Abstract:
An object of a reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is to solve a problem in that, when video data and music data of BGM are played simultaneously as they are, one of them is finished while the other is still playing, and accordingly, this does not provide an effect of sufficiently satisfying the user even though the BGM is inserted. The reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording medium capable of storing one or a plurality of video data, a network communication section for receiving, from a music server via a network, music-reproduction data having a reproduction time of almost the same length as a reproduction time of the video data stored in the recording medium, and a reproduction control section for simultaneously reproducing the music-reproduction data received by the network communication section and the video data stored in the recording medium.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing system for reproducing video data captured and recorded by a video camera etc., and a server. More particularly, the present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing system capable of not only reproducing video data but also inserting so-called background music (BGM), and a server to be used therefor. 
         [0002]    In recent years, video capturing apparatuses such as video cameras more and more increase range of function, and a video capturing apparatus having a function of inserting BGM, when recorded video data are edited, in addition to audio data recorded with video recording is already put into practical use. 
         [0003]    Some of such video cameras and the like having a function of inserting BGM are configured to store music selectable as BGM. In such video cameras, if a user selects a piece of music as BGM during reproduction, the video camera plays the selected music data instead of playing audio data collected when the video data was captured. 
         [0004]    However, when the video camera is configured to store music as described above, since the capacity of storing music in the video camera is limited, there is a problem in that the number of music selectable as BGM is naturally limited. 
         [0005]    In relation to such a problem, for example, Patent document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-164229) discloses an information reproducing apparatus which is configured to search an external server for music that was popular when the images were captured by using the shooting date as a key, and download the music data, when a so-called slide show is executed to successively reproduce images including shooting date information captured by a digital camera. 
         [0006]    However, when video data captured by using a video camera etc. and music data of the music selected as BGM are reproduced simultaneously, a reproduction time of the video data and a reproduction time of the music data selected and downloaded are not the same (or do not have the same or almost the same length) in many cases. Therefore, when both are reproduced simultaneously as they are, and the reproduction time of the video data is longer than that of the music data, only the video will be continuously played without any music even though the BGM has already been finished. On the contrary, the reproduction time of the video data is shorter than that of the music data, the reproduction of the video may be finished before the BGM is still playing, and the user may have no clue as to what music is inserted as BGM. 
         [0007]    In other words, when the video data and the BGM whose reproduction times can be hardly expected to be the same or almost the same length in general are played simultaneously as they are, one of them is finished while the other is still playing. This causes the user to feel incompleteness, and there is a problem in that, even though the BGM is inserted, this does not provide an effect of sufficiently satisfying the user. 
         [0008]    In the conventional art, even though an external server is used, music data of the music searched by the external server are downloaded regardless of reproduction history and the like in the reproducing apparatus. In this case, there is a problem in that the music already downloaded and used as BGM may be selected again. This provides a disadvantageous result to a user when the user wants to apply unique impression to each piece of video data. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A basic object of the present invention is to provide a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing system capable of playing, as BGM, music-reproduction data having a reproduction time that is neither too longer or too shorter than a reproduction time of video data, when the video data recorded in the reproducing apparatus and the music data downloaded from the external server as BGM are played simultaneously, and a server utilized therefor. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, a reproducing apparatus according to the present invention includes storage device capable of storing one or a plurality of video data, receiving unit for receiving, from an external server via a network, music-reproduction data having a reproduction time of almost the same length as a reproduction time of the video data stored in the storage device, and reproduction controller for simultaneously reproducing the music-reproduction data received by the receiving unit and the video data stored in the storage means. 
         [0011]    Further, a reproducing system according to the present invention includes a reproducing apparatus for reproducing video data and an external server connected to the reproducing apparatus via a network and transmitting music-reproduction data played together with the video data to the reproducing apparatus, wherein the reproducing apparatus includes storage device capable of storing one or a plurality of video data, receiving unit for receiving, from an external server via a network, music-reproduction data having a reproduction time of almost the same length as a reproduction time of the video data stored in the storage device, and reproduction controller for simultaneously reproducing the music-reproduction data received by the receiving unit and the video data stored in the storage device. 
         [0012]    According to the above constitutions, the music-reproduction data having a reproduction time of almost the same length as a reproduction time of the video data stored in the storage device are received from the external server and are reproduced together with the video data. 
         [0013]    In the above cases, the receiving unit may receive, as the music-reproduction data, part data of some of a plurality of parts constituting an entirety of the music corresponding to the music-reproduction data. 
         [0014]    According to this constitution, even when the reproduction time of the video data is shorter than that of the entire music, the reproduction time of the music-reproduction data received from the external server by the receiving unit can be configured to have almost the same length as the reproduction time of the video data. 
         [0015]    In this case, the music-reproduction data preferably includes part data corresponding to a hook-line of the music. 
         [0016]    According to this constitution, the music-reproduction data include the part data corresponding to the most impressive hook-line in the music, whereby a user can immediately know which music is played as the BGM simultaneously with the reproduction of the video data. 
         [0017]    Further, in the above cases, the receiving unit may receive part information about the plurality of parts of the music including the reproduction time of each piece of the part data from the external server via the network, and wherein the reproducing apparatus may further include processing unit for comparing the reproduction time of each piece of the part data received by the receiving unit and the reproduction time of the video data stored in the storage device, thus performing part-construction processing of the music-reproduction data. 
         [0018]    According to this constitution, the part-construction processing of the music-reproduction data can be performed by the reproducing apparatus side. 
         [0019]    Alternatively, the reproducing apparatus may further include transmitting unit for transmitting information about the reproduction time of the video data stored in the storage device to the external server via the network, and wherein the external server performs part-construction processing of the music-reproduction data by comparing the reproduction time of each piece of the part data and that of the video data. 
         [0020]    According to this constitution, the part-construction processing of the music-reproduction data can be performed by the external server, and this simplifies the configuration of the reproducing apparatus. 
         [0021]    In the above cases, the receiving unit preferably receives ranking data of a particular date/time from the external server via the network, and wherein the reproducing apparatus preferably includes a selecting section for selecting a piece of music to be reproduced together with video data to be currently reproduced, on the basis of the ranking data received by the receiving unit and data about music already reproduced together with the already reproduced video data. 
         [0022]    According to this constitution, the music reproduced together with the video data to be currently reproduced is selected on the basis of the ranking data and the data about the music already reproduced together with the already reproduced video data. Therefore, the music already downloaded and used as the BGM will not be selected again, and an impression peculiar to each piece of video data can be applied. In other words, the same music data are not used for other video data, and the user can enjoy variety of music as BGM without performing any editing process. 
         [0023]    Further, a server according to the present invention includes storage device storing one or a plurality of music-reproduction data, receiving unit for receiving, from an external apparatus via a network, information about video data stored in the external apparatus, and processing unit for comparing a reproduction time of the video data received by the receiving unit and a reproduction time of part data of some of a plurality of parts constituting the music-reproduction data stored in the storage device, thus performing part-construction processing of the music-reproduction data. 
         [0024]    According to this constitution, the music-reproduction data which is processed in the part-construction processing and has the reproduction time of almost the same length as that of the video data stored in the external apparatus can be provided to the external apparatus. 
         [0025]    According to the present invention, music-reproduction data having a reproduction time that is neither too longer or too shorter than a reproduction time of video data can be reproduced as BGM, when the video data recorded in the reproducing apparatus and the music data downloaded from the external server as BGM are played simultaneously. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The present invention will be further explained in detail with reference to appended drawings. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing schematically illustrating a configuration of a reproducing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a constitution of a reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is flowchart illustrating operation of the reproducing system; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating operation for selecting music in the reproducing apparatus; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of part-construction of a piece of music; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating part-construction processing of music-reproduction data in the reproducing apparatus; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating part-construction processing of music-reproduction data in the external server. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1. First Embodiment  
       [0034]    A reproducing system including a reproducing apparatus and an external server according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter explained with reference to appended drawings. 
       1-1. System Constitution  
       [0035]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing schematically illustrating a configuration of a reproducing system including a reproducing apparatus and a music database serving as an external server (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as DB) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a music DB  101  and a reproducing apparatus  103  are connected to each other via a network  102  such as the Internet. In other words, information, data, and the like exchanged between the music DB  101  and the reproducing apparatus  103  are transmitted via the network  102 . 
         [0036]    The music DB  101  stores data such as the music data  104  and music data administration information  105 . The music data  104  is data itself of each piece of music about those stored in the music DB  101 . The music data administration information  105  includes, for example, the following information about the music stored in the music DB  101 . 
         [0037]    Ranking information representing the frequency each piece of music is downloaded within a certain period such as a week or a month. 
         [0038]    Genre information representing a genre of each piece of music. 
         [0039]    Part information about a plurality of parts constituting each piece of music. In other words, information representing a part construction including introduction, melody A (part A), melody B (part B), hook-line, ending, and the like. 
         [0040]    The reproducing apparatus  103  is constituted by, e.g., a video camera, and includes operation element (not shown) such as various kinds of switches and buttons with which a user performs operation and a monitor device  103   c  attached to a main body  103   b.  In addition, output device for outputting data to an external monitor device (not shown) maybe further provided separately from the main body  103   b.    
         [0041]    In the present embodiment, the reproducing apparatus  103  has a function of playing the video data of recorded video and the music data downloaded from the music DB  101  simultaneously (at a time) as explained later in detail. 
       1-2. Constitution of Reproducing Apparatus  
       [0042]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a constitution of a control system for controlling reproduction operation performed by the reproducing apparatus  103 . For example, in the control system, a main portion is constituted by a microcomputer. And, the control system includes many control circuits and the like having functions explained below. Instead of the above hardware constitution, the same control may be achieved with execution software implemented in the reproducing system or the reproducing apparatus  103 . 
         [0043]    A network communication section  201  performs communication processing for communicating with the music DB  101  via the network  102 . The network communication section  201  may be adapted to wired communication, or may be adapted to wireless communication. Alternatively, the network communication section  201  may be adapted to both of the wired communication and wireless communication. 
         [0044]    A music DB control section  202  has a function of generating data to be transmitted to the music DB  101  and giving a command for transmitting generated data to the network communication section  201 . In addition, the music DB control section  202  includes a function of receiving response data of the music DB  101  in response to the data transmitted from the network communication section  201 . 
         [0045]    Video data  204  are recorded to, for example, a recording medium  203 . The recording medium  203  may be any one of a semiconductor medium, a hard disk drive, an optical disk medium, and the like. 
         [0046]    A background music (BGM) selecting section  205  has a function of giving a command for obtaining ranking data from the music DB control section  202  on the basis of date/time information transmitted from a reproduction control section  210 . The BGM selecting section  205  also has a function of performing processing for selecting BGM on the basis of the ranking data obtained in accordance with the command for obtaining the ranking data from the music DB control section  202 . This processing for selecting BGM will be explained in detail later. 
         [0047]    A music data reproduction section  206  has a function of obtaining music data of a piece of music selected by the BGM selecting section  205  from the music DB  101  and performing reproduction processing of the music data. The construction of the music data of the selected music will be explained in detail later. The music data played by the music data reproduction section  206  are output to a speaker  211  as an audio signal. 
         [0048]    A video data management section  207  has a function of obtaining date/time information from the video data  204  recorded in the recording medium  203  in response to the command given by the reproduction control section  210 , and transmitting the date/time information to the reproduction control section  210 . This video data management section  207  also has a function of performing reproduction processing of the data in the video data  204  specified by the reproduction control section  210  to a video data reproduction section  208  in response to the command given by the reproduction control section  210 . 
         [0049]    The video data reproduction section  208  has a function of obtaining the specified video data from the video data  204  of the recording medium  203  in response to the command given by the video data management section  207 , and performing reproduction processing of the video data. The video data reproduction section  208  outputs video data processed in the reproduction processing to a monitor  212  as a video signal. It should be noted that the monitor  212  may be a monitor device  103   c  attached to the main body  103   b,  or may be an external monitor device (not shown) provided separately from the main body  103   b.    
         [0050]    A user operation control section  209  operates when a user manipulates operation element (not shown) of the reproducing apparatus  103 , and provides I/F (interface) such as selection of genre and reproduction start command in accordance with user&#39;s intention. The user operation control section  209  has a function of giving a command for starting reproduction operation to the reproduction control section  210  in response to a command given by the user. 
         [0051]    The reproduction control section  210  has a function of obtaining date/time information from the video data management section  207  on the basis of a command given by the user operation control section  209 , and giving a command for selecting a piece of music to the BGM selecting section  205 . Further, the reproduction control section  210  also has a function of giving a command for playing the corresponding video data on the basis of a command given by the user operation control section  209 , and giving a command for playing music data of the music selected by the BGM selecting section  205 . 
       1-3. Operation of Reproducing System  
       [0052]      FIG. 3  is flowchart illustrating an example of operation of the reproducing system as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0053]    First, a user manipulates the operation element (not shown) of the reproducing apparatus  103  to operate the user operation control section  209 , and selects video data to be played and gives a command for playing the video data (step S 301 ). At this occasion, the user can give a command for selecting a preferred genre to the user operation control section  209 . 
         [0054]    When a preferred genre was selected, the user operation control section  209  notifies the selected genre to the reproduction control section  210  on the basis of the command given by the user, and gives a command for playing the video data. 
         [0055]    Subsequently, the reproduction control section  210  obtains the date/time information of the video data, for which reproduction command is given, from the recording medium  203  via the video data management section  207  (step S 302 ). 
         [0056]    Then, the reproduction control section  210  transmits the obtained date/time information and the preferred genre information specified by the user to the BGM selecting section  205 , and further gives the BGM selecting section  205  a command for selecting a piece of music to be played together with the video data to be played. 
         [0057]    The BGM selecting section  205  transmits the date/time information notified by the reproduction control section  210  to the music DB control section  202 . The music DB control section  202  transmits the date/time information via the network communication section  201  to the music DB  101  (step S 303 ). 
         [0058]    Corresponding to the execution of step S 303  at the reproducing apparatus  103  side, the music DB  101  receives the date/time information from the network communication section  201  of the reproducing apparatus  103  via the network  102  (step S 304 ). 
         [0059]    The music DB  101  generates music data of ranking data in a corresponding week based on an information from the administration information  105  on the basis of the received date/time information (step S 305 ). At this occasion, the music DB  101  may also receive information about a target period of the ranking data (more specifically, whether the ranking data are based on each week or based on each month) from the reproducing apparatus  103 , and may generate ranking data on the basis of the corresponding period. 
         [0060]    When the music DB  101  generates the ranking data, the ranking data are transmitted via the network  102  to the reproducing apparatus  103  (step S 306 ). At this occasion, for each piece of music included in the ranking data, the music DB  101  also transmits the above-mentioned part information about a plurality of parts constitute each piece of music. In other words, the music DB  101  also transmits information representing a part construction (part construction information) such as introduction, melody A (part A), melody B (part B), hook-line, ending and the like. 
         [0061]    Corresponding to the execution of step S 306  at the music DB  101  side, the reproducing apparatus  103  receives, by using the network communication section  201 , the ranking data and the part construction information for each piece of music which are transmitted via the network  102  (step S 307 ). 
         [0062]    The ranking data and the part construction information thus received are transmitted, via the music DB control section  202 , to the BGM selecting section  205 . The BGM selecting section  205  selects a piece of music from all of the received ranking data, or when the user specifies a preferred genre, the BGM selecting section  205  selects a piece of music from the preferred genre (step S 308 ). The music selection processing in step S 308  will be explained later in detail. 
         [0063]    When the music selection processing is finished, the BGM selecting section  205  gives the music DB control section  202  a command to request for obtaining music data of the corresponding music from the music DB  101  to (step S 309 ). 
         [0064]    Corresponding to the execution of step S 309  at the reproducing apparatus  103  side, the music DB  101  receives the request for obtaining the music data, via the network  102 , from the network communication section  201  of the reproducing apparatus  103 . At this occasion, the information received by the music DB  101  may include not only a number and an identification symbol for identifying the music but also construction information such as a part construction of the identified music. 
         [0065]    The music DB  101  generates music data corresponding to the received request for obtaining the music data (step S 310 ), and transmits the music data, via the network  102 , to the reproducing apparatus  103  (step S 311 ). 
         [0066]    Corresponding to the execution of step S 311  at the music DB  101  side, the reproducing apparatus  103  receives, by using the network communication section  201 , the music data transmitted via the network  102 . The received music data are transmitted from the network communication section  201  to the music data reproduction section  206  (step S 312 ). 
         [0067]    When the music data reproduction section  206  completes receiving the music data, the music data reproduction section  206  notifies the reproduction control section  210  that the reception has been completed. When the reproduction control section  210  receives the music data reception completion notification from the music data reproduction section  206 , the reproduction control section  210  gives a command for playing the video data to the video data reproduction section  208 , and gives a command for playing the received music data to the music data reproduction section  206  (step S 313 ). 
         [0068]    The video data reproduction section  208  obtains the video data, for which reproduction command is given, from the video data  204  of the recording medium  203 , and performs reproduction processing, thus outputting a video signal to the monitor  212 . The music data reproduction section  206  performs reproduction processing of the music data received from the music DB  101 , and outputs an audio signal to the speaker  211  (step S 314 ). 
         [0069]    Thereby, not only the video data recorded in the recording medium  203  but also the music data of the BGM downloaded from the music DB  101  are played simultaneously (at a time). 
       1-4. Operation of Music Selection Processing  
       [0070]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating details of music selection processing (see step S 308  of  FIG. 3 ) performed by the BGM selecting section  205 . 
         [0071]    First, the BGM selecting section  205  receives, by using the network communication section  201 , the ranking data (and construction information for each piece of music) transmitted via the network  102  (step S 401 ). The processing of step S 401  corresponds to the processing of step S 307  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0072]    When the ranking data are received, the BGM selecting section  205  determines whether the user has specified a preferred genre to the user operation control section  209  or not (step S 402 ). 
         [0073]    When the user has specified a preferred genre (step S 402 : YES), the BGM selecting section  205  selects and sorts the ranking data on the basis of the specified genre (step S 403 ), and converts the received ranking data. 
         [0074]    Thereafter, the BGM selecting section  205  starts music selection processing from a piece of music in the first rank (N=1) in order to select music of higher ranks from among the ranking data (step S 404 ). 
         [0075]    On the other hand, when the user has not specified any preferred genre (step S 402 : NO), the BGM selecting section  205  executes step S 404  without sorting the ranking in step S 403 , thus starting music selection processing from a piece of music in the first rank (N=1). 
         [0076]    Subsequently, the BGM selecting section  205  determines whether the music in the first rank (N=1) has already been selected for other video data or not (in other words, determines whether the music is non-selected one) (step S 405 ). When the music data in the first rank are determined to be one which has already been selected for other video data (already selected one), the BGM selecting section  205  selects a piece of music in the second rank (N=2) (step S 406 ). And, the BGM selecting section  205  determines whether the music in the second rank (N=2) is non-selected one or not (step S 405 ). 
         [0077]    As described above, the BGM selecting section  205  determines whether the music in the N-th rank is non-selected one or not (step S 405 ), and when the music in the N-th rank is already selected one, a piece of music in the (N+1)-th rank is selected (step S 406 ), and the BGM selecting section  205  determines whether the music in the (N+1)-th rank is non-selected one or not (step S 405 ). Then, this series of steps (step S 405  and S 406 ) is repeatedly executed until anon-selected music is found. 
         [0078]    Then, when a non-selected music is found in the determination step in step S 405  (step S 405 : YES), the BGM selecting section  205  obtains a reproduction time of video data to be played (a length of a scene to be played) (step S 407 ). 
         [0079]    In the present embodiment, the BGM selecting section  205  compares the reproduction time of the video data to be played and the reproduction time of the original music data of the selected music, and for example, the BGM selecting section  205  determines which of the reproduction times is longer. The Based on the determination result, in BGM selecting section  205 , part construction data comprising a combination of parts to be played (hereinafter referred to as “music-reproduction data”) are generated for the selected music, and the music-reproduction data are constituted so that the reproduction time of the music-reproduction data becomes substantially the same as the length of the reproduction time of the video data (step S 408 ). 
         [0080]    Then, the BGM selecting section  205  requests the music DB  101  to provide the music-reproduction data to be transmitted, on the basis of information for specifying the music selected in step S 405  and the part construction information about the music-reproduction data generated in step S 408  (step S 409 ). 
         [0081]    This generation of the music-reproduction data (step S 408 ) and the request of the music-reproduction data (step S 409 ) will be explained later in detail. 
       1-5. Generation of Music-Reproduction Data  
       [0082]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of part construction of a piece of music. In this example, the music includes five parts i.e., introduction, part A (so-called melody A), part B (so-called melody B), hook-line, and ending. In this case, the reproduction time (part time) of each part is represented as follows. The introduction has Ti seconds; the part A has a Ta seconds; the part B has a Tb second; the hook-line has a Th seconds, and the ending has a Te second. And, the reproduction time of the entire music (i.e., the reproduction time of the original music) is represented as Tm seconds. 
         [0083]    In the present embodiment, the priority order in selection is defined for each part so that, for example, more impressive part is selected with a higher priority in a piece of music. In the example of  FIG. 5 , more impressive part “hook-line” is selected with the highest priority, and subsequently, the part A, the part B, the introduction, and the ending are selected in this order of priority. 
         [0084]    It should be noted that the priority order in the selection may not always be the same as the order of the part construction in the music-reproduction data (i.e., the priority order in reproduction). For example, when a reproduction time of a piece of music is longer than a reproduction time of video data, and a priority order for five parts is set as follows: hook-line; part A; part B; and introduction except for the ending, the part construction of the music-reproduction data may set for example as follows: the introduction, the hook-line, the part A, and the part B, so that in accordance with the contents of video and music, the part construction can be made in an order preferable for a user. 
         [0085]    Next, part-construction processing of music-reproduction data performed by the reproducing apparatus  103  will be explained with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0086]    First, the BGM selecting section  205  obtains a length of a scene to be reproduced, i.e., a reproduction time of the video data  204  (Tr second), and original time data of a piece of music, i.e., a reproduction time of each part as shown in  FIG. 5  (Ti, Ta, Tb, Th, Te second) and a reproduction time of the entire music (Tm second) (step S 601 ). The original time data of the music (the reproduction time of each part and the reproduction time of the entire music) are based on part construction information for each piece of music received together with the ranking data in step S 307  of  FIG. 3  as described above. 
         [0087]    Subsequently, the BGM selecting section  205  determines whether the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  is equal to or less than the reproduction time Th of the hook-line portion (Tr≦Th) or not (step S 602 ). When the determination result is “YES”, only the hook-line portion is selected, and the music DB  101  is requested, via the music DB control section  202 , to transmit only the part data of the hook-line portion (step S 603 ). In this case, the music-reproduction data are constituted by only the part data of the hook-line portion. 
         [0088]    When the determination result in step S 602  is “NO”, i.e., when the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  is longer than the reproduction time Th of the hook-line portion, the BGM selecting section  205  determines whether the reproduction time Tr of the video data is equal to or less than a reproduction time (Th+Ta) obtained by adding the part A to the hook-line portion (Tr≦(Th+Ta)) (step S 604 ). When the determination result is “YES”, the hook-line portion and the part A are selected, and the music DB  101  is requested, via the music DB control section  202 , to transmit the part data of the hook-line portion and the part A (step S 605 ). In this case, the music-reproduction data are constituted by the part data of the hook-line portion and the part A. 
         [0089]    When the determination result in step S 604  is “NO”, i.e., when the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  is longer than the reproduction time (Th+Ta) obtained by adding the part A to the hook-line portion, the BGM selecting section  205  determines whether the reproduction time Tr of the video data is equal to or less than a reproduction time (Th+Ta+Tb) obtained by adding the part A and the part B to the hook-line portion (Tr≦(Th+Ta+Tb)) or not (step S 606 ). When the determination result is “YES”, the hook-line portion, the part A, and the part B are selected, and the music DB  101  is requested, via the music DB control section  202 , to transmit the part data of the hook-line portion, the part A, and the part B (step S 607 ). In this case, the music-reproduction data are constituted by the part data of the hook-line portion, the part A, and the part B. 
         [0090]    When the determination result in step S 606  is “NO”, i.e., when the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  is longer than the reproduction time (Th+Ta+Tb) obtained by adding the part A and the part B to the hook-line portion, the BGM selecting section  205  determines whether the reproduction time Tr of the video data is equal to or less than a reproduction time (Th+Ta+Tb+Ti) obtained by adding the part A, the part B and the introduction portion to the hook-line portion (Tr≦(Th+Ta+Tb+Ti)) or not (step S 608 ). When the determination result is “YES”, the parts except the ending portion are selected, and the music DB  101  is requested, via the music DB control section  202 , to transmit the part data of the parts except the ending portion (step S 609 ). In this case, the music-reproduction data are constituted by the part data of the hook-line portion, the part A, the part B, and the introduction portion except only the ending portion. 
         [0091]    When the determination result in step S 608  is “NO”, i.e., the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  is longer than a reproduction time (Th+Ta+Tb+Ti) of the parts except the ending portion, the BGM selecting section  205  selects all the parts of the entire music, and the music DB  101  is requested, via the music DB control section  202 , to transmit the part data of all the parts of the entire music (step S 610 ). In this case, the music-reproduction data are constituted by the part data of all the parts of the entire music. 
         [0092]    When the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  is longer than the reproduction time Tm of the entire music, the part construction of the music-reproduction data can be devised in various manners in accordance with the degree of difference. For example, when the reproduction time Tr of the video data is greatly longer than the reproduction time Tm of the entire music (for example, twice as long as the reproduction time Tm), the music-reproduction data maybe structured so that the entire music is played repeatedly. 
         [0093]    Alternatively, the BGM selecting section  205  may not repeatedly play the same music, and the processing as shown in the steps S 405  and S 406  in the flowchart of  FIG. 4  are performed again so that the music-reproduction data are constituted to select a new non-selected music and play the new music after the currently played music. 
       1-6. Summary of First Embodiment  
       [0094]    As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a user views video data taken with a video camera, music data corresponding to date/time information of shooting can be added as BGM. 
         [0095]    In particular, according to the present embodiment, the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  to be played is compared with the reproduction time Tm of the selected music data, and in accordance with whether which of the reproduction times is longer, part construction data including a combination of parts to be played (music-reproduction data) are generated for the selected music, and the music-reproduction data can be constituted so that the reproduction time of the music-reproduction data has almost the same length as the reproduction time of the video data. 
         [0096]    In other words, when the video data  204  recorded in the reproduction apparatus  103  and the music data of the BGM downloaded from the music DB  101  serving as the external server are reproduced simultaneously, the music-reproduction data having the reproduction time Tm that is neither too longer or too shorter than the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  can be reproduced as the BGM. 
         [0097]    In this case, the music-reproduction data are constituted by part data including some of the parts of the plurality of parts constituting the entire selected music, so that even when the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  is shorter than the reproduction time Tm of the entire music, the reproduction time Tm of the music-reproduction data received from the music DB  101  can be almost the same length as the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204 . 
         [0098]    In this case, the music-reproduction data are preferably configured to include the part data corresponding to the most impressive hook-line portion in the music, whereby a user can immediately know which music is played as the BGM simultaneously with the reproduction of the video data  204 . 
         [0099]    Further, preferably, the reproducing apparatus  103  receives the ranking data at a particular date/time from the music DB  101 , and on the basis of this ranking data and the data about the music already played simultaneously with the already played video data, apiece of music to be played simultaneously with the video data to be played this time is selected. Accordingly, the music already downloaded and used as the BGM will not be selected again, and an impression peculiar to each piece of video data can be applied. In other words, the same music data are not used for other video data, and a user can enjoy variety of music as BGM without performing any editing processing. 
       2. Second Embodiment  
       [0100]    In the above first embodiment, the part-construction processing of music-reproduction data is performed by the reproducing apparatus  103  side. Instead, the same part-construction processing may be performed by the music DB  101  side. 
         [0101]    Next, the second embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 7 . In the second embodiment, the part-construction processing of music-reproduction data is performed by the music DB  101 . In the explanation below, the constituent elements which have same constitutions and same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted with the same reference numerals, and further explanation thereabout is omitted. 
         [0102]    First, the music DB  101  obtains the length of the scene to be reproduced, i.e., the reproduction time of the video data  204  (Tr second), and the title of the selected music from the reproducing apparatus  101  via the network  102 . In this case, the title of the music is identified by a code number and the like of the music (step S 701 ). 
         [0103]    The music DB  101  stores time data of the music, i.e., the reproduction times of the respective parts as shown in  FIG. 5  (Ti, Ta, Tb, Th, Te seconds) and the reproduction time of the entire music (Tm second) for each piece of music. 
         [0104]    The music DB  101  executes the series of steps from S 702  to step S 710  on the basis of the time data of the selected music and the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  obtained in step S 701 . The series of steps from S 702  to step S 710  corresponds to the series of steps from S 602  to step S 610  in the flowchart of  FIG. 6 . 
         [0105]    That is, when the reproduction time Tr of the video data  204  is equal to or less than the reproduction time Th of the hook-line portion (Tr≦Th), the music DB  101  selects only the hook-line portion, and transmits only the part data of the hook-line portion to the reproducing apparatus  103  via the network  102  (step S 703 ). 
         [0106]    When the reproduction time Tr of the video data is equal to or less than the reproduction time (Th+Ta) obtained by adding the part A to the hook-line portion (Tr≦(Th+Ta)), the music DB  101  selects the hook-line portion and the part A, and the part data of the hook-line portion and the part A are transmitted to the reproducing apparatus  103  (step S 705 ). 
         [0107]    Further, when the reproduction time Tr of the video data is equal to or less than the reproduction time (Th+Ta+Tb) obtained by adding the part A and the part B to the hook-line portion (Tr≦(Th+Ta+Tb)),the music DB  101  selects the hook-line portion, the part A, and the part B, and the part data of the hook-line portion, the part A, and the part B are transmitted to the reproducing apparatus  103  (step S 707 ). 
         [0108]    Still further, when the reproduction time Tr of the video data is equal to or less than the reproduction time (Th+Ta+Tb+Ti) obtained by adding the part A, the part B, and the introduction portion to the hook-line portion (Tr≦(Th+Ta+Tb+Ti)), the music DB  101  selects all the other parts except the ending portion, and all the other parts except the ending portion are transmitted to the reproducing apparatus  103  (step S 709 ). 
         [0109]    Still further, when reproduction time Tr of the video data is longer than the reproduction time (Th+Ta+Tb+Ti) of the parts except for only the ending portion (step S 708 : “NO”), the music DB  101  selects all the parts of the entire music, and all the parts of the entire music are transmitted to the reproducing apparatus  103  (step S 710 ). 
         [0110]    When the music DB  101  performs the part-construction processing of the music-reproduction data as described above, the music DB  101  may previously obtain and records the part construction information such as the priority order in part selection and the part construction rule for each piece of music from the reproducing apparatus  103 , so that they can be made use of in the part construction generation processing. 
       3. Other Embodiments  
       [0111]    In the above embodiment, the reproduction time of the video data to be played is compared with the reproduction time of the selected music data, and in accordance with whether which of the reproduction times is longer, part construction data including a combination of parts to be played (music-reproduction data) is generated for the selected music, and the music-reproduction data are constituted so that the reproduction time of the music-reproduction data has almost the same length as the reproduction time of the video data. Alternatively, or in combination with the above method, the tempo of the selected music may be changed so that the reproduction time of the music-reproduction data has almost the same length as the reproduction time of the video data. 
         [0112]    More specifically, when the reproduction time of the video data to be played is shorter than the reproduction time of the selected music data, the music data may be compressed so that the tempo of the music data is increased. In the opposite case, the reproduction tempo of the music data may be reduced. 
         [0113]    In the above embodiment, the music DB is provided outside of the reproducing apparatus, and connects to the reproducing apparatus via the network. Alternatively, a music DB having similar functions may be provided within the main body of the reproducing apparatus. That is, the ranking data may not be obtained by sending an inquiry to an external music DB during reproduction. Alternatively, the ranking data may be stored in a storage section provided in the reproducing apparatus, and the music selection processing may be performed using the ranking data. 
         [0114]    Further, the genre to be used in the music selection processing may not be specified by a user. Alternatively, genre specification information may be generated from a scene of a video signal. 
         [0115]    Still further, still picture data are used as video data, and a selected music may be used as BGM when, e.g., still pictures are reproduced as slide show. 
         [0116]    The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing system for reproducing video data took by a video camera and the like, and a server therefor, and more particularly, the present invention can be effectively used for a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing system capable of reproducing video data as well as BGM by inserting the BGM, and a server to be used therefor.