JP3634643B2 - Information recording medium and recording / reproducing apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in an information recording medium capable of recording video information in the form of digital data and reproducing the recorded digital data to extract the original video information. The present invention also relates to an improvement of a recording / reproducing apparatus that records video information in the form of digital data on an information recording medium and reproduces the video information from which the recorded digital data is read.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As is well known, in recent years, an optical disk reproducing apparatus for moving images that reproduces data such as video and audio from an optical disk has been developed. For example, movie software such as LD (laser disk) and video CD (compact disk) Widely used for the purpose of playing karaoke.
[0003]
Among them, the DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) standard using the internationally standardized MPEG (Moving Picture Image Coding Expert Group) 2 system and adopting AC (Digital Audio Compression) -3 and other audio compression systems is proposed. Has been.
[0004]
This DVD standard includes a read-only DVD video or DVD-ROM (read-only memory), a write-once DVD-R (recordable), a repetitive read / write DVD-RW (rewritable), or a DVD-RAM (random access memory). ) Etc. are included.
[0005]
The DVD video (DVD-ROM) standard supports MPEG-3 as a moving picture compression system and linear PCM (pulse code modulation) as an audio recording system in addition to AC-3 audio and MPEG audio according to the MPEG2 system layer. Yes.
[0006]
Furthermore, this DVD standard adds sub-picture data that is run-length-compressed bitmap data for subtitles, playback control control data (navigation data) including special playback such as data search by fast forward playback and fast reverse playback, etc. Configured.
[0007]
The DVD standard also supports ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9660 and Micro UDF (Universal Disc Format) so that data can be read by a personal computer, for example.
[0008]
By the way, the optical disk used for DVD video (DVD-ROM) is currently a single-sided single-layer disk having a diameter of 12 cm and has a storage capacity of about 4.7 GB (gigabytes). In addition, a single-sided dual-layer disc of the same diameter has a storage capacity of about 9.5 GB, and a double-sided dual-layer disc can record a large amount of about 18 GB (a laser beam having a wavelength of 650 nm was used for reading). If).
[0009]
On the other hand, an optical disk used for DVD-RW (DVD-RAM) is currently 12 cm in diameter, has a storage capacity of about 2.6 GB on one side, and has a capacity of 5.2 GB on both sides. Yes. That is, the DVD-RAM optical disk currently in practical use has a smaller storage capacity than the DVD-ROM disk of the same size.
[0010]
However, since the technical development for increasing the storage capacity of the DVD-RAM disk has been constantly carried out, in the near future, a DVD-RAM disk having a storage capacity of 4.7 GB or more on one side will be practically used. There is no doubt.
[0011]
Nonetheless, MPEG2 video files with high image quality have a large data size, so the above-mentioned current DVD-RAM disc (single-sided 2.6 GB disc or double-sided 5.2 GB disc) has a practical recordable time. This is not sufficient (about 1 hour for 2.6 GB disk and about 2 hours for 5.2 GB disk).
[0012]
That is, the current storage capacity of each DVD-RAM disk is not sufficient for the purpose of recording a moving image for a long time, and management for efficiently recording data is required. In addition, even if the storage capacity of the DVD-RAM disk increases in the future, the demand for long-time recording will increase accordingly, so data management for improving the recording efficiency is still necessary.
[0013]
As described above, in order to record data efficiently in a limited storage capacity, the remaining recording capacity (remaining amount) of the optical disk is small as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 9-330441. In such a case, a method has been proposed to cope with the problem by recording at a reduced data recording rate.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in MPEG video compression, if the data recording rate is simply lowered, block noise increases when the screen changes drastically, and a mosaic image is displayed. In particular, this mosaic-like image is a noise that is generally unfamiliar to general users, and thus tends to stand out, giving a more difficult-to-see feeling.
[0015]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and in order to improve the recording efficiency by making it possible to record information indicating the image quality of the recorded video information in the management area of the video information. An object of the present invention is to provide a very good information recording medium that can be used.
[0016]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an extremely good recording / reproducing apparatus capable of improving the recording efficiency by making it possible to record / reproduce information indicating the image quality together with video information with respect to the information recording medium. .
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An information recording medium according to the present invention includes: A data area in which video data divided into a plurality of video object units each composed of a plurality of cells that can be played back and managed by program chain information is recorded, and the video data recorded in this data area is recorded in video object units. In a recordable / reproducible information recording medium having a management area in which management data including video object information for management is recorded, the video object information recorded in the management area The image quality information is included.
[0018]
Moreover, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention provides A data area in which video data divided into a plurality of video object units each composed of a plurality of cells that can be played back and managed by program chain information is recorded, and the video data recorded in this data area is recorded in video object units. An information recording medium having a management area in which management data including video object information for management is recorded, and image quality information is included in the video object information recorded in the management area Recording and playback; playback means for playing back video data recorded in the data area Is provided.
[0022]
According to the above configuration, information indicating the image quality of the video data can be recorded and reproduced in the management area in which management data for managing the video data is recorded. The recording efficiency can be improved by effectively using.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. That is, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an optical disc 11 that can be recorded and reproduced. The optical disc 11 has a structure in which a pair of transparent substrates 13 each provided with a recording layer 12 are bonded via an adhesive layer 14.
[0024]
Each transparent substrate 13 can be made of a polycarbonate having a thickness of 0.6 mm. The adhesive layer 14 can be made of an ultra-thin (for example, 40 μm thick) ultraviolet curable resin. The pair of 0.6 mm thick transparent substrates 13 are bonded together so that the recording layers 12 face each other with the adhesive layer 14 interposed therebetween, thereby forming a 1.2 mm thick large capacity optical disk 11.
[0025]
The optical disc 11 is provided with a center hole 15, and a clamp area 16 for clamping the optical disc 11 is provided around the center hole 15 on both sides of the disc. Further, the spindle of the disk motor is inserted into the center hole 15 when the optical disk 11 is loaded in a disk drive (not shown).
[0026]
The optical disc 11 is clamped in a clamp area 16 so as to be rotatable by a disc clamper (not shown) and is driven to rotate by a disc motor.
[0027]
The optical disk 11 has an information area 17 in which video data, audio data, and other information can be recorded around the clamp area 16.
[0028]
A lead-out area 18 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the information area 17. A lead-in area 19 is provided on the inner peripheral side in contact with the clamp area 16. A data recording area 20 is defined between the lead-out area 18 and the lead-in area 19.
[0029]
In the recording layer (light reflecting layer) 12 of the information area 17, recording tracks are continuously formed, for example, in a spiral shape. This continuous track is divided into a plurality of physical sectors, and these sectors are given serial numbers. Various data are recorded on the optical disk 11 using this sector as a recording unit.
[0030]
The data recording area 20 is an actual data recording area. As recording / playback information, video data (main video data) such as movies, sub-video data such as subtitles / menus, and audio such as dialogue / sound effects. Data is recorded as similar pit rows (physical shapes or phase states that cause optical changes in the laser reflected light).
[0031]
When the optical disk 11 is a single-sided single-sided RAM disk, each recording layer 12 is composed of two zinc sulfide / silicon oxide mixtures (ZnS / SiO 2) and a phase change recording material layer (eg, Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5). It can be composed of three layers sandwiched.
[0032]
When the optical disk 11 is a single-sided, single-sided RAM disk, the recording layer 12 on the reading surface 21 side can be constituted by a triple layer including the above-described phase change recording material layer. In this case, the recording layer 12 disposed on the opposite side as viewed from the reading surface 21 does not need to be an information recording layer, and may be a simple dummy layer.
[0033]
When the optical disk 11 is a single-sided read type two-layer RAM / ROM disk, each of the two recording layers 17 includes one phase change recording layer (back side as viewed from the reading surface 21; for reading and writing) and one half. It can be composed of a transparent metal reflective layer (front side when viewed from the readout surface 21; only for reproduction).
[0034]
When the optical disk 11 is a write-once DVD-R, polycarbonate is used as the transparent substrate 13, gold is used as the reflective film (not shown), and ultraviolet curable resin is used as the protective film (not shown). In this case, an organic dye is used for the recording layer 12.
[0035]
As this organic dye, cyanine, squarylium, croconic, triphenylmentane dye, xanthene, quinone dye (naphthoquine, anthraquinone, etc.), metal complex dye (phthalocyanine, volphyrin, dithiol complex, etc.), etc. can be used. It is.
[0036]
Data writing to such a DVD-R disk can be performed, for example, using a semiconductor laser having a wavelength of 650 nm and an output of about 6 to 12 mW.
[0037]
When the optical disk 11 is a single-sided read type two-layer ROM disk, the two recording layers 12 are composed of one metal reflective layer (the back side as viewed from the readout surface 21) and one translucent metal reflective layer (the readout surface 21). It can be configured with the front side).
[0038]
In a read-only DVD-ROM disc, a pit row is formed in advance on the transparent substrate 13 with a stamper, and a reflective layer such as a metal is formed on the surface of the transparent substrate 13 on which the pit row is formed. 12 will be used. In such a DVD-ROM disc, a groove as a recording track is usually not provided, and a pit row formed on the surface of the transparent substrate 13 functions as a track.
[0039]
In the various optical disks 11 described above, read-only ROM information is recorded on the recording layer 12 as an emboss signal. On the other hand, the emboss signal is not engraved on the transparent substrate 13 having the recording layer 12 for reading and writing (or write-once), and a continuous groove is engraved instead. A phase change recording layer is provided in the groove. In the case of a read / write DVD-RAM disc, the phase change recording layer in the land portion is also used for information recording in addition to the groove.
[0040]
When the optical disk 11 is a single-sided reading type (whether the recording layer 12 has one or two recording layers), the transparent substrate 13 on the back side as viewed from the reading surface 21 does not need to be transparent to the read / write laser beam. Label printing may be performed on the entire surface of the transparent substrate 13 on the back side.
[0041]
A DVD digital video recorder to be described later is a repetitive recording / repetitive reproduction (read / write) with respect to a DVD-RAM disk (or a DVD-RW disk), a single recording / repetitive reproduction with respect to a DVD-R disk, and a repetitive reproduction with respect to a DVD-ROM disk. Reproduction is possible.
[0042]
FIG. 2 shows the correspondence between the data recording area 20 of the optical disk (DVD-RAM) 11 shown in FIG. 1 and the recording tracks of the data recorded therein. When the optical disk 11 is a DVD-RAM (or DVD-RW), the main body of the optical disk 11 is stored in the cartridge 22 in order to protect the delicate disk surface.
[0043]
When the DVD-RAM disk 11 is inserted into the disk drive of a later-described DVD digital video recorder together with the cartridge 22, the optical disk 11 is pulled out from the cartridge 22 and clamped on a turntable connected to a spindle motor (not shown). It is rotationally driven so as to face an optical head (not shown).
[0044]
On the other hand, when the optical disk 11 is a DVD-R or DVD-ROM, the main body of the optical disk 11 is not stored in the cartridge 22, and the bare optical disk 11 is directly set on the disk tray of the disk drive.
[0045]
In the recording layer 12 of the information area 17 shown in FIG. 1, data recording tracks are continuously formed in a spiral shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the continuous recording tracks are divided into a plurality of logical sectors (minimum recording units) each having a fixed storage capacity, and data is recorded on the basis of the logical sectors. The recording capacity of one logical sector is determined to be 2048 bytes (2 kbytes) which is the same as one pack data length described later.
[0046]
The data recording area 20 is an actual data recording area in which management data, main video (video) data, sub-video data, and audio (audio) data are similarly recorded.
[0047]
Although not shown, the data recording area 20 of the optical disc 11 shown in FIG. 2 can be divided into a plurality of recording areas (a plurality of recording zones) in a ring shape (annular ring shape). Although the angular velocity of disk rotation differs for each recording zone, the linear velocity or angular velocity can be made constant in each zone.
[0048]
In this case, a spare recording area (free space) can be provided for each zone. The free space for each zone can be collected and used as a reserved area for the optical disk 11. The storage capacity (reserved capacity) of this reserved area can be used in automatic image quality setting processing to be described later.
[0049]
FIG. 3 shows a hierarchical structure of information recorded on the optical disc 11 shown in FIG. The logical format of this hierarchical structure is defined based on, for example, ISO9660 and UDF bridge, which are one of standards.
[0050]
A data recording area 20 between the lead-in area 19 and the lead-out area 18 is allocated as a volume space 23. This volume space 23 is a space for volume and file structure information (volume / file structure area 24), a space for DVD standard applications (DVD video area 25), and a space for non-standard applications. Space (other recording area 26).
[0051]
The volume space 23 is physically divided into a large number of sectors, and these physical sectors are assigned serial numbers. The logical address of the data recorded in the volume space (data recording area 20) 23 means a logical sector number as defined by ISO9660 and UDF bridge. The logical sector size here is 2048 bytes (2 kbytes), similarly to the effective data size of the physical sector. The logical sector number is added with a serial number corresponding to the ascending order of the physical sector number.
[0052]
Unlike the logical sector, redundant information such as error correction information is added to the physical sector. For this reason, the physical sector size does not strictly match the logical sector size.
[0053]
That is, the volume space 23 has a hierarchical structure, and includes a volume / file structure area 24, a DVD video area 25 including one or more video title sets VTS 27, and another recording area 26. These areas are partitioned on logical sector boundaries. Here, one logical sector is defined as 2048 bytes, and one logical block is also defined as 2048 bytes. Therefore, one logical sector is defined as equivalent to one logical block.
[0054]
The volume / file structure area 24 corresponds to a management area defined for ISO9660 and UDF bridge. Based on the description of the volume / file structure area 24, the contents of the video manager VMG are stored in a system memory (not shown) inside the DVD digital video recorder described later.
[0055]
In FIG. 3, the video manager VMG is composed of a plurality of files 28. In this file 28, information (video manager information VMGI, video manager menu video object set VMGM_VOBS, video manager information backup file VMGI_BUP) for managing the video title sets VTS # 1 to # n27 is described.
[0056]
Each video title set VTS 27 includes video data compressed according to the MPEG standard (video pack described later), audio data compressed or uncompressed according to a predetermined standard (audio pack described later), and run-length compressed sub-picture data. (Sub-picture pack to be described later; including bitmap data in which one pixel is defined by a plurality of bits) and information for reproducing these data (Navigation pack to be described later; including presentation control information PCI and data search information DSI) ) Is stored.
[0057]
Similarly to the video manager VMG, the video title set VTS 27 includes a plurality of files 29. This file 29 includes video title set information VTSI, video title set menu object set VTSM_VOBS, video title set title video object set VTSTT_VOBS, and video title set information backup file VTSI_BUP.
[0058]
Here, the number of video title sets VTS # 1 to # n27 is limited to a maximum of 99, and the number of files 29 constituting each video title set VTS27 is determined to be a maximum of 12. These 28 and 29 are similarly divided at the boundary of the logical sector.
[0059]
In the other recording area 26, information that can be used in the video title set VTS 27 described above or other information that is not related to the video title set VTS can be recorded. The other recording area 26 is not essential and may be deleted if not used.
[0060]
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, the video object set VTSTT_VOBS for the video title set title defines a set of one or more video objects VOB. Each video object VOB defines a collection of one or more cells. A group of one or more cells constitutes a program chain PGC.
[0061]
If one program chain PGC is compared to one drama, a plurality of cells constituting the program chain PGC can be interpreted as corresponding to various scenes in the drama. The contents of the program chain PGC (or the contents of the cell) are determined by, for example, a software provider that produces the content recorded on the light disc 11.
[0062]
FIG. 4 illustrates a directory structure of information (data file) recorded on the optical disc 11. Similar to the hierarchical file structure adopted by the general-purpose operating system of the computer, a subdirectory of the video title set VTS and a subdirectory of the audio title set ATS are connected under the root directory.
[0063]
Various video files (files such as VMGI, VMGM, VTSI, VTSM, VTS, etc.) are arranged in the subdirectory of the video title set VTS, and each file is managed in an orderly manner. A specific file (for example, a specific VTS) can be accessed by specifying a path from the root directory to the file.
[0064]
A DVD-RAM (DVD-RW) disc or DVD-R disc as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 is preformatted so as to have the directory structure of FIG. It can be marketed as an unused disk (raw disk) for recording.
[0065]
That is, the root directory of the preformatted raw disc 11 includes a subdirectory called a video title set VTS. This subdirectory includes various management data files (VIDEO_TS.IFO, VTS_01_0.IFO), backup files (VIDEO_TS.BUP, VTS_01_0.BUP) for backing up the information of these management data files, and description contents of the management data files. And a video data file (VTS — 01 — 1.VOB) for storing digital moving image information.
[0066]
Further, the subdirectory may include menu data files (VMGM, VTSM) for storing predetermined menu information.
[0067]
FIG. 5 shows a hierarchical structure of information included in the video object set VTSTT_VOBS shown in FIG. Each cell is composed of one or more video object units VOBU30. Each video object unit VOBU 30 is an aggregate of a video pack (V pack) 32, a sub-picture pack (SP pack) 33, and an audio pack (A pack) 34 starting from the navigation pack (NV pack) 31 ( Pack).
[0068]
That is, the video object unit VOBU 30 is defined as a collection of all packs recorded from one navigation pack 31 to immediately before the next navigation pack 31. These packs are a minimum unit when performing data transfer processing. The minimum unit for performing logical processing is a cell, and logical processing is performed in this cell unit.
[0069]
The navigation pack 31 is incorporated in the video object unit VOBU 30 so that any angle change (non-seamless reproduction and seamless reproduction) can be realized.
[0070]
The playback time of the video object unit VOBU30 corresponds to the playback time of video data composed of one or more video groups [GOP (group of pictures)] included in the video object unit VOBU30. It is determined within the range of 4 seconds to 1.2 seconds. 1 GOP is screen data compressed in such a way as to reproduce approximately 15 images during the period of about 0.5 seconds in the MPEG standard.
[0071]
When the video object unit VOBU 30 includes video data, a GOP (MPEG standard compliant) composed of a video pack 32, a sub-picture pack 33, and an audio pack 34 is arranged to form a video data stream. However, regardless of the number of GOPs, the video object unit VOBU30 is determined based on the GOP playback time, and the navigation pack 31 is always arranged at the top thereof as shown in FIG.
[0072]
Even in the reproduction data of only audio and / or sub-picture data, the reproduction data is configured with the video object unit VOBU30 as one unit. For example, when the video object unit VOBU 30 is composed of only the audio pack 34 with the navigation pack 31 at the top, as in the case of the video object VOB of the video data, within the playback time of the video object unit VOBU 30 to which the audio data belongs. The audio pack 34 to be played is stored in the video object unit VOBU30.
[0073]
Incidentally, in a DVD digital video recorder capable of recording a video title set VTS including the video object set VOBS 36 having the structure shown in FIG. 5 on the optical disc 11, there is a case where it is desired to edit the recorded contents after recording the video title set VTS. In order to respond to this request, a dummy pack 35 can be appropriately inserted into each video object unit VOBU30. This dummy pack 35 can be used when recording editing data later.
[0074]
As shown in FIG. 5, the video object set VOBS (VTSTT_VOBS) 36 is defined as a set of one or more video objects VOB 37. The video object VOB 37 in the video object set VOBS 36 is used for the same purpose.
[0075]
The menu video object set VOBS 36 is usually composed of one video object VOB 37, in which a plurality of menu screen display data are stored. On the other hand, the video object set VOBS 36 for the title set is usually composed of a plurality of video objects VOB37.
[0076]
Here, the video object VOB 37 constituting the video object set VTSTT_VOBS 36 for the title set can be considered to correspond to video data of the performance of a certain band, taking a concert video as an example. In this case, by designating the video object VOB37, for example, the third piece of the concert performance piece of the band can be reproduced.
[0077]
The video object VOB 37 constituting the menu video object set VTSM_VOBS stores the menu data of all the concert performance songs of the band, and reproduces a specific song, for example, an encore performance song, according to the display of the menu. Can do.
[0078]
In a normal video program, one video object VOB 37 can constitute one video object set VOBS 36. In this case, one video stream is completed with one video object VOB37.
[0079]
On the other hand, for example, in the case of an animation collection of a plurality of stories or an omnibus movie, a plurality of video streams (a plurality of program chains PGC) can be provided in one video object set VOBS 36 corresponding to each story. In this case, each video stream is stored in the corresponding video object VOB 37. At that time, an audio stream and a sub-picture stream associated with each video stream are also completed in each video object VOB 37.
[0080]
The video object VOB 37 is given an identification number (IDN # j; j = 0 to j), and the video object VOB 37 can be specified by this identification number. The video object VOB 37 is composed of one or a plurality of cells 38. A normal video stream is composed of a plurality of cells, but a menu video stream may be composed of a single cell 38. Each cell 38 is assigned an identification number (C_IDN # i; i = 0 to i) as in the case of the video object VOB 37.
[0081]
FIG. 6 shows the contents of the video title set VTS 27 shown in FIG. The video title set VTS 27 is composed of a plurality of files 29 as in the video manager VMG. Each file 29 includes video title set information VTSI, video title set menu object set VTSM_VOBS, video title set title video object set VTSTT_VOBS (up to 9 files), and video title set information backup file VTSI_BUP.
[0082]
As shown in FIG. 6, the video title set information VTSI arranged at the head of the video title set VTS 27 includes a video title set information management table VTSI_MAT (required) and a part of title of the video title set (for example, a chapter of a program). Title search pointer table VTS_PTT_SRPT (required) for video title set, program chain information table VTS_PGCIT (required) for video title set, program chain information unit table VTSM_PGCI_UT for video title set menu (required when VTSM_VOBS is present), video Title set time map table VTS_TMAPT (option) and cell address table VT for video title set menu M_C_ADT (required when the above VTSM_VOBS exists), video object unit address map VTSM_VOBU_ADMAP for video title set menu (required when the above VTSM_VOBS exists), video title set cell address table VTS_C_ADT (required), video title A set video object unit address map VTS_VOBU_ADMAP (required) is described in this order.
[0083]
FIG. 7 shows the contents of the video title set program chain information table VTS_PGCIT shown in FIG. The video title set program chain information table VTS_PGCIT includes video title set program chain information table information VTS_PGCITI, video title set program chain information search pointers VTS_PGCI_SRP # 1 to VTS_PGCI_SRP # n, and video title set program chain information VTS_PGCI. include.
[0084]
Note that the order of a plurality of video title set program chain information VTS_PGCI is set regardless of the order of the plurality of video title set program chain information search pointers VTS_PGCI_SRP # 1 to VTS_PGCI_SRP # n. Therefore, for example, the same program chain information VTS_PGCI can be indicated by one or more program chain information search pointers VTS_PGCI_SRP.
[0085]
FIG. 8 shows the contents of the video title set program chain information VTS_PGCI shown in FIG. That is, the program chain information PGCI includes program chain general information PGC_GI (required), a program chain command table PGC_CMDT (optional), a program chain program map PGC_PGMAP (required when the next C_PBIT exists), a cell playback information table C_PBIT (optional) and a cell location information table C_POSIT (essential when C_PBIT is present).
[0086]
FIG. 9 shows the contents of the cell playback information table C_PBIT. The cell reproduction information table C_PBIT has a configuration as shown in FIG. 9 and includes a maximum of 255 cell reproduction information C_PBI # n (n = 1 to 255).
[0087]
FIG. 10 shows the contents of the cell playback information C_PBI # n. Each cell playback information C_PBI # n includes a cell category C_CAT (4 bytes), a cell playback time C_PBTM (4 bytes), a start address C_FVOBU_SA (4 bytes) of the first video object unit VOBU in the cell, End address C_FILVU_EA (4 bytes) of the first interleaved unit ILVU, start address C_LVOBU_SA (4 bytes) of the last video object unit VOBU in the cell, end address C_LVOBU_EA (4 bytes) of the last video object unit VOBU in the cell ) And an image quality mode flag (1 byte).
[0088]
This image quality mode flag indicates the image quality in the cell unit. When the lower 4 bits are 0, it indicates that the resolution is 720 horizontal pixels × vertical 525 lines, and when the lower 4 bits are 1, horizontal 640 pixels × vertical 480. When the lower 4 bits are 2, it indicates that the resolution is 320 horizontal pixels × vertical 240 lines.
[0089]
The image quality mode flag indicates that 60 interlaces are set when the upper 4 bits are 0, and 30 progressives when the upper 4 bits are 1. Therefore, by reproducing the image quality mode flag, it becomes possible to display the resolution for each cell to the user.
[0090]
FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the above-described DVD digital video recorder. This DVD digital video recorder mainly performs these operations: a disk drive unit 39 that rotates and drives the optical disk 11 to read and write information; an encoder 40 that configures the recording side; and a decoder 41 that configures the playback side. And a microcomputer block 42 to be controlled.
[0091]
The encoder 40 includes an A / D (analog / digital) converter 43, a video encoder (V encoder) 44, an audio encoder (A encoder) 45, a sub-picture encoder (SP encoder) 46, a formatter 47, And a buffer memory 48.
[0092]
The A / D converter 43 receives an external analog video signal + external analog audio signal from the A / V input unit 49 or an analog TV signal + analog audio signal from the TV tuner 50. The A / D converter 43 digitizes the input analog video signal with, for example, a sampling frequency of 13.5 MHz and a quantization bit number of 8 bits. That is, each of the luminance component Y, the color difference component Cr (or YR), and the color difference component Cb (or YB) is quantized with 8 bits (Y, Cr, Cb is 4: 2: 2).
[0093]
Similarly, the A / D converter 43 digitizes the input analog audio signal with, for example, a sampling frequency of 48 kHz and a quantization bit number of 16 bits.
[0094]
When an analog video signal and a digital audio signal are input to the A / D converter 43, the A / D converter 43 allows the digital audio signal to pass through. The content of the digital audio signal is not altered, and processing for reducing only the jitter accompanying the digital signal or processing for changing the sampling rate and the number of quantization bits may be performed.
[0095]
On the other hand, when a digital video signal and a digital audio signal are input to the A / D converter 43, the A / D converter 43 allows the digital video signal and the digital audio signal to pass through. For these digital signals, jitter reduction processing, sampling rate change processing, and the like may be performed without changing the contents.
[0096]
The digital video signal component from the A / D converter 43 is sent to the formatter 47 via the video encoder (V encoder) 44. The digital audio signal component from the A / D converter 43 is sent to the formatter 47 via the audio encoder (A encoder) 45.
[0097]
The V encoder 44 has a function of converting an input digital video signal into a digital signal compressed at a variable bit rate based on the MPEG2 or MPEG1 standard.
[0098]
The A encoder 45 has a function of converting the input digital audio signal into a digital signal (or linear PCM digital signal) compressed at a fixed bit rate based on the MPEG or AC-3 standard.
[0099]
When a DVD video signal having a data structure as shown in FIG. 5 is input from the A / V input unit 49 (for example, a signal from a DVD video player with an independent output terminal for a sub-video signal), or such a data structure. When the DVD video signal is broadcast and received by the TV tuner 50, the sub video signal component (sub video pack) in the DVD video signal is input to the sub video encoder (SP encoder) 46. The sub-picture data input to the SP encoder 46 is arranged in a predetermined signal form and sent to the formatter 47.
[0100]
The formatter 47 performs predetermined signal processing on the input video signal, audio signal, sub-picture signal, etc. while using the buffer memory 48 as a work area. The format (file structure) as described in FIG. ) Is output to the data processor 51.
[0101]
Here, a standard encoding process for creating the recording data will be briefly described. That is, when the encoding process is started in the encoder 40 of FIG. 11, parameters necessary for encoding video (main video) data and audio data are set. Next, the main video data is pre-encoded using the set parameters, and the optimal code amount distribution for the set average transfer rate (recording rate) is calculated. Based on the code amount distribution obtained by the pre-encoding in this way, the main video is encoded. At this time, audio data is also encoded at the same time.
[0102]
As a result of pre-encoding, if the amount of data compression is insufficient (when the desired video program does not fit on the optical disk 11 to be recorded), if there is an opportunity to pre-encode again (for example, the recording source is videotape or video) If the source is a reproducible source such as a disc, the main video data is partially re-encoded and the re-encoded main video data is replaced with the previously pre-encoded main video data portion. Through such a series of processes, the main video data and the audio data are encoded, and the average bit rate required for recording is greatly reduced.
[0103]
Similarly, parameters necessary for encoding sub-picture data are set, and encoded sub-picture data is created.
[0104]
The main video data, audio data, and sub-video data encoded as described above are combined and converted into the structure of the video title set VTS.
[0105]
That is, a cell as a minimum unit of main video data (video data) is set, and cell reproduction information C_PBI as shown in FIG. 10 is created. Next, the configuration of the cells that make up the program chain as shown in FIG. 3, the attributes of the main video, sub-video, audio, etc. are set (some attribute information is used when encoding each data). The obtained information is used), and an information management table (such as VMGI in FIG. 3) including various information is created.
[0106]
The encoded main video data, audio data, and sub-video data are subdivided into packs of a certain size (2048 bytes) as shown in FIG. A dummy pack is appropriately inserted into these packs. Note that time stamps such as PTS (presentation time stamp) and DTS (decode time stamp) are appropriately described in packs other than dummy packs. For the sub-picture PTS, a time arbitrarily delayed from the PTS of the main picture data or audio data in the same reproduction time zone can be described.
[0107]
Each data cell is arranged while the navigation pack 31 is arranged at the head of each VOBU 30 so that the data can be reproduced in the order of the time code of each data, and a VOB 37 constituted by a plurality of cells as shown in FIG. Is configured. A VOBS 36 in which one or more VOBs 37 are collected is formatted into the structure of the VTS 27 in FIG.
[0108]
When the DVD playback signal is digitally copied from the DVD digital video player, the contents of the cell, program chain, management table, time stamp, etc. are determined from the beginning, so that it is not necessary to create them again. However, in order to configure a DVD digital video recorder so that a DVD playback signal can be digitally copied, an electronic watermark or other copyright protection means must be provided.
[0109]
A disk drive unit 39 that reads and writes (records and / or plays) information with respect to the optical disk 11 includes the data processor 51, the disk changer unit 52, the disk drive 53, the temporary storage unit 54, and the STC ( System time counter or system time clock) 55.
[0110]
The temporary storage unit 54 buffers a certain amount of data (data output from the encoder 40) written to the optical disk 11 via the disk drive 53, or is reproduced from the optical disk 11 via the disk drive 53. It is used to buffer a certain amount of the data (data input to the decoder 41).
[0111]
For example, when the temporary storage unit 54 is configured by a 4 Mbyte semiconductor memory (DRAM), it is possible to buffer recording or reproduction data for about 8 seconds at an average recording rate of 4 Mbps. Further, when the temporary storage unit 54 is composed of a 16 Mbyte EEPROM (flash memory), it is possible to buffer recording or reproduction data of about 30 seconds at an average recording rate of 4 Mbps. Further, when the temporary storage unit 54 is constituted by a 100 Mbyte ultra-small HDD (hard disk), it is possible to buffer recording or reproduction data for 3 minutes or more at an average recording rate of 4 Mbps.
[0112]
The temporary storage unit 54 can be used to temporarily store recording information until the optical disk 11 is replaced with a new disk when the optical disk 11 is used up during recording.
[0113]
The temporary storage unit 54 can also be used to temporarily store data read out from the normal drive within a predetermined time when a high-speed drive (double speed or higher) is adopted as the disk drive 53. . If the read data at the time of reproduction is buffered in the temporary storage unit 54, even if an optical head (not shown) causes a read error due to vibration shock or the like, the reproduction data buffered in the temporary storage unit 54 is switched and used. As a result, it is possible to prevent the playback video from being interrupted.
[0114]
Although not shown in FIG. 11, if an external card slot is provided in the DVD digital video recorder, the EEPROM can be sold separately as an optional IC card. If the DVD digital video recorder is provided with an external drive slot or a SCSI interface, the HDD can also be sold as an optional expansion drive.
[0115]
The data processor 51 in FIG. 11 supplies the DVD recording data from the encoder 40 to the disk drive 53 according to the control of the microcomputer block 42, takes out the DVD reproduction signal reproduced from the optical disk 11 from the disk drive 53, Management information (such as VMGI in FIG. 3) recorded on the optical disk 11 is rewritten, and data (file or VTS) recorded on the optical disk 11 is deleted.
[0116]
The microcomputer block 42 includes an MPU (or CPU), a ROM in which a control program and the like are written, and a RAM that provides a work area necessary for program execution.
[0117]
The MPU of the microcomputer block 42 uses the RAM as a work area in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM, and uses free space detection, remaining capacity detection, file organization, recording capacity detection, remaining time detection, and display described later. Start time detection, recording mode change (image quality mode change instruction) and other processes are executed.
[0118]
Among the execution results of the MPU, contents to be notified to the user of the DVD digital video recorder are displayed on the display unit 56 of the DVD digital video recorder, or displayed on a monitor display (not shown).
[0119]
Note that the timing at which the microcomputer block 42 controls the data processor 51, the disk changer unit 52, the disk drive 53, the encoder 40, and / or the decoder 41 can be executed based on the time data from the STC 55. The recording / playback operation is normally executed in synchronization with the time clock from the STC 55, but other processing may be executed at a timing independent of the STC 55.
[0120]
The decoder 41 includes a separator 57 that separates and extracts each pack from DVD reproduction data having a pack structure as shown in FIG. 5, a memory 58 that is used when performing pack separation and other signal processing, and a separator 57. A video decoder (V decoder) 59 that decodes the separated main video data (contents of the video pack 32 in FIG. 5) and sub-video data (contents of the sub-video pack 33 in FIG. 5) separated by the separator 57 are decoded. A sub-picture decoder (SP decoder) 60, an audio decoder (A decoder) 61 that decodes the audio data (the contents of the audio pack 34 in FIG. 5) separated by the separator 57, and an SP for the video data from the V decoder 59. The sub-picture data from the decoder 60 is appropriately combined, and the menu and highlight buttons are added to the main picture. From a video processor 62 that superimposes and outputs sub-pictures such as subtitles and subtitles, a video D / A (digital / analog) converter 63 that converts a digital video output from the video processor 62 into an analog video signal, and an A decoder 61 And an audio D / A converter 64 for converting the digital audio output into an analog audio signal.
[0121]
An analog video signal from the video D / A converter 63 and an analog audio signal from the audio D / A converter 64 are sent via an A / V output unit 65 to external components (not shown) (multiple channels of 2 to 6 channels). Stereo device + monitor TV or projector).
[0122]
The OSD data output from the microcomputer block 42 is input to the separator 57 of the decoder 41, passes through the V decoder 59 (and is not specifically decoded), and is input to the video processor 62. Then, this OSD data is superimposed on the main video and supplied to the external monitor TV connected to the A / V output unit 65. As a result, a warning text or the like is displayed together with the main video.
[0123]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the reproduction operation of the DVD digital video recorder shown in FIG. First, the flow of a video signal during reproduction in the DVD digital video recorder will be briefly described.
[0124]
First, when the microcomputer block 30 receives a reproduction command by a user's remote control operation or the like, the microcomputer block 30 reads the management area of the optical disk 11 from the disk drive 53 via the data processor 51 and determines the address of the data to be reproduced.
[0125]
Next, the microcomputer block 30 sends to the disk drive 53 the address of the data to be reproduced and the read command determined earlier. The disk drive 53 reads sector data from the optical disk 11 in accordance with the received command. The read sector data is error-corrected by the data processor 51 and then sent to the decoder 41 in the form of packed data.
[0126]
Inside the decoder 41, the separator 57 receives the input pack data. The separator 57 packetizes the received pack data, and according to the type of each pack data, the video packet data (MPEG video data) is transferred to the V decoder 59, the audio packet data is transferred to the A decoder 61, The video packet data is transferred to the SP decoder 60.
[0127]
The navigation pack data is stored in the internal memory (RAM) of the microcomputer block 42. This allows the microcomputer block 42 to access the contents of the navigation pack in this internal memory at any time.
[0128]
At the start of transfer of each packet data sent from the separator 57, the presentation time stamp PTS is loaded into the STC 55. Specifically, the presentation time stamp PTS in the navigation pack is set by the microcomputer block 42 in the STC 55, or the V decoder 59 automatically sets the presentation time stamp PTS of the video data in the STC 55.
[0129]
Thereafter, each of the decoders 59, 60, 61 performs reproduction processing in synchronization with the value of the presentation time stamp PTS in the packet data (that is, comparing the presentation time stamp PTS with the count value of the STC 55), and performs A / V For example, a moving image with audio subtitles is supplied to the external monitor TV via the output unit 65.
[0130]
When a DVD-RW disc, for example, is set in the DVD digital video recorder that performs the above-described reproducing operation, first, recorded data is read from the lead-in. If the optical disc is not a DVD disc (NG in step S11), the DVD digital video recorder performs error processing (step S12) and stops reproduction. As this error processing, for example, there is a display output such as “This disc cannot be played”.
[0131]
If there is no error in the read data, or even if an error occurs, the error correction is successful and the read-in data can be recognized by the DVD digital video recorder (OK in step S11). The video recorder reads the management data VMGI (step S13).
[0132]
Then, one or more title sets recorded on the set optical disc 11 are displayed in a menu format on a TV monitor (not shown). The user who sees this menu selects a desired title set by remote control operation or the like, and determines the title set (step S14).
[0133]
When the title set to be reproduced is determined in this way, the microcomputer block 42 reads the information VTSI of the selected video title set VTS from the set optical disk 11. Then, the microcomputer block 42 stores the program chain information PGCI in the read video title set information VTSI in the RAM work area inside the microcomputer block 42 (step S15).
[0134]
When the title set determined as described above includes a plurality of titles (or a plurality of chapters), the user selects a title (chapter) to be played back by remote control operation from the menu. (Step S16). Thus, the program number and cell number (for example, PGC # 1 and C_IDN # 1 in FIG. 3) of the title to be reproduced are determined (step S17).
[0135]
Subsequently, the microcomputer block 42 refers to the program chain information PGCI stored in its own RAM, and sets the V decoder 59, the SP decoder 60, and the A decoder 61 in correspondence with the initial setting described later at the time of recording. Initial setting is performed (step S18).
[0136]
After the above initial setting is completed, a pre-processing command is executed (step S19), and then a cell reproduction process is executed (step S20). By this cell reproduction process, for example, the cells constituting the program chain PGC # 1 shown in FIG. 3 are reproduced in order.
[0137]
In the cell reproduction process, if the final cell has not been reached (NO in step S21), cell reproduction proceeds while counting up a cell number counter (not shown) every time reproduction of one cell is completed (step S22). (Loop of steps S20 to S22).
[0138]
In the cell reproduction process described above, when the final cell is reached (YES in step S21), the microcomputer block 42 performs still processing (for example, one screen of the final cell of the program chain PGC) of the program chain PGC # 1 just reproduced. Is performed for a predetermined time) (step S23).
[0139]
When the above-described still time has elapsed, the microcomputer block 42 executes a predetermined post-processing command process (step S24). If the reproduction is not yet finished (NO in step S25), the microcomputer block 42 returns to step S19.
[0140]
Further, after the above-described still time has elapsed and the post-processing command process has been executed (step S24), if the reproduction is terminated (YES in step S25), the microcomputer block 42 performs the reproduction termination process (disk drive 53). A stop command is issued and a display such as “STOP” is displayed on the display unit 56) (step S26), and the reproduction process is terminated.
[0141]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the process (step S20) during cell playback in FIG. That is, when cell playback is started (YES in step S27), the microcomputer block 42 determines a playback start address based on the contents of the program chain information PGCI (step S28). Thereafter, the microcomputer block 42 sets a data read command to the disk drive 53 (step S29).
[0142]
When cell playback is not started (NO in step S27) and the video object units VOBU are not continuous (NO in step S30), the processes in steps S28 and S29 are executed. When the cell playback is not started (NO in step S27) and the video object units VOBU are continuous (YES in step S30), the processes in steps S28 and S29 are skipped.
[0143]
Subsequent to the above processing, the microcomputer block 42 reads the image quality mode flag of the cell reproduction information C_PBI (FIG. 10) and displays the image quality mode of the cell as described later (step S31).
[0144]
Next, the microcomputer block 42 fetches the top navigation pack 31 (FIG. 5) of each video object unit VOBU (step S32), and executes the setting of synchronization information and the like (step S33).
[0145]
Further, the microcomputer block 42 executes processing of a PCI (reproduction control information) packet in the navigation pack 31 (step S34). The PCI packet includes PCI, and the PCI includes general PCI information GI_GI. In step S34, the microcomputer block 42 executes a highlight process using the highlight information HLI in the PCI, and executes an operation for prohibiting a specific user operation using the user control information VOBU_UOP_CTL in the PCI_GI.
[0146]
Here, as the highlighting process, for example, a sub-picture frame surrounding a selectable item displayed on the menu is highlighted with a color such as green, and when the user decides to select the item, the color is changed to red. There is.
[0147]
The user operation prohibiting operation includes, for example, a process of prohibiting an angle switching operation by the user's remote controller and displaying a mark indicating that the operation cannot be performed on the monitor TV.
[0148]
When the processing of step S34 is completed, the microcomputer block 42 checks whether the video object unit is a VOBU still (step S35).
[0149]
When performing the video object unit VOBU still (this corresponds to, for example, the case where the cell playback mode included in the cell category C_CAT of the cell playback information C_PBI of the program chain information PGCI is “1”) (YES in step S35), The computer block 42 waits until the reproduction of the video object unit VOBU is completed (step S36). Since the playback time of one video object unit VOBU is about 0.4 to 1.2 seconds, this waiting time is not very long.
[0150]
When the reproduction of the video object unit VOBU is completed, the video object unit VOBU still process is executed at the end of the reproduction (step S37). For example, the frame that appears at the end of the video object unit VOBU is still reproduced. This still reproduction is continued until the user presses the reproduction key of the remote controller or the DVD digital video recorder.
[0151]
On the other hand, if the video object unit VOBU still is not performed (NO in step S35), the microcomputer block 42 checks whether it is the last cell including the video object unit VOBU (step S38).
[0152]
If it is not the end of the cell (NO in step S38), the process returns to step S32, the navigation pack 31 of the next video object unit VOBU is taken in, and the processes in steps S32 to S38 are repeated. If it is the end of the cell (YES in step S38), the process waits until the reproduction of the video object unit VOBU at that time ends (step S39).
[0153]
Thereafter, the cell still process is executed, and the frame appearing at the end of the cell is still reproduced until the time set by the cell still time included in the cell category C_CAT of the cell reproduction information C_PBI of the program chain information PGCI elapses (step). S40). Then, after this cell still reproduction is completed, the processing is returned to FIG.
[0154]
Here, as the display method of the image quality mode in the above-described step S31, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, a method of displaying on the TV screen as “high resolution mode”, or as shown in FIG. A method may be considered in which the front panel 66 of the digital video recorder is provided with three LEDs (light emitting diodes) 67 showing high, medium and low image quality, and these three LEDs 67 are selectively displayed.
[0155]
FIG. 16 shows a flowchart for explaining an example of the recording operation of the DVD digital video recorder shown in FIG. First, when receiving a recording command from a remote controller or timer reservation program, the microcomputer block 42 reads management data (VMGI) of the optical disk 11 set therein from the disk drive 53 (step S41).
[0156]
It is determined from the free space information in the read management data whether the set optical disk 11 has free space (step S42). When the content of the free space information is zero or substantially zero (the state where the disc becomes full within a few seconds even after recording is started) (NO in step S42), the monitor TV screen (not shown) displays “There is no recording space. Is output (step S43). At this time, a display having the same meaning as “no recording space” may be displayed on the display unit 56 of the DVD digital video recorder.
[0157]
When there is free space, for example, when the free space information indicates 150 Mbytes or more corresponding to a recording time of about 5 minutes in MPEG2 recording with an average of 4 Mbps, the process proceeds to the next process. In this case (YES in step S42), the write address (the leading position of the empty space) to the set optical disk 11 is determined, and the optical disk 11 is stored in the register “FreeAr” provided in the RAM of the microcomputer block 42. The free capacity value corresponding to the free capacity information read from the management data is written (step S44).
[0158]
Here, the “free capacity value” written in the register “FreeAr” is 2048 bytes, which is the size of one logical sector shown in FIG. 2 or one pack shown in FIG. 5, as one unit of recording. It is a representation.
[0159]
If the optical disk 11 is configured to record data in a normal file format, employs the file allocation table FAT for managing the recorded contents, and does not have the free space information as described above, the file allocation table FAT is used. Alternatively, the number of unused clusters (number of unused blocks) may be read out from this and multiplied by the number of bytes in one cluster (one block) to calculate the free capacity of the disk.
[0160]
Next, writing is performed in the management area of the set optical disk 11 (step S45). For example, a video title set VTS corresponding to a program to be recorded is registered in the video manager information VMGI, and a file related to the video title set VTS is created.
[0161]
Specifically, in step S45, if it is the first recording for the optical disc 11, the video title set VTS # 1 shown in FIG. 3 is registered, and the related file (video title set VTS directory shown in FIG. 4) is registered. Each file reference) is created. If the video title set VTS # 1 has already been recorded on the optical disc 11 and there is a free space remaining on the optical disc 11, registration of the video title set VTS # 2 and creation of the related file are performed in step S45. .
[0162]
Next, the above-mentioned initial setting for recording is made (step S46). In this initial setting for recording, initialization of each encoder 44, 45, 46 (setting of the average transfer rate of the V encoder 44, that is, setting of the average recording rate, etc.), reset of the STC 55, setting of the write start address to the disk drive 53, formatter 47 initialization (dummy pack insertion setting, cell delimiter time setting, etc.) and others are performed.
[0163]
When the initial setting for recording (step S46) is completed, the setting for starting recording is performed (step S47). As a result, a recording start command is sent from the microcomputer block 42 to each of the encoders 44, 45, 46 in the encoder 40, and recording in the free area of the optical disk 11 set in the disk drive 53 is started.
[0164]
Thereafter, when there is a recording end input (when the user gives an instruction to end recording or the timer reservation program issues a recording end command) (YES in step S48), the recording end process (step S49) is executed to perform the recording process. Ends.
[0165]
Here, in the recording end process of step S49, initialization of each encoder 44, 45, 46 (returning the recording rate to the default setting value, etc.), initialization of the formatter 47 (returning various settings to the default state, etc.), Writing related to video manager information (such as updating the contents of free space information) and writing related to video title set information (such as updating the contents of program chain information PGCI) are included.
[0166]
If there is no recording end input (NO in step S48) and recording is continuing, the remaining capacity calculation processing of the optical disk 11 being recorded is executed in parallel with the recording operation (step S50). When the remaining capacity of the optical disk 11 calculated in the process of step S50 falls below a predetermined value (YES in step S51; “1” is set in a minimum capacity flag described later), the process when the remaining capacity is reduced Is executed (step S52).
[0167]
As a result of the processing in step S52, when there is no more recordable capacity (the remaining recording time is zero) on the optical disk 11 being recorded (YES in step S53), the recording in step S49 described above is completed. Processing is executed.
[0168]
As a result of the processing in step S52, if there is still a recordable capacity on the optical disk 11 being recorded (NO in step S53), is there a recording end input (YES in step S48), or until there is no remaining capacity ( YES in step S51 and YES in step S53), the loop of steps S48 and S50 to S53 is repeatedly executed.
[0169]
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining processing procedures of various interrupt processes executed during the recording operation shown in FIG. The first interrupt is generated by an interrupt to the data processor 51 that one pack transfer has been completed.
[0170]
First, the interrupt factor is checked. If the interrupt factor is the end of one pack transfer, the count-up process (RECpack ++) is executed.
[0171]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining processing for monitoring the remaining recordable capacity remaining on the optical disk 11 to be recorded. This process corresponds to step S51 in FIG.
[0172]
First, the number of recording packs is subtracted from the free space set in the register “FreeAr” before the current recording is started (step S54). This “free capacity−number of recording packs” is the free capacity remaining on the optical disk 11 being recorded at that time. Let this remaining free capacity be the remaining capacity. This is information indicating the remaining capacity that monotonously decreases as the recording progresses.
[0173]
The number of recording packs can be obtained by dividing the cumulative number of recording bytes by 2048 bytes of one pack size when processing is performed by hardware. That is, “number of recording packs = accumulated number of recording bytes ÷ 2048 bytes”. In the case of processing by software, as shown in FIG. 17, the RECpack obtained by the interrupt processing for each pack is the number of recording packs.
[0174]
If the remaining capacity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (NO in step S55), the minimum capacity flag is set to “0” (step S56), and if the remaining capacity falls below the predetermined value (YES in step S55), the minimum The capacity flag is set to “1” (step S57).
[0175]
The “predetermined value” in step S55 need not always be fixed to a constant value, but in the example of FIG. 18, when MPEG2 recording is performed at an average bit rate of 4 Mbps, 150 Mbytes corresponding to about 5 minutes is used as the predetermined value. Adopted.
[0176]
In other words, when MPEG2 recording is continued at an average bit rate of 4 Mbps, if the minimum capacity flag is “0”, it is expected that more than 5 minutes can be recorded, and if the minimum capacity flag becomes “1”, 5 minutes are expected. It is expected that the optical disk 11 being recorded will be used up within a short time.
[0177]
Since MPEG2 recording is variable bit rate recording, an error occurs in the remaining recordable time calculated from the average bit rate. That is, even if the remaining capacity in step S54 in FIG. 18 is accurate, the remaining recordable time varies depending on the contents of the subsequent recording, so the prediction of whether the recordable time is 5 minutes is not very accurate. . These 5 minutes are just a guide.
[0178]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process for reducing the remaining capacity, which is executed according to the result of the remaining capacity monitoring process shown in FIG. 18 (contents of the minimum capacity flag). That is, when the minimum capacity flag becomes “1”, it is determined that the optical disk 11 being recorded is almost full.
[0179]
In this case, it is expected that the remaining capacity (2048 bytes as a unit of recording) x 2048 bytes at that time divided by the average bit rate at that time (512 kbps converted to 4 Mbps in bytes) "Remaining time" (step S58).
[0180]
The microcomputer block 42 uses the “remaining time” calculated in step S58 and the average transfer rate (recording bit rate) set in step S46 of FIG. 16 to “4Mbps and the remaining time is about 5 minutes. "Assuming that 4 Mbps corresponds to the standard image quality, the monitor TV displays the OSD on the monitor TV as" the remaining time is about 5 minutes in the standard image quality mode "(step S59).
[0181]
In this case, the TV channel number being recorded and the recording date and time may be displayed in the OSD simultaneously. Furthermore, at the same time as the OSD display in step S58, an OSD display of a warning message that informs the user how to continue recording is possible. The warning text and other OSD display contents can be written in advance in the ROM in the microcomputer block 42.
[0182]
If the number of recording packs written every predetermined time is A, and the previous number of recording packs written every predetermined time immediately before the writing of A is B, the variable bit rate MPEG recording may change from moment to moment. The instantaneous value of the recording rate can be obtained from the absolute value of [A-B] (unit is pack; one pack is 2048 bytes = 16384 bits).
[0183]
Specifically, when the predetermined time is T (seconds), the instantaneous recording rate (bps) can be calculated by the absolute value of [AB] × 16384 / T (seconds). The “remaining time” may be calculated using this instantaneous recording rate instead of the average recording rate. In this case, the remaining time does not necessarily decrease monotonously with the progress of recording due to a change in the picture during recording. However, even using this instantaneous recording rate, it is possible to calculate the remaining time and notify the user or the like.
[0184]
FIG. 20 shows a display example on the monitor TV screen, such as a warning display when the remaining capacity of the optical disc 11 being recorded is reduced, the average recording rate and the remaining recordable time at that rate.
[0185]
Here, as described above, after the user is notified that the remaining amount of the optical disk 11 has reached a certain value during recording, the average recording rate at the time of MPEG2 compression processing in the V encoder 44 of the encoder 40 described above. The recording rate changing process is performed to change the setting.
[0186]
Changing the setting of the average recording rate at the time of the MPEG2 compression process means reducing the amount of recorded data per unit time by lowering the code amount of data to be recorded. As a result, the image quality deteriorates, but it is possible to record for a long time with the same remaining capacity.
[0187]
In this case, instead of simply changing the code amount, the details will be described later, but compression is performed by using a method of changing the resolution of the original image itself or a method of changing a 60 interlaced image to a 30 progressive image. The amount of data can be reduced before, and the recording rate is lowered. According to such a method, compared to simply lowering the recording rate as in the prior art, it is possible to reduce mosaic-like noise that occurs in the case of an image with intense motion during the decoding process.
[0188]
When the recording rate is changed, the average recording rate after the change and the remaining recordable time at the rate are calculated and notified to the user. This recording rate change processing is automatically executed when the user manually sets in the processing step S46 of “recording initial setting” shown in FIG. Mode to be executed and a mode to be executed in response to a user instruction are selected.
[0189]
FIG. 21 shows a flowchart for explaining the recording rate changing process by the method of changing the resolution of the original image itself. First, when the change of the recording rate is requested, the microcomputer block 42 displays the contents such as “change the recording rate” on the monitor TV screen as shown in FIG. 22A (step S60). ).
[0190]
Next, the microcomputer block 42 sets information for changing the recording resolution to 640 pixels in the horizontal (H) direction × 480 lines in the vertical (V) direction for the V encoder 44 of the encoder 40 (step S61). In this case, the recording resolution of the original image before changing the recording rate is assumed to be horizontal 720 pixels × vertical 525 lines as shown in FIG.
[0191]
Then, the V encoder 44 does not sample the specified pixels on the left and right sides of the original image, and does not sample the specified lines on the upper and lower sides without processing the portion as a black region. In addition, the original image is changed to an image of horizontal 640 pixels × vertical 480 lines as shown in FIG.
[0192]
Thereafter, the microcomputer block 42 recalculates the remaining recording time at the recording rate after the resolution change (step S62), and the contents such as “the remaining time is xx minutes in the low image quality mode” on the monitor TV screen, or FIG. As shown in FIG. 22B, the changed average recording rate and the remaining recordable time at the rate are displayed in OSD (step S63).
[0193]
FIG. 24 shows the configuration of the V encoder 44 provided with means for changing the resolution of the original image as described above. That is, the video signal output from the TV tuner 50 is converted into digital data in units of pixels by the A / D converter 43 and supplied to the preprocessing filter unit 44 a of the V encoder 44.
[0194]
The preprocessing filter unit 44a is configured to switch the input pixel data and the black data generated by the black data generation unit 44b by a selector 44d that is controlled to be switched by a select signal generated by the pixel effective signal generation unit 44c. It is configured to selectively output.
[0195]
The pixel effective signal generation unit 44c is configured so that the V-direction effective signal generation unit 44e and the H-direction effective signal generation unit 44f perform the vertical direction and A signal indicating the pixel effective period in the horizontal direction is generated, and the select signal is generated by performing an OR operation on these signals in the AND circuit 44g.
[0196]
The pixel data whose resolution has been changed by the preprocessing filter unit 44a is compressed by the MPEG video compression unit 44h, packetized by the packetizing unit 44i, and then subjected to necessary processing and output to the formatter 47. Is done.
[0197]
FIG. 25 shows another means for changing the resolution of the original image itself. That is, in this case, the sampling frequency in the horizontal direction is lowered from the original 13.5 MHz to 6.75 MHz that is 1/2 of the original sampling frequency to reduce the number of dots in one line. Note that the vertical direction is dealt with by setting the upper and lower predetermined lines as black areas as described in FIGS. 23 (a) and 23 (b).
[0198]
According to this means, it is not necessary to add black data to the left and right sides of the screen, so that the screen can be used to the left and right. However, when this means is used, it is necessary to record data indicating that the sampling frequency has been changed in the video pack. At the time of reproduction, the sampling frequency is changed based on the data.
[0199]
FIG. 26 shows a configuration of the V encoder 44 provided with means for changing the resolution of the original image by changing the sampling frequency as described above. 26, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIG. 24. The pixel effective signal generation unit 44c includes a sampling signal generation unit 44j that generates a sampling signal to be supplied to the A / D converter 43. .
[0200]
The sampling signal generation unit 44j controls the frequency of the sampling signal to be generated based on the information for instructing the change of the resolution set from the MPU of the microcomputer block 42.
[0201]
The pixel effective signal generation unit 44c uses the signal indicating the vertical pixel effective period output from the V-direction effective signal generation unit 44e as a select signal.
[0202]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a recording rate change process using a method of changing a 60 interlaced image to a 30 progressive image. First, when the change of the recording rate is requested, the microcomputer block 42 displays the contents such as “change the recording rate” on the monitor TV screen by OSD (step S64).
[0203]
Next, the microcomputer block 42 sets information for changing the input original image to 30 progressive for the V encoder 44 of the encoder 40 (step S65). As a result, the V encoder 44 changes the original image input at 60 interlace to 30 progressive, as will be described later.
[0204]
Thereafter, the microcomputer block 42 recalculates the remaining recording time at the recording rate after the change (step S66), and displays the OSD display on the monitor TV screen, such as “Low image quality mode, remaining time is xx minutes”. (Step S67).
[0205]
Here, in order to generate 30 progressives from 60 interlaces (normal NTSC images), the three methods shown in FIGS. 28, 29, and 30 can be considered. First, in the method shown in FIG. 28, the second field of the first and second fields is ignored, that is, the field is thinned out every other field to 30 progressive.
[0206]
In the method shown in FIG. 29, the first and second fields are synthesized and averaged to create one field to be 30 progressive. Further, the method shown in FIG. 30 is a combination of three fields to create one field to be 30 progressive.
[0207]
Each time the method shown in FIG. 28 is changed to the method shown in FIG. 30, the circuit scale (necessary buffer memory and the like) increases, but the connection between the frames of the image, that is, the connection in the time axis direction. Can be made smooth.
[0208]
Next, FIGS. 31 and 32 are flowcharts for explaining another example of the recording operation shown in FIG. 16 in the DVD digital video recorder shown in FIG. 31 and 32, the same steps as those in FIG. 16 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only different parts will be described here.
[0209]
That is, when the recording is started in step S47, the microcomputer block 42 displays the recording rate set in the V encoder 44 in the recording initial setting in step S46 as the default image quality mode (step S68). Thereafter, the process of step S48 is performed.
[0210]
FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining the operation for displaying the changed image quality mode when the recording rate change process described with reference to FIG. 21 is performed in a state where the default image quality mode is displayed. Show. That is, in FIG. 33, the same steps as those in FIG. 21 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and after the contents such as “Low image quality mode and remaining time is XX minutes” are displayed on the monitor TV screen in step S63. The microcomputer block 42 displays the changed image quality mode and records the changed image quality information (image quality mode flag) in the management area (cell reproduction information C_PBI) of the optical disc 11 (step S69).
[0211]
At this time, management information such as program chain information PGCI is expanded in a memory inside the microcomputer. If the contents are changed during recording, the table stored in the memory is changed, and the table data in the memory is stored in the management information area at the end of recording.
[0212]
In addition, the DVD digital video recorder shown in FIG. 11 can display the playback times of a plurality of programs (program chain PGC) recorded on the optical disc 11 by requesting menu display.
[0213]
FIG. 34 shows an example in which the playback times of the four programs (program chains PGC1 to PGC4) recorded on the optical disc 11 are displayed on the monitor TV screen in the form of time bars. In this case, the image quality modes (three types of high, medium, and low) are displayed in different colors for each of the program chains PGC1 to PGC4.
[0214]
FIG. 35 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation when such a menu display is requested. First, when a menu display is requested by a user's remote control operation or the like, the microcomputer block 42 reads all program chain information PGCI recorded therein from the optical disc 11 (step S70), and each program chain PGC1 ~ 4 is displayed on the monitor TV screen (step S71).
[0215]
Next, based on the image quality mode flag recorded in the management area (cell reproduction information C_PBI) of the optical disc 11, the microcomputer block 42 displays each time bar with a different color for each image quality mode (step S72). Thereafter, when the user selects one of the program chains PGC1 to PGC4 displayed on the menu screen by remote control operation (step S73), the microcomputer block 42 executes reproduction of the selected program chain PGC (step S73). Step S74).
[0216]
FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a reserved recording operation (including automatic image quality setting processing) by the DVD digital video recorder shown in FIG. That is, when the optical disk 11 such as a DVD-RAM (DVD-RW) is set in the disk drive 53, the microcomputer block 42 reads the management data (VMGI) of the optical disk 11 and the current time of the set optical disk 11 The free space at is detected (step S75).
[0217]
If the detected free space is zero (or substantially zero) (NO in step S76), the microcomputer block 42 displays an OSD display such as “no recording space” on the monitor TV screen (step S77). The process is terminated.
[0218]
If it is detected that the set optical disk 11 has free space (YES in step S76), the microcomputer block 42 determines a write address to the optical disk 11 and stores the detected free space in the register “FreeAr”. Write (step S78).
[0219]
Thereafter, the microcomputer block 42 outputs a “reservation screen” on the monitor TV screen (step S79). Then, while viewing this “reservation screen”, the user performs a designation process for a reserved program (N program) to be recorded (step S80).
[0220]
In this reserved program designation, the user designates a desired program, its recording time, and any one of a high quality, medium quality, low quality, or automatic picture quality mode as an image quality mode.
[0221]
When the user finishes the program reservation operation (NO in step S81), the microcomputer block 42 records the recording capacity corresponding to the total reserved time of all reserved programs (N programs) [the default of the reserved time total and designated image quality. The corresponding average bit rate (which corresponds to the product of the low image quality mode in the case of automatic mode)] is the remaining capacity of the optical disc 11 set in the disc drive 53 at that time (initially, the register “FreeAr”). It is checked whether it is within the free space written in (step S82).
[0222]
In this case, if the recording capacity exceeds the remaining capacity of the optical disk 11 (NO in step S82), the microcomputer block 42 performs OSD display such as “Cannot enter disk” on the monitor TV screen ( Step S83), the process again returns to the reserved program designation process (step S80).
[0223]
As a result of the user changing the reservation contents in the reserved program specifying process (step S80) (for example, reducing the number of reserved programs N or reducing the reservation time for one or more of the reserved programs), the recording capacity is the optical disk 11 If it falls within the remaining capacity (YES in step S82), the microcomputer block 42 sets (remaining capacity-reserved capacity-recording capacity of the program specified in step S80) to a register "Lftsp" indicating a new remaining capacity. (Step S84).
[0224]
Even if the remaining capacity stored in the register “Lftsp” is recorded at a high image quality rate (for example, 6 Mbps) as a recording rate for automatic image quality, all the programs set as automatic image quality among the reserved programs at that time are recorded completely. If it is large enough to be recorded (YES in step S85), the microcomputer block 42 sets the high image quality mode (step S86) and ends the process.
[0225]
Thereafter, when the user requests recording by a remote control operation, for example, the DVD digital video recorder starts recording the program reserved in step S80 at a high image quality rate (6 Mbps).
[0226]
The remaining capacity stored in the register “Lftsp” cannot record all the programs set as the automatic image quality among the programs reserved at that time at a high image quality rate (for example, 6 Mbps) (NO in step S85). Furthermore, when it is not possible to record all the reserved programs at that time at a low image quality rate (for example, 2 Mbps) (NO in step S87), the microcomputer block 42 is displayed on the monitor TV screen. "Is displayed (step S83), and the process again returns to the reserved program designation process (step S80).
[0227]
Although the remaining capacity stored in the register “Lftsp” cannot record all the programs set as automatic image quality among the programs reserved at that time at a high image quality rate (for example, 6 Mbps) (NO in step S85). When all the reserved programs can be recorded at a low image quality rate (for example, 2 Mbps) (YES in step S87), the microcomputer block 42 enters an automatic image quality setting process (step S88).
[0228]
FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the average recording rate setting process in the automatic image quality setting process (step S88) shown in FIG. First, when the recording time of all the programs set as automatic image quality among the programs reserved in step S80 in FIG. 36 is set as the recording time, the remaining capacity is divided by the recording time (remaining capacity / recording). Time) is registered as the average recording rate “Recate” (step S89).
[0229]
Subsequently, all the average recording rates of the recorded programs for which the recording rates are automatically set are set to the Recrate registered in step S89 (step S90), and the process returns to the process of FIG.
[0230]
FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the average recording rate setting process in the automatic image quality setting process (step S88) shown in FIG. First, the aforementioned remaining capacity divided by a predetermined high-quality recording rate (for example, 6 Mbps) is registered as the recordable time RecTM, the program number index N of the reserved program is initialized to “1”, and the program recording time ProgrecTM Is initialized to “0”, and the number of programs whose recording rate is automatically set is set in the program number parameter M (step S91).
[0231]
Next, the program recording time ProgrecTM (initially zero) added to the Nth (initially 1st) recording time is registered as a new program recording time ProgrecTM (step S92). As a result, the recording time of the first reserved program is recorded in Progressc ™.
[0232]
The ProgrecTM obtained in this way is compared with the recordable time RecTM registered in Step S91 (Step S93). If ProgramcTM is not larger than RecTM (that is, the recordable time is more than the recording time of the reserved program) (NO in step S93), the reserved program number N is incremented by 1 (step S94), 2 A value obtained by adding the previous Program (TM) (first recording time) to the first recording time is registered as a new program recording time Procrec (step S92). As a result, the total recording time of the first and second reserved programs is recorded in ProgresscTM.
[0233]
After the repetition of the loop of steps S92 to S94 described above, when the RecrecTM becomes larger than the RecTM (that is, the recordable time is not enough for the recording time of the reserved program) (YES in step S93), N-1 The average recording rate up to the first reserved program is set to the high image quality recording rate (here, 6 Mbps) shown in step S91 (step S95).
[0234]
By performing the above processing, the first to N-1th (for example, first and second if N = 3) reserved programs are automatically set to the high image quality mode using the high image quality recording rate.
[0235]
Since the Nth to Mth (for example, 3rd to 6th) reserved programs cannot be recorded at the above-mentioned high-quality recording rate, the average recording rate “Relate” used for recording them is changed (step S96). This change is started by first registering, as a new program recording time, ProcreTM, a value obtained by subtracting the Nth recording time from the previous ProgresscTM (total recording time of the first to Nth reserved programs).
[0236]
Then, ProgrecTM is (the total recording time of the reserved programs that can be recorded with high image quality from 1st to (N-1) th. Here, since the Nth recording time is subtracted, the recordable time RecTM is greater than or equal to ProgrecTM. Therefore, the average recording rate Recrate necessary for putting all the Nth and subsequent (up to Mth) reserved programs in this RecTM is calculated (step S96).
[0237]
In this step S96, the Recrate (assuming to be Recrate1) is [remaining capacity−ProgrecTM × high-quality recording rate] ÷ the total recording time of the reserved program from the Nth to the Mth (for example, N = 3 to M = 6). Is required.
[0238]
If the calculated Recrate is below the low image quality mode rate (eg, 1.8 Mbps) at which the minimum image quality guarantee is possible (eg, YES in step S97), the program number index N of the reserved program is decremented by one (eg, N = 3 to N = 2) (step S98).
[0239]
Then, the ProcrecTM calculated in step S96 decreases (the total recording time of the first to third reserved programs decreases to the total recording time of the first to second reserved programs). As a result, the recording time ProgrecTM of the high image quality rate that consumes a large amount of data per unit time is reduced, and thus [remaining capacity−ProgrecTM × high image quality recording rate] is increased.
[0240]
Dividing the expanded capacity [remaining capacity-ProgrecTM × high-quality recording rate] by the total recording time of the Nth to Mth (herein 2nd to 6th) reserved programs, a new average The recording rate Recrate (assumed to be Recrate2) is recalculated in step S96. Thus, the recalculated Recrete2 is smaller than the previous Recreate1.
[0241]
If the calculated Recrete2 is equal to or higher than the rate of the low image quality mode (eg, 1.8 Mbps) that guarantees the minimum image quality (NO in step S97), the Nth and subsequent reserved programs (here, the second to sixth programs) The reserved program is automatically set so as to be recorded at the average recording rate Rerate2 (step S99), and the process returns to the process of FIG.
[0242]
Note that the reservation processing shown in FIGS. 36 to 38 is not limited to timer recording only. That is, when the user performs a recording start operation after the reservation processing in FIGS. 36 to 38, the reserved program (not the reservation as timer recording) is recorded in the free area of the optical disc 11 at various average recording rates without waste. Will come to be.
[0243]
In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the image quality mode flag is included in the cell reproduction information C_PBI. However, this image quality mode flag may be included in another management area. Of course. Hereinafter, various management areas in which the image quality mode flag is recorded will be described.
[0244]
FIG. 39 shows another example of the contents of the video title set program chain information VTS_PGCI previously shown in FIG. That is, the program chain information PGCI includes program chain program information PGC_PGI instead of the program chain program map PGC_PGMAP shown in FIG.
[0245]
The program chain program information PGC_PGI includes a plurality of programs # 1 to #i information PGI, and the program information PGI includes an entry cell number (1 byte) and an image quality mode flag (1 byte). It is configured.
[0246]
FIG. 40 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the reproduction operation of the DVD digital video recorder when the image quality mode flag is included in the program information PGI as described above.
[0247]
First, when the optical disk 11 is set in the DVD digital video recorder, first, recorded data is read from the lead-in. When the read lead-in data includes data that cannot be recognized by the DVD digital video recorder or error correction of the read data fails (NG in step S100), the DVD digital video recorder performs error processing. Is performed (step S101), and reproduction is stopped. As this error processing, for example, there is a display output such as “This disc cannot be played”.
[0248]
If there is no error in the read data, or even if an error occurs, the error correction is successful and the read digital data is recognized by the DVD digital video recorder (OK in step S100). The video recorder reads the management data (step S102).
[0249]
Then, one or more program chains PGC recorded on the set optical disk 11 are displayed as menus on the monitor TV screen. The user who sees this menu selects and determines a desired program chain by remote control operation or the like (step S103).
[0250]
When the program chain PGC to be reproduced is determined in this way, the microcomputer block 42 reads information PGCI of the selected program chain PGC from the set optical disk 11. The microcomputer block 42 stores the read program chain information PGCI in the RAM work area inside the microcomputer block 42 (step S104), and determines the program number and cell number to be reproduced from now on (step S105). .
[0251]
Thereafter, the microcomputer block 42 reads the image quality mode flag of the program information PGI and displays the image quality mode of the cell (step S106).
[0252]
Subsequently, the microcomputer block 42 refers to the program chain information PGCI stored in its own RAM, and initializes the V decoder 59, the SP decoder 60 and the A decoder 61, respectively, corresponding to the initial setting at the time of recording. (Step S107).
[0253]
After the above initial setting is completed, the cell playback process is executed after the preprocessing command is executed (step S108). In this cell playback process, if the final cell has not been reached (NO in step S109), a cell number counter (not shown) is incremented every time playback of one cell is completed (step S110), and cell playback is performed. Proceeds (loop of steps S108 to S110).
[0254]
In the cell reproduction process described above, when the final cell is reached (YES in step S109), the microcomputer block 42 returns to step S105 if reproduction is not yet completed (NO in step S111). If the reproduction is completed (YES in step S111), the microcomputer block 42 executes a reproduction end process (step S112) and ends the reproduction process.
[0255]
Here, in the recordable / reproducible DVD standard, a format different from the above-described current format has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application No. 10-40876). In this case, the difference is that there is no navigation pack, and information VOBUI related to the video object unit VOBU is recorded in the management area instead.
[0256]
FIG. 41 illustrates this new format. That is, the DVD area of the optical disc 11 is composed of a management area such as the video manager VMG and a recording area for the video object VOB as described above. In this management area, a table in which information VOBUI related to the video object unit VOBU is recorded is newly provided. This video object unit VOBU information table has a plurality of video object unit information VOBU # 1 to #N.
[0257]
FIG. 42 shows the contents of the video object unit information VOBUI. That is, each video object unit information VOBUI includes a start address (4 bytes) of the video object unit VOBU, an end address or length (4 bytes) of the video object unit VOBU, and a playback start time VOBU_PBTM (4 of the video object unit VOBU). Byte), the end address (4 bytes) of the first reference picture in the video object unit VOBU, the number of dummy packs in the video object unit VOBU (1 byte), and the dummy pack start address in the video object unit VOBU [ Relative address from the beginning of the video object unit VOBU] (1 byte) and an image quality mode flag ((1 byte)).
[0258]
In this case, the image quality mode flag indicates the image quality in units of the video object unit VOBU. When the lower 4 bits are 0, the image quality mode flag indicates that the resolution is 720 horizontal pixels × vertical 525 lines. This indicates that the resolution is 640 pixels × vertical 480 lines, and when the lower 4 bits are 2, the resolution is 320 pixels horizontal × 240 lines vertical.
[0259]
The image quality mode flag indicates that 60 interlaces are set when the upper 4 bits are 0, and 30 progressives when the upper 4 bits are 1. Therefore, by reproducing the image quality mode flag, the resolution for each video object unit VOBU can be displayed to the user.
[0260]
FIG. 43 shows a flowchart for explaining an example of the playback operation of the DVD digital video recorder when the image quality mode flag is included in the video object unit information VOBUI. In FIG. 43, the same steps as those in FIG. 40 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The display of the image quality mode is not performed as step S106 after step S105, but is performed by the cell reproduction process in step S108.
[0261]
FIG. 44 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the process (step S108) during cell reproduction of FIG. That is, when cell playback is started (YES in step S113), the microcomputer block 42 determines a playback start address based on the contents of the program chain information PGCI (step S114). Thereafter, the microcomputer block 42 sets a data read command to the disk drive 53 (step S115).
[0262]
When cell playback is not started (NO in step S113) and the video object units VOBU are not continuous (NO in step S116), the processes in steps S114 and S115 are executed. When cell playback is not started (NO in step S113) and the video object units VOBU are continuous (YES in step S116), the processes in steps S114 and S115 are skipped.
[0263]
Subsequent to the above processing, the microcomputer block 42 displays the image quality mode of the video object unit VOBU based on the video object unit information VOBUI if the video object unit VOBU is started (YES in step S117) (step S117). S118).
[0264]
After the display of the image quality mode or when the video object unit VOBU is not started (NO in step S117), the microcomputer block 42 is not the end of the video object unit VOBU based on the video object unit information VOBU (step S117). (NO in S119), the process returns to the process of step S117, and the processes of steps S117 to S119 are repeated until the end of the video object unit VOBU.
[0265]
When the end of the video object unit VOBU is reached (YES in step S119), the microcomputer block 42 checks whether it is the end of the cell including the video object unit VOBU (step S120). If it is not the end of the cell (NO in step S120), the process returns to step S117, the next video object unit information VOBUI is taken in, and the processes in steps S117 to S120 are repeated.
[0266]
If it is the end of the cell (YES in step S120), the process waits until the reproduction of the video object unit VOBU at that time ends (step S121). Thereafter, the processing returns to FIG.
[0267]
The image quality mode flag can also be included in the information VOBI related to the video object VOB. That is, as shown in FIG. 45, the management area of the optical disc 11 is provided with a table in which information VOBI related to the video object VOB is recorded. This video object VOB information table has video object information VOBI and a plurality of video object unit information VOBUI # 1 to #N.
[0268]
FIG. 46 shows the contents of the video object information VOBI. That is, the video object information VOBI includes the number of video object units VOBU (4 bytes) in the video object VOB, the end address or length (4 bytes) of the video object information VOBI, and the image quality mode flag (1 byte). Contains.
[0269]
As described above, the playback operation of the DVD digital video recorder when the image quality mode flag is included in the video object information VOBI, that is, the playback operation when the image quality mode flag is included in the program information PGI, that is, FIG. Since the operation is the same as that described in the above, description thereof is omitted.
[0270]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0271]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, information indicating the image quality of recorded video information can be recorded in the management area of the video information and can be used to improve recording efficiency. An extremely good information recording medium can be provided.
[0272]
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an extremely good recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording and reproducing information indicating the image quality together with video information on an information recording medium so as to improve the recording efficiency. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the structure of an optical disc that can be recorded and reproduced.
FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a correspondence relationship between a data recording area of the optical disc in FIG. 1 and a recording track of data recorded therein;
3 is a view for explaining a hierarchical structure of information recorded on the optical disc of FIG. 2; FIG.
4 is a view for explaining a directory structure of information recorded on the optical disc of FIG. 2; FIG.
5 is a view for explaining a hierarchical structure of information included in the video object set VTSTT_VOBS of FIG. 3; FIG.
6 is a view for explaining the contents of video title set information VTSI in FIG. 3; FIG.
7 is a view for explaining the contents of the video title set program chain information table VTS_PGCIT of FIG. 6; FIG.
8 is a view for explaining the contents of video title set program chain information VTS_PGCI in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the contents of the cell playback information table C_PBIT of FIG. 8;
10 is a view for explaining the contents of cell reproduction information C_PBI in FIG. 9;
11 is a block diagram showing a DVD digital video recorder that records and reproduces digital moving picture information on the optical disc of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the reproduction operation of the DVD digital video recorder of FIG. 11;
13 is a flowchart shown for explaining the contents of processing at the time of cell playback in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an example in which an image quality mode is displayed on a monitor TV screen.
FIG. 15 is a view for explaining an example in which the image quality mode is displayed on the front panel of the DVD digital video recorder.
16 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a recording operation of the DVD digital video recorder of FIG.
FIG. 17 is a view for explaining processing procedures of various interrupt processing executed during the recording operation of FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining processing for monitoring the remaining recordable capacity remaining on the optical disk to be recorded in the interrupt processing of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process for reducing the remaining capacity executed according to the result of the remaining capacity monitoring process in FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a view for explaining an example in which an average recording rate and a remaining recording time are displayed on a monitor TV screen.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a recording rate change process.
FIG. 22 is a view for explaining a display example on a monitor TV screen at the time of recording rate change processing;
FIG. 23 is a view for explaining an example of an image resolution changing method;
24 is a block configuration diagram showing a structure of a V encoder for realizing the resolution changing method of FIG. 23. FIG.
FIG. 25 is a view for explaining another example of the image resolution changing method.
26 is a block diagram showing the structure of a V encoder for realizing the resolution changing method of FIG. 25. FIG.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the recording rate changing process.
FIG. 28 is a view for explaining a first method for changing a 60 interlaced image to 30 progressive;
FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining a second method for changing a 60 interlaced image to 30 progressive;
FIG. 30 is a view for explaining a third method for changing a 60 interlaced image to 30 progressive;
FIG. 31 is a flowchart shown for explaining the operation of displaying the default image quality mode in the recording operation of the DVD digital video recorder of FIG. 11;
FIG. 32 is a flowchart shown for explaining the operation of displaying the default image quality mode in the recording operation of the DVD digital video recorder of FIG. 11;
FIG. 33 is a flowchart shown for explaining the operation when the image quality mode is changed in the processing of FIGS. 31 and 32;
FIG. 34 is a view for explaining that the time bar of each program chain displayed on the menu is color-coded according to the image quality mode;
FIG. 35 is a flowchart shown for explaining the operation for realizing the processing shown in FIG. 34;
FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining an example of timer timer recording operation of the DVD digital video recorder of FIG. 11;
FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining an example of automatic image quality setting processing in the timer timer recording operation of FIG. 36;
FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the automatic image quality setting process in the timer timer recording operation of FIG.
FIG. 39 is a view for explaining another content of the management area of the optical disc in FIG. 1;
40 is a flowchart shown for explaining the playback operation of the DVD digital video recorder in the content of FIG. 39;
FIG. 41 is a view for explaining still another content of the management area of the optical disc of FIG. 1;
42 is a view for specifically explaining the contents of FIG. 41. FIG.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart for explaining the playback operation of the DVD digital video recorder in the content of FIG. 42;
44 is a flowchart shown for explaining the contents of processing at the time of cell playback in FIG. 43;
45 is a view for explaining still another content of the management area of the optical disc in FIG. 1. FIG.
46 is a view for specifically explaining the contents of FIG. 45;
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... Optical disc,
12 ... Recording layer,
13 ... Transparent substrate,
14 ... adhesive layer,
15 ... Center hole,
16 ... Clamp area,
17 ... Information area,
18 ... Lead-out area,
19 ... Lead-in area,
20: Data recording area,
21 ... Reading surface,
22 ... cartridge
23 ... Volume space,
24 ... Volume / file structure area,
25 ... DVD video area,
26. Other recording area,
27 ... Video title set VTS,
28, 29 ... file,
30 ... Video object unit VOBU,
31 ... Navigation pack,
32 ... Video pack,
33 ... Sub-picture pack,
34 ... Audio pack,
35 ... dummy pack,
36 ... Video object set VOBS,
37 ... Video object VOB,
38 ... cell,
39: Disc drive part,
40: Encoder,
41 ... Decoder,
42 ... microcomputer block,
43 ... A / D converter,
44 ... V encoder,
45 ... A encoder,
46 ... SP encoder,
47 ... Formatter,
48 ... Buffer memory,
49 ... A / V input section,
50 ... TV tuner,
51. Data processor,
52. Disc changer section,
53. Disc drive,
54. Temporary storage unit,
55 ... STC,
56 ... display section,
57. Separator,
58 ... Memory,
59 ... V decoder,
60 ... SP decoder,
61 ... A decoder,
62 ... Video processor,
63 ... Video D / A converter,
64: Audio D / A converter,
65 ... A / V output section,
66 ... front panel,
67 ... LED.

Claims (5)

A data area in which video data divided into a plurality of video object units each composed of a plurality of cells that can be played back and managed by program chain information is recorded, and the video data recorded in the data area is stored in the video object In a recordable / reproducible information recording medium having a management area in which management data including video object information for management in units is recorded.
An information recording medium characterized in that image quality information is included in the video object information recorded in the management area. A data area in which video data divided into a plurality of video object units each consisting of a plurality of cells that can be played back and managed by program chain information is recorded, and the video data recorded in this data area is converted into the video object And a management area in which management data including video object information to be managed in units is recorded, and recordable / reproducible information in which image quality information is included in the video object information recorded in the management area For recording and playback on recording media,
A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising reproduction means for reproducing the video data recorded in the data area. A data area in which video data divided into a plurality of video object units each consisting of a plurality of cells that can be played back and managed by program chain information is recorded, and the video data recorded in this data area is converted into the video object And a management area in which management data including video object information to be managed in units is recorded, and recordable / reproducible information in which image quality information is included in the video object information recorded in the management area For recording and playback on recording media,
A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising recording means for recording the video data in the data area. A data area in which video data divided into a plurality of video object units each consisting of a plurality of cells that can be played back and managed by program chain information is recorded, and the video data recorded in this data area is converted into the video object And a management area in which management data including video object information to be managed in units is recorded, and recordable / reproducible information in which image quality information is included in the video object information recorded in the management area A method for recording and reproducing on a recording medium,
A recording / reproducing method comprising reproducing the video data recorded in the data area. A data area in which video data divided into a plurality of video object units each consisting of a plurality of cells that can be played back and managed by program chain information is recorded, and the video data recorded in this data area is converted into the video object And a management area in which management data including video object information to be managed in units is recorded, and recordable / reproducible information in which image quality information is included in the video object information recorded in the management area A method for recording and reproducing on a recording medium,
A recording / reproducing method, wherein the video data is recorded in the data area.

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