Abstract:
Disclosed are an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, and a program thereof. In an information processing apparatus, the apparatus comprises: an acquiring element for acquiring a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; a generating element for generating internal data based on the channel data in the acquired file, the generated internal data specifying the numbers and names of the channels; and a reception controlling element for controlling reception of the TV programs by selecting the channels based on the internal data.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, and a program thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, and a program thereof for controlling the reception of TV programs. 
   Personal computers each equipped with a tuner board have gained widespread acceptance in the past few years. These PCs are capable of receiving broadcast TV programs from a provider and displaying images of the received TV programs on their monitor accompanied by sounds. 
   One disadvantage of such personal computers is that if broadcast channel assignments are changed on the side of the provider, the user at each personal computer must change the necessary PC settings. This can be a bothersome, time-consuming chore. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and provides an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, an information providing apparatus and an information providing method, and a program thereof allowing a personal computer or the like to keep receiving TV programs by quickly updating internal settings to reflect varying broadcast channel assignments, without requiring users to perform complicated corrective operations. 
   To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: acquiring means for acquiring a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; generating means for generating internal data based on the channel data in the acquired file, the generated internal data specifying the numbers and names of the channels; and reception controlling means for controlling reception of the TV programs by selecting the channels based on the internal data. 
   According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of: acquiring a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; generating internal data based on the channel data in the acquired file, the generated internal data specifying the numbers and names of the channels; and controlling reception of the TV programs by selecting the channels based on the internal data. 
   According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program which causes a computer to carry out the steps of: acquiring a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; generating internal data based on the channel data in the acquired file, the generated internal data specifying the numbers and names of the channels; and controlling reception of the TV programs by selecting the channels based on the internal data. 
   With these configurations, a file is first acquired which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to that provider. Based on the channel data in the acquired file, internal data are generated to specify the numbers and names of the channels. Reception of the TV programs is controlled by selecting the channels in keeping with the internal data. Accordingly, the user is allowed to receive desired TV programs easily and quickly based on the generated internal data including any altered channel assignments that may have occurred; there is no need for the user to perform complicated operations to deal with the changed channels. 
   According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: display controlling means for controlling display of an image based on numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider as well as on internal data specifying the numbers and names of selected channels among the channels, the image showing the numbers and names of the channels of the TV programs distributed by the provider as well as an indication of whether or not each of the channels is selected; updating means for updating the internal data based on channel selection settings made by a user; and reception controlling means for controlling reception of the TV programs by selecting the channels based on the internal data. 
   According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of: controlling display of an image based on numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider as well as on internal data specifying the numbers and names of selected channels among the channels, the image showing the numbers and names of the channels of the TV programs distributed by the provider as well as an indication of whether or not each of the channels is selected; updating the internal data based on channel selection settings made by a user; and controlling reception of the TV programs by selecting the channels based on the internal data. 
   According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program which causes a computer to carry out the steps of: controlling display of an image based on numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider as well as on internal data specifying the numbers and names of selected channels among the channels, the image showing the numbers and names of the channels of the TV programs distributed by the provider as well as an indication of whether or not each of the channels is selected; updating the internal data based on channel selection settings made by a user; and controlling reception of the TV programs by selecting the channels based on the internal data. 
   With these configurations, display of an image is controlled based on numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider as well as on internal data specifying the numbers and names of selected channels among the channels, the image showing the numbers and names of the channels of the TV programs distributed by the provider as well as an indication of whether or not each of the channels is selected. The user selects preferred channels from among those displayed. The internal data are updated based on the channel selection settings made by the user. Reception of the TV programs is controlled by selecting the channels based on the internal data thus updated. Accordingly, it is made possible that the user may choose desired TV programs quickly from a large number of available TV channels. 
   According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus including: retaining means for retaining a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; and transmission controlling means for controlling transmission of the file to an information processing apparatus. 
   According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method including the steps of: retaining a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; and controlling transmission of the file to an information processing apparatus. 
   According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program which causes a computer to carry out the steps of: retaining a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; and controlling transmission of the file to an information processing apparatus. 
   With these configurations, a file is retained which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to that provider. The file thus retained is transmitted to an information processing apparatus. Accordingly, the information processing apparatus is allowed to receive TV programs without delay based on the channel data including any changed channel assignments that may have occurred. 
   According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: first reception controlling means for controlling reception of a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; and second reception controlling means for controlling reception of the TV programs based on the received file. 
   According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of: firstly controlling reception of a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; and secondly controlling reception of the TV programs based on the received file. 
   According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program which causes a computer to carry out the steps of: firstly controlling reception of a file which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to the provider; and secondly controlling reception of the TV programs based on the received file. 
   With these configurations, a file is received which includes channel data denoting numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider and which corresponds to that provider. Reception of the TV programs is controlled based on the received file. Accordingly, the reception is permitted without delay of the TV programs based on the file data including any changed channel assignments that may have occurred. 
   According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus including: file generating means for generating a file which includes numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider as well as data denoting priorities of the channels; and transmission controlling means for controlling transmission of the file to a recipient. 
   According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing method including the steps of: generating a file which includes numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider as well as data denoting priorities of the channels; and controlling transmission of the file to a recipient. 
   According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program which causes a computer to carry out the steps of: generating a file which includes numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider as well as data denoting priorities of the channels; and controlling transmission of the file to a recipient. 
   With these configurations, a file is generated which includes numbers and names of channels of TV programs distributed by a provider as well as data denoting priorities of the channels. The file is transmitted to a recipient ready to receive the TV programs from the provider. Accordingly, the recipient is prompted preferentially to view the TV programs distributed by the provider in question. 
   According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus administered by a TV program supplier supplying TV programs to a provider, the apparatus including: transmission controlling means for controlling transmission of data which correspond to channels of the supplied TV programs and which denote priorities of the channels for a recipient receiving the TV programs from the provider; and executing means for executing a process of paying a fee to an administrator of the information processing apparatus, the fee corresponding to the priorities of the channels denoted by the data. 
   According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for use with an information processing apparatus administered by a TV program supplier supplying TV programs to a provider, the method including the steps of: controlling transmission of data which correspond to channels of the supplied TV programs and which denote priorities of the channels for a recipient receiving the TV programs from the provider; and executing a process of paying a fee to an administrator of the information processing apparatus, the fee corresponding to the priorities of the channels denoted by the data. 
   According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program which causes a computer of an information processing apparatus administered by a TV program supplier supplying TV programs to a provider, to carry out the steps of: controlling transmission of data which correspond to channels of the supplied TV programs and which denote priorities of the channels for a recipient receiving the TV programs from the provider; and executing a process of paying a fee to an administrator of the information processing apparatus, the fee corresponding to the priorities of the channels denoted by the data. 
   With these configurations, an information processing apparatus accepts transmitted data which correspond to channels of TV programs supplied by a provider and which denote priorities of the channels for a recipient receiving the TV programs from that provider. A process is then executed to pay a fee to the administrator of the information processing apparatus, the fee corresponding to the priorities of the channels denoted by the data. Accordingly, the recipient is also prompted preferentially to view the TV programs distributed by the provider in question. 
   The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by like reference symbols. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a broadcasting system practiced as an embodiment of this invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a personal computer in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an image processing board in the personal computer of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic flow diagram showing how application programs are typically performed by the personal computer; 
       FIG. 5  is an explanatory view depicting a typical structure of application programs, middleware, drivers, etc., executed by the personal computer; 
       FIG. 6  is an explanatory view indicating a typical structure of AV contents; 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a server in the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an explanatory view showing application programs carried out by the server; 
       FIG. 9  is an explanatory view of a typical screen displayed by a recording/reproduction program, one of the application programs of the personal computer, on a monitor of the latter; 
       FIG. 10  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program on the monitor; 
       FIG. 11  is an explanatory view showing a typical structure of a TVCI file; 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic view indicating another TVCI file; 
       FIG. 13  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program on the monitor; 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic view of a TVCI file received by the personal computer from the server; 
       FIG. 15  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program on the monitor; 
       FIG. 16  is a schematic view of a typical window in which to set channels; 
       FIG. 17  is a schematic view of another typical window in which to set channels; 
       FIG. 18  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program on the monitor; 
       FIG. 19  is a schematic view of another TVCI file received by the personal computer from the server; 
       FIG. 20  is a schematic view of another typical window in which to set channels; 
       FIG. 21  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program on the monitor; 
       FIG. 22  is a flowchart of steps constituting an internal data generation process; 
       FIG. 23  is a flowchart of steps constituting a TV station name display process; 
       FIG. 24  is a flowchart of steps constituting a TVCI file acquisition process; 
       FIG. 25  is a flowchart of steps constituting an internal data update process; 
       FIG. 26  is a schematic view of another TVCI file received by the personal computer from the server; 
       FIG. 27  is a flowchart of steps constituting a process of receiving a TVCI file in which channels are arranged in a favored order; 
       FIG. 28  is a flowchart of steps constituting another internal data update process; 
       FIG. 29  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program on the monitor; 
       FIG. 30  is a schematic view of a typical parental lock setting dialog box; 
       FIG. 31  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program on the monitor; 
       FIG. 32  is a schematic view of a typical caution dialog box; 
       FIG. 33  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program on the monitor; 
       FIG. 34  is a flowchart of steps constituting a process of displaying commands related to parental lock; 
       FIG. 35  is a flowchart of steps constituting a parental lock initial setting process; 
       FIG. 36  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program on the monitor; 
       FIG. 37  is a schematic view of a typical reproduction speed varying window; and 
       FIG. 38  is a flowchart of steps constituting an AV content reproduction process. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a broadcasting system practiced as one preferred embodiment of this invention. In  FIG. 1 , a personal computer  1  inputs signals from an antenna  3  that receives ground waves transmitted by a TV program provider  10 - 2 . Based on the input signals, the personal computer  1  reproduces images and sounds of received TV programs and records the reproduced images and sounds. 
   The personal computer  1  also reproduces images and sounds corresponding to analog signals fed from a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder)  7  or to digital data sent through a set-top box  5  over a network  8  based on IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 standards. The images and sounds thus reproduced are recorded in the personal computer  1 . 
   The personal computer  1  then supplies a monitor  2  with the images and sounds of the antenna-received TV programs or those supplied through the set-top box  5  or from the VCR  7 . The recorded images and sounds are also fed from storage to the monitor  2 . 
   In response to a user&#39;s operation, the personal computer  1  supplies a light-emitting unit  4  with a signal corresponding to a command for operating the set-top box  5  or the VCR  7 . 
   Over the network  8  such as the Internet or a local area network, the personal computer  1  receives a TVCI (TV Channel Information) file, to be described later, from a server  9 . In accordance with the received TVCI file, the personal computer  1  selects channels of TV programs to be received via the antenna  3  for reproduction. Also based on the received TVCI file, the personal computer  1  selects channels of TV programs to be received through the set-top box  5 . 
   The monitor  2  displays images based on image signals from the personal computer  1  and outputs sounds based on sound signals therefrom. 
   The antenna  3  receives ground waves from a given TV station or from the TV program provider  10 - 2 . In turn, the antenna  3  forwards signals corresponding to the received waves to the personal computer  1 . 
   Upon receipt of the signal denoting the command given by the personal computer  1  to operate the set-top box  5  or VCR  7 , the light-emitting unit  4  emits a light pattern corresponding to the received command. 
   The set-top box  5  admits signals from the antenna  6  that receives radio waves transmitted by a TV program provider  10 - 1  via a satellite  11 . Of the input signals, those representing images and sounds of selected TV programs are supplied through the set-top box  5  to the personal computer  1 . 
   The set-top box  5  receives a light pattern emitted by the light-emitting unit  4  corresponding to a given command. On receiving such a command, the set-top box  5  carries out an operation designated by that command. 
   The antenna  6  receives radio waves transmitted by given TV stations or sent by the TV program provider  10 - 1  via the satellite  11 . The antenna  6  then feeds the set-top box  5  with signals corresponding to the received waves. 
   The VCR  7  either records to a loaded video cassette the signals representing images and sounds of selected TV programs coming from the personal computer  1 , or reproduces the images and sounds of a TV program from the loaded video cassette. The image and sound signals denoting the TV programs thus reproduced are supplied to the personal computer  1 . 
   The VCR  7  receives from the light-emitting unit  4  a light pattern representative of a command for operating the VCR  7 . Upon receipt of the light pattern, the VCR  7  performs the operation corresponding to the pattern-designated command. 
   The server  9  stores a TVCI file which corresponds to each of the TV program providers  10 - 1  and  10 - 2  and which includes data on their channels. In response to a request from the personal computer  1 , the server  9  sends the requested TVCI file over the network  8  to the personal computer  1 . 
   The TV program provider  10 - 1  distributes TV programs from TV stations  13 - 1 ,  13 - 2 , and  13 - 4  to the personal computer  1 . Illustratively, the TV program provider  10 - 1  broadcasts via a satellite  11  those programs supplied by the TV stations  13 - 1 ,  13 - 2 , and  13 - 4 . 
   The TV program provider  10 - 2  distributes TV programs from TV stations  13 - 1 ,  13 - 3 , and  13 - 4  to the personal computer  1 . Illustratively, the TV program provider  10 - 1  broadcasts the TV programs using ground waves via a broadcasting antenna  12 . 
   The TV station  13 - 1  produces TV programs and supplies the produced programs to the TV program providers  10 - 1  and  10 - 2 . A server  21 - 1  of the TV station  13 - 1  sends data on the channel of the station  13 - 1  to the server  9  over the network  8 . Given the channel data from the server  21 - 1 , the server  9  generates a TVCI file accordingly and transmits the generated file to the personal computer  1 . With the TVCI file fed to the personal computer  1 , the TV station  13 - 1  pays a fee to the administrator of the server  9 . 
   The TV station  13 - 2  produces TV programs and supplies the produced programs to the TV program provider  10 - 1 . A server  21 - 2  of the TV station  13 - 2  sends data on the channel of the station  13 - 2  to the server  9  over the network  8 . Given the channel data from the server  21 - 2 , the server  9  generates a TVCI file accordingly and transmits the generated file to the personal computer  1 . With the TVCI file fed to the personal computer  1 , the TV station  13 - 2  pays a fee to the administrator of the server  9 . 
   The TV station  13 - 3  produces TV programs and supplies the produced programs to the TV program provider  10 - 2 . A server  21 - 3  of the TV station  13 - 3  sends data on the channel of the station  13 - 3  to the server  9  over the network  8 . Given the channel data from the server  21 - 3 , the server  9  generates a TVCI file accordingly and transmits the generated file to the personal computer  1 . With the TVCI file fed to the personal computer  1 , the TV station  13 - 3  pays a fee to the administrator of the server  9 . 
   The TV station  13 - 4  produces TV programs and supplies the produced programs to the TV program providers  10 - 1  and  10 - 2 . A server  21 - 4  of the TV station  13 - 4  sends data on the channel of the station  13 - 4  to the server  9  over the network  8 . Given the channel data from the server  21 - 4 , the server  9  generates a TVCI file accordingly and transmits the generated file to the personal computer  1 . With the TVCI file fed to the personal computer  1 , the TV station  13 - 4  pays a fee to the administrator of the server  9 . 
   In the description that follows, the TV stations  13 - 1  through  13 - 4  will be simply called the TV station  13  if there is no need to make distinction therebetween. Likewise the servers  21 - 1  through  21 - 4  will be simply called the server  21  if they need not be distinguished from one another. 
     FIG. 2  is a block diagram outlining a typical structure of the personal computer  1 . A CPU (Central Processing Unit)  31  executes an OS (Operating System) and application programs, to be described later, on the computer. A ROM (Read-Only Memory)  32  accommodates basically fixed data as part of the programs and operation parameters used by the CPU  31 . A RAM (Random-Access Memory)  33  stores programs executed by the CPU  31  and parameters that are varied as needed during the execution. These component parts are interconnected by a host bus  34  composed of a CPU bus or a memory bus. 
   The host bus  34  is connected via a bridge  35  to an external bus  36  such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus. 
   A keyboard  38  is operated by a user to enter various commands into the CPU  31 . A mouse  39  is manipulated by the user to point to and select items on a monitor  40 . The monitor  40  is constituted by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) displaying diverse kinds of information in text and image. An HDD (Hard Disc Drive)  41  and an FDD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disc Drive)  42  drive a hard disc and a floppy disc respectively so that programs and information to be handled by the CPU  31  may be recorded or reproduced to or from the disc in question. Speakers  43  are provided to reproduce sounds. 
   A drive  44  reads programs or data from a magnetic disc  47 , an optical disc  48 , a magneto-optical disc  49 , or a semiconductor memory  50  loaded in the drive. The retrieved programs or data are installed into the personal computer  1  or supplied to the CPU  31  or RAM  33 . 
   The components ranging from the keyboard  38  to the drive  44  plus the light-emitting unit  4  are connected to an interface  37 . In turn, the interface  37  is connected to the CPU  31  via the external bus  36 , bridge  35 , and host bus  34 . 
   An image processing board  45  under control of the CPU  31  generates image and sound data based on signals coming from the antenna  3 , on image and sound analog signals from the VCR  7 , or on image and sound digital data from the set-top box  5 . The image and sound data thus generated are output to the HDD  41  over the external bus  36  and through the interface  37 . 
   Under control of the CPU  31 , the image processing board  45  feeds the monitor  2  either with the image and sound analog signals coming from the VCR  7 , or with the image and sound analog signals generated based on the signals from the antenna  3  or on the image and sound digital data from the set-top box  5 . 
   Furthermore, the image processing board  45  inputs image and sound data from the HDD  41  over the external bus  36  and through the interface  37 , generates analog signals corresponding to the input image and sound data, and supplies the analog signals thus generated to the monitor  2  or to the VCR  7 . Alternatively the image processing board  45  generates digital data corresponding to the input image and sound data and supplies the generated digital data to the VCR  7 . 
   The image processing board  45  is connected to the CPU  31  via the external bus  36 , bridge  35 , and host bus  34 . 
   A communication unit  46  sends a request for desired data to the server  9  and receives the requested data transmitted by the server  9 . The received data are fed by the communication unit  46  either to the HDD  41  through the external bus  36  and interface  37  or to the CPU  31  via the external bus  36 , bridge  35 , and host bus  34 . 
   The communication unit  46  is connected to the CPU  31  through the external bus  36 , bridge  35 , and host bus  34 . 
   What follows is a description of how the image processing board  45  is illustratively structured.  FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a typical structure of the image processing board  45 . In  FIG. 3 , a 1394 interface  51  complies with the IEEE 1394 standards, and based on an IEEE 1394-compatible protocol, receives image and sound digital data illustratively in DVCR format from the set-top box  5 , and forwards the received data to a DV (Digital Video) data interface  52 . 
   The 1394 interface  51  receives image and sound digital data in DVCR format from the DV data interface  52  and supplies the received data to the set-top box  5  in accordance with the IEEE 1394-compatible protocol. 
   The DV data interface  52  receives either image and sound digital data in DVCR format from the 1394 interface  51  or image and sound digital data from a digital selector  57  (e.g., uncompressed digital data such as 4:1:1 data). The data thus received are forwarded to a DV data compression/decompression circuit  53 . On receiving image and sound digital data in DVCR format from the DV data compression/decompression circuit  53 , the DV data interface  52  forwards the received data to the 1394 interface  51 . Given the image and sound digital data (uncompressed data) from the DV data compression/decompression circuit  53 , the DV data interface  53  forwards the data to the digital selector  57 . 
   When receiving image and sound digital data in DVCR format from the DV data interface  52 , the DV data compression/decompression circuit  53  decompresses the received data and outputs the decompressed image and sound digital data to the DV data interface  52 . Upon receipt of uncompressed image and sound digital data from the DV data interface  52 , the DV data compression/decompression circuit  53  compresses the received data and outputs the compressed image and sound digital data in DVCR format to the DV data interface  52 . 
   A tuner  54  inputs RF (Radio Frequency) signals from the antenna  3  and outputs to an analog selector  55  image and sound analog signals which, based on the RF signals, are provided over specific channels. The analog selector  55  selects the image and sound analog signals from the tuner  54 , from the VCR  7 , or from a D/A (Digital/Analog) conversion circuit  61 . The selected analog signals are output by the analog selector  55  to an A/D (Analog/Digital) conversion circuit  56 , to the monitor  2 , or to the VCR  7 . 
   The A/D conversion circuit  56  converts the image and sound analog signals from the analog selector  55  into digital data (e.g., image data such as 4:1:1 data) and outputs the converted data to the digital selector  57 . On receiving image and sound digital data from the DV data interface  52 , from the A/D conversion circuit  56 , and from an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) decoder  60 , the digital selector  57  selects the data from one of the sources and outputs the selected digital data to the DV data interface  52 , to an MPEG encoder  58 , or to the D/A conversion circuit  61 . The digital selector  57  also outputs scene switchover location information to a bridge  59 . 
   The MPEG encoder  58  compresses the image and sound digital data from the digital selector  57  into MPEG-format digital data and outputs the compressed data to the bridge  59 . The MPEG encoder  58  further converts a scene switchover image into a still image and outputs the resulting still image to the bridge  59 . 
   The bridge  59  receives image and sound digital data (uncompressed data) from the digital selector  57  and outputs the received data to the monitor  40  through the PCI bus  36  and interface  37  of the personal computer  1  in which the image processing board  45  is incorporated. The bridge  59  also receives image and sound digital data in MPEG format from the MPEG encoder  58  and outputs the received data to the HDD  41  or the CPU  31  via the PCI bus  36  of the personal computer  1  incorporating the image processing board  45 . Furthermore, the bridge  59  receives image and sound digital data in MPEG format from the HDD  41  of the personal computer  1  and outputs the received data to the MPEG decoder  60 . 
   The MPEG decoder  60  decompresses MPEG-format image and sound digital data from the bridge  59  and outputs the decompressed data to the digital selector  57 . 
   The D/A conversion circuit  61  converts image and sound digital data from the digital selector  57  to analog format and outputs the resulting analog signals to the analog selector  55 . 
   The processes executed by the MPEG encoder  58  and MPEG decoder  60  may alternatively be implemented by the CPU  31  using suitable programs. 
     FIG. 4  is a schematic flow diagram showing how application programs are typically performed by the personal computer  1 . In  FIG. 4 , a recording/reproduction program  81  causes the image processing board  45  to select image and sound analog signals of specific channels received by the tuner  54 , image and sound analog signals from the VCR  7 , or image and sound digital data from the set-top box  5  and to convert the selected analog signals or digital data into image and sound digital data in MPEG format. The converted MPEG-format image and sound digital data are recorded by the image processing board  45  under control of the program  81  to the HDD  41  as an AV (Audio Visual) content made up of at least one file in a predetermined format. 
   The recording/reproduction program  81  causes the image processing board  45  to decompress an AV content of at least one file in a predetermined format on the HDD  41  so as to generate uncompressed image and sound digital data. Under control of the recording/reproduction program  81 , the image processing board  45  causes the monitor  40  to display images and the speakers to output sounds as per the decompressed digital data. 
   The recording/reproduction program  81  causes the image processing board  45  to select image and sound analog signals of specific channels received by the tuner  54 , image and sound analog signals from the VCR  7 , image and sound analog signals derived from the image and sound digital data from the set-top box  5 , or image and sound analog signals taken from AV contents held on the HDD  41 . Under control of the recording/reproduction program  81 , the image processing board  45  outputs the selected image and sound analog signals to the monitor  2 . 
   Furthermore, the recording/reproduction program  81  supplies the light-emitting unit  4  with signals for generating light patterns denoting commands for controlling the set-top box  5  or VCR  7 . 
   An AV content management/search program  82  permits display of specific information such as details of TV contents held on the HDD  41  as well as dates and times at which such recordings were made. The AV content management/search program  82  instructs the recording/reproduction program  81  to reproduce a specific AV content or to select an AV content to be edited. The program  82  supplies information on the selected AV content to an AV content editing program  83  for editing purposes. The AV content management/search program  83  further gives an unattended recording instruction to an unattended recording preset program  84 . 
   Based on the AV contents recorded on the HDD  41 , the AV content editing program  83  edits images and sounds of selected AV content files (i.e., selected images and sounds are put together) to generate an AV content in a predetermined format for the reproduction of edited images and sounds. 
   Given suitable settings, the unattended recording preset program  84  presets an AV content to be recorded unattended. The preset AV content complies with the current settings in place (such as recording time and recording mode determining the image quality of recording) and is assigned a storage space beforehand on the HDD  41 . 
   A preset monitoring program  85  runs constantly when the personal computer  1  is in operation (i.e., the program  85  resides on the PC  1  while the OS is running). As such, the preset monitoring program  85  executes unattended recording of the AV content preset by the unattended recording preset program  84  in keeping with an RTC (Real Time Clock), not shown. The preset monitoring program  85  also permits modifications of AV content settings for unattended recording. 
   Under control of the recording/reproduction program  81 , the preset monitoring program  85  supplies the light-emitting unit  4  with signals for generating light patterns denoting commands for controlling the set-top box  5  or VCR  7 . 
   A communication program  86  causes the communication unit  46  to transmit a request for desired data to the server  9  over the network  8 , and receives illustratively a TVCI file (to be described later) that is sent from the server  9 . The communication program  86  feeds the received TVCI file to the recording/reproduction program  81  and to the unattended recording preset program  84 . 
   When supplied with the TVCI file from the communication program  86 , the recording/reproduction program  81  records the supplied file to the HDD  41 . At the same time, in accordance with the TVCI file, the recording/reproduction program  81  updates internal data held within the program  81 . The internal data are used by the recording/reproduction program  81  illustratively to display channels during a channel selection process. 
   When fed with a TVCI file from the communication program  86 , the unattended recording preset program  84  updates internal data held in the program  84  in keeping with the received file. The internal data are used by the unattended recording preset program  84  illustratively to display channels during an unattended recording preset process. 
     FIG. 5  is an explanatory view depicting a typical structure of application programs, middleware, drivers, etc., executed by the personal computer  1 . The middleware causes the suitable drivers and related program elements to run in response to requests from the application programs. The drivers and others actually cause hardware resources such as the MPEG encoder  58  of the image processing board  45  to operate. 
   A hardware interface  91  arbitrates the uses of hardware resources requested by the recording/reproduction program  81 , AV content management/search program  82 , AV content editing program  83 , unattended recording preset program  84 , preset monitoring program  85 , or communication program  86 . Based on suitable settings including various priorities, the hardware interface  91  allocates available hardware resources to each of the requesting application programs. 
   A content database  92  stores attribute data (to be described later) and other related data on AV contents. In operation, the content database  92  furnishes the recording/reproduction program  81 , AV content management/search program  82 , AV content editing program  83 , unattended recording preset program  84 , or preset monitoring program  85  either with AV content attribute data or with data specifying a file that contains image and sound digital data representing a desired AV content. 
   A file I/O (input/output)  93  is a package of program elements allowing the recording/reproduction program  81 , AV content management/search program  82 , AV content editing program  83 , unattended recording preset program  84 , or preset monitoring program  85  to write and read data upon request to and from a specific AV content (made up of at least one file) by way of the content database  92 . 
   An encoder  94  is a package of program elements allowing the MPEG encoder  58  of the image processing board  45  to compress input image and sound data from the digital selector  57  into MPEG-format digital data. 
   A decoder  95  is a package of program elements allowing the MPEG decoder  60  of the image processing board  45  to decompress input MPEG-format image and sound digital data from the bridge  59 . 
   An output switchover  96  is a package of program elements causing the analog selector  55  and 1394 interface  51  of the image processing board  45  to operate, thus controlling the output of analog signals and digital data from the image processing board  45 . 
   An input switchover  97  is a package of program elements causing the analog selector  55 , 1394 interface  51 , DV data interface  52 , and digital selector  57  of the image processing board  45  to operate for the selection of analog signals and digital data input to the image processing board  45 . 
   A screen display  98  is a package of program elements causing the digital selector  57  and bridge  59  to operate for the control of image display on the monitor  40 . 
   Drivers  99  are programs that actually operate the image processing board  45  in response to requests from the encoder  94 , decoder  95 , output switchover  96 , input switchover  97 , and screen display  98 . 
   In this specification, descriptions about the processing of sounds are omitted hereunder because of its generic nature. 
     FIG. 6  is an explanatory view indicating a typical structure of AV contents. AV content attributes are stored in the content database  92  held on the HDD H 41 . An AV content attribute record  102 - 1  in the content database  92  accommodates the following attribute data about an AV content  101 - 1 : name, ID (identification data), date and time of creation, date and time of change, recording time, channel name, recording mode, status, expiration date (with time), protection against accidental erasure, presence or absence of error, two-dimensional bar code (e.g., Cybercode (registered trademark)), memo, and so on. Likewise, an AV content attribute record  102 - 2  in the content database  92  holds the following attribute data about an AV content  101 - 2 : name, ID, date and time of creation, date and time of change, recording time, channel name, recording mode, status, expiration date, protection against accidental erasure, presence or absence of error, memo, and so on. 
   The recording mode data contained in the AV content attribute record  102 - 1  indicate that dynamic image data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3  are held in one of three modes: high quality mode, standard mode, and video CD compatible mode (which means that image data are in MPEG1 format). Similarly, the status data in the AV content attribute record  102 - 1  indicate that the AV content  101 - 1  is in one of the following states: yet to be preset, recording in progress, reproducing while recording, yet to be reproduced, reproduction in progress, and reproduced. 
   Error data indicate an erroneous state of the AV content  101 - 1 . An error is recognized illustratively when recording has been stopped halfway because the personal computer  1  failed during recording; when the reception during recording was so poor that images could not be reproduced from the signals input through the antenna  3 ; or when part of the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 1  is missing. 
   One of two things is allowed: neither an expiration date nor protection against accidental erasure is set, or one of them is set. The two settings are never in effect at the same time. 
   The recording mode data contained in the AV content attribute record  102 - 2  indicate that dynamic image data files  111 - 2 - 1  through  111 - 2 - 2  are held in one of three modes: high quality mode, standard mode, and video CD compatible mode. Similarly, the status data in the AV content attribute record  102 - 2  indicate that the AV content  101 - 2  is in one of the following states: yet to be preset, recording in progress, reproducing while recording, yet to be reproduced, reproduction in progress, and reproduced. 
   The AV content  101 - 1  is constituted by the dynamic image data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3  and still image data files  112 - 1 - 1  through  112 - 1 - 3 , all held on the HDD  41 . The dynamic image data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3  contain MPEG-format image data. The image corresponding to the first image data in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 2  is continued to the image corresponding to the last image data in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 1 . Likewise, the image corresponding to the first image data in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 3  is continued to the image corresponding to the last image data in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 2 . 
   The still image data file  112 - 1 - 1  contains static image data obtained through conversion of scene switchover images from the image data in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 1 , along with the corresponding scene switchover times (or the corresponding offset locations in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 1 ). The still image data file  112 - 1 - 2  includes static image data obtained through conversion of scene switchover images from the image data in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 2 , together with the corresponding scene switchover times (or the corresponding offset locations in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 2 ). The still image data file  112 - 1 - 3  contains static image data obtained through conversion of scene switchover images from the image data in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 3 , as well as the corresponding scene switchover times (or the corresponding offset locations in the dynamic image data file  111 - 1 - 3 ). 
   The AV content  101 - 2  is constituted by the dynamic image data files  111 - 2 - 1  and  111 - 2 - 2 , as well as by static image data files  112 - 2 - 1  and  112 - 2 - 2 . The specifics of the AV content  101 - 2  are the same as those of the AV content  101 - 1  and thus will not be described further. 
   In the description that follows, the AV contents  101 - 1  and  101 - 2  will be simply called the AV content  101  if there is no need to make distinction therebetween. Similarly, under the same circumstances, the AV content attribute records  102 - 1  and  102 - 2  will be simply called the AV content attribute record  102 ; the dynamic image data files  111 - 1 - 1  through  111 - 1 - 3  as well as  111 - 2 - 1  and  111 - 2 - 2  will be simply called the dynamic image data file  111 ; and the static image data files  112 - 1 - 1  through  112 - 1 - 3  as well as  112 - 2 - 1  and  112 - 2 - 2  will be simply called the static image data file  112 . 
     FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing a typical structure of the server  9 . In the server  9 , a CPU  121  executes an operating system (OS) and application programs such as a server program. A ROM  122  accommodates basically fixed data as part of the programs and operation parameters used by the CPU  121 . A RAM  123  stores programs executed by the CPU  121  and parameters that are varied as needed during the execution. These component parts are interconnected by a host bus  124  composed of a CPU bus or a memory bus. 
   The host bus  124  is connected via a bridge  125  to an external bus  126  such as a PCI bus. 
   A keyboard  128  is operated by a user to enter various commands into the CPU  121 . A mouse  129  is manipulated by the user to point to and select items on a monitor  130 . The monitor  130  is constituted by a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) displaying diverse kinds of information in text and image. An HDD (Hard Disc Drive)  131  and an FDD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disc Drive)  132  drive a hard disc and a floppy disc respectively so that programs and information to be handled by the CPU  121  may be recorded or reproduced to or from the disc in question. 
   A drive  133  reads programs or data from a magnetic disc  135 , an optical disc  136 , a magneto-optical disc  137 , or a semiconductor memory  138  loaded in the drive. The retrieved programs or data are installed into the personal computer  1  or supplied to the CPU  121  or RAM  123 . 
   The components ranging from the keyboard  128  to the drive  133  are connected to an interface  127 . In turn, the interface  127  is connected to the CPU  121  via the external bus  126 , bridge  125 , and host bus  124 . 
   A communication unit  134  receives data related to the TV stations  13 - 1  through  13 - 4  from the servers  21 - 1  through  21 - 4  over the network  8 , as well as a TVCI file request from the personal computer  1 . The communication unit  134  supplies the receive data either to the HDD  131  via the external bus  126  and interface  127  or to the CPU  121  through the external bus  126 , bridge  125 , and host bus  124 . 
   In response to a TVCI file request sent from the personal computer  1  over the network  8 , the communication unit  134  transmits to the personal computer  1  a TVCI file stored illustratively on the HDD  131 . 
   The communication unit  134  is connected to the CPU  121  through the external bus  126 , bridge  125 , and host bus  124 . 
   The server  21  has the same structure as the server  9  and thus will not be discussed further. 
     FIG. 8  is an explanatory view showing application programs carried out by the server  9 . A database program  141  accommodates data such as TVCI files, to be described later, which are supplied to the personal computer  1  by the server  9 . A server program  142  is a program that furnishes the personal computer  1  with data through the network  8 , e.g., through a Web server or an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server. A communication program  143  runs illustratively in keeping with TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), receiving requests from the personal computer  1  to the server program  142  over the network  8  and transmitting data to the personal computer  1  under control of the server program  142 . 
   The server  21  performs the same programs as the server  9  described above and thus the workings of these programs will not be discussed further. 
   Below is a description of how the recording/reproduction program  81  permits display of screens on the monitor  40  of the personal computer  1 . 
     FIG. 9  is an explanatory view of a typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program  81  on the monitor  40  of the personal computer  1 . 
   A recording window  151  is a window in which to set, among others, a channel to be recorded and a recording mode to be put into effect. When recording is started, the recording/reproduction program  81  complies with the settings of the recording window  151  in establishing the operation of the tuner  54  or MPEG encoder  58  of the image processing board  45 , creating an AV content  101  and an AV content attribute record  102 , and writing what has been created to the HDD  41 . 
   When the recording window  151  is selected and made active, a recording button  152  and a stop button  153  are rendered active and operable. That is, with the recording window  151  selected to be active, the recording/reproduction program  81  starts recording when the recording button  152  is clicked on and stops the recording when the stop button  153  is clicked on. 
   On the other hand, with the recording window  151  selected to be active, a play button  154  and a pause button  155  are both rendered inactive. That is, the recording/reproduction program  81  does nothing even if the play button  154  or pause button  155  is clicked on. 
   A reproduction window  156  displays information including the recording mode of the AV content to be reproduced. When the reproduction window  156  is selected and made active, the stop button  153 , play button  154 , and pause button  155  are rendered active and operable. That is, with the reproduction window  156  selected to be active, the recording/reproduction program  81  starts reproduction when the play button  154  is clicked on, halts temporarily the reproduction when the pause button  155  is clicked on, and stops the reproduction when the stop button  153  is clicked on. 
   On the other hand, with the reproduction window  156  selected to be active, the recording button  152  is rendered inactive. That is, the recording/reproduction program  81  does nothing even if the recording button  152  is clicked on. 
   A channel selection button  157  is operated to display a menu in which to select channels, input signals, or input data. 
   Clicking on the channel selection button  157  causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to display a channel selection menu  161  on the monitor  40  of the personal computer  1 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
   When a channel, an input signal, or input data are selected in the channel selection menu  161 , the recording/reproduction program  81  establishes the channel, input signal, or input data regarding the TV program to be displayed on the monitors  2  and  40  or regarding the TV program to be recorded, in compliance with the selection settings in the channel selection menu  161 . 
   The recording/reproduction program  81  generates internal data based on a TVCI file stored beforehand on the HDD  41  or received from the server  9 . The internal data are data for use in displaying the channel selection menu  161 . 
   The TVCI file will now be described.  FIG. 11  is an explanatory view showing a typical structure of the TVCI file. 
   The top line in the TVCI file is constituted by a character string “Content-type:application/x-tv-channel-info” indicating that this is a TVCI file. 
   On the second line of the TVCI file comes a character string “version:2” indicating the current version number of this file. 
   The third line of the TVCI file contains a zip code representing the territory to which this TVCI file is applicable. The actual zip code comes after a character string “zipcode:” on this line. 
   The fourth line of the TVCI file accommodates the name of a TV program provider  10 - 1  or  10 - 2  to which this TVCI file applies. The actual TV provider name comes after a character string “providers:” on this line. 
   The fifth line of the TVCI file is made of data indicating the type of TV program distribution effected by the TV program provider  10 - 1  or  10 - 2  specified by the name on the preceding line. The data representative of the type of TV program distribution in force designate one of three types: cable (CATV, or Cable Television System) indicated by a character string “cable”; broadcast via satellite  11  denoted by a character string “satellite”; and broadcast via ground waves represented by a character string “antenna”. The actual data denoting the type comes after a character string “broadcast-type:” on this line. 
   On each of the sixth and subsequent lines of the TVCI file come data about the channel of a TV program distributed by a TV program provider  10 - 1  or  10 - 2  specified by a provider name. The actual channel data are located after a character string “station-desc:” on the line in question. 
   The channel of the TV program distributed by the TV program provider  10 - 1  or  10 - 2  corresponds to one of the TV stations  13 - 1  through  13 - 4 . 
   The channel data in the TVCI file are composed of the channel number as well as the name, favorite flag, and genre regarding each of the TV stations  13 - 1  through  13 - 4  involved. 
   The favorite flag is a flag that determines whether or not the data about the corresponding channel are to be displayed in the channel selection menu  161 , as will be described later in detail. 
   The genre indicates categories of TV programs such as sports, news, and dramas. 
     FIG. 12  is a schematic view indicating another TVCI file as an example.  FIG. 12  shows a number 95050 after the character string “zipcode:” on the third line of the file. That means the zip code 95050 represents the territory to which the TVCI file of  FIG. 12  is applicable. 
   A character string “BU&amp;U CABLE SERVICES, SANTA CLARA” appears following the character string “providers:” on the fourth line of the TVCI file in  FIG. 12 . That means the name of the TV program provider to which the TVCI file of  FIG. 12  applies is BU&amp;U CABLE SERVICES, SANTA CLARA. 
   A character string “cable” appears after the character string “broadcast-type:” on the fifth line of the TVCI file in  FIG. 12 . That means the TV program provider to which this file applies distributes TV programs over the cable (CATV). 
   The character string “station-desc:” in the TVCI file of  FIG. 12  is followed by data about channels  1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  46 ,  42 , and  38 . 
   In the TVCI file of  FIG. 12 , the TV station on channel  1  is named “FEATURE FILMS.” The favorite flag for channel  1  is set to 1. 
   In the file of  FIG. 12 , the TV station on channel  3  is named “BULLETIN BOARDS.” The favorite flag for channel  3  is set to 1. 
   In the same file, the TV station on channel  4  is named “THIS WEEK&#39;S HITS.” The favorite flag for channel  4  is set to 1. 
   Likewise, the TV station on channel  6  is named “TRENDY DRAMAS” in the file. The favorite flag for channel  6  is set to 1. 
   The TV station on channel  8  is named “NEWS” in the file. The favorite flag for channel  8  is set to 1. 
   The TV station on channel  10  is named “COMEDIES” in the file. The favorite flag for channel  10  is set to 1. 
   The TV station on channel  12  is named “VARIETY SHOWS” in the file. The favorite flag for channel  12  is set to 1. 
   The TV station on channel  46  is named “OVERSEAS NEWS” in the file. The favorite flag for channel  46  is set to 1. 
   The TV station on channel  42  is named “CLASSICAL MUSIC” in the file. The favorite flag for channel  42  is set to 1. 
   The TV station on channel  38  is named “BACKGROUND VIDEOS” in the file. The favorite flag for channel  38  is set to 1. 
     FIG. 13  is an explanatory view of another typical screen showing a channel selection menu  161  based on the TVCI file of  FIG. 12 . The channel selection menu  161  in  FIG. 13  shows channel  1  together with the TV station name “FEATURE FILMS,” channel  3  having the name “BULLETIN BOARDS,” channel  4  named “THIS WEEK&#39;S HITS,” channel  6  named “TRENDY DRAMAS,” channel  8  named “NEWS,” channel  10  named “COMEDIES,” channel  12  named “VARIETY SHOWS,” channel  46  named “OVERSEAS NEWS,” channel  42  named “CLASSICAL MUSIC,” and channel  38  named “BACKGROUND VIDEOS.” 
     FIG. 14  is a schematic view of a TVCI file that is sent by the server  9  over the network  8  and received by the personal computer  1 . In  FIG. 14 , the character string “station-desc:” is followed by data about channels  1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  46 ,  42 , and  38 , plus channel  7 . 
   In the TVCI file of  FIG. 14 , channel  7  corresponds to a TV station named “MIDSUMMER NIGHT&#39;S GHOST STORIES (NEW!).” The favorite flag for channel  7  is set to 1. 
   On receiving the TVCI file, the personal computer  1  updates its internal data for use in displaying the channel selection menu  161 . 
     FIG. 15  is an explanatory view of an updated channel selection menu  161  displayed by the personal computer  1  when the personal computer  1 , after displaying the channel selection menu  161  based on the TVCI file of  FIG. 12 , has updated its internal data upon receipt of the TVCI file of  FIG. 14 . 
   When the personal computer  1  has updated its internal data based on the TVCI file of  FIG. 14 , the personal computer  1  causes the channel selection menu  161  to indicate channel  1  together with the TV station name “FEATURE FILMS,” channel  3  along with the name “BULLETIN BOARDS,” channel  4  having the name “THIS WEEK&#39;S HITS,” channel  6  with the name “TRENDY DRAMAS,” channel  8  named “NEWS,” channel  10  named “COMEDIES,” channel  12  named “VARIETY SHOWS,” channel  46  named “OVERSEAS NEWS,” channel  42  named “CLASSICAL MUSIC,” and channel  38  named “BACKGROUND VIDEOS,” plus channel  7  having the TV station name “MIDSUMMER NIGHT&#39;S GHOST STORIES (NEW!).” 
   As described, when receiving the TVCI file from the server  9  over the network  8 , the personal computer  1  updates the internal data based on the received file and displays the channel selection menu accordingly allowing the user to select channels. Illustratively, it may happen that TV program providers offer numerous channels and that they alter their channel-to-station assignments every season. In that case, the personal computer  1  may receive the TVCI file reflecting the seasonal channel-to-station assignment changes and easily update the internal data accordingly. This allows the personal computer  1  to receive the TV programs correctly over the changed channels. 
   How the internal data settings are processed will now be described. When a channel setting command is selected from the menu named “SET” in the window displayed by the recording/reproduction program  81 , the recording/reproduction program  81  causes the monitor  40  to display a channel setting window. In the channel setting window, the recording/reproduction program  81  displays items to be in compliance with the settings of the TVCI file and internal data. 
     FIG. 16  indicates a typical channel setting window in effect when the channel selection menu  161  of  FIG. 13  appears. The channel setting window indicates, for each of the channels involved, a channel number to be specified by use of a remote controller (not shown) along with the marking of a favorite channel where applicable and a TV station name. 
   Where a given channel is set as a favorite (indicated by a check mark), the recording/reproduction program  81  displays the number of the channel in question and the corresponding TV station name in the channel selection menu  161 . 
   It may happen that with the channels checked as favorites, the user unchecks some of their markings. In that case, the recording/reproduction program  81  cancels the favorite setting for each of the unchecked channels and suppresses the display of the numbers and TV station names of the canceled channels. 
   For example, suppose that in the channel setting window of  FIG. 16 , channels  3 ,  6 ,  10 , and  42  in the “Received Channels” column are clicked on. This causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to cancel (i.e., uncheck) the favorite settings for channels  3 ,  6 ,  10 , and  42 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
   After the favorite settings are established as shown in  FIG. 17 , the user clicks on the OK button. This causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to generate internal data consisting only of the data regarding the TV stations corresponding to the channels set as favorites. 
   The internal data thus generated reflect channels  3 ,  6 ,  10 , and  42  having been deprived of their favorite settings. As a result, the recording/reproduction program  81  displays a command to select any one of channels  1 ,  4 ,  8 ,  12 ,  46 , and  38  in the channel selection menu  161  as shown in  FIG. 18 ; there is no display of a command for selecting channel  3 ,  6 ,  10 , or  42 . 
     FIG. 19  is a schematic view of another TVCI file sent from the server  9  over the network  8  and received by the personal computer  1 . In the example of  FIG. 19 , the character string “station-desc:” is followed by data about channels  1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  46 ,  42 , and  38  of which the favorite flags are set to 0, plus channel  7  whose favorite flag is set to 1. 
   In the TVCI file of  FIG. 19 , channel  7  corresponds to the TV station named “MIDSUMMER NIGHT&#39;S GHOST STORIES (NEW!) .” 
   On receiving the TVCI file, the recording/reproduction program  81  compares the channel data in the received file with those of the TVCI file received previously from the same TV program provider. Through the comparison, the program  81  extracts data about any channel whose number or name is judged different and whose favorite flag is set to 1. 
   The recording/reproduction program  81  updates the internal data by adding the extracted channel data to the existing internal data. 
   Suppose now that the existing internal data correspond to the channel setting window of  FIG. 17 ; that the TVCI file of  FIG. 19  has been received so as to update the internal data accordingly; and that a channel setting command is selected from the menu named “SET.” In that case, the recording/reproduction program  81  displays a channel setting window shown in  FIG. 20 . 
   In  FIG. 20 , the recording/reproduction program  81  displays in the channel setting window the data about channel  7  whose number or name is judged different and whose favorite flag is set for 1. The display is given on the basis of the internal data acquired by supplementing the existing data with the data about channel  7 . 
   On receiving the TVCI file, the personal computer  1  updates its internal data for use in displaying the channel selection menu  161 . 
     FIG. 21  is an explanatory view of a channel selection menu  161  that appears when the recording/reproduction program  81 , having generated internal data based on the channel setting window of  FIG. 17 , receives the TVCI file of  FIG. 19  and updates the internal data accordingly. The channel selection menu  161  displays a command for selecting channel  7 . 
   Described below with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 22  is an internal data generation process carried out by the recording/reproduction program  81  while the channel setting window is being displayed. In step S 11 , the recording/reproduction program  81  acquires data about each of the channels involved from the TVCI file stored on the HDD  41 . 
   In step S 12 , the recording/reproduction program  81  displays in the channel setting window all TV station data corresponding to the acquired data. 
   In step S 13 , the recording/reproduction program  81  acquires the favorite settings for each of the TV stations corresponding to the user&#39;s input operation in the channel setting window. 
   In step S 14 , the recording/reproduction program  81  generates internal data based on the favorite settings of the TV stations involved. Illustratively, the recording/reproduction program  81  generates the internal data not by use of the TVCI file data corresponding to each TV station whose favorite setting is cancelled but through the extraction of the TVCI file data corresponding only to the TV stations established as favorites. 
   In step S 15 , the recording/reproduction program  81  stores the generated internal data within the program  81  itself, and terminates the internal data generation process. 
   As described, the recording/reproduction program  81  generates the internal data, i.e., data for selecting channels, on the basis of the TVCI file and the user&#39;s settings. The generated internal data are stored within the program  81 . 
   Described below with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 23  is a typical TV station name display process performed by the recording/reproduction program  81  while the channel selection menu  161  is being displayed. In step S 31 , the recording/reproduction program  81  acquires the internal data stored within the program  81  itself. 
   In step S 32 , the recording/reproduction program  81  generates a channel list based on the acquired internal data. The channel list is a list that associates channel numbers with TV station names. 
   In step S 33 , the recording/reproduction program  81  displays the TV station names based on the generated channel list. This terminates the TV station name display process. Illustratively, the recording/reproduction program  81  displays channel numbers in association with TV station names in the channel selection menu  161 . 
   As described, the recording/reproduction program  81  displays the user-selected TV station names on the basis of the internal data generated in accordance with the data in the TVCI file and the user&#39;s settings. 
   How the personal computer  1  acquires a TVCI file will now be described by referring to the flowchart of  FIG. 24 . In step S 2001 , the communication program  86  of the personal computer  1  causes the communication unit  46  to transmit a request for the TVCI file to the server  9  over the network  8 . 
   In step S 1001 , the communication program  143  of the server  9  causes the communication unit  134  to receive the TVCI file request from the personal computer  1 . In step S 1002 , the server program  142  of the server  9  causes the database  141  to retrieve the TVCI file corresponding to the request and prompts the communication unit  134  to transmit the retrieved TVCI file to the personal computer  1  over the network  8 . 
   In step S 2002 , the communication program  86  of the personal computer  1  causes the communication unit  46  to receive the TVCI file coming from the server  9 . The communication program  86  supplies the received TVCI file to the recording/reproduction program  81  and unattended recording preset program  84 . In step S 2003 , the communication program  86  substitutes the received TVCI file for the existing TVCI file held illustratively on the HDD  41 . This terminates the TVCI file acquisition process. The communication program  86  records the replaced TVCI file as the previous TVCI file on the HDD  41 . 
   As described, on receiving the TVCI file from the server  9 , the personal computer  1  replaces the existing TVCI file with the received file. The personal computer  1  retains the replaced TVCI file as the immediately preceding TVCI file. 
   Although the TVCI file was described as transmitted and received over the network  8 , this is not limitative of the invention. Alternatively, the TVCI file may be offered to the personal computer  1  by use of a suitable storage medium such as the magnetic disc  47 , optical disc  48 , magneto-optical disc  49 , or semiconductor memory  50  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   Described below with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 25  is an internal data update process carried out by the recording/reproduction program  81  upon receipt of the TVCI file from the server  9 . In step S 51 , the recording/reproduction program  81  acquires the internal data from within the program  81  itself. 
   In step S 52 , the recording/reproduction program  81  compares the immediately preceding TVCI file held on the HDD  41  with the updated TVCI file in order to acquire data about any newly added channels in the updated file. 
   In step S 53 , the recording/reproduction program  81  selects the data about each of any newly added channels of which the favorite flag is set to 1. In step S 54 , the recording/reproduction program  81  adds to the internal data the data about the newly added channels whose favorite flags are set to 1. 
   In step S 55 , the recording/reproduction program  81  stores within the program  81  itself the internal data supplemented with the data about the newly added channels whose favorite flags are set to 1.This terminates the internal data update process. 
   In the manner described, the personal computer  1  may extract from the updated TVCI file the data about the newly added channels whose favorite flags are set to 1, and add the extracted channel data to the internal data in storage. 
   The process above allows the personal computer  1  quickly to update its internal data by simply receiving the TVCI file reflecting any channel-to-station assignment changes made by TV program providers offering numerous channels. The updates enable the personal computer  1  to receive TV programs correctly over the changed channels. 
   The personal computer  1  may also control the set-top box  5  by means of the light-emitting unit  4  based on the internal data reflecting the assignment changes. In such a case, if the channel assignments of the TV stations involved are found to have been changed upon receipt by the set-top box  5 , the user may get the personal computer  1  to receive the relevant TVCI file in order to have the set-top-box  5  receive the differently assigned TV programs correctly and in timely fashion. 
   It was stated above that from the updated TVCI file, the data about any newly added channels whose favorite flags are set to 1 are extracted and added to the internal data. Alternatively, the recording/reproduction program  81  may extract from the updated TVCI file the data about newly added channels regardless of their favorite flag settings before adding the extracted data to the internal data. As another alternative, the recording/reproduction program  81  may extract from the updated TVCI file the all data about those channels whose favorite flags are set to 1 and add the extracted channel data to the internal data (i.e., the already stored channel data remain unchanged). 
   Another typical structure of the TVCI file will now be described. In the TVCI file shown in  FIG. 26 , channel data are arranged in a favored order. For example, channels may be given favored ranks ranging from 5 to 1 (only in integers). Upon receipt of the TVCI file in  FIG. 26 , the data about each of the channels involved are given priority higher, the larger the favored rank number for the program in question when added to the internal data by the recording/reproduction program  81 . 
   In the TVCI file shown in  FIG. 26 , channel  1  has the TV station name “FEATURE FILMS.” This channel is given a favored rank of 5. 
   Channel  3  has the TV station name “BULLETIN BOARDS” in the TVCI file of  FIG. 26 . This channel is given a favored rank of 2. 
   Channel  4  has the TV station name “THIS WEEK&#39;S HITS” in the file of  FIG. 26 . This channel is given a favored rank of 5. 
   In the same TVCI file, channel  6  has the TV station name “TRENDY DRAMAS.” This channel is given a favored rank of 3. 
   Channel  8  has the TV station name “NEWS” in the same file. This channel is given a favored rank of 4. 
   Channel  10  has the TV station name “COMEDIES” in the file of  FIG. 26 . This channel is given a favored rank of 3. 
   Channel  12  has the TV station name “VARIETY SHOWS” in the same file. This channel is given a favored rank of 4. 
   Channel  46  has the TV station name “OVERSEAS NEWS” in the same file. This channel is given a favored rank of 4. 
   Channel  42  has the TV station name “CLASSICAL MUSIC” in the TVCI file of  FIG. 26 . This channel is given a favored rank of 1. 
   Channel  38  has the TV station name “BACKGROUND VIDEOS” in the same file. This channel is given a favored rank of 5. 
   Described below with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 27  is how a favored order of channels is established based on a TVCI file and how such a TVCI file is received. 
   In step S 1101  of  FIG. 27 , the server  21  of the TV station  13  transmits to the server  9  the data about channels which are arranged in a favored order and which correspond to the TV station  13  in question. The data are sent to the server  9  over the network  8 . In step S 1102 , the server  21  of the TV station  13  pays a fee to the administrator of the server  9 , the fee reflecting the favored order of the channels. More specifically, the server  21  of the TV station  13  may connect to terminal device of a bank, not shown, and may transfer the fee corresponding to the favored channel order to the bank account of the administrator for the server  9  over the network  8 . 
   In step S 2101 , the communication program  143  of the server  9  causes the communication unit  134  to receive from the server  21  the data about channels arranged in the predetermined favored order. In step S 2102 , the CPU  121  generates a TVCI file based on the received channel data. The generated TVCI file is written to the database  141 . 
   In step S 3101 , the communication program  86  of the personal computer  1  causes the communication unit  46  to transmit a request for the TVCI file to the server  9  over the network  8 . 
   In step S 2103 , the communication program  143  of the server  9  causes the communication unit  134  to receive the TVCI file request coming from the personal computer  1 . In step S 2104 , the server program  142  of the server  9  causes the database  141  to retrieve the TVCI file corresponding to the received request and prompts the communication unit  134  to send the TVCI file in question to the personal computer  1  over the network  8 . 
   In step S 3102 , the communication program  86  of the personal computer  1  causes the communication unit  46  to receive the TVCI file from the server  9 . The communication program  86  supplies the received TVCI file to the recording/reproduction program  81  and unattended recording preset program  84 . In step S 3103 , the communication program  86  substitutes the received TVCI file for the existing TVCI file held illustratively on the HDD  41 . This terminates the TCVI file acquisition process. The communication program  86  records the replaced TVCI file as the previous TVCI file on the HDD  41 . 
   As described, on receiving from the server  9  the TVCI file having the favored order of channels established therein, the personal computer  1  replaces the existing TVCI file with the received file. The personal computer  1  retains the replaced TVCI file as the immediately preceding TVCI file. 
   After the TV station  13  has transmitted to the server  9  the data about channels which are arranged in the favored order and which correspond to the TV station  13  in question, the TV station pays a fee to the administrator of the server  9 , the fee reflecting the favored order of the channels. 
   Described below with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 28  is an internal data update process performed by the recording/reproduction program  81  upon receipt of a TVCI file in which a favored order of channels is established. 
   In step S 71 , the recording/reproduction program  81  acquires the internal data from within the program  81  itself. 
   In step S 72 , the recording/reproduction program  81  compares the immediately preceding TVCI file held on the HDD  41  with the updated TVCI file in order to acquire data about any newly added channels in the updated file. 
   In step S 73 , the recording/reproduction program  81  selects the data about each of any newly added channels whose favored ranks are set to be higher than a predetermined value. For example, the recording/reproduction program  81  may select the data about the newly added channels whose favored ranks are higher than 4. The program  81  allows any desired value (in integer) to be set as the reference for the favored order. 
   In step S 74 , the recording/reproduction program  81  adds the selected channel data to the internal data. 
   In step S 75 , the recording/reproduction program  81  rearranges the channel data based on the favored channel order within the internal data. Illustratively, the program  81  may rearrange the data about the channels in descending order of their favored ranks within the internal data. 
   In step S 76 , the recording/reproduction program  81  stores within the program  81  itself the internal data supplemented with the rearranged data about the channels in the favored order. 
   As described, the personal computer  1  extracts from the updated TVCI file the data about the newly added channels whose favored ranks are higher than a predetermined value and adds the extracted channel data to the internal data. Furthermore, the personal computer  1  rearranges the channel data into a favored order within the internal data. Illustratively, the personal computer  1  may cause the channel selection menu  161  to display the channels arranged in descending order of their favored ranks. 
   The process above allows the user to select the favorite channels in such a manner that the higher the favored rank of a given channel, the quicker its selection by the user. 
   The TV station  13 , for its part, may raise the ranks of the channels corresponding to the TV programs it distributes. This enhances the chance of having the user of the personal computer  1  watch more of the TV programs the station  13  offers. 
   Below is a description of a parental lock process effected by the personal computer  1 .  FIG. 29  is an explanatory view of a typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program  81  on the monitor  40  of the personal computer  1 . A click on the menu named “SET” causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to display on the monitor  40  a setting menu  171  including a channel setting command, an image quality adjusting command, and a parental lock command. 
   When the parental lock command is selected from the setting menu  171 , the recording/reproduction program  81  displays a parental lock setting dialog box on the monitor  40 . 
     FIG. 30  is a schematic view of a typical parental lock setting dialog box displayed on the monitor  40  by the recording/reproduction program  81 . The dialog box includes buttons by which to select ratings for specific audiences. 
   Illustratively, the parental lock setting dialog box of  FIG. 30  contains four radio buttons: a first button for selecting TV programs rated for infants (six years of age and younger), a second button for selecting TV programs rated for grade-schoolers (seven years and older), a third button for selecting TV programs rated for teenagers (13 years and older), and a fourth button for turning off parental lock (for those 17 years and older). 
   The user may illustratively select one of the first radio button (for programs fit for infants), the second radio button (for grade-schoolers), and the third radio button (for teenagers), and click on the OK button. This causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to establish the parental lock rating corresponding to the selected radio button. 
   The user may alternatively select the fourth radio button for turning off parental lock and click on the OK button. In that case, the recording/reproduction program  81  turns off parental lock. 
   With one of the ratings selected and with parental lock established, the user may click on the menu named “SET” without pressing any specific keys on the keyboard  128 . In that case, the recording/reproduction program  81  erases the indication of the parental lock command from the setting menu  171  and displays a parental lock being-on command in the menu  171 , as shown in  FIG. 31 . 
   If the parental lock being-on command is selected in the setting menu  171 , the recording/reproduction program  81  displays on the monitor  40  a caution dialog box, not the parental lock setting dialog box, as shown in  FIG. 32 . The caution dialog box displayed when the parental lock being-on command is selected may illustratively indicate that the user may gain access to parental lock by pulling down the Set menu while holding down specific keys. 
   With one of the ratings selected and with parental lock established, the user may click on the menu named “SET” while holding down specific keys (at least two keys such as the control and shift keys) simultaneously. This causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to erase the indication of the parental lock being-on command from the setting menu  171  and to display the parental lock command and a temporary parental unlock command in the menu  171 , as depicted in  FIG. 33 . 
   When the parental lock command is selected in the setting menu  171 , the recording/reproduction program  81  displays on the monitor  40  the parental lock setting dialog box shown in  FIG. 30 . 
   When the temporary parental unlock command is selected in the setting menu  171 , the recording/reproduction program  81  temporarily cancels parental lock until the program  81  is restarted. 
   The process above allows parental lock to be established by only those who know the specific keys for displaying the parental lock command and temporary parental unlock command in the setting menu  171 . 
   Once the temporary parental unlock command is selected, the unlocked state remains effective until the recording/reproduction program  81  is restarted. That means the user may cancel parental lock easily and quickly without performing bothersome operations such as the entry of a password. 
   The recording/reproduction program  81  sets parental lock automatically once it is started anew. That means the user need not take the trouble to set parental lock every time the user&#39;s viewing of TV programs has ended. 
   Because the recording/reproduction program  81  establishes parental lock automatically once it is restarted, the parents need not worry about forgetting to set parental lock after viewing TV programs. Without this feature, children could inadvertently get to watch harmful programs if their parents forgot to set parental lock. 
   Described below with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 34  is a parental lock-related command display process performed by the recording/reproduction program  81 . 
   In step S 81 , the recording/reproduction program  81  judges if parental lock is set based on internal status data held within the program  81  itself. If parental lock is judged set, step S 82  is reached. In step S 82 , a check is made to see if specific keys, such as the control and shift keys, are held down on the keyboard  38 . The specific keys may be selected as desired in the parental lock setting dialog box. 
   If in step S 82  the specific keys on the keyboard  38  are judged held down, then step S 83  is reached. In step S 83 , the recording/reproduction program  81  selects the command to open the parental lock setting dialog box. Step S 83  is followed by step S 84 . 
   In step S 84 , the recording/reproduction program  81  displays the temporary parental unlock command in the setting menu  171 . Step S 84  is followed by step S 81 , and the judgment on parental lock is repeated. 
   If in step S 82  the specific keys on the keyboard  38  are not judged held down, then step S 85  is reached. In step S 85 , the recording/reproduction program  81  selects the command to open the caution dialog box. Step S 85  is followed by step S 86 . 
   In step S 86 , the recording/reproduction program  81  erases the indication of the temporary parental unlock command from the setting menu  171 . Step S 86  is followed by step S 81 , and the judgment on parental lock is repeated. 
   If in step S 81  parental lock is not judged set, then step S 87  is reached. In step S 87 , the recording/reproduction program  81  selects the command to open the parental lock setting dialog box in the setting menu  171 . Step S 87  is followed by step S 88 . 
   In step S 88 , the recording/reproduction program  81  erases the indication of the temporary parental unlock command from the setting menu  171 . Step S 88  is followed by step S 81 , and the judgment on parental lock is repeated. 
   As described, the recording/reproduction program  81  changes the parental lock-related commands in the menu depending on whether or not parental lock has been established and whether or not the specific keys are held down. 
   The user of the personal computer  1  who knows the specific keys can easily open the parental lock setting dialog box without making bothersome operations such as the input of a password. Children without the knowledge of the specific keys are unable to open the parental lock setting dialog box. 
   Furthermore, the user of the personal computer  1  who knows the specific keys may temporarily cancel parental lock easily. Children with no knowledge of the specific keys are unable to do so. 
   Described below with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 35  is a parental lock initial setting process carried out by the recording/reproduction program  81 . 
   In step S 91 , the recording/reproduction program  81  judges if the program  81  itself is started anew based on the status data held inside. If the program  81  is judged started anew, step S 92  is reached. In step S 92 , a check is made to see if temporary parental unlock is set. 
   In step S 92 , if temporary parental unlock is judged set, then step S 93  is reached. In step S 93 , based on the internal status data, the recording/reproduction program  81  restores the parental lock rating in effect before temporary parental unlock was established. This terminates the parental lock initial setting process. 
   In step S 91 , if the recording/reproduction program  81  is not judged to be started anew, there is no need to set parental lock. In that case, the initial setting process is terminated then and there. 
   In step S 92 , if temporary parental unlock is not judged to be set, that means parental lock was not established in the preceding session. In that case, the initial setting process is terminated without establishment of parental lock. 
   As described above, where temporary parental unlock was set in the preceding session, the recording/reproduction program  81  establishes parental lock once it is started anew. 
   Below is a description of how the recording/reproduction program  81  changes the speed at which the recorded AV content  101  is reproduced.  FIG. 36  is an explanatory view of another typical screen displayed by the recording/reproduction program  81  on the monitor  40  of the personal computer  1 . The typical screen of  FIG. 36  does not include dedicated buttons for fast forward or slow playback. 
   A click on the menu named “SET” causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to display on the monitor  40  a setting menu  181  including a sound mode setting command, a repeat reproduction command, and a reproduction speed command. 
   Selecting the reproduction speed command in the setting menu  181  causes the recording/reproduction command  81  to display a sub-menu  182  for selecting a reproduction speed. In the example of  FIG. 36 , the submenu  182  includes a 0.5× speed reproduction command, a standard speed reproduction command, a 1.5× speed reproduction command, and a 2.0× speed reproduction command. 
   If the 0.5× speed reproduction command is selected in the sub-menu  182 , the recording/reproduction program  81  permits 0.5× speed reproduction of the AV content  101 . 
   Selection of the standard speed reproduction command in the sub-menu  182  causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to effect standard speed reproduction of the AV content  101 . 
   Selecting the 1.5× speed reproduction command in the sub-menu  182  prompts the recording/reproduction program  81  to reproduce the AV content  101  at 1.5× speed. 
   When the 2.0× speed reproduction command is selected in the sub-menu  182 , the recording/reproduction program  81  executes reproduction of the AV content  101  at 2.0× speed. 
   In the example of  FIG. 36 , a check mark on the left-hand side of the 1.5× speed reproduction command indicates that the AV content  101  is reproduced at 1.5× speed. The reproduction window  156  gives an indication that the AV content  101  is reproduced at 1.5× speed. 
   If the AV content  101  is not reproduced or if the reproduction is temporarily stopped, clicking on the play button  154  causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to start or resume reproduction of the AV content  101  in question. 
   While the AV content  101  is being reproduced, clicking on the play button  154  in inactive state prompts the recording/reproduction program  81  to display a reproduction speed changing window on the monitor  40 . This window, an example of which is shown in  FIG. 37 , is a screen on which the reproduction speed for the AV content  101  may be varied in stepless fashion. 
   The reproduction speed changing window for continuously adjusting the reproduction speed of the AV content  101  includes a slider bar  191 . Dragging the slider bar  191  upward or downward as seen in  FIG. 37  causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to continuously vary the content reproduction speed in keeping with the displayed position of the slider bar  191  within the window. 
   The reproduction speed changing window also includes a button  192  for reproducing the AV content  101  at a predetermined speed. The standard speed may be set illustratively to the button  192 . In such a case, clicking on the button  192  causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to reproduce the AV content at standard speed. The speed corresponding to the button  192  may be set as desired illustratively by double-clicking the button  192  and then entering the value of the desired speed from the keyboard  38 . 
   As described, while the AV content  101  is being reproduced, simply clicking on the inactive play button  154  causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to display the reproduction speed changing window. This window allows the reproduction speed for the AV content  101  to be varied as desired in a continuous manner. 
   Moreover, simply dragging the slider bar  191  upward or downward in the window prompts the recording/reproduction program  81  to set the desired speed at which to reproduce the AV content  101 . 
   What follows with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 38  is a description of how the recording/reproduction program  81  reproduces the AV content  101 . In step S 101 , based on a signal coming from the mouse  39 , the recording/reproduction program  81  judges whether the play button  154  displayed on the monitor  40  is clicked on. If the play button  154  is not judged clicked on, step S 101  is reached again. The judging step is repeated until the play button  154  is clicked on. 
   If in step S 101  the play button  154  is judged clicked on, step S 102  is reached. In step S 102 , the recording/reproduction program  81  judges whether the AV content  101  is being reproduced on the basis of internal status data held within the program  81  itself. 
   If in step S 102  the AV content  101  is judged being reproduced, step S 103  is reached. In step S 103 , the recording/reproduction program  81  displays a reproduction speed changing window on the monitor  40 . In step S 104 , based on the signal from the mouse  39 , the recording/reproduction program  81  acquires a reproduction speed instruction corresponding to the displayed position of the slider bar  191  within the reproduction speed changing window. 
   In step S 105 , the recording/reproduction program  81  reproduces the AV content  101  at the designated reproduction speed based on the reproduction speed instruction acquired in step S 104 . Step S 105  is followed by step S 101 , and the judging process is repeated. 
   While the reproduction speed changing window is being displayed on the monitor  40 , the recording/reproduction program  81  repeats step S 104  in which to acquire a reproduction speed instruction as well as step S 105  in which to reproduce the AV content  101  at the speed designated in step S 105 . 
   If in step S 102  the AV content  101  is not judged reproduced, then step S 106  is reached in which the recording/reproduction program  81  reproduces the AV content  101 . Step S 106  is followed by step S 101 , and the judging process is repeated. 
   As described above, while the AV content  101  is being reproduced, simply clicking on the inactive play button  154  causes the recording/reproduction program  81  to display the reproduction speed changing window. 
   In addition, simply dragging the slider bar  91  upward or downward in the window prompts the recording/reproduction program  81  to continuously vary the reproduction speed of the AV content  101 . As a result, the AV content  101  can be produced quickly at the required speed. 
   Because simply clicking on the inactive play button  154  provides display of the reproduction speed changing window, there is no need for an extensive display area for displaying the menu. This eliminates the need for dedicated buttons by which to effect fast forward or slow playback. 
   The absence of the need to select a sub-menu command signifies no need for precisely controlled manipulations such as the movement of a pointer from the reproduction speed command in the setting menu  181  to the sub-menu  182 . This allows those who are not familiar with the operation of the mouse  39  to readily change the reproduction speed for the AV content  101 . In particular, where the personal computer  1  is a notebook-sized one that may be operated while being carried around, the feature above allows the user easily to change the speed at which to reproduce the AV content  101 . 
   Alternatively, upon a click on the inactive play button  154 , the recording/reproduction program  81  may display an edit box in which to accept an input value. Based on the input value, the program  81  may change the reproduction speed for the AV content  101 . 
   As another alternative, the recording/reproduction program  81  may change the speed at which to reproduce the AV content  101  on the basis of the displayed position at which the inactive play button  154  is clicked on. Illustratively, if a leftward-side position of the play button  154  is clicked on, the recording/reproduction program  81  may be arranged to raise the reproduction speed; a click on a rightward-side position of the play button  154  may prompt the program  81  to reduce the reproduction speed. In such a case, clicking on the rightmost position of the play button  154  may cause the recording/reproduction program  81  to bring reproduction of the AV content  101  to a temporary halt. This arrangement, if implemented, will eliminate the need for the pause button  155 . 
   As a further alternative, the recording/reproduction program  81  may boost the reproduction speed when a rightward-side position of the play button  154  is clicked on and reduce the speed when a leftward-side position of the play button  154  is clicked on. 
   The recording/reproduction program  81  may also be arranged to display the reproduction speed for the AV content  101  inside the play button  154 . 
   As another alternative, the broadcasting system according to the invention may be so modified as to deal with only sounds. 
   In connection with the inventive broadcasting system above, the personal computer  1  was described as receiving, recording, and reproducing broadcast programs. However, this is not limitative of the invention. Alternatively, the personal computer  1  may be replaced by any suitable device of any suitable type: a stand-alone PC, a portable PC, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc. 
   The above broadcasting system of the invention was described as having the personal computer  1  receive ground waves, and the set-top box receive radio waves via the satellite  11 . Alternatively, the broadcasts may be received via a cable television system or over the network  8 . That is, the invention is not limited by any specific communication medium used for broadcasting purposes. 
   The series of steps described above may be executed either by hardware or by software. For software-based processing to take place, programs constituting the software may be either incorporated beforehand in dedicated hardware or installed upon use from a suitable program storage medium into a general-purpose personal computer or like equipment capable of executing diverse functions. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 7 , the storage medium is offered to users apart from the computer not only as a package medium constituted by the magnetic disc (including floppy discs)  47  or  135 , optical disc (including CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc))  48  or  136 , magneto-optical disc (including MD (Mini-disc), a registered trademark)  49  or  137 , or semiconductor memory  50  or  138 ; but also in the form of the ROM  32  or  122  or the HDD  41  or  131  containing the programs and incorporated beforehand in the computer. 
   A program or programs constituting the series of steps described above may be installed as needed into the computer for execution, carried by wired or wireless communication means such as local area networks, the Internet, and digital satellite broadcasting networks and forwarded through communication interfaces such as routers and modems. 
   In this specification, the steps which are stored on a program storage medium and which describe the programs to be executed represent not only the processes that are carried out in the depicted sequence (i.e., on a time series basis) but also the processes that are conducted parallelly or individually. 
   In this specification, the term “system” refers to an entire configuration made up of a plurality of component devices. 
   While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.