Abstract:
A recording apparatus includes a recording unit recording moving image data on a recording medium, a management information generation unit generating management information for first moving image data in response to recording the first moving image data on the recording medium, a consecutive reproduction information generation unit configured to generate first consecutive reproduction information indicating second moving image data to be reproduced consecutively after the first moving image data in response to recording the second moving image data on the recording medium, and a control unit, in response to recording the second moving image data on the recording medium, controlling the recording unit to add the first consecutive reproduction information to the management information for the first moving image data and to record the management information added with the first consecutive reproduction information on the recording medium.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a recording apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus configured to record moving image data. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, an apparatus capable of recording moving image data on a disc-like shaped recording medium, such as a digital versatile disk (DVD), has been marketed. Furthermore, an apparatus has been recently marketed which is capable of recording high-quality moving image data on a very high-capacity disk medium, such as a Blu-ray Disc or a High Definition-DVD (HD-DVD), for a long period of time. 
     Such an apparatus encodes moving image data according to Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-2 or MPEG-4 Part 10 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) (H.264) to compress the data amount and records the compressed data on a recording medium. In reproducing moving image data recorded in the above-described manner, it is necessary to decode the moving image data read from a disk medium to decompress the data. In decoding moving image data, it is necessary for an apparatus to verify a content of the moving image data read from a disk medium. That is, it is necessary, in this case, for an apparatus to refer to information about a temporal length, the number of pixels, and an aspect ratio of the moving image data. 
     In this regard, there is known a conventional method for separately recording information necessary for decoding moving image data as management information for the moving image data. With such a method, information necessary for decoding moving image data can be obtained without verifying the content of the moving image data. Accordingly, an apparatus using such conventional method can perform optimum processing for reproducing moving image data. 
     For example, in a case where moving image data is coded according to the MPEG coding method, the management information includes information about a position on a recording medium of an I picture in the moving image data. Accordingly, for example, a fast-forward reproduction can be implemented by consecutively reading only I pictures from the recording medium, decoding the read I pictures, and displaying the decoded pictures. 
     Such a conventional method is generally employed in a format for recording moving image data on a disk medium, such as DVD-Video format, DVD Video Recording (VR) format, and Blu-ray disk-read only memory (BD-ROM) format. 
     In reproducing a plurality of moving image data recorded on a disk medium, it is necessary to move an optical pickup unit to an address (track) of the disk medium on which moving image data to be reproduced is recorded. Such an operation for moving the optical pickup unit is referred to as a “seeking operation”. 
     If a plurality of moving image data to be consecutively reproduced exists at mutually distant positions on a disk medium, a reproduction operation may be interrupted by a seeking operation. It is useful to seamlessly reproduce moving image data even when a plurality of moving image data to be consecutively reproduced exists at mutually distant positions on a disk medium. 
     In this regard, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-4850 discusses a method in which identification information for identifying moving image data to be subsequently reproduced is included in management information as seamless information (consecutive reproduction information) in order to enable seamlessly reproducing moving image data. 
     The method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-4850 is directed to address problems associated with reproduction only. Accordingly, in the case of recording moving image data in real time with a recording apparatus (e.g., a digital video camera) employing such a conventional method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-4850, the following problems arise in recording management information on a recording medium. 
     That is, seamless information including identification information for identifying moving image data to be subsequently reproduced cannot be generated before recording the moving image data. Accordingly, in recording moving image data in real time, management information is recorded after moving image data to be subsequently reproduced is completely recorded. 
     In generating management information, if all moving image data to be recorded on a disk medium has been previously and completely captured and recorded, management information for seamless reproduction can be generated separately from the moving image data, and thus the generated management information can be recorded in association with the moving image data. 
     On the other hand, in recording moving image data in real time with a digital video camera, it is necessary to generate management information each time and at the same time as moving image data is recorded. However, the above-mentioned seamless information cannot be generated before completely recording subsequent moving image data. Thus, in recording moving image data in real time, management information cannot be generated before subsequent moving image data is completely recorded. 
     Accordingly, in the case of recording moving image data in real time, seamless information cannot be recorded on a recording medium at the same time as recording the moving image data. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a recording apparatus configured to, when recording moving image data on a recording medium, record information for consecutive reproduction. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, a recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record moving image data on a recording medium; a management information generation unit configured to generate management information for first moving image data in response to the recording unit recording the first moving image data on the recording medium; a consecutive reproduction information generation unit configured to generate first consecutive reproduction information indicating second moving image data to be reproduced consecutively after the first moving image data in response to the recording unit recording the second moving image data on the recording medium on which the first moving image data is recorded; and a control unit configured to, in response to the recording unit recording the second moving image data on the recording medium, control the recording unit to add the first consecutive reproduction information to the management information for the first moving image data and to record the management information added with the first consecutive reproduction information on the recording medium. 
     Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principle of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary configuration of a video camera according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary structure of a clip according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates two clips recorded on a recording medium according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates two clips recorded on a recording medium according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5A through 5C  each illustrate a clip recorded on a recording medium according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6A through 6C  each illustrate a clip recorded on a recording medium according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A through 7C  each illustrate a clip recorded on a recording medium according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8A through 8C  each illustrate a clip recorded on a recording medium according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a clip and clip information recorded on a recording medium according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates content of the clip information recorded on a recording medium according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11A through 11C  each illustrate a clip recorded on a recording medium according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary configuration of an encoder according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary operation performed by the video camera according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary operation performed by the video camera according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary operation performed by the video camera according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary operation performed by the video camera according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary operation performed by the video camera according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the present invention will now herein be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that the relative arrangement of the components, the numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless it is specifically stated otherwise. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
     Now, a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary configuration of a video camera  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the video camera  100  includes a camera unit  101 , an encoder  102 , a buffer memory  103 , a disk access unit  104 , a decoder  106 , a display control unit  107 , a display unit  108 , a central processing unit (CPU)  109 , a read-only memory (ROM)  110 , a random access memory (RAM)  111 , an operation unit  112 , a non-volatile memory  113 , and a video output unit  114 . The above-described components of the video camera  100  are in communication with one another via a system bus  115 . With such a configuration, the video camera  100  can record and reproduce moving image data on and from a disk-shaped recording medium, such as a DVD. 
     The encoder  102  encodes moving image data. The buffer memory  103  stores data recorded on and reproduced from a disk  105 . The disk access unit  104  writes and reads data on and from the disk  105 . The decoder  106  decodes the moving image data recorded on the disk  105 . The display unit  108  displays moving image data captured and sent from the camera unit  101 , reproduced moving image data, and other information. The display control unit  107  controls a display operation of the display unit  108 . 
     The video camera  100  can externally output, with the video output unit  114 , the same video data as the video data displayed on the display unit  108 . 
     The CPU  109  controls the ROM  110 , the RAM  111 , the operation unit  112 , the non-volatile memory  113 , and other blocks connected with one another via the system bus  115 . 
     The operation unit  112  can send a user input via various operation keys and switches (not illustrated) to the CPU  109 . Thus, the video camera  100  can perform various processing instructed via the operation unit  112 . 
     The disk access unit  104  includes a disk mounting and ejection mechanism (not illustrated). The disk  105  can be mounted on or ejected from the video camera  100  to be freely exchanged via the disk mounting and ejection mechanism of the disk access unit  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, an optical disk, such as a DVD-recordable (DVD-R) or a DVD-rewritable (DVD-RW), can be used as the disk  105 . 
     Now, an operation performed by the video camera  100  for recording moving image data will be described below. 
     When the video camera  100  is powered on by a user operation performed via the operation unit  112 , the CPU  109  sends the moving image data captured by the camera unit  101  to the display control unit  107 . Then, the captured moving image is displayed on the display unit  108 . At this time, a recording operation is suspended. When a user generates an instruction for starting recording via the operation unit  112  in this state, moving image data output from the camera unit  101  is sent to the encoder  102 . 
     The encoder  102  encodes the input moving image data according to MPEG coding method. The moving image data coded by the encoder  102  is stored on the buffer memory  103 . 
     The CPU  109  adds additional data to the moving image data stored on the buffer memory  103  according to a recording format and converts the moving image data into a format suitable for recording. The disk access unit  104  reads the moving image data stored on the buffer memory  103  after a predetermined amount of moving image data is stored on the buffer memory  103 , and records the read moving image data on the disk  105 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, moving image data is encoded according to MPEG coding method and the coded moving image data is recorded on the disk  105 . 
     Here, the data format according to the BD-ROM format will be described. In the present exemplary embodiment, moving image data is recorded on the disk  105  according to the BD-ROM format. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary structure of one moving image data according to the BD-ROM format. 
     In the BD-ROM format, the unit of one moving image data is referred to as a “clip”. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a clip  201  includes two data of different kinds, namely, a stream  201 S, which is moving image data, and clip information  201 I, which is management information for the moving image data. 
     Each of the stream  201 S and the clip information  201 I exists as an independent file. Two files of the stream  201 S and the clip information  201 I constitute the clip  201 . The stream  201 S and the clip information  201 I have the same clip number and, thus, are associated with each other. 
     The video camera  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment sets, as one clip, a series of moving image data recorded during a time period from a recording start instruction to a recording stop instruction generated via the operation unit  112 . That is, in the case of recording moving image data in real time, as in the present exemplary embodiment, one clip is generated in every recording operation. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates two clips recorded on the disk  105  according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a first clip  301  and a second clip  302  are recorded. The first clip  301  includes first clip information  301 I and a first stream  301 S. The second clip  302  includes second clip information  302 I and a second stream  302 S. 
     The first clip information  301 I and the second clip information  302 I do not include information about other clips. The first clip  301  and the second clip  302  exist independently from each other and have no mutual relationship. This state is referred to as a “non-seamless” (inconsecutive) state. 
     When moving image data is recorded in a non-seamless state, since the first clip information  301 I does not include information about the next clip  302 , a displayed moving image may temporarily stop during consecutive reproduction of the two clips  301  and  302 . 
     In the case of recording moving image data in a non-seamless state, recording moving image data in real time can be relatively easily implemented. However, according to the capacity of a reproduction apparatus for reproducing moving image data recorded in real time, displayed (reproduced) moving image may stop between clips. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates two clips  401  and  402  recorded on the disk  105 , as in the example in  FIG. 3 . The first clip  401  includes first clip information  401 I and a first stream  401 S and the second clip  402  includes second clip information  402 I and a second stream  402 S. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a first clip  401  and a second clip  402  are recorded in a state enabling the recorded clips  401  and  402  to be seamlessly reproduced (that is, in a seamless state). That is, first clip information  401 I of the first clip  401  includes information about the second clip  402 . Accordingly, information about the second clip  402  is available during reproduction of the first clip  401 . Thus, the first clip  401  and the second clip  402  can be consecutively reproduced without interruption. 
     An arrow  403  in  FIG. 4  indicates that the first clip information  401 I includes seamless information. 
     In a case where management information includes seamless information as described above, a reproduction address to which an optical pickup unit moves and decoding processing by a decoder are controlled according to the seamless information included in the management information. Thus, with such a data structure, in the case of reproducing two consecutive clips with an ordinary moving image reproduction apparatus, moving image data can be surely reproduced without being interrupted or stopping at a portion between clips. 
     As described above, clips can be in a non-seamless state or a seamless state. Accordingly, it is useful in reproducing moving image data without interruption or stopping to record moving image data in a seamless state. 
     The present exemplary embodiment, in recording moving image data in a seamless state, adjusts an amount of code of moving image data to be subsequently recorded according to an amount of code of previously recorded moving image data at the time the recording operation stops. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary configuration of the encoder  102  according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , moving image data output from the camera unit  101  is rearranged by a data rearrangement unit  1201  in an order appropriate for encoding into MPEG moving image data. Then, the rearranged moving image data is output to a subtracter  1202 . 
     Data for a reference picture, which is output from a motion compensation unit  1210 , is supplied to the subtracter  1202 . After receiving the data for a reference picture, the subtracter  1202  calculates a difference between the moving image data output from the data rearrangement unit  1201  and the reference picture data output from the motion compensation unit  1210 . The subtracter  1202  outputs a result of the calculation to a discrete cosine transform (DCT) unit  1203 . If the data output from the data rearrangement unit  1201  is an I picture, the motion compensation unit  1210  outputs zero data (null data) instead of data for a reference picture. 
     The DCT unit  1203  performs DCT processing on the data output from the subtracter  1202 . Then, the DCT unit  1203  outputs the DCT-processed data to a quantization unit  1204 . The quantization unit  1204  quantizes a DCT coefficient sent from the DCT unit  1203  with a quantization step size, which has been designated by a code amount control unit  1206 . Then, the quantization unit  1204  outputs the quantized data to a variable-length coding unit  1205  and a dequantization unit  1207 . 
     After receiving the quantized data from the quantization unit  1204 , the variable-length coding unit  1205  performs variable-length coding on the data output from the quantization unit  1204 . Then, the variable-length coding unit  1205  outputs the variable length-coded data to the buffer memory  103  ( FIG. 1 ) and the code amount control unit  1206  as MPEG-coded data. The dequantization unit  1207  dequantizes the quantized data output from the quantization unit  1204 , and sends the dequantized data to an inverse DCT unit  1208 . 
     The inverse DCT unit  1208  performs inverse DCT processing on the dequantized data output from the dequantization unit  1207 . Then, the inverse DCT unit  1208  sends the inverse DCT-processed data to an adder  1209 . The adder  1209  adds the data for reference picture output from the motion compensation unit  1210  to the inverse DCT-processed data output from the inverse DCT unit  1208 . Then, the inverse DCT unit  1208  outputs the resulting data to the motion compensation unit  1210 . 
     After receiving the data from the adder  1209 , if the data sent from the adder  1209  is an I picture or a P picture, the motion compensation unit  1210  stores the I picture or P picture in a memory  1211  as data for a reference picture. Furthermore, the motion compensation unit  1210  calculates a motion vector for each macroblock including a predetermined number of pixels based on a picture to be coded, which is output from the data rearrangement unit  1201 , and the data for a reference picture stored in the memory  1211 . The motion compensation unit  1210  reads the data for a reference picture stored on the memory  1211  according to the calculated motion vector, and then sends the read data for a reference picture to the subtracter  1202  and the adder  1209 . 
     The code amount control unit  1206  controls a quantization step size, which is to be used in the quantization unit  1204 , according to an amount of generated code of the MPEG data output from the variable-length coding unit  1205 . In the case of coding moving image data according to the MPEG method, it is necessary to control the amount of data stored on a buffer memory (video buffering verifier (VBV) buffer) used in decoding MPEG data such that data underflow or overflow does not occur in the buffer memory (VBV buffer). 
     The code amount control unit  1206  calculates the amount of data stored on the VBV buffer according to the amount of generated code output from the variable-length coding unit  1205 , to control the quantization step size. 
     Furthermore, in the case of seamless recording, the code amount control unit  1206  controls the quantization step size such that, if the currently recorded moving image data is reproduced immediately after reproduction of previously recorded moving image data, data underflow or overflow does not occur in the VBV buffer. 
     More specifically, the code amount control unit  1206  stores, in a built-in register, information about the amount of data stored in the VBV buffer at the time recording of the moving image data is stopped. When the user generates an instruction for starting a next recording operation, the code amount control unit  1206  controls the quantization step size for the moving image data at the start of recording according to the stored amount of data in the VBV buffer. 
     Thus, an underflow of data stored in the VBV buffer can be prevented. Accordingly, two clips of MPEG data can be consecutively reproduced without interruption or stopping at the portion between clips. 
     On the other hand, in the case where seamless recording is not performed, the quantization unit  1204  quantizes currently recorded moving image data with a predetermined quantization step size regardless of the amount of data of previously recorded moving image data stored in the VBV buffer. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary structure of clip information generated according to the BD-ROM format. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the clip information includes two portions. Namely, the clip information in  FIG. 10  includes clip information A  1001 , which is illustrated in an upper portion of the clip information in  FIG. 10 , and clip information B  1002 , which is illustrated in a lower portion of the clip information in  FIG. 10 . The clip information A  1001  includes data for managing the entire management information. The clip information B  1002  includes content of various information described in the clip information A  1001 . A header portion of the clip information A  1001  includes information for managing the entire clip information, and includes a description “type_indicator”, which indicates that the data is clip information. 
     A portion of the clip information A  1001  immediately after the header portion includes a description “version_number”, which is used for identifying a version of the data format in the case where the data format is expanded. Portions thereafter respectively include descriptions about a start address of each of the blocks “ClipInfo, “SequenceInfo”, “ProgramInfo”, “CPI”, “ClipMark”, and “ExtensionData”. The clip information further includes descriptions “ClipInfo”, “SequenceInfo”, “ProgramInfo”, “CPI”, “ClipMark”, and “ExtensionData”. Seamless information is described in the “ClipInfo” block. 
     The CPU  109  generates the above-described clip information and stores the generated clip information in the buffer memory  103 . The disk access unit  104  reads the clip information from the buffer memory  103  at a predetermined timing and records the read clip information on the disk  105 . 
     Now, processing for recording moving image data in a seamless state (seamless recording) according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 13  and also to  FIGS. 5A through 5C .  FIGS. 5A through 5C  each illustrate recorded data according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , in step S 1301 , in a state where the recording of moving image data is currently stopped, the CPU  109  determines whether a user has generated an instruction for starting recording via the operation unit  112 . If it is determined in step S 1301  that the user has generated an instruction for starting recording (YES in step S 1301 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1302 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1301  that the user has not generated an instruction for starting recording, then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1306 . In step S 1302 , the CPU  109  generates clip information including seamless information and records the generated clip information on the disk  105 , and then advances to step S 1303 . In step S 1303 , the CPU  109  serially encodes moving image data and stores the MPEG moving image data (stream) on the disk  105 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, at the time the recording of a stream is started, identification information for a clip to be recorded next is previously determined. The determined identification information is included in clip information. The clip information including the identification information is recorded on the disk  105 . 
     In step S 1304 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording in the above-described state. If it is determined in step S 1304  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1304 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step  1305 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1304  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1304 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1303  to continue a recording operation. In step S 1305 , the CPU  109  stops recording the stream on the disk  105 . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates data recorded on the disk  105  according to the present exemplary embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 5A , information about a clip to be recorded subsequent to a first stream  501 S, which has been currently recorded, is stored in first clip information  501 I as seamless information. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates a state in which two clips are recorded on the disk  105  according to the present exemplary embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 5B , identification information about a second clip ( 502 I and  502 S) is stored in the first clip information  501 I as seamless information at the time of recording the first stream  501 S. An arrow  503  indicates that the first stream  501 S and the second stream  502 S are subjected to seamless reproduction. 
     That is, at the time of recording the second stream  502 S, the second clip is recorded according to the seamless information stored in the already recorded first clip information  501 I. 
     However, in the following cases, the second stream  502 S cannot be recorded according to the seamless information stored in the first clip information  501 I. For example, when the disk  105  is ejected after the first stream  501 S is recorded or when the video camera  100  is powered off after the first stream  501 S is recorded, the disk  105  is ejected or the video camera  100  is powered off before recording of the second clip. Accordingly, in this case, the second clip, whose information is described in the seamless information in the first clip information  501 I, is not recorded on the disk  105 . This is contradictory to the seamless information in the first clip information  501 I. 
     In order to avoid such a contradictory operation, in a state where the recording of moving image data is currently stopped, in step S 1306  in  FIG. 13 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105 . 
     If it is determined in step S 1306  that the user has generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105  (YES in step S 1306 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1311 . In step S 1311 , the CPU  109  erases recorded clip information about a previously recorded clip from the disk  105 , and then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1312 . In step S 1312 , the CPU  109  newly generates clip information that does not include seamless information and records the newly generated clip information on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1313 . In step S 1313 , the CPU  109  ejects the disk  105  and returns to step S 1301  to wait until the user generates an instruction for starting recording. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1306  that the user has not generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105  (NO in step S 1306 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1307 . In step S 1307 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100 . 
     If it is determined in step S 1307  that the user has not generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100  (NO in step S 1307 ), the CPU  109  returns to step S 1301  to wait until the user generates an instruction for starting recording. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1307  that the user has generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100  (YES in step S 1307 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1308 . In step S 1308 , the CPU  109  erases recorded clip information about a previously recorded clip from the disk  105 , and then advances to step S 1309 . In step S 1309 , the CPU  109  newly generates clip information that does not include seamless information and records the newly generated clip information on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1310 . In step S 1310 , the CPU  109  ejects the disk  105  and ends the processing. 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates recorded data at the time the disk  105  is ejected or the video camera  100  is powered off according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5C , at the time the disk  105  is ejected or the video camera  100  is powered off, the CPU  109  erases the first clip information  501 I including the seamless information from the disk  105 . Furthermore, the CPU  109  newly generates first clip information  501 I′, which does not include seamless information. Then, the CPU  109  records the first clip information  501 I′ on the disk  105 . 
     If the disk  105  is a write-once medium, such as a DVD-R, data recorded on the disk  105  cannot be erased therefrom. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, an area of the disk  105  in which the first clip information  501 I is recorded is handled as an invalid area, and the CPU  109  records the newly generated first clip information  501 I′ in a separated another area of the disk  105 . 
     If the disk  105  is a rewritable medium, such as a DVD-RW, recorded data can be overwritten. In this case, the CPU  109  overwrites the previously recorded first clip information  501 I with the newly generated first clip information  501 I′. 
     According to the present exemplary embodiment in which a moving image data clip is recorded in the above-described manner, management information including seamless information can be recorded. Accordingly, moving image data recorded in real time can be consecutively reproduced without interruption or stopping at a portion between clips. 
     In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, management information is recorded according to the BD-ROM format. Accordingly, management information including seamless information can be recorded according to the BD-ROM format, and thus moving image data recorded according to the BD-ROM format can be consecutively displayed or reproduced. 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
     Now, a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, basic operations of the video camera  100  are similar to those in the first exemplary embodiment. The present exemplary embodiment is mainly different from the first exemplary embodiment in the following points. That is, in the present exemplary embodiment, in recording moving image data on the disk  105 , the CPU  109  records clip information in a non-seamless state. Then, in recording the next clip, when the user generates an instruction for seamless recording, the CPU  109  overwrites the previously recorded clip information. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select, via the operation unit  112  in a state where the recording is currently stopped, whether to record moving image data to be recorded next in a seamless state. 
     The operation of the video camera  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described below with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 14  and to  FIGS. 6A through 6C .  FIGS. 6A through 6C  each illustrate recorded data according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     After the CPU  109  determines that a user has generated an instruction for starting recording via the operation unit  112  in a state where the recording of moving image data is currently stopped, the processing according to the flow chart of  FIG. 14  starts. In step S 1401 , the CPU  109  generates clip information that does not include seamless information and records the generated clip information on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1402 . 
     In step S 1402 , the CPU  109  determines whether the current recording operation is the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted or the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on. 
     If it is determined in step S 1402  that the current recording operation is the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted or the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on (YES in step S 1402 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1409 . In step S 1409 , since a clip that has been previously recorded does not exist (that is, seamless recording of a previous clip and the current clip cannot be performed in this case), the CPU  109  encodes the moving image data without performing processing for seamless recording and then records the coded moving image data on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1410 . 
     In step S 1410 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording. If it is determined in step S 1410  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1410 ), the CPU  109  returns to step S 1409  to continue the recording operation. If it is determined in step S 1410  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1410 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1411 . In step S 1411 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data stream, and then ends the processing. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates the data recorded on the disk  105  at that time according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 6A , first clip information  601 I that does not include seamless information is recorded on the disk  105 , as clip information for the first stream  601 S, which has been currently recorded. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1402  that the current recording operation is neither the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted nor the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on (NO in step S 1402 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1403 . In step S 1403 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for seamless recording via the operation unit  112 . If it is determined in step S 1403  that the user has not generated an instruction for seamless recording (NO in step S 1403 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1409 . In step S 1409 , the CPU  109  records moving image data as described above without performing processing for seamless recording. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates two clips recorded on the disk  105  in a case where the user has not generated an instruction for seamless recording. In  FIG. 6B , clip information for each of a first clip ( 601 I and  601 S) and a second clip ( 602 I and  602 S) does not include seamless information. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1403  that the user has generated an instruction for seamless recording (YES in step S 1403 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1404 . In step S 1404 , the CPU  109  causes the encoder  102  to encode the subsequently recorded moving image data such that the subsequently recorded moving image data can be seamlessly reproduced consecutively to the previously recorded moving image data. The CPU  109  then records the encoded moving image data on the disk  105 . 
     In step S 1405 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording in the above-described state. If it is determined in step S 1405  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1405 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1406 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1405  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1405 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1404  to continue the recording operation. In step S 1406 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data on the disk  105 , and then advances to step S 1407 . 
     In step S 1407 , the CPU  109  erases clip information for a clip that has been previously recorded on the disk  105 , and then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1408 . In step S 1408 , the CPU  109  newly generates clip information including seamless information for the currently recorded clip, and then records the newly generated clip information on the disk  105 . 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates data recorded on the disk  105  when seamless recording has been instructed by the user according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6C , because the first clip information  601 I does not include seamless information, a first stream  601 S and a second stream  602 S cannot be seamlessly reproduced. In this regard, the CPU  109  invalidates the previously recorded first clip information  601 I and newly generates first clip information  601 I′ including seamless information. Then, the CPU  109  records the newly generated first clip information  601 I′ on the disk  105 . 
     That is, the CPU  109  overwrites the first clip information  601 I with the first clip information  601 I′, which includes seamless information. 
     According to the present exemplary embodiment, by recording moving image data by the above-described processing, seamless information can be recorded with a recording apparatus that records moving image data in real time, such as a digital video camera. Accordingly, moving image data can be consecutively reproduced without interruption or stopping. 
     In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, clip information that does not include seamless information is recorded at the time of recording moving image data. Accordingly, it is not necessary to overwrite previously recorded clip information with newly generated clip information when the disk  105  is ejected or the video camera  100  is powered off. 
     Third Exemplary Embodiment 
     Now, a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the present exemplary embodiment, basic operations of the video camera  100  are similar to those in the first exemplary embodiment. 
     As described above with reference to  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 6C , in the first and second exemplary embodiments, it is necessary to erase the recorded clip information and overwrite the clip information with newly generated clip information. Furthermore, in the case of using a write-once medium, such as a DVD-R, information recorded on such a medium cannot be erased later. Thus, a wasteful area can exist on a disk in this case. 
     In this regard, in the present exemplary embodiment, in recording moving image data, clip information corresponding to the moving image data is not recorded on the disk  105 , and instead, the clip information is temporarily stored in a built-in memory. In recording moving image data to be subsequently recorded, after the user has determined whether to perform seamless recording, the clip information is recorded on the disk  105 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment also, the user can designate whether to perform seamless recording via the operation unit  112 . 
     Processing according to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described below with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 15  and to  FIGS. 7A through 7C .  FIGS. 7A through 7C  each illustrate recorded data according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , in a state where the recording of moving image data is currently stopped, in step S 1501 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for starting recording via the operation unit  112 . If it is determined in step S 1501  that the user has generated an instruction for starting recording (YES in step S 1501 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1502 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1501  that the user has not generated an instruction for starting recording, then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1509 . In step S 1502 , the CPU  109  generates clip information that does not include seamless information and stores the generated clip information in the non-volatile memory  113 , and then advances to step S 1503 . 
     In step S 1503 , the CPU  109  determines whether the current recording operation is the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted or the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on. 
     If it is determined in step S 1503  that the current recording operation is the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted or the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on (YES in step S 1503 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1513 . In step S 1513 , since a clip that has been previously recorded does not exist (that is, seamless recording of a previous clip and the current clip cannot be performed in this case), the CPU  109  encodes the moving image data without performing processing for seamless recording and then records the coded moving image data on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1514 . 
     In step S 1514 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording. If it is determined in step S 1514  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1514 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1513  to continue the recording operation. If it is determined in step S 1514  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1514 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1515 . In step S 1515 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data stream. Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1509 . 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates data recorded on the disk  105  and data stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at that time according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 7A , a first stream  701 S is recorded on the disk  105 . In this state, the user has not yet designated whether to record moving image data to be recorded next with seamless recording. 
     Accordingly, the CPU  109  stores in the non-volatile memory  113  first clip information  701 I, which does not include seamless information, as clip information for the first stream  701 S. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1503  that the current recording operation is neither the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted nor the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on (NO in step S 1503 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1504 . In step S 1504 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for recording the moving image data with seamless recording via the operation unit  112 . If it is determined in step S 1504  that the user has not generated an instruction for recording the moving image data with seamless recording (NO in step S 1504 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1513 . In step S 1513 , the CPU  109  records the moving image data as described above. 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates two recorded clips in the case where the user has not generated an instruction for recording moving image data with seamless recording according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 7B , a first stream  701 S of a first clip and a second stream  702 S of a second clip are recorded on the disk  105 . Clip information  701 I and  702 I stored in the non-volatile memory  113  for the first and the second clips does not include seamless information. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1504  that the user has generated an instruction for recording moving image data with seamless recording (YES in step S 1504 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1505 . In step S 1505 , the CPU  109  causes the encoder  102  to encode the subsequently recorded moving image data such that the subsequently recorded moving image data can be seamlessly reproduced consecutively to the previously recorded moving image data. Then, the CPU  109  records the coded moving image data on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1506 . 
     In step S 1506 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording. If it is determined in step S 1506  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1506 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step  1507 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1506  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1506 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1505  to continue the recording operation. In step S 1507 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1508 . 
     In step S 1508 , the CPU  109  updates the clip information for the previously recorded clip stored in the non-volatile memory  113  and stores in the non-volatile memory  113  the clip information including the seamless information for the clip that has been currently recorded. Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1509 . In step S 1509 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105 . 
     If it is determined in step S 1509  that the user has generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105  (YES in step S 1509 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1516 . In step S 1516 , the CPU  109  records each clip information stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at respective positions on the disk  105  designated by the user, and then advances to step S 1517 . In step S 1517 , the CPU  109  ejects the disk  105 . Then, the processing ends. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1509  that the user has not generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105  (NO in step S 1509 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1510 . In step S 1510 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100 . 
     If it is determined in step S 1510  that the user has not generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100  (NO in step S 1510 ), the CPU  109  returns to step S 1501 . If it is determined in step S 1510  that the user has generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100  (YES in step S 1510 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1511 . In step S 1511 , the CPU  109  records each clip information stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at respective positions on the disk  105  previously designated by the user. Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1512 . In step S 1512 , the CPU  109  powers off the video camera  100 . Then, the processing ends. 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates clip information recorded on the disk  105  at the time the disk  105  is ejected or the video camera  100  is powered off according to the present exemplary embodiment. In a case where a second clip ( 702 I and  702 S), which has been designated to be recorded with seamless recording, is recorded after recording a first clip ( 701 I and  701 S), the CPU  109  adds seamless information to the first clip information  701 I. When the user generates an instruction for ejecting the disk  105  or powering off  100  after the second stream  701 S is completely recorded, the CPU  109  records on the disk  105  the first clip information  701 I and second clip information  702 I. 
     As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, seamless information can be recorded without wasting a recording area on the disk  105 . 
     Fourth Exemplary Embodiment 
     Now, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the present exemplary embodiment, basic operations of the video camera  100  are similar to those in the first exemplary embodiment. 
     As described with reference to  FIGS. 7A through 7C , in the third exemplary embodiment, it is necessary to store in the non-volatile memory  113  as many clip information as the number of clips to be recorded. Accordingly, in the third exemplary embodiment, as the number of clips to be recorded increases, the necessary capacity of the non-volatile memory  113  becomes larger. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, clip information for a previously recorded clip is recorded on the disk  105  at the time the next stream is recorded, thus reducing the necessary capacity of the non-volatile memory  113 . 
     The operation according to the present exemplary embodiment will now be described below with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 16  and to  FIGS. 8A through 8C .  FIGS. 8A through 8C  each illustrate recorded data according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , in a state where the recording of moving image data is currently stopped, in step S 1601 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for starting recording via the operation unit  112 . If it is determined in step S 1601  that the user has generated an instruction for starting recording (YES in step S 1601 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1602 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1601  that the user has not generated an instruction for starting recording (NO in step S 1601 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1610 . In step S 1602 , the CPU  109  generates clip information that does not include seamless information and stores the generated clip information in the non-volatile memory  113 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1603 . 
     In step S 1603 , the CPU  109  determines whether the current recording operation is the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted or the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on. 
     If it is determined in step S 1603  that the current recording operation is the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted or the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on (YES in step S 1603 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1614 . In step S 1614 , since a clip that has been previously recorded does not exist (that is, seamless recording of a previous clip and the current clip cannot be performed in this case), the CPU  109  encodes the moving image data without performing processing for seamless recording and then records the coded moving image data on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1615 . 
     In step S 1615 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording. If it is determined in step S 1615  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1615 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1616 . In step S 1616 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data stream, and then ends the processing. Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1610 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1615  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1615 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1614  to continue the recording operation. 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates data recorded on the disk  105  and data stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at the time the recording of a first stream  801 S has been stopped according to the present exemplary embodiment. In this state, the user has not designated whether to record moving image data to be recorded next with seamless recording. 
     Accordingly, the CPU  109  stores in the non-volatile memory  113  first clip information  801 I, which does not include seamless information, as clip information for the first stream  801 S. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1603  that the current recording operation is neither the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted nor the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on (NO in step S 1603 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1604 . In step S 1604 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for seamless recording via the operation unit  112 . 
     If it is determined in step S 1604  that the user has not generated an instruction for seamless recording (NO in step S 1604 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1619 . In step S 1619 , the CPU  109  encodes the moving image data without performing processing for seamless recording, and then records the coded moving image data on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1620 . In step S 1620 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording. If it is determined in step S 1620  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1620 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1619  to continue the recording operation. If it is determined in step S 1620  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1620 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1621 . In step S 1621 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data stream. Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1609 . 
     In step S 1609 , the CPU  109  reads clip information for the previously recorded clip from the non-volatile memory  113 , and then records the read clip information on the disk  105 . The CPU then advances to step S 1610 . 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1604  that the user has generated an instruction for seamless recording (YES in step S 1604 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1605 . In step S 1605 , the CPU  109  causes the encoder  102  to encode the subsequently recorded moving image data such that the subsequently recorded moving image data can be seamlessly reproduced consecutively to the previously recorded moving image data. Then, the CPU  109  records the coded moving image data coded on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU advances to step S 1606 . 
     In step S 1606 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording. If it is determined in step S 1606  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1606 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1607 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1606  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1606 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1605  to continue the recording operation. In step S 1607 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data on the disk  105 . 
     In step S 1608 , the CPU  109  updates the clip information for the previously recorded clip, which has been stored in the non-volatile memory  113 . That is, the CPU  109  adds the seamless information for the clip that has been currently recorded to the clip information for the previously recorded clip stored in the non-volatile memory  113 . 
     In step S 1609 , as described above, the CPU  109  reads the clip information for the previously recorded clip from the non-volatile memory  113 , and then records the read clip information on the disk  105 . 
       FIGS. 8B and 8C  each illustrate data stored on the disk  105  and data stored in the non-volatile memory  113  after the recording of the second stream has been stopped according to the present exemplary embodiment. In  FIG. 8B , a second stream  802 S is recorded in a non-seamless state. The first clip information  801 I does not include seamless information. 
     In the case of non-seamless recording, seamless information is not necessary. Accordingly, the CPU  109  records on the disk  105  the first clip information  801 I, which has been stored in the non-volatile memory  113 , without performing processing for seamless recording. 
     After recording the first clip information  801 I on the disk  105 , the first clip information  801 I stored in the non-volatile memory  113  becomes unnecessary. Accordingly, the CPU  109  erases the first clip information  801 I from the non-volatile memory  113 . 
       FIG. 8C  illustrates the second stream  802 S that has been recorded with seamless recording according to the present exemplary embodiment. In a case where the second stream  802 S is recorded with seamless recording, the CPU  109  adds seamless information to the first clip information  801 I and records the first clip information  801 I added with the seamless information on the disk  105 . After recording the first clip information  801 I on the disk  105 , the first clip information  801 I stored in the non-volatile memory  113  becomes unnecessary. Accordingly, the CPU  109  erases the first clip information  801 I from the non-volatile memory  113 . 
     In step S 1610 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105 . If it is determined in step S 1610  that the user has generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105  (YES in step S 1610 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1617 . In step S 1617 , the CPU  109  records on the disk  105  the clip information stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at this time, and then advances to step S 1618 . In step S 1618 , the CPU  109  ejects the disk  105 , and then the processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1610  that the user has not generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105  (NO in step  1610 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1611 . 
     In step S 1611 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100 . If it is determined in step S 1611  that the user has generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100  (YES in step S 1611 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1612 . In step S 1612 , the CPU  109  records on the disk  105  the clip information stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at this time, and then advances to step S 1613 . In step S 1613 , the CPU  109  powers off the video camera  100 , and then the processing ends. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1611  that the user has not generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100  (NO in step S 1611 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1601  and waits until the user generates an instruction for starting recording moving image data. 
     As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, the non-volatile memory  113  has a capacity large enough to store only one clip information. Accordingly, no large capacity memory is necessary. Thus, the capacity of the non-volatile memory  113  can be small. 
     Fifth Exemplary Embodiment 
     Now, a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the present exemplary embodiment, basic operations of the video camera  100  are similar to those in the first exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example in which clip information  901 I is divided into two blocks, namely, a block A and a block B, according to the present exemplary embodiment. The block A of the clip information  901 I in  FIG. 9  is equivalent to the clip information A  1001  in  FIG. 10 . The block B of the clip information  901 I in  FIG. 9  is equivalent to the clip information B  1002  in  FIG. 10 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , seamless information is included in the description “ClipInfo( )” in the clip information A  1001 . Accordingly, a content of the clip information A  1001  varies according to whether the next clip is to be recorded with seamless recording or non-seamless recording. 
     A content of the clip information B  1002  is not related to whether the next clip is to be recorded by seamless recording or non-seamless recording and does not vary according thereto. That is, the content of the clip information B  1002  is determined before recording the next clip. 
     Accordingly, the clip information A  1001  cannot be recorded on the disk  105  until whether the next clip is to be recorded with seamless recording or non-seamless recording is designated by the user. On the other hand, the clip information B  1002  can be recorded before whether the next clip is to be recorded with seamless recording or non-seamless recording is designated by the user. In this regard, in the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU  109  records the clip information B  1002  while storing the clip information A  1001  in the non-volatile memory  113  at the time of recording a stream. 
     The operation according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 17  and to  FIGS. 11A through 11C . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , in a state where the recording of moving image data is currently stopped, in step S 1701 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for starting recording via the operation unit  112 . If it is determined in step S 1701  that the user has generated an instruction for starting recording (YES in step S 1701 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1702 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1701  that the user has not generated an instruction for starting recording (NO in step S 1701 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1710 . In step S 1702 , the CPU  109  generates clip information A that does not include seamless information and stores the generated clip information A in the non-volatile memory  113 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1703 . 
     In step S 1703 , the CPU  109  determines whether the current recording operation is the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted or the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on. 
     If it is determined in step S 1703  that the current recording operation is the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted or the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on (YES in step S 1703 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1714 . In step S 1714 , since a clip that has been previously recorded does not exist (that is, seamless recording of a previous clip and the current clip cannot be performed in this case), the CPU  109  encodes the moving image data without performing processing for seamless recording and then records the coded moving image data, together with the clip information B, on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1715 . 
     In step S 1715 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording. If it is determined in step S 1715  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1715 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1716 . In step S 1716 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data stream. Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1710 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1715  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1715 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1714  to continue the recording operation. 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates data ( 1101 B and  1101 S) recorded on the disk  105  and data ( 1101 A) stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at the time the recording of a first stream  11011  is stopped according to the present exemplary embodiment. In this state, the user has not designated whether moving image data to be recorded next is to be recorded with seamless recording. 
     The content of the clip information B does not vary regardless of whether the clip is recorded with seamless recording or non-seamless recording. Accordingly, the CPU  109  records the clip information B on the disk  105 , leaving an area in which the clip information A is to be written. 
     According to a type of the disk  105 , the data is recorded for each predetermined amount of data. In this case, the CPU  109 , in recording the clip information A in the following manner, adds NULL data (padding data) to a portion of data whose data amount is smaller than the predetermined data amount for recording, to adjust the data amount. For example, the unit of data amount for recording data is 32K byte in the case of a DVD. 
     On the other hand, the CPU  109  stores in the non-volatile memory  113  first clip information  1101 A, which does not include seamless information, as the clip information A for the first stream  1101 S. 
     If it is determined in step S 1703  that the current recording operation is neither the first recording operation performed after the disk  105  has been mounted nor the first recording operation performed after the video camera  100  has been powered on (NO in step S 1703 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1704 . In step S 1704 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for recording moving image data with seamless recording via the operation unit  112 . 
     If it is determined in step S 1704  that the user has not generated an instruction for recording moving image data with seamless recording (NO in step S 1704 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1719 . In step S 1719 , the CPU  109  encodes the moving image data without performing processing for seamless recording, and then records the coded moving image data, together with the clip information B, on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1720 . 
     In step S 1720 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording. If it is determined in step S 1720  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1720 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1721 . In step S 1721 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data stream, and then ends the recording processing. Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1709 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1720  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (NO in step S 1720 ), the CPU  109  returns to step S 1719  to continue the recording operation. 
     In step S 1709 , the CPU  109  reads the clip information A for the previously recorded clip from the non-volatile memory  113 , and then records the read clip information A on the disk  105 . 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1704  that the user has generated an instruction for recording moving image data with seamless recording (YES in step S 1704 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1705 . In step S 1705 , the CPU  109  causes the encoder  102  to encode the subsequently recorded moving image data such that the subsequently recorded moving image data can be seamlessly reproduced consecutively to the previously recorded moving image data. Then, the CPU  109  records the coded moving image data, together with the clip information B, on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1706 . 
     In step S 1706 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording. If it is determined in step S 1706  that the user has generated an instruction for stopping recording (YES in step S 1706 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1707 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1706  that the user has not generated an instruction for stopping recording (No in step S 1706 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1705  to continue the recording operation. In step S 1707 , the CPU  109  stops recording the moving image data on the disk  105 , and then advances to step S 1708 . 
     In step S 1708 , the CPU  109  updates the clip information A for the previously recorded clip, which has been stored in the non-volatile memory  113 , and stores in the non-volatile memory  113  the updated clip information A including seamless information for the clip that has been currently recorded. Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1709 . 
     In step S 1709 , the CPU  109  reads the clip information A for the previously recorded clip from the non-volatile memory  113 , and then records the read clip information A on the disk  105 . Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1710 . In step S 1710 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105 . 
     If it is determined in step S 1710  that the user has generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105  (YES in step S 1710 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1717 . In step S 1717 , the CPU  109  records the clip information A stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at a position on the disk  105  designated by the user, and then advances to step S 1718 . In step S 1718 , the CPU  109  ejects the disk  105 . Then, the processing ends. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 1710  that the user has not generated an instruction for ejecting the disk  105  (NO in step S 1710 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1711 . In step S 1711 , the CPU  109  determines whether the user has generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100 . 
     If it is determined in step S 1711  that the user has not generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100  (NO in step S 1711 ), then the CPU  109  returns to step S 1701 . If it is determined in step S 1711  that the user has generated an instruction for powering off the video camera  100  (YES in step S 1711 ), then the CPU  109  advances to step S 1712 . In step S 1712 , the CPU  109  records the clip information A stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at a position on the disk  105  previously designated by the user. Then, the CPU  109  advances to step S 1713 . In step S 1713 , the CPU  109  powers off the video camera  100 . Then, the processing ends. 
       FIGS. 11B and 11C  each illustrate data ( 1101 A,  1101 B,  1101 S,  1102 B, and  1102 S) recorded on the disk  105  and data ( 1102 A) stored in the non-volatile memory  113  at the time the recording of a second stream is stopped according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 11B  illustrates a second stream  1102 S that has been recorded with non-seamless recording. In  FIG. 11B , the first clip information  1101 A does not include seamless information. 
     In the case of non-seamless recording, seamless information is not necessary. Accordingly, after recording the second stream  1102 S, the CPU  109  records, in an area on the disk  105  which has been previously left free, the first clip information  1101 A that has been stored in the non-volatile memory  113  without performing processing for seamless recording. 
     After recording the first clip information  1101 A on the disk  105 , the first clip information  1101 A stored in the non-volatile memory  113  becomes unnecessary. Accordingly, the CPU  109  erases the first clip information  1101 A from the non-volatile memory  113 . 
       FIG. 11C  illustrates a second stream  1102 S that has been recorded with seamless recording according to the present exemplary embodiment. In a case where the second stream  1102 S is recorded with seamless recording, the CPU  109  adds seamless information to the first clip information  1101 A and records the first clip information  1101 A added with the seamless information on the disk  105 . After recording the first clip information  1101 A on the disk  105 , the first clip information  1101 A stored in the non-volatile memory  113  becomes unnecessary. Accordingly, the CPU  109  erases the first clip information  1101 A from the non-volatile memory  113 . 
     As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, seamless information can be recorded on the disk  105  without wasting a recording area on the disk  105 . 
     Other Exemplary Embodiments 
     Each unit constituting the moving image recording apparatus and each step in the moving image recording method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by executing a program stored in a RAM or a ROM of a computer with a CPU of the computer. 
     The present invention can be implemented in a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium storing the program, for example. More specifically, the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices and to an apparatus that includes one device. 
     The present invention can be implemented by directly or remotely supplying a program (software) implementing functions of the above-described exemplary embodiments (in the exemplary embodiments, the program corresponding to the processing performed according to the flow charts in  FIGS. 13 through 17 ) to a system or an apparatus and reading and executing supplied program code with the system or a computer of the apparatus. 
     The program can be configured in any form, such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to an operating system (OS). 
     As the recording medium for supplying such program code, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk (MO), a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), a CD-recordable (CD-R), a CD-rewritable (CD-RW), a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and a DVD (a DVD-read only memory (DVD-ROM) and a DVD-R), for example, can be used. 
     The above program can also be supplied by connecting to a web site on the Internet by using a browser of a client computer and by downloading the program from the web site to a recording medium such as a hard disk. In addition, the above program can also be supplied by downloading a compressed file that includes an automatic installation function from the web site to a recording medium, such as a hard disk. 
     The functions of the above-described embodiments can also be implemented by dividing the program code into a plurality of files and downloading each divided file from different web sites. That is, a World Wide Web (WWW) server for allowing a plurality of users to download the program file for implementing the functional processing configures the present invention. 
     In addition, the above program can also be supplied by distributing a storage medium, such as a CD-ROM, which stores the program according to the present invention after an encryption thereof; by allowing the user who is qualified for a prescribed condition to download key information for decoding the encryption from the web site via the Internet; and by executing and installing on the computer the encrypted program code by using the key information. 
     In addition, the functions according to the embodiments described above can be implemented not only by executing the program code read by the computer, but also implemented by the processing in which an operating system (OS) or the like carries out a part of or the whole of the actual processing based on an instruction given by the program code. 
     Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU and the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit can carry out a part of or the whole of the processing to implement the functions of the embodiments described above. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions. 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications No. 2006-244505 filed Sep. 8, 2006 and No. 2007-192164 filed Jul. 24, 2007, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.