JP3348724B2 - Video signal recording device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in the following order.

Means F acts G Example G ₁ 8 millimeter video Standard Description G ₂ video camera image for Solving the Problems E issues Summary C ART D invention FIELD B invention on A industry is to Solve Description of recording / reproducing unit G ₃ Description of audio recording / reproducing unit of video camera G ₄ Description of recording / reproducing unit of still image G ₅ Description of modified example H Effect of the invention A Industrial application field The present invention relates to a video signal recording device suitable for application to a camera-integrated VTR.

B SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a video signal recording apparatus suitable for application to a camera-integrated VTR, for example, in which video signals continuously obtained by shooting are continuously recorded as moving images, and simultaneously with this recording processing. A still image signal obtained from a video signal is recorded at an arbitrary timing to record a moving image and a still image at the same time. In this case, a plurality of still images taken at an arbitrary timing After generating a luminance signal and a chrominance signal and performing bit reduction, the signal is stored in a video memory, so that a plurality of still images can be continuously recorded, and the memory for temporarily storing the still images is no longer available. In such a case, the fact that there is no free space is displayed in the viewfinder.

C. Related Art Conventionally, a so-called electronic still camera that records a still image as an electric video signal on a magnetic disk has been developed. According to this electronic still camera, there is an advantage that, unlike a camera using a general silver halide film, processing such as development is not required, and a photographed still image can be immediately viewed simply by connecting to a television receiver.

D Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, still images shot by such an electronic still camera generally have lower resolution than still images shot by using a silver halide film, and an electronic image capable of shooting still images with higher resolution. Development of a still camera was requested. In this case, the size of the magnetic disk as a recording medium is limited, and there is a limit to the improvement in resolution using the magnetic disk.

For this reason, using a semiconductor memory as a recording medium, a video signal of a still image obtained by shooting is converted into a digital signal,
An electronic still camera has been developed in which this digital video signal is stored in a semiconductor memory for recording, and a high-resolution still image can be obtained. Cost was high, and it was used only for business use. On the other hand, video tape recorders (VTRs) have become widespread as consumer video equipment, and it has been demanded that high-resolution images can be recorded using the VTRs.

In this case, it usually takes time to record a high-resolution still image, and a plurality of continuously shot still images cannot be recorded.

An object of the present invention is to enable continuous recording of a high-resolution still image with a relatively simple configuration.

E Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, an image pickup means for outputting still image data, a viewfinder, a digital conversion means for digitally converting still image data, Signal processing means for processing the obtained still image data to generate a luminance signal and a chrominance signal, bit reduction means for bit-reducing the signal-processed still image data obtained at any timing from the imaging means, and bit-reduced Memory means for temporarily storing a plurality of still image data, memory control means for reading the bit-reduced still image data from the memory means, and a predetermined recording medium for storing the bit-reduced still image data read from the memory means Recording means for sequentially recording data in memory, and memory means for temporarily storing If there is no vacancy, in which the there is no space to be displayed in the view finder.

F action By doing so, the still image data obtained by continuous imaging at an arbitrary timing is temporarily stored in the memory,
By sequentially reading from the memory and performing the recording process, the still image data continuously captured by the imaging unit can be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape.

G Example Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the description the example of a standard G ₁ 8 mm video, obtained by using a video camera 8 mm video tape recorder called standard, first the 8
The standard of the millimeter video tape recorder will be described.

According to this standard, recording and reproduction are performed using a pair of rotary heads provided at an angular interval of 180 degrees from each other, and the tape is wound around a 221-degree range on the rotating surface of the head. The video signal is recorded / reproduced in the 180 degree section of the 221 degrees, and the digital (PCM) and time axis compressed audio signal is recorded / reproduced in the remaining 36 degree section. It has become.

That is, FIG. 3 shows a format of a recording track on a tape according to the above-described standard. From the right side where the head starts to contact the tape, first, a rush portion (51) corresponding to a rotation angle of the head of 5 degrees is provided at the front end. A clock run-in section (52) that synchronizes with PCM data, which will be described later, is provided during the latter half of the entry section (51) of 2.06 degrees (corresponding to three horizontal periods (H) of the video signal). Following this run-in part (52), the PCM data part (53) of the time-base compressed audio signal is 26.32
Provided in degrees. 2. Following this data section (53)
The 06 ° (3H) period is used as a back margin part (54) for a recording position shift or the like during after recording, followed by a guard part between the 2.62 ° video part and the PCM data part (5).
5) is provided. Following this guard section (55), a video signal section (56) for one field is provided over 180 degrees. Further, a separation portion (57) for 5 degrees is provided after this.

Therefore, in this standard, after a video signal of one field is recorded and reproduced by the video signal part (56), an audio signal for 1/60 seconds during this period is converted to PCM and subjected to processing such as error correction. , Is compressed to about 1 / 6.8 on the time axis, and is recorded and reproduced in the PCM data section (53). The recording tracks are sequentially provided diagonally in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and continuous video signals and audio signals are recorded and reproduced.

By the way, in the above standard, the video signal part (56)
Dividing 180 degrees into 5 equals makes each 36 degrees. On the other hand, when the PCM data part (53), the rush part (51), 5 degrees, the subsequent back margin part (54), 2.06 degrees, and the guard part (55), 2.62 degrees, are exactly 36 degrees. Therefore, it has been proposed to form a recording / reproducing device dedicated to an audio signal by using a device of the above-mentioned standard.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a recording track format for that purpose. In the figure, the portion from the entry portion (51) on the side where the head starts to contact to the guard portion (55) is equivalent to the above standard, and this section is the first segment. Next, a rush portion (61), a run-in portion (62), a data portion (63), a margin portion (64), and a guard portion (65) having the same configuration as described above are provided from the start end side of the conventional video signal portion (56). , This section is the second segment. Further, a configuration similar to that of the second segment is repeatedly provided for every 36 degrees of the video signal portion (56), and is set as the third to sixth segments, respectively.
After this, a separation portion (57) for 5 degrees is provided.

Thereby, the first to sixth six segments are provided. For each of these segments, the rotational angle position of the rotary head is detected, and PCM data is output and recorded at a time corresponding to the desired segment (section) of 36 degrees from the head end of the head. , And by performing the reproduction by gating the time of the reproduction signal, each segment can be recorded and reproduced independently.
When re-recording is performed on a tape that has been used once, a so-called flying erase head is used to drive only the time when the head is in contact with a section of a desired segment, so that only that section is selectively performed. And can be re-recorded.

In this way, the PCM audio signal can be recorded and reproduced independently for each section of the tape divided into six in the width direction,
For example, using a tape that can be recorded for 4 hours and 30 minutes, 6
Twenty-seven hours of PCM audio signal recording and playback can be performed.

G in ₂ video camera The present example of the video recording and reproducing unit of obtained by this third view and 8 mm video tape recorder standard for video camera shown in FIG. 4, constituting as shown in FIG. 1 . In this FIG.
(1) shows a CCD imager as a solid-state image sensor,
This CCD imager (1) is a so-called all-pixel reading type (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-188179) in which an image signal of an odd-numbered horizontal line and an image signal of an even-numbered horizontal line can be individually read out.
No.). This all-pixel readout type
The CCD imager (1) is, for example, as shown in FIG.
A color filter array comprising 494 (vertical) x 768 (horizontal) color filters of e, green G, cyan Cy, etc. is arranged, and each color filter of this color filter array is a CCD imager (1).
The signal charge based on the color light passing through each color filter is stored in each light receiving element in correspondence with the light receiving element arranged on the front surface of the light receiving element.

Then, the signal charges accumulated in the light receiving elements of the odd horizontal lines and the signal charges accumulated in the light receiving elements of the even horizontal lines are output from the other shift registers (1a) and (1b),
The outputs of the shift registers (1a) and (1b) are supplied to output circuits (2) and (3). Each of the output circuits (2) and (3) performs an output process such as sample hold, and outputs the image signals output from the output circuits (2) and (3) to the analog / digital converters (4) and (5). Supply and convert to digital imaging signal. Then, the digital imaging signals output from the analog-to-digital converters (4) and (5) are supplied to the imaging signal processing circuits (6) and (7), and the imaging signal processing circuits (6) and (7) A luminance component and a color difference component are extracted from the supplied image signal. In this case, when the number of horizontal lines of the image signal is n, the imaging signal processing circuit (6) the luminance component Y _n and color difference components (R-Y) _n, (B-
Y) _n, and the image signal processing circuit (7) extracts the luminance component Y _{n + 263} and the color difference components (RY) _{n + 263} and (BY) _{n + 263.}
And extract In other words, the output of the imaging signal processing circuit (6) and the output of the imaging signal processing circuit (7) are temporally and simultaneously output with signals shifted by 263 horizontal lines corresponding to one field. For this reason, when the luminance signal and the color difference component of the video signal of each line of the odd field are output from the imaging signal processing circuit (6), the luminance of the video signal of each line of the even field is output from the imaging signal processing circuit (7). When the luminance component and the color difference component of the video signal of the even field are output from the imaging signal processing circuit (6), the video signal of the odd field is output from the imaging signal processing circuit (7). Is output.

Then, the output Y _{n of} the imaging signal processing circuit (6), (R−
Y) _n and (BY) _n are supplied to digital-to-analog converters (8), (9) and (10), respectively, converted into digital signals, and then supplied to a video signal processing circuit (11). The video signal processing circuit (11) converts a video signal supplied as a luminance component and a color difference component into a video signal of a predetermined standard for recording, and converts the video signal via a RF circuit (12) to a rotating head drum. Is supplied to the magnetic head (13) mounted on the video tape (14), and is recorded on the video signal portion (56) of the standard track as shown in FIG. 3 formed on the video tape (14). In this case, a video signal is recorded one field at a time on one track.

The video signal reproduced from the video tape (14) by the magnetic head (13) is supplied to the video signal processing circuit (11) via the RF circuit (12), and the reproduced video signal is transmitted from the video signal processing circuit (11). Supply the signal to the output terminal (15).

In the description and the example of the voice recording and reproducing unit of G ₃ camcorder, an audio signal picked up microphone (not shown) supplied to the terminal (21) is supplied to a noise reduction circuit (22), this After performing noise reduction by the noise reduction circuit (22), the noise reduction circuit (22) supplies the analog signal to the analog-to-digital converter (23). The analog-to-digital converter (23) converts the audio signal into a digital signal. To the first fixed contact (24a). This switch (24) is used to connect the movable contact (24m) to the first fixed contact (24a) during digital audio signal recording / reproduction.
A signal obtained at the movable contact (24m) is supplied to a digital data processing circuit (25), and the digital data processing circuit (25) performs predetermined processing such as addition of an error correction code. After that, the data is supplied to a magnetic head (13) via an RF circuit (12), and is recorded on a PCM data portion (53) of a standard track as shown in FIG. 3 formed on a video tape (14).

The digital audio signal reproduced from the video tape (14) by the magnetic head (13) is supplied to the digital data processing circuit (25) via the RF circuit (12), and the digital data processing circuit (25) After performing correction and the like, it is supplied to a digital / analog converter (26) via a changeover switch (24). And this digital-analog converter (2
After being converted to an analog audio signal in 6), noise reduction is performed in a noise reduction circuit (22), and the processed audio signal is output from an audio signal output terminal (27).
Although not shown, the audio signal is also subjected to frequency multiplexing recording of the FM-modulated signal with the video signal, and the above-described recording of the digital audio signal is provided as an option, and is recorded as necessary.

G ₄ Explanation of still image recording / playback unit In this example, a digital video signal of a still image is recorded instead of a digital audio signal in the PCM data unit (53) where the digital audio signal is recorded in this manner. I can do it. It should be noted that the digital video signal recorded in this manner is disclosed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-46.
This was previously proposed in 816.

That is, when in the still image recording mode,
A luminance component and a color difference component (digital signal) of the video signal output from the imaging signal processing circuits (6) and (7) are supplied to a bit reduction circuit (31). After shortening to a fraction,
The data is supplied to the frame memory (32) and written at a predetermined timing. This writing is performed by the luminance component Y and the color difference component (R-
Y) and (B−Y). In this case, the frame memory (32) has a capacity to store video signals for three frames (that is, three still images), and the writing and reading are controlled by the memory controller (33), and the still images provided in the video camera are provided. When the recording switch (42) is pressed once, the video signal for one frame is written.
Therefore, for example, when the still image recording switch (42) is continuously pressed, the data can be stored up to three times (three frames).

At this time, the image signal processing circuit (6) and the imaging signal processing circuit (7) output video signals shifted by one field, so that the outputs of both processing circuits (6) and (7) are matched. As a result, a video signal for one frame is written into the frame memory (32). Also, in the bit reduction circuit (31), simply reducing the data redundancy,
The information amount of the video signal is not changed.

Then, under the control of the memory controller (33), the video signal for one frame once stored in the frame memory (32) is sequentially read out at a relatively low transmission rate according to the transmission rate of the digital audio signal described above and serially read out. -It is supplied to a parallel conversion circuit (34) and is converted into serial data by the serial / parallel conversion circuit (34). The serial data output from the serial / parallel conversion circuit (34) is transferred to the second fixed contact (24) of the changeover switch (24).
b). In this case, in this example, the frame memory (32) has a configuration in which a digital video signal of a still image can be stored up to three frames.
When the video signal of the frame is stored in the frame memory (32), under the control of the memory controller (33), the video signal which has been written first is relatively slow in accordance with the transmission rate of the digital audio signal. Read at the transmission rate.

When reading from the frame memory (32), the movable contact (24m) of the changeover switch (24)
Is connected to the second fixed contact (24b), and the serial data output from the serial / parallel conversion circuit (34) is supplied to the digital data processing circuit (25). The digital data processing circuit (25) performs predetermined processing such as addition of an error correction code in the same manner as when recording a digital audio signal, and then supplies the processed data to a magnetic head (13) via an RF circuit (12), and A video signal for one frame is recorded as a still image signal in a PCM data section (53) of a standard track as shown in FIG. 3 formed on a tape (14).

In this case, the PCM data part of one track (53)
Since the capacity that can be recorded on a single track is small, a video signal for one field is recorded on a plurality of tracks. For example, when a digital audio signal is recorded in the PCM data section (53) of one track, recording is performed at a transmission rate of 500 kBPS (that is, recording of 500 kbits per second), and the imaging signal processing circuit (6)
It is also assumed that the video signal for one frame output by (7) is 7.6 Mbits in total with the luminance and color difference. Then, assuming that 1/4 compression is performed in the bit reduction circuit (31), the frame memory (32) stores 1.9 M bits as a video signal for one frame. 500k of this 1.9M bit signal
When recording at the BPS transmission rate, 1900 ÷ 500 = 3.8, and the video signal for one frame in 3.8 seconds is converted into the PCM data part (5
Recorded in 3). This 3.8 seconds is equivalent to 228 tracks.

In this example, the frame memory (32) is capable of storing three frames of video signals. For example, when the three frames of video signals are continuously stored, 3.8 × 3 = 11.4. It is read from this frame memory (32) in 11.4 seconds.

Then, in this way, the PCM data section of each track (5
When reproducing one frame of a video signal as a still image signal recorded in 3), a digital video signal reproduced from a video tape (14) by a magnetic head (13) is transmitted through an RF circuit (12). To the digital data processing circuit (25). After the digital data processing circuit (25) performs error correction and the like, the digital data processing circuit (25) supplies the data to a serial / parallel conversion circuit (34) via a changeover switch (24). Then, the reproduction data is converted into parallel data by the serial / parallel conversion circuit (34), and the parallel data is written into the frame memory (32) under the control of the memory controller (33).

At this time, the video signal for one frame is reproduced from the video tape in the same time (for example, 3.8 seconds) required for recording.

When the video signal for one frame is written into the frame memory (32), the video signal is read from the frame memory (32) to the bit reduction circuit (31) under the control of the memory controller (33), and the bit reduction circuit In step (31), the digital signal is restored to the original digital signal of the redundancy. At this time, the video signals of two fields constituting the video signal for one frame are alternately read in real time. That is, the video signal for one frame is repeatedly read in a 1/30 second cycle.
Then, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal (R
-Y) and (BY) are supplied to the digital-to-analog converters (35), (36) and (37), respectively, and the respective digital-to-analog converters (35), (36) and (37) To convert into an analog luminance signal and a color difference signal. Then, the analog luminance signal and the color difference signal are supplied to an encoder (38) to be converted into a composite video signal, and the composite video signal is supplied from an output terminal (39) to a monitor receiver or the like. Further, the analog luminance signal and the color difference signal output from each of the digital / analog converters (35), (36) and (37) are supplied to a matrix circuit (40) and converted into primary color signals R, G and B. These primary color signals R, G, B are supplied from output terminals (41R), (41G), (41B) to a monitor receiver or the like.

By configuring the video camera of this example as described above,
A high-resolution still image converted into a digital signal is recorded. That is, when the recording mode is the still image recording mode, the digital audio signal is not recorded in the PCM data portion (53) of each track, and instead, a one-frame video signal converted into a digital signal at an arbitrary timing is output. Be recorded. In this case, for example, a still image recording switch (42) is provided in the video camera, and while a continuous analog video signal is recorded in the video signal section (56) of each track, the still image recording switch (42) is provided. ), The video signal at the moment when this switch is operated is also recorded as a digital signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when recording a normal analog video signal, each track T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ is recorded on a video tape.
‥‥ is a are sequentially formed, assuming that operates the still image recording switch (42) at the timing when recording is performed for tracks T _3, analog to be recorded in the video signal portion of the track T ₃ (56) Recording of a digital video signal of the same video as the video signal in the PCM data section (53) is started. However, recording of the digital signal may be delayed by several tracks depending on the processing speed of the circuit. In this case, the PCM data section (53)
As shown by hatching in FIG. 5, the recording for one frame is performed over track 228 over track _T230 , and is converted into a digital signal again at an arbitrary timing after the next track _T231 . Recording of a still image becomes possible.

In this case, in this example, 3 is stored in the frame memory (32).
Since the video signal for the frame can be stored, for example, when the shooting operation of the still image is continuously performed three times,
Recording of a still image continuously converted into a digital signal is performed on 684 tracks (228 tracks × 3). That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the still image recording switch (4
Assuming that 2) is pressed and still image capturing 1 is performed, at this time, the video signal captured by the CCD imager (1) is written to the frame memory (32), and immediately the PCM of the video tape is written.
Recording (still image recording 1) over 228 tracks in the data section (53) is started. If the still picture recording switch (42) is pressed twice before the recording of the 228 tracks in the PCM data section (53) is completed, and the still pictures 2 and 3 are taken, this time also A video signal captured by the CCD imager (1) is written to the frame memory (32). When the still image recording 1 is completed, the video signal written in the frame memory (32) in the photographing 2 is read out and recorded on the video tape (still image recording 2). Further, when the still image recording 2 is completed, the frame memory (32)
Is read and recorded on the video tape (still image recording 3).

In this case, when recording of each video signal on the video tape is completed and a space is created in the frame memory (32), the next still image can be shot. For example, still image recording 2
When the still image recording switch (42) is pressed during the execution of (Step 4 in FIG. 6), the frame memory (32)
The video signal at this time is written to the address used in the first shooting, and is recorded on the video tape after the still image recording 3 is completed (still image recording 4).

Since the still image recorded in this manner is a one-frame video signal converted into a digital signal, the output of the CCD imager (1) is recorded with almost no deterioration, and each image recorded in the video signal unit (56) is recorded. A still image having a higher resolution can be reproduced as compared with a case where a still image is reproduced based on a field analog video signal or a case where an analog one-field video signal is recorded as in a conventional electronic still camera. By supplying an image reproduction signal to a video printer, a hard copy of a high-resolution still image can be obtained. In this case, the digital video signal is recorded using the configuration for recording the PCM audio signal of the video camera according to the standard of the 8 mm video tape recorder, so that only a few circuits such as a frame memory are added. The digital video signal can be recorded on the device, the configuration as a recording / reproducing device can be simplified, and the sub-region of the video tape which is not used for recording the video signal is used as a recording medium, so that efficient recording without waste can be achieved. Is performed.

In this example, the field memory (32) for recording a still image is capable of storing video signals for three fields, so that it is possible to record three still images continuously taken. Continuous shooting can be performed in the same manner as a normal still camera.

When the still image recording switch (42) is continuously pressed three times or more in a short time, the memory capacity is exceeded and all recording cannot be performed, but this is displayed in a viewfinder or the like. Is also good.

Also, since the redundancy of the digital video signal is compressed by bit reduction by the bit reduction circuit (31) and then recorded on the video tape, the data amount for one field is small, and the recording is efficiently performed in a relatively short time. Can be. Note that this bit reduction may be performed by a frame memory.

In the description noted above embodiment of G ₅ variation has been to record a digital video signal as a continuous recording simultaneously with the still image of the analog video signal as a moving video tape of the video signal portion (56) May record a dummy video signal (for example, a signal of only a synchronization signal having no video information), and may record only a digital video signal as a still image.

In this case, if there is continuous shooting exceeding the capacity of the field memory (32), an analog video signal may be recorded in the video signal section (56). That is, for example, a still image recording switch (42) four times continuously within 3.8 seconds.
When is pressed, the first three times are written into the field memory (32) one frame at a time at the time of pressing, and are sequentially recorded in the PCM data section (53). However, at the timing of the last press, since there is no space in the field memory (32) and the data cannot be written, the video signal unit (56) is replaced with one field or the normal video recording system circuit. If one frame of analog video signal is written, still image recording can be performed although the resolution is reduced.
For example, as shown in FIG.
In the absence of free space in, and records the digital video signal to the PCM data of the track T ₃ ~T ₂₃₀ (53), still image recording switch just prior to recording the tracks T ₂₂₈ (42) is pressed At this time, only one field of the currently captured analog video signal is recorded in the video signal portion (56) of the track _T228 . At this time, the PCM data section of the track _T228 (5
In 3), special ID data is recorded so that a still image obtained by analog recording can be easily searched for by a search or the like.

Alternatively, only the digital video signal as a still image may be recorded using the multi-segment PCM standard of the 8 mm video tape recorder shown in FIG. In this case, in addition to configuring the first to sixth segments as individual channels and recording still images individually for six channels, the first to sixth segments are used continuously for one channel. Digital video signals for frames may be recorded in a shorter time.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, since the CCD imager (1) capable of outputting the imaging signals of all the pixels for one frame in one field period is used as the imaging means of the video camera, the video signal of one frame can be easily obtained. The video signal of one frame is converted into a digital signal and recorded. However, when a device capable of obtaining only one field of the image signal is used as the image capturing means, only the digital video signal of one field is converted to a still image. It may be recorded as a signal. In this case, since the memory (32) has a capacity of three frames (six fields), six still images can be recorded, and up to six continuous still images can be shot.

However, in the case of the field recording, the vertical resolution of the recording video signal is reduced to half that in the case of the frame recording.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a memory capable of storing three frames is used as the memory (32) for recording a still image. However, continuous shooting can be performed as long as at least two still images can be stored. Also, a memory having a storage capacity of three frames or more may be used.

Further, the imaging signal from the video camera is recorded as a digital video signal, but a video signal supplied from another video device such as a VTR may be recorded for one frame or one field.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may take various other configurations.

H Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, a video signal as a still image is recorded simultaneously with a video signal as a moving image, and the recording of a still image is efficiently performed with a simple configuration. In this case, a still image continuously shot can be recorded, and a still image can be shot continuously at an arbitrary timing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an imager according to one embodiment, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams showing an 8 mm video standard, FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording track according to one embodiment, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing recording timing according to one embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a recording track according to a modification of one embodiment of the present invention. is there. (1) is a CCD imager, (4) and (5) are analog-to-digital converters, (6) and (7) are imaging signal processing circuits, (14) is a videotape, (31) is a bit reduction circuit, ( 32) is a frame memory, (33) is a memory controller, (34) is a serial / parallel conversion circuit, (3)
5), (36) and (37) are digital-to-analog converters,
(42) is a still image recording switch.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An imager for outputting still image data; a viewfinder; a digital converter for digitally converting the still image data; and processing the digitally converted still image data to generate a luminance signal and a color signal. A signal processing means for generating; a bit reduction means for performing bit reduction on the still image data obtained at any timing from the imaging means and subjected to the signal processing; and temporarily storing a plurality of the bit-reduced still image data. Memory means, memory control means for reading the bit-reduced still image data from the memory means, and recording means for sequentially recording the bit-reduced still image data read from the memory means on a predetermined recording medium And the memory means for temporarily storing If the can is exhausted, the video signal recording apparatus and displaying the there is no free space in the view finder.