JPH1174796A - Converter and conversion method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively record an MPEG(moving picture expert group) transport stream by a DVCR(digital video cassette recorder). SOLUTION: A time base of the transport stream is compressed by adding a time stamp as timing information to represent timing when the transport stream is inputted to the transport stream and storing the transport stream is buffer memory 20 in an adding circuit 11. And the transport stream to which the time stamp is added and whose time base is compressed and converted into a stream of a DIF(digital interface) formal (DIF stream) and recorded in the DVCR 5 by an I/F 21. In addition, the DIF stream reproduced in the DVCR 5 is restored to the original transport stream based on the time stamp which is added to it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a conversion apparatus and a conversion method, and more particularly to, for example, an MPEG (Moving Picture).
e Experts Group) transport stream to SD
(Standard Definition) standard DIF (Digital Inter
The present invention relates to a conversion device and a conversion method that can convert the data into a DIF stream that is a stream of a (face) format and efficiently record the converted data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 21 shows a configuration of an example of a conventional recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing an MPEG transport stream.

The antenna 1 receives a radio wave transmitted from, for example, a satellite (not shown), and the received signal is
An RD (Integrated Receiver and Decoder) (or set-top box) 2 is supplied.

The IRD 2 includes a tuner 6, a demultiplexer (DMUX) 7, a decoder 8, a demultiplexer 9,
And an I / F (Interface) 10, and a received signal from the antenna 1 is supplied to the tuner 6. The tuner 6 detects and demodulates a received signal in a predetermined frequency band, and outputs the resulting MPEG transport stream as a demodulated signal to the demultiplexers 7 and 9.

The demultiplexer 7 extracts a packet (transport packet) corresponding to one predetermined channel from the packets (transport packets) constituting the MPEG transport stream from the tuner 6 and supplies the extracted packet to the decoder 8. In the decoder 8, MPEG-encoded data included in the transport packet from the demultiplexer 7 is MPEG-decoded, and the resulting image is supplied to the monitor 3 and displayed. In the decoder 8, audio is also obtained by MPEG-decoding the transport packet. The audio is supplied to a speaker (not shown) and output.

On the other hand, the demultiplexer 9 extracts one of the transport packets constituting the MPEG transport stream from the tuner 6 corresponding to one or more predetermined channels, and
10 is supplied. The I / F 10 is, for example, an IEEE
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer
s) An interface for performing communication conforming to the 1394 standard. DVCR (Digital Video Cassette Rec)
order) 105 via a serial bus compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard (IEEE 1394 serial bus), and transport packets from the demultiplexer 9 (hereinafter referred to as TRS packets as appropriate).
Is transmitted to the DVCR 105.

In the DVCR 105, T from the I / F 10
The RS packet is format-converted to, for example, a DIF stream of the SD standard (for details of the format of the DIF stream, for example, the Specification of Consumer Use Digi compiled in the HD Digital VCR Confernce).
tal VCRs) and digitally recorded on a video tape (not shown). That is, the TRS packet is
Since the data cannot be recorded in the DVCR 105 in the format as it is, the data is converted into a data in a format that can be handled by the DVCR 105, that is, converted into a DIF stream and recorded.

[0008] The DVCR 105 also reproduces a DIF stream recorded on a video tape. The reproduced DIF stream is converted into a TRS packet in the DVCR 105.
0, and are supplied to the decoder 8 via the demultiplexers 9 and 7 and are MPEG-decoded.

[0009]

By the way, conventionally, in the DVCR 105, the IRD2 (I / F1
0) is simply a DIF
Since it was only converted into a stream, it was difficult to record it efficiently.

That is, the data rate of the transport stream is generally 4 Mbps (Bit Per Second). On the other hand, if the DVCR 105 complies with, for example, the SD standard, the recording rate is about 25 Mbps. Therefore, in the DVCR 105, simply converting the received TRS packet into a DIF stream and recording the same in sequence does not use many recording areas on the video tape.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and enables efficient recording.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conversion apparatus, comprising: timing information adding means for adding, to a transport stream, timing information indicating a timing at which the transport stream is input; It is characterized by comprising compression means for performing time axis compression, and conversion means for converting a transport stream to which timing information is added and time axis compressed into a DIF stream.

[0013] In the conversion method according to the present invention, timing information indicating the timing at which the transport stream was input is added to the transport stream, and the time axis is compressed, and the timing information is added. It is characterized in that the transport stream compressed in the time axis is converted into a DIF stream.

[0014] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conversion apparatus for expanding a time axis of a DIF stream, a conversion means for converting a DIF stream time axis expanded by the expansion means into a transport stream, and an output means for converting the DIF stream into a transport stream. And timing information detecting means for detecting timing information from the transport stream to be output, and output means for outputting the transport stream at a timing corresponding to the timing information.

[0015] In the conversion method according to the present invention, the DIF stream is expanded in time axis, the DIF stream is converted into a transport stream, timing information is detected from the transport stream, and the DIF stream is processed according to the timing information. The transport stream is output at the timing when the transport stream is performed.

In the conversion device according to the first aspect, the timing information adding means adds timing information indicating a timing at which the transport stream is input to the transport stream, and the compression means adds the timing information of the transport stream to the transport stream. Time axis compression is performed. The conversion means converts the transport stream to which the timing information is added and which has been compressed on the time axis into a DIF stream.

In the conversion method according to the thirteenth aspect,
Adds timing information indicating the timing at which the transport stream was input to the transport stream, compresses the time axis, converts the transport stream with the added timing information and time axis compressed to a DIF stream It has been made to be.

[0018] In the conversion device according to claim 14,
The expansion means expands the time axis of the DIF stream, and the conversion means converts the DIF stream time-expanded by the expansion means into a transport stream. The timing information detecting means detects timing information from the transport stream output by the converting means, and the output means outputs the transport stream at a timing corresponding to the timing information.

[0019] In the conversion method according to claim 29,
While expanding the time axis of the DIF stream,
Convert the IF stream to a transport stream,
The timing information is detected from the transport stream, and the transport stream is output at a timing corresponding to the timing information.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but before that, the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments will be clarified. For this reason, the features of the present invention are described as follows by adding the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) in parentheses after each means.

That is, the conversion device according to the first aspect converts a transport stream into a DIF (Digital Interface).
e) A converter for converting a DIF stream, which is a format stream, into timing information adding means (for example, as shown in FIG. 2) for adding timing information indicating the timing at which the transport stream was input to the transport stream. Additional circuit 11), and
Compression means (for example, the buffer memory 20 and the controller 22 shown in FIG. 2) for compressing the transport stream on a time axis, and a conversion for converting the transport stream to which the timing information is added and the time axis is compressed into a DIF stream Means (for example, I / O shown in FIG. 2)
F21).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the conversion apparatus, the compression means includes a transport stream storage means (for example, a buffer memory 20 shown in FIG. 2) for storing the transport stream, and a transport stream from the transport stream storage means. It is characterized by having read control means (for example, the controller 22 shown in FIG. 2 or the like) for controlling the reading of the port stream to perform the time axis compression thereof.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the recording apparatus records the DIF stream, the recording control means controls the recording apparatus based on the amount of transport stream stored in the transport stream storage means. (For example, the controller 54 shown in FIG. 7)
Is further provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the conversion device, the recording medium on which the recording device records the DIF stream stores a recording position of the DIF stream and identification information for identifying the DIF stream. It is characterized by having information storage means (for example, the memory 62 shown in FIG. 16).

The converter according to the ninth aspect includes a plurality of timing information adding means, compression means, and conversion means, and a plurality of D information obtained by the plurality of timing information addition means, compression means, and conversion means.
It is characterized by further comprising a combining means (for example, a combining / separating circuit 71 shown in FIG. 19) for combining the IF stream into one DIF stream.

A conversion device according to a tenth aspect includes a plurality of timing information adding means, a compression means, and a conversion means, and separates one transport stream into a plurality of transport streams. 20, etc.), wherein a plurality of timing information adding units, compression units, and conversion units convert a plurality of transport streams into a plurality of DIF streams, respectively.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the conversion apparatus adds timing information indicating the timing at which the transport stream was input to the transport stream, compresses the time axis, adds the timing information, and A conversion device for converting a time-axis-compressed transport stream into a DIF (Digital Interface) format stream, which is obtained by converting the DIF stream into a transport stream, comprising: Decompression means for expanding the time axis (for example, the buffer memory 32 and the controller 41 shown in FIG. 4) and conversion means for converting the DIF stream time-expanded by the expansion means into a transport stream (for example, shown in FIG. 4) I / F33, etc. If, from the transport stream the conversion means outputs, timing information detecting means for detecting the timing information (e.g., TS shown in FIG. 4 (Ti
meStamp) detector 34) and output means for outputting a transport stream at a timing corresponding to the timing information (for example, FIFO (First In Fi
rst Out) memory 35).

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the decompressing means is a DIF stream storing means for storing a DIF stream (for example, the buffer memory 32 shown in FIG. 4).
And read control means (for example, a controller 41 shown in FIG. 4) for controlling the reading of the DIF stream from the DIF stream storage means to extend the time axis thereof.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, when the DIF stream is recorded on a recording medium and the reproducing apparatus reproduces the DIF stream from the recording medium, the DIF stream storage means stores the DIF stream. It is characterized by further comprising a reproduction control means (for example, the controller 54 shown in FIG. 7) for controlling the reproduction device based on the amount.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the case where a predetermined gap is recorded together with a DIF stream on a recording medium, a gap detecting means for detecting a gap (for example, a gap detector 43 shown in FIG. 13). Etc.), and the playback control means, when the accumulated amount of the DIF stream in the DIF stream storage means is equal to or more than the second threshold value and a gap is detected,
The playback device is controlled so as to stop the playback of the stream.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined gap is recorded together with a DIF stream on a recording medium, a gap detecting means for detecting a gap (for example, a gap detector 43 shown in FIG. 13). Etc.), and the playback control means, when the accumulated amount of the DIF stream in the DIF stream storage means is equal to or more than the second threshold value and a gap is detected,
The playback device is controlled to start slow playback of the stream.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the conversion apparatus, the recording medium stores a recording position of the DIF stream and identification information for identifying the DIF stream.
It has an identification information storage means (for example, the memory 62 shown in FIG. 16), and is characterized in that a reproducing apparatus searches for and reproduces a desired DIF stream based on the recording position and the identification information.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the conversion apparatus includes a plurality of decompression means, conversion means, timing information detection means, and output means, and includes a plurality of expansion means, conversion means, timing information detection means, and output means. On the other hand, separating means for separating one DIF stream into a plurality of DIF streams and supplying each of the plurality of DIF streams (for example, the combining / separating circuit 7 shown in FIG. 19).
1).

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the conversion apparatus includes a plurality of expansion units, conversion units, timing information detection units, and output units, and includes a plurality of expansion units, conversion units, timing information detection units, and output units. It is characterized by further comprising a synthesizing means (for example, a separation / synthesis circuit 81 shown in FIG. 20) for synthesizing a plurality of obtained transport streams into one transport stream.

Of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to those described above.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a first embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to the case in FIG. That is, the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG.
A DVCR5 is provided in place of R105,
The configuration is the same as that in FIG. 21 except that a conversion device 4 connected via an IEEE1394 serial bus is newly provided between R5 and IRD2.

The converter 4 adds timing information (hereinafter referred to as a time stamp or TS as appropriate) indicating the timing at which the TRS packet was input to the (transport stream composed of) the TRS packet from the IRD 2. At the same time, the time axis is compressed, the time stamp is added, and the time axis is compressed.
The S packet is converted into a DIF stream and supplied to the DVCR 5. Also, the conversion device 4
The DIF stream reproduced in the VCR 5 is expanded in time axis, the DIF stream is converted into a TRS packet (transport stream composed of), and a time stamp added to the TRS packet is detected from the TRS packet. The TRS packet is output to the IRD 2 at a timing corresponding to the time stamp.

The DVCR (recording device) (reproducing device) 5
For example, in accordance with the SD standard, a DIF stream from the converter 4 is recorded on a video tape (not shown),
Also, the DIF stream recorded on the video tape is reproduced and supplied to the converter 4.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus configured as described above, the conversion apparatus 4 adds a time stamp to the TRS packet from the IRD 2 and compresses the time axis. Further, in the conversion device 4, the TRS packet to which the time stamp is added and the time axis is compressed is converted into a DIF stream, supplied to the DVCR 5, and recorded. In the DVCR 5, the recorded DIF stream is reproduced and supplied to the converter 4. The conversion device 4 expands the time axis of the DIF stream from the DVCR 5, and converts the DIF stream into TRS packets. Further, the conversion device 4 detects a time stamp added to the TRS packet from the TRS packet, and outputs the packet at a timing corresponding to the time stamp.

Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of a configuration of a portion for converting a TRS packet into a DIF stream in the conversion device 4 of FIG.

From IRD2, as described above, the IEEE
For example, 4 Mbps via the E1394 serial bus
Is output, and the TRS packet is supplied to the additional circuit 11. Further, a time stamp indicating the timing (time) at which the TRS packet was input is also supplied from the P / S (parallel / serial) converter 12 to the additional circuit 11.

That is, for example, the clock generation circuit 14
A 20 MHz clock is generated and supplied to the counter 13. The counter 13 is, for example, a 32-bit (4-byte) counter that counts the clock from the clock generation circuit 14 and outputs the 32-bit count value to the P / S converter 12 as a time stamp. P /
The S converter 12 converts the time stamp as 32-bit parallel data from the counter 13 into serial data, and supplies the converted time stamp to the additional circuit 11.

In the adding circuit 11, the time stamp (TS) supplied as described above is added to each TRS packet and supplied to the I / F 15. The I / F 15 receives the TRS packet to which the time stamp is added from the adding circuit 11, and supplies the TRS packet to the buffer memory 20 via the multiplexer 17 under the control of the controller 22. The buffer memory 20 stores a TRS packet to which a time stamp supplied via the multiplexer 17 is added.

On the other hand, the controller 22 controls the buffer memory 20 such as the amount of data stored in the buffer memory 20.
Is monitored, and the I / F 21 is controlled based on the status. That is, under the control of the controller 22, the I / F 21 stores the time stamped TR stored in the buffer memory 20.
S packets are read at, for example, about 25 Mbps, which is equal to the recording rate of DVCR5 (the speed during reading of the TRS packet to which the time stamp is added is 2).
5 Mbps, and considering the entirety including the case where the reading is not performed, the reading speed is equal to the original 4 Mbps.
bps), thereby performing the time axis compression. Further, the I / F 21 converts the TRS packet to which the time stamp is added, read from the buffer memory 20, into a DIF stream.

FIG. 3 shows the format of the DIF stream.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the DIF stream has 80 bytes as one block (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a DIF block).
An ID for identifying the block is arranged, and the remaining 77
Data is arranged in bytes.

On the other hand, the TRS packet basically has 18
It is composed of 8 bytes. Therefore, in the I / F 21, 1
For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, an 88-byte TRS packet is divided into three blocks of a DIF stream and arranged.

That is, in the first three bytes of the three blocks,
In each case, an ID is arranged. After the ID, for example, 13 bytes of 1 (00... 0H (H indicates that the value before it is a hexadecimal number)) are arranged as dummy data in all three blocks. You. Then, the remaining 64 bytes in the three blocks have a TR of 188 bytes.
The S packet is divided and arranged. Here, for example, in the first and second blocks of the three blocks, 64 bytes of the 188-byte TRS packet are arranged, but in the last block, the 188-byte TRS packet of the 188-byte TRS packet is arranged. 60 bytes and its TRS
A 4-byte TS added to the packet is arranged.

As described above, in the I / F 21, one TR
S packet is composed of three DIs that make up the DIF stream.
It is converted to an F block.

The DIF stream (DIF block) obtained in the I / F 21 is supplied to the DVCR 5 and recorded.

On the other hand, the initialization circuit 16 monitors the output of the I / F 15, and when the first TRS packet (the first TRS packet to be recorded) is output from the I / F 15, the initialization circuit 16 starts the timer 19. For example, it is reset to 0 to start time counting, and, for example, starts outputting 4-byte time information. The time information output from the timer 19 is supplied to and stored in the buffer memory 20 via the multiplexer 17. This time information is also read out by the I / F 21 under the control of the controller 22, converted into a DIF stream, and recorded on the DVCR 5. That is, as for the time information, for example, three blocks of the DIF stream shown in FIG. Where T
For the portion where the RS packet is placed, dummy data is placed. Also, the time information is arranged in a portion where the time stamp is arranged.

It is to be noted that whether the 4-byte data arranged after 1 of the 13 bytes in the third block is a time stamp or time information is determined by, for example, using its MSB (Most Significant Bit). In the case of a time stamp or time information, it can be performed by setting it to 0 or 1, respectively.

Further, as described above, the TRS packet
The 188 bytes are composed of, for example, DVB (Digital Video Broa) adopted in Japan and European countries.
dcasting), for example, in the DSS adopted in the United States, the TRS packet
Although it is composed of 0 bytes, in the present invention, the number of bytes constituting the TRS packet is not particularly limited.

Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a part of the converter 4 of FIG. 1 that converts a DIF stream into a TRS packet (a transport stream composed of).

The DIF stream (DIF block) reproduced in the DVCR 5 is supplied to the I / F 31. The I / F 31 receives the DIF block from the DVCR 5 under the control of the controller 41, and supplies the DIF block to the buffer memory 32 for storage. That is, the I / F 31
Is used to prevent the buffer memory 32 from overflowing.
The DIF block is received and supplied to the buffer memory 32.

The controller 41 includes a buffer memory 32
Monitors the status of the buffer memory 32, such as the amount of data stored in, and based on the status,
It controls the I / F 33. That is, the I / F 33 controls the buffer memory 32 according to the control from the controller 41.
Is read at, for example, about 4 Mbps, which is equal to the data rate of the original transport stream, thereby extending its time axis. Further, the I / F 33 converts the DIF block read from the buffer memory 32 into an original TRS packet.

That is, the I / F 33 reads out three DIF blocks as shown in FIG.
TRS with timestamp added from IF block
Make up the packet. This TRS packet has the I / F3
3 to the TS detector 34.

The TS detector 34 separates the time stamp and the TRS packet by detecting the time stamp from the TRS packet to which the time stamp from the I / F 33 is added, and converts the time stamp into the S / P converter 37.
Then, the TRS packet is output to the FIFO memory 35, respectively. In the FIFO memory 35, the TRS packet from the TS detector 34 is stored, and is output at a timing corresponding to the output of the comparator 42.

That is, in the S / P (serial / parallel) converter 37, the time stamp, which is the serial data output from the TS detector 34, is converted into parallel data and supplied to the comparator 42.

The clock generation circuit 40 outputs a clock of 20 MHz, as in the case of the clock generation circuit 14 of FIG. 2, and this clock is supplied to the counter 39. The counter 39 is similar to the counter 13 in FIG.
The 32-bit (4-byte) counter counts the clock from the clock generation circuit 40 and outputs the 32-bit count value to the comparator 42. The comparator 42 includes a time stamp from the S / P converter 37,
The counter value is compared with the count value of the counter 39, and when the two match, the FIFO from the S / P converter 37 is output so that the TRS packet to which the time stamp is added is output.
The memory 35 is controlled.

Therefore, when attention is paid to a certain channel in the original transport stream, when the TRS packets of that channel are arranged at time intervals as shown in FIG.
5, the TRS packet is recorded after being compressed on the time axis as shown in FIG.
Although the original time interval between the S packets is lost, in the FIFO memory 35, the TRS packet is output according to the time stamp indicating the timing at which the TRS packet was input, as shown in FIG. The time interval between TRS packets is restored as before. As a result, the MPEG decoding becomes possible.

The standard requires that the displacement of the TRS packet be kept within 500 nsec (nanosecond). For this reason, the counter 13 that generates the time stamp (same for the counter 39) is caused to count the clock of 20 MHz (the clock of the cycle of 50 nsec) as described above.

Incidentally, as described above, the counter 39
However, when a 20-MHz clock is counted by a 32-bit counter, the worst case is about 214
If the second (= 1/20 [MHz] × 2 ³² ) has not elapsed, the count value output from the counter 34 may not match the first time stamp output from the S / P converter 37 in some cases. In this case, the transport stream will not be output from the conversion device 4 until at least three minutes have elapsed since the reproduction was started in the DVCR 5.

Therefore, the TS detector 38 monitors the output of the I / F 33. When the first TRS packet (the first TRS packet reproduced) is output, the TS detector 38 adds the time stamp added thereto. A detected value is subtracted from the time stamp, and a subtracted value obtained by subtracting a small value is supplied to the counter 39 and set as an initial value. In this case, the count value output from the counter 34 immediately matches the first time stamp output from the S / P converter 37. Therefore, after the reproduction in the DVCR 5 is started, the transport It is possible to prevent the output of the stream from being greatly delayed.

It should be noted that the DIF block read from the buffer memory 32 may include only the time information, as described above. In this case, from the I / F 33, a TRS packet to which time information is added (however, this TRS packet is formed of dummy data)
It is supplied to the TS detector 34. The TS detector 34 has a TR
It is determined whether the information added to the S packet is a time stamp or time information. If the information is a time stamp, the above processing is performed. On the other hand, if the information added to the TRS packet is time information,
In the S detector 34, the TRS packet and the time information are separated, and the TRS packet is discarded. The time information is supplied to the display unit 36 and displayed.

Further, in FIG.
In this case, the number of TRS packets read from the buffer memory 20 within a certain period of time can be counted. In this case, in FIG. 4, the controller 41 provides the DIFs corresponding to the same number of TRS packets as the number counted by the controller 22 within the same time.
To store the block in the buffer memory 32,
The I / F 31 may be controlled.

In the case described above, FIG.
As described in the above, one TRS packet is
Although the conversion into the F block is performed, the method of converting the TRS packet into the DIF stream is not limited to this.

That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, two TRS packets to which a time stamp is added can be converted into five DIF blocks. The conversion method shown in FIG. 6 is defined in a so-called Blue Book.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a second embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

The MPEG device 51 is supplied with image data and audio data, where the data is MPEG-encoded, and the resulting MPEG transport stream is converted into an IE transport stream.
The signal is supplied to the demultiplexer 55 via the EE1394 serial bus. The MPEG device 51 is also supplied with an MPEG transport stream from a demultiplexer 55.
The EG device 51 converts the transport stream to MP
EG decoding and outputting the resulting image data and audio data. Further, the MPEG device 51 emits the light by operating the remote commander 57.
An infrared ray corresponding to a command requesting a predetermined process is received, and the command is transmitted to an AV in IEEE1394.
(Audio Visual) AV / C (Audio Visual)
Control) command. Then, the MPEG device 51 supplies the AV / C command to the demultiplexer 55 via the IEEE 1394 serial bus.

The converter 52 is basically configured in the same manner as the converter 4 described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, converts the transport stream supplied from the demultiplexer 55 into a DIF stream, To supply. The conversion device 52 includes a multiplexer 5
6, the DIF stream reproduced in the DVCR 5 is supplied.
The DIF stream is converted into the original transport stream, and the converted
It is also supplied to the device 51. The conversion device 52 provides predetermined information to the controller 54,
Further, a predetermined process is performed under the control of the controller 54.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 53
Controls the controller 54.
The controller 54 outputs the AV /
The C command is received, and the converter 52 is controlled in accordance with the AV / C command, and the AV / C command for controlling the DVCR 5 is supplied to the multiplexer 56. That is, thereby, the conversion device 52 performs a predetermined process in response to an external command. Also, DVC
Also in R5, various processes such as reproduction, rewind, fast forward, stop of operation, and ejection of video tape are performed in response to an external command.

The demultiplexer 55 is connected to the MPEG device 5
1 when the AV / C command is received from the
The command is supplied to the controller 54. When receiving the transport stream from the MPEG device 51, the demultiplexer 55 supplies the transport stream to the conversion device 52. Further, the transport stream is supplied from the conversion device 52 to the demultiplexer 55. When the transport stream is received from the conversion device 52, the demultiplexer 55 converts the transport stream into an IEEE 1394 serial stream. MPEG over the bus
It is supplied to the device 51.

When the multiplexer 56 receives the DIF stream from the converter 52, the multiplexer 56 supplies the DIF stream to the DVCR 5 for recording. When receiving the AV / C command from the controller 54, the multiplexer 56 converts the AV / C command into a DVCR signal.
5 Further, the multiplexer 56 has a DV
The DIF stream reproduced in the CR5 is also supplied, and the multiplexer 56
When a DIF stream is received from CR5, the DI
The F stream is supplied to the converter 52.

The remote commander 57 emits infrared rays corresponding to the operation.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus configured as described above, for example, when the remote commander 57 is operated to record a transport stream, infrared rays corresponding to the operation are emitted. This infrared light is
The light is received by the G device 51. The MPEG device 51
If the received infrared light corresponds to the command to instruct recording, the MP of the image and sound supplied thereto
EG encoding is started, and an MPEG transport stream is output. This transport stream is
The signal is supplied to the conversion device 52 via the demultiplexer 55. In the converter 52, the transport stream is converted to a DIF stream in the same manner as described with reference to FIG.
Supplied to

In this case, the MPEG device 51 also outputs an AV / C command for instructing recording (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a recording command). This recording command is supplied to the controller 54 via the demultiplexer 55. Upon receiving the recording command, the controller 54
According to the state of the converter 52, a predetermined AV / C command is supplied to the DVCR 5 via the multiplexer 56, whereby the transport stream supplied from the converter 52 via the multiplexer 56 to the DVCR 5 is transmitted. Is recorded efficiently.

On the other hand, for example, the remote commander 57
When operated to reproduce the transport stream, infrared rays corresponding to the operation are emitted. This infrared light is received by the MPEG device 51. MPE
When the received infrared light corresponds to the command to instruct the reproduction, the G device 51 outputs the AV / C signal to instruct the reproduction.
A command (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a reproduction command) is output. This reproduction command is supplied to the controller 54 via the demultiplexer 55. Controller 54
Receives the playback command, supplies a predetermined AV / C command to the DVCR 5 via the multiplexer 56 in accordance with the state of the conversion device 52.
The CR5 reproduces the DIF stream.

This DIF stream is supplied to the converter 52 via the multiplexer 56,
Then, the DIF stream is converted into a transport stream and supplied to the MPEG device 51 via the demultiplexer 55 as in the case described with reference to FIG. Upon receiving the transport stream, the MPEG device 51 MPEG-decodes the transport stream and outputs the resulting image and audio.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A recording command reception process performed when the controller 54 of FIG. 7 receives a recording command will be described.

When the controller 54 receives the recording command, first, in step S1, it is determined whether the amount of data stored in the buffer memory 20 (FIG. 2) in the conversion device 52 is greater than (or greater than) a predetermined threshold value ε1. Determine whether If it is determined in step S1 that the data storage amount is not greater than the threshold ε1, the process returns to step S1. That is, after the output of the transport stream from the MPEG device 51 is started, until the amount of accumulation of the transport stream in the buffer memory 20 becomes larger than the threshold ε1, the controller 54 outputs the DIF stream to the conversion device 52. No output, DVC
No recording is performed on R5.

If it is determined in step S1 that the data storage amount is larger than the threshold value ε1, the process proceeds to step S1.
Proceeding to 2, the controller 54 starts reading of the TRS packet stored in the buffer memory 20 in the conversion device 52, and outputs a recording command to the DVCR 5. As a result, the conversion device 52 starts outputting the DIF stream (reading the transport stream from the buffer memory 20), and the DVCR 5 starts recording the DIF stream.

Then, proceeding to step S3, the controller 54 determines whether or not the amount of data stored in the buffer memory 20 in the conversion device 52 is smaller than (or less than) a predetermined threshold value ε2 (where ε1> ε2). . If it is determined in step S3 that the data storage amount is not smaller than the threshold ε2, the process returns to step S3. That is, while the data storage amount of the buffer memory 20 in the conversion device 52 is equal to or larger than the threshold value ε2 (is larger), the conversion device 52
DIF stream continues to be output, and DVCR5
The recording of the DIF stream is continued.

Thereafter, if it is determined in step S3 that the data storage amount is smaller than the threshold value ε2, the process proceeds to step S4, where the controller 54 temporarily stops reading the TRS packet stored in the buffer memory 20 in the conversion device 52. At the same time, it outputs an AV / C command (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a recording stop command) for instructing the DVCR 5 to temporarily stop recording. As a result, in the conversion device 52, the output of the DIF stream (the reading of the transport stream from the buffer memory 20) is stopped, and the recording of the DIF stream is also stopped in the DVCR 5 (the recording operation itself is temporarily stopped). ).

Then, returning to step S1, the same processing is repeated thereafter. That is, the output of the DIF stream in the conversion device 52 and the recording of the DIF stream in the DVCR 5 are stopped until the data accumulation amount of the buffer memory 20 in the conversion device 52 becomes larger than the predetermined threshold ε1, and the data accumulation amount is reduced. , The output of the DIF stream in the converter 52 and the recording of the DIF stream in the DVCR 5 are restarted.

Therefore, in the DVCR 5, when the amount of data stored in the buffer memory 20 in the conversion device 52 becomes larger than the threshold value ε1, the amount of data accumulated until the data amount becomes smaller than the threshold value
When the recording of the DIF stream is performed and the data storage amount becomes smaller than the threshold value ε2, the recording of the DIF stream is temporarily stopped until the data accumulation amount becomes larger than the threshold value ε1. That is, in the DVCR 5, when there are enough DIF streams to be recorded, the recording is performed, and when there is almost no DIF stream to be recorded, the recording is temporarily stopped, that is, intermittent recording is performed. As a result, in the DVCR 5, efficient recording using the recording area of the video tape effectively is performed.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A recording command receiving process performed when the controller 54 of FIG. 7 receives a reproduction command will be described.

When the controller 54 receives the reproduction command, first, in step S11, the controller 54
A playback command is output to R5 and D stored in the buffer memory 32 (FIG. 4) of the conversion device 52 is output.
The reading of the IF stream is started. This allows
In the DVCR 5, the reproduction of the DIF stream is started and supplied to the conversion device 52. The conversion device 52
Then, the DIF stream is stored in the buffer memory 32, and the DIF stream is read from the buffer memory 32, converted into the original TRS packet, and output.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S12, wherein the controller 54 sets the buffer memory 32 in the
Is determined to be greater than (or greater than) a predetermined threshold value ε3. When it is determined in step S12 that the data accumulation amount is not larger than the threshold ε3,
It returns to step S12. That is, in this case, the reproduction of the DIF stream by the DVCR 5 and the conversion of the DIF stream into the transport stream by the converter 52 are continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the data storage amount is larger than the threshold
Proceeding to 13, the controller 54 determines whether or not a gap described later has been reproduced in the DVCR 5. Here, in the conversion device 52, as described later,
The detection of the gap is performed. Therefore, the determination in step S13 is performed based on the presence or absence of the detection of the gap by the conversion device 52.

If it is determined in step S13 that the gap has not been reproduced, the process returns to step S13. That is, even if the data storage amount of the buffer memory 32 in the conversion device 52 becomes larger than the threshold value ε3, the reproduction of the DIF stream by the DVCR 5 and the conversion of the DIF stream by the conversion device 52 to the transport stream until a gap is detected. Conversion is continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the gap has been reproduced, the process proceeds to step S14, in which the controller 54 issues an AV / C command to the DVCR 5 to instruct reproduction to be paused (hereinafter referred to as reproduction as appropriate). Stop command). Thereby, DV
In CR5, the reproduction of the DIF stream is stopped. However, even in this case, the conversion of the DIF stream into the transport stream by the conversion device 52 is continued.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S 15, wherein the controller 54 sets the buffer memory 32 in the conversion device 52.
It is determined whether or not the data storage amount of the data has become less than (below) a predetermined threshold value ε4 (where ε3> ε
4). In step S15, the data storage amount is equal to the threshold ε
If it is determined that it is not less than 4, the process returns to step S15. That is, while the data storage amount of the buffer memory 32 in the conversion device 52 is equal to or larger than the threshold ε4 (is larger), the DVCR 5 stops reproducing the DIF stream.

While the reproduction of the DIF stream in the DVCR 5 is stopped, the conversion device 52
When the DIF stream stored in the buffer memory 32 is converted into a transport stream, the data storage amount of the buffer memory 32 decreases and becomes smaller than the threshold ε4. In step S15, the data storage amount becomes smaller than the threshold ε4. It is determined that there is less. In this case, the process returns to step S11, and thereafter, the same processing is repeated. That is, the controller 54 controls the DVCR 5
A playback command is output, whereby the playback of the DIF stream by the DVCR 5 is restarted.

As described above, the DVCR 5 performs so-called intermittent reproduction in response to intermittent recording during recording.

Next, FIG. 10 shows an example of a configuration of a portion for converting a TRS packet into a DIF stream in the conversion device 52 of FIG. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to those in the conversion device 4 of FIG. In FIG. 10, the additional circuit 1
1, a P / S converter 12, a counter 13, a clock generation circuit 14, an I / F 15, an initialization circuit 16, a multiplexer 17, and a timer 19 are not shown. Therefore, the conversion device 52 is basically configured in the same manner as the conversion device 4 of FIG. 2 except that the gap generator 23 is newly provided.

The gap generator 23 uses the DVCR 5
Gap (DI
Gap data for forming a gap between F streams is generated and supplied to the I / F 21.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

Now, in the converter 52, the transport stream is converted into a DIF stream,
It is assumed that the recording of the DIF stream is performed in R5. That is, the conversion device 52 outputs a DIF block (DIF data) as a recording stream to be recorded on the DVCR 5, as shown in FIG.
In DVCR5, the DIF block is
It is assumed that the data is recorded on a video tape as shown in FIG.

In such a case, if the amount of data stored in the buffer memory 20 becomes smaller than the threshold value ε2, the controller 54 temporarily stops reading the TRS packet stored in the buffer memory 20 in the conversion device 52 as described above. At the same time, a recording stop command is output to the DVCR 5 (FIG. 11A).

That is, the controller 54 outputs a control signal instructing the controller 22 to stop reading from the buffer memory 20. Upon receiving this control signal, the controller 22 controls the I / F 21 to stop reading of the TRS packet from the buffer memory 20 and to convert the gap data generated by the gap generator 23 into a predetermined data. Period T
Only 1 is output to the I / F 21. Now, assuming that gap data output during the predetermined period T1 is gap data A, the gap data A is as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the recording stream is supplied to the DVCR 5 (via the multiplexer 56 (FIG. 7)).

On the other hand, when the DVCR 5 receives the recording stop command, it temporarily stops the recording operation.
However, there is a predetermined delay from when the recording stop command is received until the recording operation is stopped, and the recording on the video tape is continued during such a delay time until the recording is stopped. At this time, since the gap data A is output from the conversion device 52 as described above,
In the recording area of the video tape corresponding to the delay time,
The gap data A is recorded.
As shown in (C), a gap Gap1 is formed on the video tape.

Here, from the above, since the gap data A plays a role of compensating a delay until the recording is stopped, the period T1 should be longer than the delay time until the recording is stopped. preferable.

Further, in the DVCR 5, when the recording operation is stopped, the video tape that has traveled during the delay time until the recording operation is stopped is rewound. That is, for example, FIG.
1 (C), at the position P1 of the video tape,
Assuming that the video tape has traveled to the position P3 during the delay time until the recording stop command is received and the recording operation is stopped, the video tape is positioned before the position P3 and before the position P1 at the position P2. Rewind.

In this case, ideally, the video tape is rewound to the position P1 corresponding to the timing t1 (FIG. 11A) at which the recording stop command is received. Accuracy is difficult, and the position P
If rewinding to a position before 1 is performed, the next time recording is started, the recording area of the already recorded DIF block is overwritten, and a part of the DIF block is lost. For this reason, rewinding is performed only up to an arbitrary position P2 (preferably a position closer to the position P1) between the positions P1 and P3.

Thereafter, when the amount of data stored in the buffer memory 20 exceeds the threshold value ε1, the controller 54 sets the buffer memory 2 in the conversion device 52 as described above.
Readout of the TRS packet stored in 0 is restarted, and a recording command is output to the DVCR 5 (FIG. 11A).

That is, the controller 54 outputs a control signal instructing the controller 22 to restart reading from the buffer memory 20. Upon receiving this control signal, the controller 22 controls the I / F 21 to output the gap data generated by the DIF gap generator 23 for a predetermined period T2. Subsequently, the gap data is output for a predetermined period T3. Now, assuming that gap data output during the predetermined period T2 or T3 is gap data B or C, respectively, the gap data B and C are used as a recording stream as shown in FIG. Are supplied sequentially.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11 (B), the gap data A
After dummy data is output and before the gap data B is output, dummy data is output. This is because the IEEE1394 serial bus always transmits and receives some data and transmits and receives data between devices. This is because it is necessary to synchronize.

On the other hand, when the DVCR 5 receives the recording command, it resumes the recording operation. However, after the DVCR 5 receives the recording command, the DVCR 5 resumes the recording operation.
There is a predetermined delay, and the recording on the video tape is not performed during the delay time until such recording starts. At this time, the gap data B is output from the converter 52 as described above, but the gap data B corresponding to the delay time until the start of recording is not recorded.

Here, from the above, since the gap data B plays a role of compensating a delay until the recording is started, the period T2 should be longer than the delay time until the recording is started. preferable.

Then, the recording operation in the DVCR 5 is started. At this time, the gap data B
If the data is output from the (I / F 21), the gap data B (a part of the gap data B) is recorded on the video tape, thereby forming the gap Gap2 as shown in FIG. You. Further, in the conversion device 52, since the gap data C is output following the gap data B, the gap data C is also recorded on the video tape, and as a result, as shown in FIG. Gap3 is formed.

The controller 22 controls the I / F 21 to output the gap data B and C, and then controls the I / F 21 to restart reading the TRS packet from the buffer memory 20. This causes the DIF block to be output. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11B, a DIF block is supplied from the conversion device 52 to the DVCR 5 as a recording stream.

In the DVCR 5, as shown in FIG. 11C, the DIF block from the conversion device 52 has a gap Gap3 formed corresponding to the gap data C.
Followed by videotape recording.

Similarly, when recording is stopped and when recording is started, a gap is formed on the video tape while the DIF block (DI
F stream) is recorded.

Next, the operation of the converter 52 of FIG. 10 will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the converter 52, first, in step S21, the controller 22 determines whether or not the recording by the DVCR 5 has been started. Here, the control signal as described above is transmitted to the controllers 54 to 22.
Performs the determination process in step S21 based on the control signal.

If it is determined in step S21 that the recording by the DVCR 5 has not been started, the process proceeds to step S22, where the controller 22 controls the I / F 21 to output dummy data for synchronization. It returns to S21. If it is determined in step S21 that the recording by the DVCR 5 has been started, the process proceeds to step S23, where the controller 22
By controlling / F21, gap data B is output. Further, the controller 22 controls the I / F 21 to output the gap data C in step S24, and proceeds to step S25 to output the DIF block following the gap data C.

After that, the controller 22 proceeds to step S
Proceeding to 26, it is determined whether the recording by the DVCR 5 has been stopped. Here, the determination process in step S26 is also performed based on the above-described control signal transmitted from the controller 54 to the controller 22.

If it is determined in step S26 that the recording by the DVCR 5 has not been stopped, the process returns to step S25. That is, in this case, the output of the DIF block is continued. Also, in step S26, DVC
If it is determined that the recording by R5 has been stopped, the process proceeds to step S27, where the controller 22 controls the I / F 21 to output the gap data A. Then, the process returns to step S21, and thereafter, the same processing is repeated.

Next, FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of a portion for converting a DIF stream into a TRS packet in the conversion device 52 of FIG. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to those in the conversion device 4 of FIG. In FIG. 13, the TS detector 3
4, FIFO memory 35, display unit 36, S / P converter 3
7, the TS detector 38, the counter 39, the clock generation circuit 40, and the comparator 42 are not shown.
Therefore, the conversion device 52 is basically configured in the same manner as the conversion device 4 in FIG. 4 except that the gap detector 43 and the switch 44 are newly provided.

The gap detector 43 monitors the data supplied to the buffer memory 32 by the I / F 31 to detect whether the data is a gap (gap data) and supplies the detection result to the controller 41. It has been made like that. The switch 44 is turned on / off under the control of the controller 41.
The supply of data from the / F 31 to the buffer memory 32 is controlled.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

Now, it is assumed that the DIF stream intermittently recorded as described above is reproduced by the DVCR 5 and supplied to the converter 52. That is, DVCR5
However, as shown in FIG.
Plays the part where the IF block is recorded (normal playback)
As a result, it is assumed that a DIF block is output as a reproduction stream to be supplied to the conversion device 52, as shown in FIG.

In such a case, when the amount of data stored in the buffer memory 32 exceeds the threshold value ε3, the controller 41 supplies the fact to the controller 54 (FIG. 7). In the gap detector 43, I /
It is detected whether or not the playback stream from the DVCR 5 output through F31 is a gap. If a gap is detected, a gap detection signal to that effect is output.
It is supplied to the controller 41. When the controller 41 receives the gap detection signal from the gap detector 43,
While the gap detection signal is being received, the switch 44 that is normally on is turned off. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14D, only the DIF block is supplied to the buffer memory 32, and no gap is supplied.

Further, the controller 41 outputs the gap detection signal from the gap detector 43 to the controller 54.
To supply. The controller 54 controls the buffer memory 32
To the effect that the data accumulation amount of the
Thereafter, when a gap detection signal is received, that is, the data storage amount of the buffer memory 32 becomes larger than the threshold ε3,
Thereafter, when a gap is detected, as described above, D
A playback stop command is output to the VCR 5 (see FIG. 1).
4 (A)).

When the DVCR 5 receives the playback stop command, it pauses the playback operation. However, there is a predetermined delay from when the DVCR 5 receives the playback stop command until the DVCR 5 stops the playback operation. During the delay time until the reproduction is stopped, the reproduction of the video tape (normal reproduction) is continued.

By the way, the video tape on which the above-described intermittent recording is performed has the same structure as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 14B, a gap having a certain length is formed (however, in FIG.
(C), gaps 1 to Gap3 recorded continuously are not distinguished and are shown as one gap). Therefore, in the delay time after the detection of the gap until the reproduction is stopped, the gap is reproduced in the DVCR 5 and supplied to the conversion device 52 (I / F31) as a reproduction stream as shown in FIG. Is done. However, while the gap is being output from the I / F 31, the switch 44 is turned off as described above, so that the gap is not stored in the buffer memory 32.

When the reproduction is stopped, the buffer 32
Although the supply of the DIF block is stopped, the reading of the DIF block from the buffer memory 32 is continued, so that the amount of data stored in the buffer memory 32 decreases over time. When the data storage amount becomes smaller than the threshold value ε4, the controller 54 outputs a reproduction command to the DVCR 5 as described above (FIG. 14A).

When the DVCR 5 receives the playback command, it resumes the playback operation.
The videotape runs so-called idle. Therefore, FIG.
As shown in (B), the reproduction of the video tape is not started from the position where the reproduction is stopped (stop position), but is started from a position (start position) slightly advanced from that position. Therefore, the data on the video tape during the idle running is not reproduced, but if this data is DIF data, the original TRS packet cannot be obtained.

Therefore, in order to compensate for this idle running and the amount of movement of the video tape before the reproduction is stopped, as described with reference to FIG.
p3 is formed. Therefore, the gap Ga
The period T3 for outputting the gap data C shown in FIG. 11B for forming p3 needs to be longer than the time corresponding to the idle running period.

Then, in the DVCR 5, the reproduction of the video tape is started, and if a gap is formed at the position where the reproduction is started, the gap is set in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 (C), it is output as a reproduction stream. However, if the playback stream is a gap,
Since the switch 44 is turned off, it is not supplied to the buffer 32 as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, in the DVCR 5, when the reproduction of the DIF block recorded after the gap (gap Gap3 (FIG. 11C)) is started, the controller 41 turns on the switch 44, whereby the switch 44 is turned on.
The DIF block from the DVCR 5 is supplied to and stored in the buffer memory 32 via the I / F 31 and the switch 44. Then, the DIF blocks stored in the buffer memory 32 are converted into TRS packets as described above.

Hereinafter, similarly, the intermittently recorded DIF
Blocks are played intermittently.

As described above, a gap is formed on the video tape when recording is temporarily stopped and when recording is restarted. Even if you do not stop so accurately (even if you do not control the position of the video tape when you resume playback so precisely), you can play back without intermittently recording DIF blocks recorded on the video tape Becomes

When the delay time before the recording is temporarily stopped and the delay time before the recording is restarted can be regarded as 0, the gaps Gap1 and Gap2 in FIG. 11C are formed. There is no need (that is, there is no need to output gap data A and B).

In the above-described case, the reproduction of the video tape is stopped, but instead, the slow reproduction of the video tape may be performed.

Next, the operation of the conversion device 52 of FIG. 13 will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In the converter 52, first, in step S31, the controller 41 determines whether or not the playback stream reproduced by the DVCR 5 and supplied to the converter 52 is a gap (gap data). Here, this determination is performed based on a gap detection signal supplied from the gap detector 43 to the controller 41.

If it is determined in step S31 that the reproduction stream is not a gap, the process proceeds to step S32, where the controller 41 turns on the switch 44, and returns to step S31. Thereafter, the same processing is repeated. If it is determined in step S31 that the playback stream is a gap, the process proceeds to step S31.
Proceeding to 33, the controller 41 turns off the switch 44 and returns to step S31. Thereafter, the same processing is repeated.

Next, a cassette accommodating a video tape on which the DVCR 5 performs recording is, for example, an MIC (Memory I).
n Cassette) or the like, that is, as shown in FIG. 16, when a writable memory 62 is provided in addition to a video tape and a tape unit 61 including a mechanism necessary for running the video tape, a memory 62 is used. For example, identification information for identifying a DIF stream corresponding to a TRS packet of a predetermined channel and a recording position of the DIF stream on a video tape can be stored. Specifically, for example, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of FIG. 7, when the remote commander 57 is operated, the controller 54 receives an AV / C command instructing the start of recording of a TRS packet of a predetermined channel. AV / instructing the end of the recording
When the C command is received, the channel may be stored in the memory 62 as the identification information, and the recording start position and the recording end position may be stored in the memory 62 (for example, by the controller 54). It is sufficient to control the DVCR 5 so that the DVCR 5 performs the control.)

In this case, when reproduction of a predetermined channel is instructed, the DVCR 5 can be referred to by referring to the identification information and the recording position stored in the memory 62 without rewinding to the head position of the video tape. In the DI corresponding to the TRS packet of the channel instructed to be reproduced.
The F stream can be immediately searched and reproduced.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, a command (AV / C command) is transmitted from the controller 54 to the DVCR 5 via the IEEE 1394 serial bus. For example, LANC (Local Application Network
It is also possible to send a command using (ork Control) or the like. Here, FIG. 17 shows a configuration example of a recording / reproducing apparatus when a command is transmitted from the controller 54 to the DVCR 5 using LANC. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the controller 54 and the DVCR 5 are connected by a cable for transmitting and receiving LANC commands. Further, transmission and reception of the DIF stream between the conversion device 52 and the DVCR 5 are performed via an IEEE 1394 serial bus as in the case of FIG. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 17, transmission and reception of the transport stream between the MPEG device 51 and the conversion device 52 are performed via a coaxial cable.

Next, when the DVCR 5 is, for example, of the SD standard, each track of the video tape includes, for example, ITI (Insert and Track Information) 135
DIF block (image data, audio data),
Data is recorded in the order of the subcode.
Here, the ITI usually records, for example, information for synchronizing tracks, information on how the tracks are used, and the like. The subcode usually includes, for example, TTC (Title Time Code).
e), VRD (Video Recorded Date), VRT (Vide
o Recorded Time), a value used for displaying a counter in the DVCR 5, a date and time when the recording was performed, and the like are recorded.

Normally, as described above, in the present embodiment, for example, TTC, VRD, VR
Instead of (or in addition to) T, the following information that can improve the convenience of the device is recorded.

That is, in the transport stream,
When attention is paid to the TRS packet of a certain channel, the TRS packet of the channel is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the time at which the first TRS packet is received at an arbitrary time interval is referred to (for example, 0) based on the time when the first TRS packet of the channel is received. As shown in FIG. 18 (B), it is recorded in the subcode. As the time in this case, the time information output by the timer 19 described with reference to FIG. 2 can be used.

As described above, by recording the time information indicating the elapsed time from the start of recording of the DIF block corresponding to the first TRS packet in the subcode, not only during normal reproduction but also, for example, Even during special reproduction such as high-speed reproduction, it is possible to easily search for a packet of each channel by referring to the time information.

Further, in the case of performing intermittent recording for recording a gap as described above, the subcode contains information indicating whether the recorded content of the track is a DIF block or a gap (hereinafter, referred to as a gap). D
IF / gap information). Here, in FIG. 18C, when the recorded content of the track is a DIF block or a gap, for example, 0 or 1 is added to the DIF together with the time information.
The track recorded in the subcode is shown as / gap information.

When DIF / gap information is recorded in the subcode, for example, the gap detector 43 shown in FIG.
, The gap can be easily and accurately detected by referring to the DIF / gap information.

The recording of the time information and the DIF / gap information in the subcode as described above can be performed, for example, by controlling the DVCR 5 by the controller 54 in FIG. The format of the time information and the DIF / gap information is DVCR.
5 has the same format as TTC, VRD, VRT, etc., which are normally recorded, that is, for example, the format specified in the SD standard. By doing this,
The time information and the DIF / gap information can be recorded on the DVCR 5 in the same manner as when recording TTC, VRD, and VRT.

Next, FIG. 19 shows a configuration example of a fourth embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

[0151] In this embodiment, for example, it is provided converter 4 and similarly configured three converter 4 ₁ to 4 ₃ of FIG. Then, at the time of recording, each of these three converter 4 ₁ to 4 _3, for example, 4 Mbps of MP
EG transport streams TRS1 to TRS3 are input. The conversion apparatus 4 ₁ through 4 _3, the transport stream TRS1 to TRS3 is, in the same manner as in the conversion device 4, and output are respectively converted into DIF stream. Output from each converter 4 ₁ to 4 _3, a total of three DIF stream is supplied to the synthesis / separation circuit 71. The combining / separating circuit 71 combines the three DIF streams into one DIF stream by, for example, time-division multiplexing, and outputs the combined DIF stream.

The one DIF stream is a DVCR5
And recorded.

Since the DIF stream output from the combining / separating circuit 71 is a composite of a 4 Mbps transport stream, its data rate is simply 12 Mbps. On the other hand, the recording rate of DVCR5 is about 25 Mbps as described above,
In the DVCR 5, a DIF stream output from the combining / separating circuit 71 can be recorded.

On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the DVCR 5
The DIF stream is reproduced and supplied to the combining / separating circuit 71. In the combining / separation circuit 71, DIF stream from DVCR5 is separated into the original three DIF stream (division), the three DIF stream is supplied to the converter 4 ₁ to 4 _3. The conversion apparatus 4 ₁ through 4 _3, DIF stream from the synthesis / separation circuit 71 is output after being converted into the original transport stream.

FIG. 20 shows a configuration example of a fifth embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In this embodiment, the data rate is higher than the recording rate of the DVCR 5, for example, 60 Mbp.
The s MPEG transport stream is supplied to the separation / combination circuit 81. In the separation / synthesis circuit 81, the transport stream of the 60Mbps, for example, is divided (separated) into the transport stream of the three 20 Mbps, the three transport streams are supplied to the converter 4 ₁ to 4 ₃ You.

In the converters 4 _{1 to} 4 ₃ , the 20 Mbps transport stream supplied to each is converted to a DIF stream and output in the same manner as in the converter 4. Each DIF stream output from each converter 4 ₁ to 4 ₃ are recorded are supplied to the same structure DVCR5 ₁ to 5 ₃ and DVCR5.

[0158] In the DVCR5 ₁ through 5 _3, DVCR
As in the case of No. 5, recording is performed at a recording rate of 25 Mbps, so that a DIF stream corresponding to a transport stream of 20 Mbps can be recorded.

At the time of reproduction, DVCR5 ₁
To 5 ₃ DIF stream is played, it is supplied to the converter 4 ₁ to 4 _3. In the converters 4 _{1 to} 4 ₃ , the DIF streams from the DVCRs 5 _{1 to} 5 ₃ are converted into 20 Mbps transport streams, respectively, and supplied to the separation / combination circuit 81. The separation / combination circuit 81 combines the three 20 Mbps transport streams into, for example, a time-division multiplexed transport stream of 60 Mbps, and outputs the combined stream.

[0160] Therefore, in this case, it is possible to record a transport stream of a higher data rate than DVCR5 ₁ to 5 ₃ each recording rate.

In this embodiment, the transport stream is converted into a DIF stream,
Although the recording is performed by using the CR, the DIF stream can also be recorded by a disk device that performs recording / reproduction in the DIF format or the like.

The present invention is not limited to the MPEG transport stream, but is applicable to a case where any transport stream is converted to a DIF stream.

Further, in the present embodiment, the MPEG transport stream is converted to a DIF stream and recorded, but the present invention is also applicable to the case where the transport stream is converted to a DIF stream and transmitted. Is also applicable.

The DIF format is specified in the HD standard and the SDL standard in addition to the SD standard described above, but the present invention can be applied to the DIF format specified in any standard. It is.

In this embodiment, for example, FIG.
In the above, the conversion device 4 and the IRD 2 and the DVCR 5 are configured separately, but the conversion device 4 can be built in the IRD 2 and the DVCR 5.

[0166]

According to the conversion device according to the first aspect and the conversion method according to the thirteenth aspect, timing information indicating the timing at which the transport stream is input is added to the transport stream. Axial compression is performed. Then, timing information is added,
And the transport stream compressed in time axis is DI
Converted to F stream. Thus, for example, the DI
When recording the F stream, efficient recording becomes possible.

According to the conversion device described in claim 14 and the conversion method described in claim 29, the DIF stream is expanded on the time axis and converted into a transport stream. Then, timing information is detected from the transport stream, and the transport stream is output at a timing corresponding to the timing information. Therefore, for example, the original transport stream can be restored from the DIF stream recorded efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a first embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conversion device 4 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a format of a DIF stream recorded by the DVCR 5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conversion device 4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining processing of the conversion device 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another format of a DIF stream recorded by the DVCR 5 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a second embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a recording command receiving process performed by a controller of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a reproduction command receiving process performed by a controller of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conversion device 52 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the conversion device 52 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conversion device 52 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conversion device 52 in FIG. 7;

14 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the conversion device 52 in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conversion device 52 of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MIC.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a third embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining recorded contents of a subcode.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a fourth embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a fifth embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a conventional recording / reproducing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 antenna, 2 IRD, 3 monitor, 4,4
_{1 to} 4 ₃ conversion device, 5, 5 _{1 to} 5 ₃ DVCR, 6
Tuner, 7 demultiplexer, 8 decoder,
9 demultiplexer, 10 I / F, 11 additional circuit, 12 P / S converter, 13 counter, 1
4 clock generation circuit, 15 I / F, 16 initialization circuit, 19 timer, 20 buffer memory, 2
1 I / F, 22 controller, 23 gap generator, 31 I / F, 32 buffer memory,
33 I / F, 34 TS detector, 35 FIFO
Memory, 36 display, 37 S / P converter, 3
8 TS detector, 39 counter, 40 clock generation circuit, 41 controller, 42 comparator,
43 gap detector, 44 switch, 51
MPEG device, 52 conversion device, 53 CPU,
54 controller, 55, 56 demultiplexer, 57 remote commander, 61 tape unit,
62 memory, 71 synthesis / separation circuit, 81 separation / synthesis circuit

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A transport stream is transmitted to a DIF
(Digital Interface) A conversion device for converting into a DIF stream that is a stream of a format, wherein the timing information adding means for adding timing information indicating a timing at which the transport stream was input to the transport stream; A conversion device, comprising: compression means for performing time axis compression of a port stream; and conversion means for converting the transport stream to which the timing information is added and time axis compressed, into a DIF stream. 2. The compression unit performs a time axis compression by controlling a transport stream storage unit that stores the transport stream and reading the transport stream from the transport stream storage unit. The conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising read control means. 3. When recording the DIF stream in a recording device, the recording device further includes a recording control unit that controls the recording device based on a storage amount of the transport stream in the transport stream storage unit. 3. The conversion device according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The recording control unit, wherein the recording of the DIF stream is started when a storage amount of the transport stream in the transport stream storage unit is equal to or more than a first threshold. Controlling the recording device so as to stop recording the DIF stream when the transport stream storage amount in the transport stream storage unit becomes equal to or less than a second threshold value. The conversion device according to claim 3, characterized in that: 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording control unit causes the recording device to record a predetermined gap when recording of the DIF stream is started or when recording is stopped. Conversion device. 6. The conversion device according to claim 5, wherein the recording device also records information for distinguishing the DIF stream or the gap. 7. A recording medium on which the recording device records the DIF stream has a recording position / identification information storage unit for storing a recording position of the DIF stream and identification information for identifying the DIF stream. The conversion device according to claim 3, wherein: 8. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein when recording the DIF stream in a recording device, the recording device also records an elapsed time from when the recording of the DIF stream is started. Conversion device. 9. A plurality of timing information adding means, compression means, and conversion means, and a plurality of DIF streams obtained by the plurality of timing information addition means, compression means, and conversion means are converted into one DIF. The conversion device according to claim 1, further comprising a synthesizing means for synthesizing the stream. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said timing information adding means, a compressing means, and a converting means, further comprising a separating means for separating one transport stream into a plurality of transport streams. Means, compression means, and conversion means, the plurality of transport streams,
The conversion device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of DIF streams is converted. 11. The conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein predetermined processing is performed in response to a command received from outside. 12. The conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the DIF stream is recorded in a recording device, the recording device is controlled in response to a command received from outside. 13. The transport stream is provided by a DIF
(Digital Interface) A conversion method for converting into a DIF stream which is a stream of a format, wherein timing information indicating the timing at which the transport stream was input is added to the transport stream, and the time axis is compressed. And converting the transport stream to which the timing information has been added and which has been compressed in the time axis into a DIF stream. 14. A transport stream to which timing information indicating the timing at which the transport stream was input is added, and the time axis is compressed, and the timing information is added and the time axis is compressed. Port stream to DIF (Digi
tal Interface) format DI
The DI obtained by converting to F stream
A conversion device for converting an F stream into the transport stream, comprising: a decompression means for performing time axis decompression of the DIF stream; and a DIF stream, which is time axis decompressed by the decompression means, converted into the transport stream. Conversion means; timing information detection means for detecting the timing information from the transport stream output by the conversion means; and output means for outputting the transport stream at a timing corresponding to the timing information. A conversion device characterized by the above-mentioned. 15. A decompression unit, comprising: a DIF stream storage unit for storing the DIF stream; and a read control unit for controlling the reading of the DIF stream from the DIF stream storage unit so as to extend the time axis thereof. The conversion device according to claim 14, comprising: 16. The DIF stream is recorded on a recording medium, and the reproduction apparatus transmits the DIF stream from the recording medium.
When reproducing an IF stream, the DIF
16. The conversion device according to claim 15, further comprising a reproduction control unit that controls the reproduction device based on a storage amount of the DIF stream in the stream storage unit. 17. The reproduction control means, wherein the reproduction device starts reproduction of the DIF stream when a storage amount of the DIF stream in the DIF stream storage means becomes equal to or less than a first threshold. And controlling the playback device so as to stop playback of the DIF stream when the storage amount of the DIF stream in the DIF stream storage unit is equal to or greater than a second threshold. Item 17. A conversion device according to Item 16. 18. When the predetermined gap is recorded together with the DIF stream on the recording medium, the apparatus further comprises a gap detecting unit for detecting the gap, wherein the reproduction control unit is configured to store the gap in the DIF stream storage unit. When the accumulated amount of the DIF stream is equal to or greater than a second threshold and the gap is detected, the DI
18. The conversion device according to claim 17, wherein the reproduction device is controlled so as to stop reproduction of the F stream. 19. In a case where information for discriminating between the DIF stream and the gap is also recorded on the recording medium, the gap detecting means detects the gap based on the information. 19. The conversion device according to claim 18, wherein: 20. The playback device, wherein the playback device starts normal playback of the DIF stream when a storage amount of the DIF stream in the DIF stream storage unit becomes equal to or less than a first threshold. And controlling the playback device so as to start slow playback of the DIF stream when the accumulation amount of the DIF stream in the DIF stream storage unit becomes equal to or greater than a second threshold value. The conversion device according to claim 16, which performs the conversion. 21. When a predetermined gap is recorded together with the DIF stream on the recording medium, the recording medium further comprises a gap detection unit for detecting the gap, and the reproduction control unit stores the gap in the DIF stream storage unit. When the accumulated amount of the DIF stream is equal to or greater than a second threshold and the gap is detected, the DI
21. The conversion device according to claim 20, wherein the playback device is controlled so as to start slow playback of the F stream. 22. When information for discriminating between the DIF stream and the gap is also recorded on the recording medium, the gap detecting means detects the gap based on the information. 22. The conversion device according to claim 21, wherein: 23. The recording medium has recording position / identification information storage means for storing a recording position of the DIF stream and identification information for identifying the DIF stream. 17. The conversion device according to claim 16, wherein the reproduction device is caused to search for and reproduce the desired DIF stream based on the reproduction device. 24. When the DIF stream is recorded on a recording medium, and the recording medium further records the elapsed time since the recording of the DIF stream was started, 15. The conversion device according to claim 14, wherein a playback device that plays back the recording medium searches for and plays back the desired DIF stream. 25. A plurality of expansion means, conversion means, timing information detection means, and output means, and one DIF for each of the plurality of expansion means, conversion means, timing information detection means, and output means. Stream into a plurality of DIF streams,
The conversion device according to claim 14, further comprising a separation unit that supplies each IF stream. 26. A plurality of decompression means, conversion means, timing information detection means, and output means, and a plurality of transports obtained by the plurality of decompression means, conversion means, timing information detection means, and output means. The conversion device according to claim 14, further comprising a combining unit that combines the stream into one transport stream. 27. The conversion apparatus according to claim 14, wherein predetermined processing is performed in response to a command received from outside. 28. The DIF stream is recorded on a recording medium, and the reproduction apparatus transmits the DIF stream from the recording medium.
15. The conversion device according to claim 14, wherein when reproducing the IF stream, the reproduction device is controlled in response to a command received from outside. 29. The transport stream, to which timing information indicating the timing at which the transport stream was input is added, and the time axis is compressed, and the timing information is added and the time axis is compressed. Port stream to DIF (Digi
tal Interface) format DI
The DI obtained by converting to F stream
A method for converting an F stream into the transport stream, the method comprising extending the DIF stream on a time axis, converting the DIF stream into the transport stream, and converting the timing information from the transport stream. Detecting the transport stream at a timing corresponding to the timing information.