Video recorder apparatus for recording moving picture file in detachable recording medium

A television video recorder apparatus is provided which is capable of generating a moving picture file reproducible in user's intended video quality and volume on a mobile terminal apparatus. The television video recorder apparatus extracts encoding condition information from a memory card in which a first moving picture file encoded under predetermined encoding conditions and having the encoding conditions is stored, and stores the extracted encoding condition information in a rewritable ROM. Next, the television video recorder apparatus sets the encoding conditions on the basis of the encoding condition information stored in the rewritable ROM, generates a second moving picture file by encoding a video signal and an audio signal to be recorded in accordance with the set encoding conditions, and stores the generated second moving picture file in the memory card.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a video recorder apparatus such as a television apparatus with a video recording function capable of recording a moving picture file in a detachable recording medium.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, there has been increasing a mobile terminal apparatus or equipment such as a mobile phone or a personal digital assistance (referred to as a PDA hereinafter), which has a function for reproducing a highly compressed moving picture file with a low bit rate having a format of MPEG4 or the like. As for such a reproducing function, there is assumed such a using method that a moving picture file having a format of the MPEG4 or the like recorded in a secure digital (referred to as an SD hereinafter) memory card or the like at home is enjoyed outdoors using a mobile phone or a PDA. In order to effectively utilize a recording medium having a limited capacity, there has been proposed a setting apparatus for video recording conditions which performs video recording on the basis of parameter values concerning the optimum video recording condition (or encoding condition) (See a patent document 1, for example).Patent document 1: Japanese patent laid-open publication No. JP-2002-125185-A.

There are various kinds of equipments such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like, for example, one having a video recording and reproducing function, one having only a reproducing function, or the like; and reproducible files are also different from each other depending on the equipments. A file of the MPEG4 will be described as an example of the moving picture file. In the MPEG4 standard, the specifications such as the maximum bit rate, a frame rate, and a pixel size of the moving picture file are specified. Whether or not the moving picture file can be reproduced by equipment such as a mobile phone or a PDA is determined whether or not the moving picture file complies with the specifications. Therefore, this leads to such a case that the moving picture file video-recorded by the technology disclosed in the patent document 1 cannot be reproduced by a user's mobile phone or PDA. In addition, in the patent document 1, setting information for video recording conditions is recorded in a detachable recording medium. This information is unnecessary information for the mobile phone or the PDA, and there is such a case that the information is deleted by mistake.

The mobile phone or the PDA has features of a small size and portability. In the equipment such as the mobile phone or the PDA, locations for viewing and listening are also simulated in various situations. The functions of video quality adjustment, audio quality adjustment, and the like of the equipment are simplified from the view point of the small size. Consequently, viewing and listening style considerably differ, as compared with such a case that a television apparatus having a function for reproducing moving picture files which have formats of the MPEG4 or the like is used, and the moving picture files are viewed and listened indoors.

The equipment of the existing television apparatus or the like having the function for reproducing moving picture files which have current formats of the MPEG4 or the like is premised on setting video recording conditions in consideration of mainly performing video recording and reproducing by the equipment itself. Therefore, there is a possibility that the moving picture files video-recorded by such television apparatus with a video recording function are not suitable for reproduction by other mobile terminal apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to solve the foregoing problems and to provide a video recorder apparatus capable of generating a moving picture file reproducible in user's intended video quality and volume on a mobile terminal apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video recorder apparatus including extracting means, first storage means, and storing means. The extracting means extracts predetermined encoding conditions from a recording medium that stores a first moving picture file, which is encoded by the encoding conditions and has the encoding conditions. The first storage means stores the extracted encoding conditions. The encoding means generates a second moving picture file by encoding a video signal and an audio signal to be recorded in accordance with the encoding conditions stored in the first storage means. The storing means stores the generated second moving picture file in one of the recording medium and a further recording medium.

In addition, according to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video recorder apparatus extracting means, first storage means, first storage means, encoding means, and storing means. The extracting means extracts the respective encoding conditions from at least one recording medium that stores a plurality of first moving picture files encoded under a plurality of encoding conditions different from each other, where each of the first moving picture files have the respective encoding conditions. The first storage means stores a plurality of extracted encoding conditions. The encoding means selects one of the plurality of encoding conditions stored in the first storage means, and generates a second moving picture file by encoding a video signal and an audio signal to be recorded in accordance with the selected encoding conditions. The storing means stores the generated second moving picture file in one of at least one the recording medium and a further recording medium.

In the above-mentioned video recorder apparatus, the first and the second moving picture files encoded by the encoding conditions are reproduced by a predetermined reproduction apparatus.

In the above-mentioned video recorder apparatus, the first storage means further stores encoding conditions inputted by a user.

The above-mentioned video recorder apparatus further includes second storage means, selecting means, and signal processing means. The second storage means stores a plurality of items of reproduction environment information, where each of the items of the reproduction environment information includes a plurality of parameters upon executing a predetermined processing on the video signal and the audio signal in response to a plurality of reproduction environments different from each other upon reproducing a moving picture file. The selecting means selects one of the plurality of items of reproduction environment information. The signal processing means executes the predetermined processing on the video signal and the audio signal on the basis of parameters of the selected reproduction environment information, generates processed video signal and the audio signal, and supplies a generated video signal and the audio signal to the encoding means as the video signal and the audio signal to be recorded.

In the above-mentioned video recorder apparatus, second storage means stores reproduction environment information inputted by a user.

The above-mentioned video recorder apparatus further includes third storing means, selecting means, and signal processing means. The third storing means stores a plurality of items of user preference information, each including a plurality of parameters upon executing a predetermined processing on the video signal and the audio signal in response to user preference. The selecting means selects one of the plurality of items of user preference information. The signal processing means executes the predetermined processing on the video signal and the audio signal on the basis of parameters of the selected user preference information, generates processed video signal and the audio signal, and for supplying a generated video signal and audio signal to the encoding means as the video signal and the audio signal to be recorded.

In the above-mentioned video recorder apparatus, the third storing means stores user preference information inputted by a user.

Therefore, according to the video recorder apparatus according to the present invention, the video recorder apparatus is useful when a moving picture file stored in a detachable recording medium is enjoyed outdoors on a mobile terminal apparatus such as a mobile phone or a PDA, and the moving picture file complying with reproduction environment and user preference can be generated so as to utilize the maximum performance concerning specifications of equipment to be used.

According to the present invention, by narrowing down reproduction equipment and reproduction environment in video recording while making the most of the features of small size and portability provided by a mobile terminal apparatus such as a mobile phone or a PDA, a video recorder apparatus such as a television apparatus with a video recording function can be provided which generates a moving picture file reproducible in user's intended video quality and volume even in the mobile terminal apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television video recorder apparatus1according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The television video recorder apparatus1according to the present embodiment can generate a moving picture file, which is provided for reproducing in a mobile terminal apparatus2such as a PDA or a mobile phone, and can record the same in a memory card3. The television video recorder apparatus1may be in a form of household television apparatus with a video recording function, for example. The mobile terminal apparatus2has a video recording function and a reproducing function of a moving picture file; and then, it is possible to generate a moving picture file under predetermined encoding conditions and to store in the memory card3, and to reproduce the moving picture file generated under the above encoding conditions.

The television video recorder apparatus1according to the present embodiment is characterized in that encoding condition information is extracted from the memory card3that stores therein a first moving picture file encoded under the predetermined encoding conditions and having the encoding conditions, and the extracted encoding condition information is stored in a rewritable ROM16. Next, the television video recorder apparatus1is characterized to set the encoding conditions on the basis of the encoding condition information stored in the rewritable ROM16, to generate a second moving picture file by encoding a video signal and an audio signal to be recorded in accordance with the set encoding conditions, and to store the generated second moving picture file in the memory card3.

A hardware configuration of the television video recorder apparatus1will be simply described with reference toFIG. 1. Referring toFIG. 1, a tuner12demodulates a television broadcasting signal received by an antenna11; extracts the video signal from the demodulated television broadcasting signal and outputs the same to a video signal processing unit13; and extracts the audio signal and outputs the same to an audio signal processing unit14. The video signal processing unit13executes a predetermined prefix processing on the video signal from the tuner12in order to generate a source of the moving picture file to be recorded in the memory card3. In a manner similar to that of above, the audio signal processing unit14executes a predetermined prefix processing on the audio signal from the tuner12in order to generate the source of the moving picture file to be recorded in the memory card3, and then, these processed video signal and the audio signal are inputted in the microcomputer15, respectively.

The rewritable ROM16, a ROM17, a RAM18, an input device19, and a memory card interface21are further connected to the microcomputer15, and the microcomputer15controls the whole operation of the television video recorder apparatus1. A controlling program of the television video recorder apparatus1is stored in the ROM17, and the microcomputer15executes the controlling program stored in the RAM18. The rewritable ROM16is of an EEPROM, for example; the rewritable ROM16stores an encoding condition information table31including encoding condition information (to be described in detail later) in generating the moving picture file to be recorded in the memory card3, and saves the same. The microcomputer15generates the moving picture file to be recorded in the memory card3by encoding the video signal processed by the video signal processing unit13and the audio signal processed by the audio signal processing unit14on the RAM18in accordance with the encoding conditions stored in the encoding condition information table31.

The television video recorder apparatus1is operated by a user via the input device19. In the case when specific user's input is required for processing, the microcomputer15displays a prompt on an input prompt display unit20connected to the input device19in order to persuade to put the user's input. The memory card interface21includes a memory card socket21A which is provided for attaching the memory card3, and reads out/writes data from/into the memory card3. When the moving picture file in the memory card3is reproduced, the microcomputer15transfers the data of the moving picture file from the memory card3to the RAM18, and stores, and processes the data in accordance with the controlling program. When the moving picture file is recorded in the memory card3, the microcomputer15transfers the data of the moving picture file on the RAM18to the memory card3and stores.

The encoding condition information table31retains encoding condition information linking to each of a plurality of different mobile terminal apparatuses2. The respective encoding condition information on the encoding condition information table31includes a set of parameter values concerning the moving picture file reproducible by a certain mobile terminal apparatus2. As an example, the encoding condition information includes a reproducing equipment name which specifies the mobile terminal apparatus2such as a mobile phone or a PDA, which reproduces the moving picture file; the maximum bit rate information of the moving picture file reproducible by the mobile terminal apparatus2; frame rate information; number of sampling pixels; audio bit rate information; and audio sampling frequency information. In the present embodiment, the encoding condition information means that upon performing video recording by the mobile terminal apparatus2, and is obtained from the encoding condition information contained in the moving picture file, which is generated by the video recording, as will be described later with reference toFIG. 3.

The television video recorder apparatus1may be provided with other source device which is provided for obtaining a television broadcasting signal in place of the antenna11and the tuner12. In order to persuade a user's to put an input necessary for processing, the television video recorder apparatus1may also display a prompt on a display apparatus (not shown) which is provided for displaying a television program, or may give sound instruction using a speaker (not shown), in place of displaying the prompt on the input prompt display unit20.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile terminal apparatus2which reproduces the moving picture file recorded in the memory card3by the television video recorder apparatus1shown inFIG. 1. Referring toFIG. 2, the mobile terminal apparatus2is configured so that the apparatus itself can further generate a moving picture file (that is, the apparatus itself executes photographing of the moving picture image and audio recording), and can also record in the memory card3. The mobile terminal apparatus2includes (a) a CPU40which controls the whole operation of the mobile terminal apparatus2, (b) a ROM41that stores the controlling program therein, (c) a RAM42used upon executing the controlling program, (d) a hard disc memory43which stores other additional data therein, (e) a memory card interface44having a memory card socket44A which is provided for attaching the memory card3and reading out/writing data from/into the memory card3, (f) an operating keyboard45, and (g) a display46which displays a moving picture file; and these constituent elements40,41,42,43,44,45, and46are connected with each other by a bus55. The mobile terminal apparatus2further includes a D/A converter47, an amplifier48, and a speaker49; and the input side of the D/A converter47is connected to the bus55, and the output side thereof is connected to the speaker49via the amplifier48. The mobile terminal apparatus2further includes a microphone50, an amplifier51, and an A/D converter52; and the microphone50is connected via the amplifier51on the input side of the A/D converter52, and the output side thereof is connected to the bus55. The mobile terminal apparatus2further includes a charge coupled device (referred to as a CCD hereinafter) imaging device53and an imaging device interface54; and the CCD imaging device53is connected with the input side of the imaging device interface53, and the output side thereof is connected to the bus55.

The CPU40reads out the moving picture file from the memory card3, decodes a video signal and an audio signal, outputs the video signal to the display46, and outputs the audio signal to the speaker49via the D/A converter47and the amplifier48. The CPU40also obtains a moving picture image photographed by the CCD imaging device53via the imaging device interface54as a video signal, obtains an audio signal obtained by the microphone50via the amplifier51and the A/D converter52, generates a moving picture file of a predetermined format on the basis of the obtained video signal and the audio signal, and records in the memory card3.

FIG. 3is a flow chart showing a registration processing of encoding condition information, which is executed by the microcomputer15of the television video recorder apparatus1shown inFIG. 1. In this processing, the television video recorder apparatus1obtains the encoding conditions in generating the moving picture file by the mobile terminal apparatus2which has the video recording function. Accordingly, the television video recorder apparatus1obtains the encoding condition information which is provided for generating the moving picture file suitable for reproduction in the mobile terminal apparatus2. Referring toFIG. 3, first of all, when a user inserts the memory card3, that stores the moving picture file video-recorded by the mobile terminal apparatus2therein, into the memory card socket21A. In step S1, the microcomputer15detects that the memory card3has been inserted into the memory card socket21A. In step S2, the microcomputer15reads data of the moving picture file stored in the memory card3into the RAM18, and searches tag information of the moving picture file thereof.

In this case, the tag information will be described. For example, in the moving picture file video-recorded by a mobile phone or a PDA, which is in conformity with the MPEG4, information such as an equipment name of an equipment that records the moving picture file, the maximum bit rate, the frame rate, and the pixel size is recorded as the tag information. The television video recorder apparatus1extracts the encoding condition information by searching this tag information in the data of the moving picture file read into the RAM18. A specific file configuration of the moving picture file will be described with reference toFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a schematic view showing a format of a moving picture file60to be recorded in the memory card3shown inFIG. 1. The moving picture file60starts from “start of file” (referred to as an SOF hereinafter) and ends at “end of file” (referred to as an EOF hereinafter). The moving picture file60is configured by a combination of a plurality of tags and data. For example, a tag T1is a keyword representing the equipment name, and an actual equipment name is recorded as data D1. Similarly, for example, a tag T2is a keyword representing the frame rate, and an actual frame rate is recorded as data D2.

Referring toFIG. 3again, in step S3, the microcomputer15extracts the encoding condition information included in the moving picture file on the basis of the searched tag information. Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the reproducing equipment name of the encoding condition information extracted in step S3has been already registered in the encoding condition information table31of the rewritable ROM16. When it is not registered, in step S7, all of the encoding condition information extracted in step S3is newly saved in the encoding condition information table31on the rewritable ROM16. When it has been already registered, in step S5, the encoding condition information extracted in step S3is compared with the encoding condition information linked to the reproducing equipment name and already registered. After that, in step S6, the encoding condition information table31is updated so that respective values of the encoding conditions are maximized. Therefore, for example, as for certain equipment, when a value larger than a parameter value concerning the encoding conditions registered in the encoding condition information table31is extracted, the larger value is written into the rewritable ROM16so as to update the parameter value.

The registration processing of encoding condition information is repeated on a plurality of memory cards3, that store therein moving picture files encoded under encoding conditions different from each other. Accordingly, the microcomputer15can obtain the encoding condition information which is provided for a plurality of different mobile terminal apparatuses2.

FIG. 4is a flow chart showing a video recording processing, which is executed by the microcomputer15of the television video recorder apparatus1shown inFIG. 1. The microcomputer15records the moving picture file in the memory card3in accordance with the video recording processing. Referring toFIG. 4, in step S11, the microcomputer15newly starts video recording using a television broadcasting signal received via the antenna11and the tuner12as a source. Next, in step S12, among the encoding condition information stored in the encoding condition information table31of the rewritable ROM16in step S6or step S7, the encoding condition information linked to the selected equipment is called up, by selecting the equipment in which the moving picture file to be recorded in the memory card3is to be reproduced by the video recording processing, in response to a user's input inputted via the input device19. In step S13, the microcomputer15sets the encoding conditions on the basis of the called up encoding condition information, and a video signal and an audio signal to be video-recorded are encoded on the RAM18in accordance with the set encoding conditions. In step S14, the microcomputer15records the encoded a moving picture file in the memory card3by the memory card interface21, and completes this processing. The memory card3may be the same as or different from the memory card3inserted into the memory card slot21A in step S1shown inFIG. 3. After the video recording processing is ended, the user detaches the memory card3from the memory card slot21A of the television video recorder apparatus1, inserts the memory card3into a memory card slot44A of the mobile terminal apparatus2, and reproduces the moving picture file recorded in the memory card3in the mobile terminal apparatus2.

As described above, according to the mobile terminal apparatus2provided with the video recording function and the reproducing function, the moving picture file encoded under the encoding conditions which are the same as the encoding conditions of the moving picture file formerly video-recorded by the mobile terminal apparatus2is generated, and is recorded in the memory card3. Accordingly, the television video recorder apparatus1can generate a moving picture reproducible by the mobile terminal apparatus2.

On the other hand, when the mobile terminal apparatus2is a reproduction-only apparatus, the equipment itself cannot perform video recording. Therefore, when the encoding conditions (that is, features such as the maximum bit rate, the frame rate, and the pixel size) which are provided for generating the moving picture file reproducible by the mobile terminal apparatus2have to be obtained, the encoding condition information cannot be extracted from the moving picture file video-recorded by the mobile terminal apparatus2, in a manner similar to that of the method described using the flow chart shown inFIG. 3. In order to cope with such case, the processing for registering by inputting the encoding condition information by a user himself will be described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 5is a flow chart showing an input processing of encoding condition information, which is executed by the microcomputer15of the television video recorder apparatus1shown inFIG. 1. In step S21shown inFIG. 5, first of all, the microcomputer15starts the registration of the encoding condition information, and thereafter, in steps S22to S27, the microcomputer15persuades a user to input necessary information using the input device19via the input prompt display unit20. The microcomputer15inputs a name of the mobile terminal apparatus2which reproduces the moving picture file in step S22. In step S23, the microcomputer15inputs maximum bit rate information of the moving picture file reproducible by the mobile terminal apparatus2. In step S24, the microcomputer15inputs frame rate information of the moving picture file reproducible by the mobile terminal apparatus2. In step S25, the microcomputer15inputs number of sampling pixels of the moving picture file reproducible by the mobile terminal apparatus2. In step S26, the microcomputer15inputs audio bit rate information of the moving picture file reproducible by the mobile terminal apparatus2. Then in step S27, the microcomputer15inputs audio sampling frequency information of the moving picture file reproducible by the mobile terminal apparatus2. In step S28, the microcomputer15saves the above inputted encoding condition information to the encoding condition information table31of the rewritable ROM16.

As described above, according to the reproduction-only mobile terminal apparatus2, the moving picture file encoded under the encoding conditions which are the same as the encoding conditions specified by the user is generated, and is recorded in the memory card3. Accordingly, the television video recorder apparatus1can generate a moving picture reproducible by the mobile terminal apparatus2.

According to the television video recorder apparatus1of the present embodiment, a moving picture file reproducible in user's intended video quality and volume can be generated even in such mobile terminal apparatus2while making the most of the features of small size and portability provided by the mobile terminal apparatus2such as a mobile phone or a PDA.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 7is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television video recorder apparatus1according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to those similar to components in the first embodiment; and their detail description will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, the different points from the first embodiment will be described as follows, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

(1) A rewritable ROM16saves a reproduction environment information table32in addition to a encoding condition information table31; and

(2) A microcomputer15controls processing operation of a video signal processing unit13and an audio signal processing unit14on the basis of reproduction environment information on the reproduction environment information table32.

According to the television video recorder apparatus1according to the present embodiment, it is characterized that (a) the reproduction environment information table32stores a plurality of items of reproduction environment information each including a plurality of parameters upon executing a predetermined processing on a video signal and an audio signal in response to a plurality of reproduction environments different from each other upon reproducing a moving picture file; (b) an input device19selects one of the plurality of items of the reproduction environment information stored by the reproduction environment information table32; and (c) the video signal processing unit13and the audio signal processing unit14execute a predetermined processing on the video signal and the audio signal on the basis of the parameters of the selected reproduction environment information, generate the video signal and the audio signal of post processing, and supply the generated video signal and audio signal to the microcomputer15as the video signal and the audio signal to be recorded.

In the television video recorder apparatus1of the present embodiment, the reproduction environment information table32is used. Accordingly, moving picture files whose parameters such as color, brightness, and volume are preliminarily optimized can be generated in response to differences in location and environment upon reproducing moving picture files such as “crowd”, “in train”, “outdoor in daytime”, and “park at night”,

FIG. 8is a flow chart showing a video recording processing, which is executed by the microcomputer15of the television video recorder apparatus1shown inFIG. 7. An object of this processing is to generate moving picture files including video and audio suitable for a location (or reproduction environment) where a user uses the mobile terminal apparatus2. Referring toFIG. 8, in step S31, the microcomputer15newly starts the video recording using a television broadcasting signal received via an antenna11and a tuner12as a source. Next, in step S32, the microcomputer15selects one item of reproduction environment information by selecting a location where a user uses the mobile terminal apparatus2on the basis of the user's input via the input device19, and reads out the selected reproduction environment information from the reproduction environment information table32.

Referring toFIG. 9, the reproduction environment information table32of an implemental example will be described.FIG. 9is a schematic view showing an example of data of reproduction environment information recorded on the reproduction environment information table32shown inFIG. 7. In this description, a combination of the reproduction environment and parameters concerning video and audio such as color, brightness, and volume is called as the reproduction environment information. In the reproduction environment information table32, the reproduction environment (that is, location for reproducing moving picture files) and the parameters of video quality and audio quality are linked. For example, when “crowd” is selected as the reproduction environment, brightness (picture) is set to “+10”, the black level is set to “0”, the color density is set to “+5”, the color shade is set to “standard”, the sharpness is set to “−5”, the color temperature is set to “middle”, the volume is set to “17”, the low tone is set to “+3”, and the high tone is set to “+3”, In place of this, when “in train” or “park at night” is selected as the reproduction environment, parameters of different video quality and audio quality are set in conjunction with the selected result as shown inFIG. 9. The reproduction environment information may preliminarily be stored in the rewritable ROM16, or a user may add in the rewritable ROM16or edit using the input device19. The reproduction environment information shown inFIG. 9is merely exemplification, a further item may further be used as the reproduction environment, or a further parameter may be used.

Referring toFIG. 8again, in step S33, the microcomputer15changes setting of the video signal processing unit13and the audio signal processing unit14in accordance with the selected reproduction environment information. By this setting change, the standard video and standard audio outputted from the tuner12are customized according to user's preference which assumes the reproduction environment. Hereinafter, the processing of steps S34to S36is executed in a manner similar to that of the steps S12to S14shown inFIG. 4. After the video recording processing is ended, the user detaches the memory card3from the memory card slot21A of the television video recorder apparatus1, inserts the memory card3into a memory card slot44A of the mobile terminal apparatus2, and reproduces the moving picture file recorded in the memory card3of the mobile terminal apparatus2.

According to the television video recorder apparatus1of the present embodiment, a moving picture file reproducible in user's intended video quality and volume can be generated even in the mobile terminal apparatus2by performing video recording complying with reproduction equipment and reproduction environment while making the most of the features of small size and portability provided by the mobile terminal apparatus2such as a mobile phone or a PDA.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 10is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television video recorder apparatus1according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to those similar to components in the first embodiment and the second embodiment; and their detail description will be omitted.

In the third embodiment, different points from the second embodiment are that a rewritable ROM16saves a user preference information table33in addition to an encoding condition information table31and a reproduction environment information table32; and the other configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment.

According to the television video recorder apparatus1of the present embodiment, it is characterized that (a) the user preference information table33stores a plurality of items of user preference information each including a plurality of parameters upon executing a predetermined processing on a video signal and an audio signal in response to user preference; (b) an input device19selects one of the plurality of items of the user preference information; (c) a video signal processing unit13and an audio signal processing unit14execute a predetermined processing on the video signal and the audio signal on the basis of the parameters of the selected user preference information, generate the video signal and the audio signal of post processing, and supply the generated video signal and audio signal to the microcomputer15as the video signal and the audio signal to be recorded.

In the television video recorder apparatus1of the present embodiment, the user preference information table33is used. Accordingly, moving picture files whose parameters such as color, brightness, and volume are preliminarily optimized can be generated in response to differences in user preferences such as “relaxing mode”, “alive mode”, “sepia mode”, and “concert mode”,

FIG. 11is a flow chart showing a video recording processing, which is executed by the microcomputer15of the television video recorder apparatus1shown inFIG. 10. An object of this processing is to generate moving picture files with video and audio customized to the user preference. Referring toFIG. 11, in step S41, the microcomputer15newly starts video recording using a television broadcasting signal received via an antenna11and a tuner12as a source. Next, in step S42, the microcomputer15selects the user preference information according to user mood on the basis of a user's input via the input device19, and reads out the selected user preference information from the user preference information table33.

Referring toFIG. 12, the user preference information of an implemental example will be described.FIG. 12is a schematic view showing an example of data of user preference information recorded on the user preference information table33shown inFIG. 10. In this description, a combination of the user preference and customized parameters concerning video and audio such as color, brightness, and volume is called user preference information. In the user preference information table33, the user preference (that is, sense preferred by user) and the parameters of video quality and audio quality are linked. For example, when the “relaxing mode” is selected as the user preference, the brightness is set to “+10”, the black level is set to “0”, the color density is set to “−5”, the color shade is set to “light”, the sharpness is set to “−5”, the color temperature is set to “middle”, the volume is set to “10”, the low tone is set to “−3”, and the high tone is set to “−3”, In place of this, when the “alive mode” or the “concert mode” is selected as the user preference, parameters of different video quality and audio quality are set in conjunction with the selected result as shown inFIG. 12. The user preference information may be preliminarily stored in the rewritable ROM16, or a user may add in the rewritable ROM16or edit using the input device19. The reproduction environment information shown inFIG. 12is merely exemplification; and a further item may further be used as the user preference, or a further parameter may be used.

Referring toFIG. 11again, in step S43, the microcomputer15changes setting of a video signal processing unit17and a audio signal processing unit18in accordance with the selected user preference information. By this setting change, the standard video and standard audio outputted from the tuner12are customized according to user's preference which assumes a using location. Hereinafter, the processing of steps S44to S46is executed in a manner similar to that of the steps S12to S14shown inFIG. 4. After the video recording processing is ended, the user detaches a memory card3from a memory card slot21A of the television video recorder apparatus1, inserts the memory card3into a memory card slot44A of a mobile terminal apparatus2, and reproduces the moving picture file recorded in the memory card3of the mobile terminal apparatus2.

According to the television video recorder apparatus1of the present embodiment, a moving picture file reproducible in user's intended video quality and volume can be generated even in the mobile terminal apparatus2by performing video recording complying with reproduction equipment, reproduction environment, and user preference while making the most of the features of small size and portability provided by the mobile terminal apparatus2such as a mobile phone or a PDA.

The video recorder apparatus according to the present invention is useful because on the assumption of the way of such use that a moving picture file stored in a detachable recording medium is enjoyed outdoors on a mobile terminal apparatus such as a mobile phone or a PDA, the moving picture file complying with reproduction environment and user preference can be generated so as to utilize the maximum performance concerning specifications of equipment to be used.