage content recording capacity, and from among YES, 4.7 GB (one DVD front) or 9.4 GB (one DVD front and back) Minutes). Also, select from No (no explanation is displayed here) from No. In this case, 4.7 gigabytes (one DVD table) is selected from YES.

  FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart for explaining a process for encoding a delayed video signal based on calculated statistical data.

  Reference numeral 200 is a start step here. Subsequently, the process proceeds to a step denoted by reference numeral 201.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes a step of receiving a video signal. Subsequently, the process proceeds to a step denoted by reference numeral 202.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes a step of encoding the received video signal by the encoder 1 (first encoder). Subsequently, the process proceeds to a step denoted by reference numeral 203.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a step of recording the video signal encoded by the encoder 1 (first encoder) on a recording medium (HDD 1 (first recording medium)). Subsequently, the process proceeds to a step denoted by reference numeral 204.

  Reference numeral 204 relates to recording of the storage content, and is a step of determining whether or not recording of the storage content is set as described above. If it is determined that the recording of the storage content is set, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 205 (Yes). If it is not determined that recording of the storage content is set, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 213 (No).

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a step of determining whether or not the storage content recording capacity is set, as described above, regarding the storage content recording capacity setting. If it is determined that the storage content recording capacity has been set, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 206 (Yes). If it is not determined that the storage content recording capacity has been set, the process proceeds to the step denoted by reference numeral 209 (No).

  Reference numeral 206 calculates the first statistical data relating to encoding according to the set recording capacity, using the encoding result of the encoder 1 (first encoding means) (predetermined time from the beginning of the video signal (content)). It is a step. Subsequently, the process proceeds to a step denoted by reference numeral 208.

  Reference numeral 208 denotes a step of encoding the delayed video signal by the encoder 2 (second encoding means) 107 based on the calculated first statistical data. Subsequently, the process proceeds to a step denoted by reference numeral 212.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes second statistical data relating to encoding according to the recording capacity set by default, using the encoding result of the encoder 1 (first encoding means) (predetermined time from the beginning of the video signal (content)). This is a calculating step. Subsequently, the process proceeds to a step denoted by reference numeral 211.

  Reference numeral 211 denotes a step of encoding the delayed video signal by the encoder 2 (second encoding means) 107 based on the calculated second statistical data. Subsequently, the process proceeds to a step denoted by reference numeral 212.

  Reference numeral 212 denotes a step of recording the video signal encoded by the encoder 2 (second encoding means) 107 on a recording medium (DVD (second recording medium)). Subsequently, the process proceeds to a step denoted by reference numeral 213.

  Reference numeral 213 denotes an end step, and the processing here ends.

  With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of encoding processes for the original video signal, and to store the video signal with higher image quality without reducing recording efficiency as much as possible.

  Furthermore, by using two encoders, it is possible to more efficiently encode the storage stream generated by the encoder 2.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by variously modifying the constituent elements without departing from the spirit of the invention in the implementation stage.

The block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention and shows the structure of a recording device. The figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows the timing encoded by the 2nd encoding means after encoding a video signal by the 1st encoding means. The figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows the setting screen which sets the content recording for a preservation | save. The figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows the setting screen which sets the capacity | capacitance of the content recording for a preservation | save. The flowchart which shows embodiment of this invention and explains how to encode the delayed video signal based on the calculated statistical data.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Recording apparatus, 101 ... Video signal input terminal (video signal receiving means), 103 ... Video signal selection part (video signal receiving means), 104 ... Video signal selection part (video signal receiving means), 105 ... 1st encoder (First encoding means), 106 ... delay unit (delay means), 107 ... second encoder (second encoding means), 108 ... HDD (first recording medium), 109 ... HDD (recording medium), DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Output selection part, 111 ... Output selection part, 112 ... HDD (recording medium), 113 ... DVD drive (2nd recording medium), 114 ... Control part (content determination means for preservation | save, statistical data calculation means).

Claims (8)

In a recording apparatus that receives a video signal, performs encoding processing, and records it on a recording medium,
Video signal receiving means for receiving a video signal;
First encoding means for encoding the received video signal at a first encoding rate;
Storage content setting determining means for determining whether or not to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate for the received video signal; ,
If it is determined by the storage content setting determination means that the storage encoding process is set, the result obtained by encoding the video signal at the first encoding rate for a predetermined time is used. Statistical data calculation means for calculating statistical data relating to encoding,
Delay means for delaying the received video signal;
Second encoding means for determining the second encoding rate based on the calculated statistical data and encoding the delayed video signal at the second encoding rate;
And a recording unit for recording the video signal encoded by the second encoding unit on a recording medium. In a recording apparatus that receives a video signal, performs encoding processing, and records it on a recording medium,
Video signal receiving means for receiving a video signal;
First encoding means for encoding the received video signal at a first encoding rate;
First recording means for recording the video signal encoded by the first encoding means on a recording medium;
Storage content setting determining means for determining whether or not to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate for the received video signal; ,
If it is determined by the storage content setting determination means that the storage encoding process is set, the result obtained by encoding the video signal at the first encoding rate for a predetermined time is used. Statistical data calculating means for calculating statistical data relating to encoding;
Delay means for delaying the received video signal;
Second encoding means for determining the second encoding rate based on the calculated statistical data and encoding the delayed video signal at the second encoding rate;
And a second recording unit for recording the video signal encoded by the second encoding unit on a recording medium. In a recording apparatus that receives a video signal, performs encoding processing, and records it on a recording medium,
Video signal receiving means for receiving a video signal;
First encoding means for encoding the received video signal at a first encoding rate;
Storage content setting determining means for determining whether or not to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate for the received video signal; ,
Content recording capacity setting determination means for determining whether or not a capacity of content recording to be subjected to the encoding process for storage is set;
If it is determined that the storage encoding process is set, statistical data relating to encoding is obtained using a result obtained by encoding the video signal at a predetermined time at the first encoding rate. Statistical data calculation means for calculating,
Delay means for delaying the received video signal;
If it is determined that the content recording capacity has been set, the second encoding rate is determined based on the calculated statistical data and the set content recording capacity, and the delayed Second encoding means for encoding the video signal at the second encoding rate;
And a recording unit for recording the video signal encoded by the second encoding unit on a recording medium. In a recording apparatus that receives a video signal, performs encoding processing, and records it on a recording medium,
Video signal receiving means for receiving a video signal;
First encoding means for encoding the received video signal at a first encoding rate;
Storage content setting determining means for determining whether or not to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate for the received video signal; ,
Content recording capacity setting determination means for determining whether or not a capacity of content recording to be subjected to the encoding process for storage is set;
If it is determined that the storage encoding process is set, statistical data relating to encoding is obtained using a result obtained by encoding the video signal at a predetermined time at the first encoding rate. Statistical data calculation means for calculating,
Delay means for delaying the received video signal;
When it is determined that the content recording capacity is not set, the second encoding rate is determined based on the calculated statistical data and the content recording capacity set by default, and the delayed A second encoding means for encoding the received video signal at the second encoding rate;
And a recording unit for recording the video signal encoded by the second encoding unit on a recording medium. In a recording method for receiving a video signal, performing an encoding process, and recording it on a recording medium,
Receiving a video signal;
Encoding the received video signal at a first encoding rate;
Determining whether or not it is set to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate for the received video signal;
If it is determined that the storage encoding process is set, statistical data relating to encoding is obtained using a result obtained by encoding the video signal at a predetermined time at the first encoding rate. A calculating step;
Delaying the received video signal;
Determining the second encoding rate based on the calculated statistical data and encoding the delayed video signal at the second encoding rate;
Recording the video signal encoded by the second encoding means onto a recording medium. In a recording method for receiving a video signal, performing an encoding process, and recording it on a recording medium,
Receiving a video signal;
Encoding the received video signal at a first encoding rate;
Recording the encoded video signal on a recording medium;
Determining whether or not it is set to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate for the received video signal;
If it is determined that the storage encoding process is set, statistical data relating to encoding is obtained using a result obtained by encoding the video signal at a predetermined time at the first encoding rate. A calculating step;
Delaying the received video signal;
Determining the second encoding rate based on the calculated statistical data and encoding the delayed video signal at the second encoding rate;
Recording the video signal encoded by the second encoding means onto a recording medium. In a recording method for receiving a video signal, performing an encoding process, and recording it on a recording medium,
Receiving a video signal;
Encoding the received video signal at a first encoding rate;
Determining whether or not it is set to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate for the received video signal;
Determining whether a content recording capacity to be subjected to the storage encoding process is set; and
If it is determined that the storage encoding process is set, statistical data relating to encoding is obtained using a result obtained by encoding the video signal at a predetermined time at the first encoding rate. A calculating step;
Delaying the received video signal;
If it is determined that the content recording capacity has been set, the second encoding rate is determined based on the calculated statistical data and the set content recording capacity, and the delayed Encoding the video signal at this second encoding rate;
Recording the video signal encoded by the second encoding means onto a recording medium. In a recording method for receiving a video signal, performing an encoding process, and recording it on a recording medium,
Receiving a video signal;
Encoding the received video signal at a first encoding rate;
Determining whether or not it is set to perform a storage encoding process using a second encoding rate different from the first encoding rate for the received video signal;
Determining whether a content recording capacity to be subjected to the storage encoding process is set; and
If it is determined that the storage encoding process is set, statistical data relating to encoding is obtained using a result obtained by encoding the video signal at a predetermined time at the first encoding rate. A calculating step;
Delaying the received video signal;
When it is determined that the content recording capacity is not set, the second encoding rate is determined based on the calculated statistical data and the content recording capacity set by default, and the delayed Encoding the video signal at the second encoding rate;
Recording the video signal encoded by the second encoding means onto a recording medium.

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