Patent Publication Number: US-2010110292-A1

Title: Video apparatus and method of controlling the video apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) from Korean Patent Application No. 2008-109520, filed on Nov. 5, 2008 and Korean Application No. 2009-40777, filed on May 11, 2009, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present general inventive concept relates to a video apparatus and a method to control the video apparatus, and more particularly, to a video apparatus to control functions using an A/V interface capable of two-way communication and a method for controlling the video apparatus thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     With the development of technology regarding a video apparatus, televisions and audio/visual (AV) devices connected to televisions have become increasingly diverse. In particular, a size of a television screen has become larger and more diverse, and different image quality modes may be provided according to different contents such as a movie or a broadcasting program. 
     As the functions of television have become diverse, and the functions of AV devices connected to televisions have improved, a user can watch an image with higher image quality and higher quality than ever before. In addition, a user can use a home theater system to enjoy a theater-like atmosphere at home. 
     However, diverse televisions and diverse AV devices connected to televisions have made it more difficult for a user to identify a function of each device and to identify which function provides optimum image quality between the television and the AV device. 
     A user desires to watch high-quality images, and therefore a method to automatically select appropriate functions for televisions and external AV devices is needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present general inventive concept provides a video apparatus to receive information regarding an external device and external device function from the external device via an interface, and transmit information regarding the video apparatus and video apparatus function to the external device and a method to control the video apparatus thereof. 
     The present general inventive concept also provides a video apparatus to transmit information regarding video apparatus and video apparatus functions to an external device via an image signal channel and to receive information regarding the external devices and external device functions from the external device via a data channel of interface and a method to control the video apparatus thereof. 
     Additional features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a video apparatus connectable to an external apparatus which includes an interface connectable to the external apparatus and a control unit to transmit apparatus and function information of the video apparatus to the external apparatus and to receive device and function information of the external apparatus from the external apparatus, wherein the function information of the video apparatus includes information regarding whether the video apparatus supports a certain function, wherein the function information of the external apparatus includes information regarding whether the external apparatus supports a certain function, and wherein the control unit executes the certain function if the external apparatus and the video apparatus supports the certain function. 
     The certain function may include functions regarding an image quality mode of an image. 
     According to the certain function, the video apparatus may receive data of which an image quality is not adjusted from the external apparatus and may adjust an image quality of the image. 
     In the image quality mode, at least one of resolution, sharpness, brightness, noise reduction, hue, and saturation may be adjusted. 
     The interface may be high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) interface. 
     The external apparatus may be received in a source product description (SPD) InfoFrame format, and the function information of the external apparatus may be included in at least one data byte included in the SPD InfoFrame. 
     The control unit may transmit the information of the video apparatus to the external apparatus in an enhanced display identification data (EDID) format, and may record and transmit the function information of the video apparatus in at least one byte included in the EDID. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a method to control a video system in which a video apparatus is connectable to an external apparatus via an interface which includes transmitting apparatus and function information of the video apparatus to the external apparatus, receiving apparatus and function information of the external apparatus, and executing a certain function if the external apparatus and the video apparatus support the certain function, wherein the function information of the video apparatus includes information regarding whether the video apparatus supports the certain function and wherein the function information of the external apparatus includes information regarding whether the external apparatus supports the certain function. 
     The certain function may include a function related to an image quality mode of an image. 
     In the executing the certain function, the video apparatus may receive data of which an image quality mode is not adjusted from the external apparatus and may adjust the image quality mode of the image. 
     The image quality mode may adjust at least one of resolution, sharpness, brightness, noise reduction, hue, and saturation. 
     The receiving may receive the information regarding device and function of the external apparatus via an image signal channel of the interface, and the transmitting may transmit information regarding device and function of the video apparatus to the external apparatus via a data channel of the interface. 
     The interface may be high definition multimedia interface (HDMI). 
     The image signal channel may be a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) of the HDMI interface and the data channel may be a display data channel (DDC) of the HDMI interface. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing an external apparatus connectable to a video apparatus which includes an interface connectable to the video apparatus and a control unit to transmit information regarding apparatus and function of the external apparatus to the video apparatus and to receive apparatus and function information of the video apparatus from the video apparatus, wherein the function information of the external apparatus includes information regarding whether the external apparatus supports a certain function and the function information of the video apparatus includes information regarding whether the video apparatus supports the certain function, and wherein the control unit executes the certain function if the external apparatus and the video apparatus support the certain function. 
     The certain function may include a function related to an image quality mode of an image. 
     According to the certain function, the external apparatus data of which an image quality is not adjusted may be transmitted to the video apparatus so that the video apparatus may adjust the image quality mode of the image. 
     The image quality mode may adjust at least one of resolution, sharpness, brightness, noise reduction, hue, and saturation. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a method to control a video system in which an external apparatus is connectable to a video apparatus via an interface which includes transmitting apparatus and function information of the external apparatus to the video apparatus, receiving apparatus and function information of the video apparatus from the video apparatus and executing a certain function if the function information of the video apparatus indicates that the video apparatus supports the certain function and the external apparatus also supports the certain function, wherein the function information of the external apparatus includes information regarding whether the external apparatus supports the certain function, and wherein the function information of the video apparatus includes information regarding whether the video apparatus supports the certain function. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a video apparatus which includes an interface to communicate with an external apparatus, and a control unit to transmit a first information of the video apparatus to the external apparatus and to receive a second information of the external apparatus, wherein the control unit executes a certain function if the first information corresponds to the second information. 
     The first information may include a first device information and a first function information of the video apparatus. 
     The second information may include a second device information and a second function information of the external apparatus. 
     The control unit may execute the certain function if the first and second function information support the certain function. 
     The interface may receive and transmit information signals and image data signals through HDMI interface channels, the information signals may include the first information and the second information, and the information signals may be transmitted between the image data signals. 
     The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing a computer readable storage medium containing a method of controlling a video apparatus connectable to an external device, the method including receiving first device information and first function information of the external device, comparing the first device information and the first function information with a second device information and a second function information of the video apparatus, and transmitting a signal to the video apparatus to execute a certain function when the first function information and the second function information support the certain function. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a video system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed structure of a television according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a BD player according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method to control a video apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating HDMI interface channels in detail according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 6  is a table illustrating information corresponding to data bytes of SPD InfoFrame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating an example of SPD InfoFrame having information regarding BD player functions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 8  is a table illustrating information corresponding to EDID bytes in detail according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating an example of an EDID having information regarding television functions; 
         FIG. 10  is a table illustrating whether a BD wise mode is on or off depending on whether a BD wise mode of TV and BD is on or off; and 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a video system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a video system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the video system includes a television apparatus (TV)  200  and a data storing and reproducing apparatus, such as a Blue-ray Disk (BD) player  300  connectable to each other through an interface capable of two-way communication. Although  FIG. 1  illustrates the BD player  300  as the data storing and reproducing apparatus, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     The interface connecting the TV  200  with the BD player  300  may be a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), since HDMI includes a channel capable of two-way communication. 
     However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. That is, in alternative exemplary embodiments, any A/V interface capable of two-way communication may be applied. 
     The BD player  300  reads out image and sound signals recorded on the BD and transmits the image and sound signals to the TV  200 . Such a device which provides image and sound signals is referred to as a source device based on HDMI standards. 
     The BD player  300  regularly transmits information regarding the device (such as, the name of manufacturer, model, and etc.) and certain functions (such as, whether an image quality mode is supported) to the TV  200  through an image receiving channel to inform the TV  200  of information regarding the BD player  300  and certain functions that the BD player  300  supports. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the certain functions include at least one of a function regarding image quality mode of an image or a type of the image source. The examples of functions regarding image quality mode include screen ratio adjustment, brightness adjustment, and scaling. The examples of functions regarding image source include movie mode, news mode, drama mode, and etc. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     The TV  200  receives an image signal and a sound signal from the BD player  300  and displays these signals on a display screen. The apparatus which receives image signals and sound signals and displays them on the display screen is called a sink device, based on HDMI standards. 
     The TV  200  regularly transmits information regarding the device (i.e., device information) such as, the name of manufacturer, model, and etc. and certain functions (such as, whether image quality mode is supported) to the BD player  300  through a data channel to inform the BD player  300  of information regarding the TV  200  and which functions the TV  200  supports. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     By sending and receiving their own device information and information regarding certain functions, the TV  200  and the BD player  300  can confirm with each other whether to support a function to provide optimum image quality. In particular, the TV  200  and the BD player  300  can identify whether certain functions are supported based on function information received from each other, and therefore can execute optimum functions for each device. 
     The structure of the TV  200  will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the TV  200  includes a broadcasting receiving unit  210 , an A/V processing unit  220 , a sound output unit  230 , a display unit  240 , a storage unit  250 , a HDMI interface receiving terminal  260 , a control unit  270 , and a remote control receiving unit  280 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the broadcasting receiving unit  210  receives wired or wireless broadcasting from a broadcasting station or a satellite and demodulates the broadcasting. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     The A/V processing unit  220  performs a signal processing such as a video decoding, video scaling, or audio decoding on the image signal and sound signal input from the broadcasting receiving unit  210  and the control unit  270 . The A/V processing unit  220  output the image signal to the display unit  240 , and the sound signal to the sound output unit  230 . 
     The sound output unit  230  outputs the sound output from the A/V processing unit  220  through a speaker (not illustrated). 
     The display unit  240  displays the image output from the A/V processing unit  220 . In particular, the display unit  240  displays an image showing a process of booting the TV  200  on a screen. 
     The storage unit  250  stores the recorded image. The storage unit  250  may include a hard-disk, non-volatile memory, and flash memory. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     The HDMI interface receiving terminal  260  receives an image signal and a sound signal from the BD player  300  connected via a HDMI cable. The structure of the HDMI interface receiving terminal  260  will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     The remote control receiving unit  280  receives a command by a user and transmits the command to the control unit  270 . 
     The control unit  270  identifies the user&#39;s command based on the manipulation received from the remote control  290 , and controls comprehensive operation of the TV  200  according to the identified command. 
     The control unit  270  receives device information and function information of the BD player  300  from the BD player  300  via the HDMI interface receiving terminal  260 . The control unit  270  transmits the device information and function information of the TV  200  to the BD player  300  via the HDMI interface receiving terminal  260 . 
     Since the data channel of the HDMI interface is capable of two-way communication, the control unit  260  transmits the device information and function information of the TV  200  through the data channel of the HDMI interface receiving terminal  260 . More specifically, the control unit  260  transmits the device information and function information of the TV  200  through a HDMI interface display data channel (DDC) of the HDMI interface receiving channel  260 . 
     The control unit  270  transmits device information of the TV  200  to the BD player  300  in an enhanced display identification data (EDID) format. The control unit  270  records function information of the TV  200  in at least one byte included in the EDID. Accordingly, the control unit  270  transmits device information and function information of the TV  200  in the EDID format to the BD player  300 . 
     The device information of the TV  200  is system information of the TV  200  or information regarding specification, and includes information such as the name of manufacturer and the name of model of the TV  200 . For example, the device information of the TV  200  may be “SAMSUNG”, which is a manufacturer name, and “L3”, which is a model name. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     The function information of the TV  200  represents information regarding whether certain functions are supported by the TV  200 . The certain functions are functions regarding image quality of an image or the type of image source. In exemplary embodiments, the examples of functions regarding image quality mode include screen ratio adjustment, brightness adjustment, and scaling. In exemplary embodiments, examples of functions regarding image source include movie mode, news mode, drama mode, and etc. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     More specifically, the function information of the TV  200  may be recorded in bytes, of which the address is 0Bh in the EDID. If the byte of address 0Bh is 1, that means the TV  200  supports certain functions, and if the byte of address 0Bh is 0, that means the TV  200  does not support certain functions. 
     The EDID format including function information will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     The control unit  270  receives device information and function information of the BD player  300  from the BD player  300  through an image signal channel of the HDMI interface receiving terminal  260 . The image signal channel may be a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) signal of the HDMI interface. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     The control unit  270  receives device information of the BD player  300  in a source product description (SPD) InfoFrame format. The function information of the BD player  300  is recorded in at least one byte included in the SPD InfoFrame. Accordingly, the control unit  270  determines whether certain functions are supported by the BD player  300 . 
     The device information of the BD player  300  is system information of the BD player  300  or information regarding specification, and includes information such as the name of manufacturer and name of model of the BD player  300 . For example, the device information of the BD player  300  may be “SAMSUNG”, which is a manufacturer name, and “BD-1600”, which is a model name. 
     The function information of the BD player  300  represents information regarding whether certain functions are supported by the BD player  300 . The certain functions are functions regarding image quality of an image or the type of image source. In exemplary embodiments, the examples of functions regarding image quality mode include screen ratio adjustment, brightness adjustment, and scaling. In exemplary embodiments, examples of functions regarding image source include movie mode, news mode, drama mode, and etc. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     More specifically, function information of the BD player  300  may be recorded in the 24 th  byte of the SPD InfoFrame. If the 24 th  byte is 1, that means the BD player  300  supports certain functions, but if the  24   th  byte is 0, that means the BD player  300  does not support certain functions. 
     The SPID InfoFrame format including function information will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     If the function information indicates that the BD player  300  supports certain functions and the TV  200  also supports the same certain functions, the control unit  270  executes the certain functions. For instance, if both the TV  200  and the BD player  300  support a wide screen mode, the TV  200  checks function information of the BD player  300  received when the BD player  300  is connected to the TV  200  and executes the wide screen mode. 
     By receiving function information from the BD player  300 , the TV  200  is able to execute optimum functions in combination with the BD player  300 . By receiving function information as well as device information of the BD player  300 , the TV  200  is able to execute functions appropriate to the BD player  300 . As the TV  200  transmits the device information and function information of the TV  200 , the BD player  300  is also able to execute functions appropriate to the TV  200 . 
     The structure of the BD player  300  will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 3   FIG. 3 , is a block diagram illustrating a structure of the BD player  300  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the BD player  300  includes a HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310 , a control unit  320 , and a BD player function unit  330 . 
     The BD player function unit  330  executes usual functions as a BD player. For instance, the BD player function unit  330  reads out an image and sound signal of an inserted BD and transmits the signals to the TV  200 , which is connected to the BD player. 
     The HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310  is connected to the TV  200  through a HDMI cable. The HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310  transmits the image and sound signals read out from the BD to the TV  200 . The HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310  will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     The control unit  320  transmits device information and function information of the BD player  300  to the TV  200  through an image signal channel of the HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310 . The control unit  320  receives device information and function information of the TV  200  from the TV  200  through a data channel of the HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310 . 
     The image signal channel may be a TMDS signal channel of the HDMI interface and the data channel may be a DDC of the HDMI interface. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. The function information of the BD player  300  includes information regarding whether the BD player  300  supports certain functions. The function information of the TV  200  includes information regarding whether the TV  200  supports certain functions. 
     The control unit  320  receives device information of the TV  200  from the TV  200  in the EDID format. The function information of the TV  200  is recorded at least one byte included in the EDID. Accordingly, the control unit  270  receives both device information and function information of the TV  200  from the TV  200  in the EDID format. 
     The device information of the TV  200  is system information of the TV  200  or information regarding specification, and includes information such as the name of manufacturer and name of model of the TV  200 . For example, the device information of the TV  200  may be “SAMSUNG”, which is a manufacturer name, and “BD-1600”, which is a model name. 
     The function information of the TV  200  represents information regarding whether certain functions are supported by the TV  200 . The certain functions are functions regarding image quality of an image or the type of image source of the TV  200 . In exemplary embodiments, the examples of functions regarding image quality mode include screen ratio adjustment, brightness adjustment, and scaling. In further exemplary embodiments, the examples of functions regarding image source include movie mode, news mode, drama mode, and etc. However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     More specifically, the function information of the TV  200  may be recorded in bytes, of which the address is 0Bh in the EDID. If the byte of address 0Bh is 1, that means the TV  200  supports certain functions, and if the byte of address 0Bh is 0, that means the TV  200  does not support certain functions. 
     The EDID format including function information will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     The control unit  320  transmits device information and function information of the BD player  300  to the TV  200  through an image signal channel of the HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310 . The image signal channel may be a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) signal of the HDMI interface. 
     The control unit  320  transmits device information of the BD player  300  in a source product description (SPD) InfoFrame format. The function information of the BD player  300  is recorded in at least one byte included in the SPD InfoFrame. Accordingly, the control unit  320  may transmit function information of the BD player  300  along with device information of the BD player  300  to the TV  200 . 
     The device information of the BD player  300  is system information of the BD player  300  or information regarding specification, and includes information such as the name of manufacturer and the name of model of the BD player  300 . For example, the device information of the BD player  300  may be “SAMSUNG”, which is a manufacturer name, and “L3”, which is a model name. 
     The function information of the BD player  300  is information regarding whether certain functions are supported by the BD player  300 . The certain functions include functions regarding image quality mode of an image or the type of image source of the BD player  300 . In exemplary embodiments, the examples of functions regarding image quality mode include screen ratio adjustment, brightness adjustment, and scaling. In exemplary embodiments, the examples of functions regarding image source include movie mode, news mode, drama mode, and etc. 
     More specifically, the function information of the BD player  300  may be recorded in the 24 th  byte of the SPD InfoFrame. If the 24 th  byte is 1, that means the BD player  300  supports certain functions, but if the 24 th  byte is 0, that means the BD player  300  does not support certain functions. 
     The SPID InfoFrame format including function information will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     If the function information indicates that the TV  200  supports certain functions and the BD player  300  also supports certain functions, the control unit  320  executes the certain functions. For instance, if both the TV  200  and the BD player  300  support a wide screen mode, the BD player  300  checks function information of the TV  200  received when the TV  200  is connected to the BD player  300  and executes the wide screen mode on the TV  200 . 
     By receiving function information from the TV  200 , the BD player  300  is able to execute optimum functions in combination with the TV  200 . By receiving function information as well as device information of the TV  200 , the BD player  300  is able to execute functions appropriate to the type of the TV  200 . As the BD player  300  transmits its own device information and function information to the TV  200 , the TV  200  is also able to execute functions appropriate to the BD player  300 . 
     The method of controlling the TV  200  and the BD player  300 , which are connectable to each other via the HDMI interface, will be explained with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a flow chart provided illustrating a method to control a video apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     The operation of the TV  200  is illustrated on the left side and the operation of the BD player  300  is illustrated on the right hand side of  FIG. 4 . 
     As for the operation of the TV  200 , the TV  200  receives device information and information regarding functions of the BD player  300  from the BD player  300  via an image signal channel of a HDMI interface (S 420 ). The image signal channel may be a TMDS signal channel of the HDMI standards, and device information and information regarding functions of the BD player  300  may be received in a SPD InfoFrame format. 
     The TV  200  transmits device information and information regarding functions of the TV  200  to the BD player  300  via a data channel of the HDMI interface (S 430 ). The data channel is a DDC of the HDMI standards, and device information and information regarding functions of the TV  200  is transmitted in a EDID format. 
     The TV  200  determines whether the TV  200  supports certain functions (S 450 ). 
     If the TV  200  supports certain functions (S 450 -Y), the TV  200  reads out relevant bytes corresponding to the function information of the BD player  300  from the received SPD InfoFrame (S 453 ). If the function information of the BD player  300  indicates that the BD player  300  supports the certain functions (S 456 -Y), the TV  200  performs the certain functions (S 459 ). 
     As for the operation of the BD player  300 , the BD player  300  transmits device information and information regarding functions of the BD player  300  to the TV  200  via an image signal channel of the HDMI interface (S 410 ). The image signal channel may be a TMDS signal channel of the HDMI standards, and device information and function information of the BD player  300  may be transmitted in a SPD InfoFrame format. 
     The BD player  300  receives device information and function information of the TV  200  from the TV  200  via a data channel of the HDMI interface (S 440 ). The data channel may be a DDC of the HDMI standards, and device information and function information of the TV  200  may be received in the EDID format. 
     The BD player  300  determines whether the BD player  300  supports certain functions (S 460 ). If the BD player  300  supports certain functions (S 460 -Y), the BD player  300  reads out relevant bytes corresponding to the function information of the TV  200  from the received EDID (S 463 ). If the function information of the TV  200  indicates that the TV  200  supports the certain functions (S 466 -Y), the BD player  300  performs the certain functions (S 469 ). 
     Since the TV  200  and the BD player  300  can identify whether certain functions are supported with each other, the TV  200  and the BD player  300  can execute optimum performance together. 
     The channel of the HDMI interface will be explained with reference to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating HDMI interface channels in detail according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     The HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310  and the HDMI interface receiving terminal  260  communicates with each other via an HDMI cable. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the HDMI interface includes a TMDS signal channel  262 , DDC  264 , consumer electronics control (CEC)  266  channel, and a hot plug detect (HPD) channel and power channel  268 . 
     The transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) signal channel  262  transmits a video signal, an audio signal, and an InfoFrame from the HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310  to the HDMI interface receiving terminal  260 . The InfoFrame includes device information and function information of a device (i.e., the BD player  300 ) having the HDMI interface transmitting terminal  310 . 
     The display data channel (DDC) is a channel to transmit data regarding encryption and enhanced display identification data (EDID). However the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     The CEC  266  channel is a channel to transmit a control signal to control connected devices. The HPD channel  268  is a channel to detect a hot plug. The power channel  268  is a channel to supply power. Among HDMI channels, TMDS signal channel  262  is a one-way communication channel, and DDC, CEC, and HPD channels are two-way communication channels. 
     Among HDMI interface channels, TMDS signal channel is used to transmit device information and function information of the BD player  300  to the TV  200 , and DDC is used to transmit device information and function information of the TV  200  to the BD player  300 . 
     The specification of SPD InforFrame and the location of bytes where function information is recorded will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIG. 6  is a table illustrating information on data bytes of SPD InfoFrame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , SPD InfoFrame includes a total of 25 bytes, and a vendor name, a model name, and the product group of a device can be recorded in SPD InfoFrame. The 24 th  data byte can indicate function information. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating an example of SPD InfoFrame with information regarding BD player functions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a manufacturer name (a vendor name), “SAMSUNG” and a model name, “BD-P1600”, are recoded in SPD InfoFrame. According to the table in  FIG. 6 , the product group “0Ah” is “Blu-Ray Disc (BD)”, and the 24 th  byte  700  indicates function information. The 24 th  byte  700  may be “0” or “1”, and if it is “0”, that means a certain function is not supported, and if it is “1”, that means a certain function is supported. However the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     Other values in addition to “0” and “1” can be used to indicate whether a certain function is supported. One of many values for various functions other than information indicating whether a certain function is supported can be recorded in a byte for function information. The function information can be recorded in other bytes as well as in the 24 th  byte  700 . 
     As such, device information and function information of the BD player  300  can be recorded using SPD InfoFrame. 
     The location where information regarding the specification of EDID and function is recorded will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIG. 8  is a table illustrating information corresponding to EDID bytes according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in EDID, a manufacturer name is recorded in 2 bytes, of which the address is 08h, and a model name is recorded in 2 bytes, of which the address is 0Ah. That is, the byte addresses for a model name are 0Ah and 0Bh. The function information of the TV  200  can be recorded in the address byte of 0Bh. This can be explained with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view illustrating an example of an EDID having information on television functions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the model name “L3” is recorded in data byte A (that is, address 0Ah) of ID product code for the model name. In exemplary embodiments, “0” or “1” is recorded as function information of the TV  200  in data byte B  900  (that is, address 0Bh). If data byte B  900  is “0”, that means the TV  200  does not support a certain function, and if data byte B  900  is “1”, that means the TV  200  supports a certain function. 
     Other values in addition to “0” and “1” can be used to indicate whether a certain function is supported. One of many values for various functions other than information indicating whether a certain function is supported can be recorded in a byte for function information. The function information can be recorded in other bytes as well as in data byte B  900 . 
     As such, in exemplary embodiments, device information and function information of the TV  200  can be recorded using EDID. 
     An example of certain functions supported by the TV  200  and the BD player  300  together will be explained. The TV  200  and the BD player  300  may support a BD wise image quality mode as a certain function. In the BD wise image quality mode, the BD player  300  transmits an original image data to the TV  200  and the TV performs image processing on the received image. 
     If the BD player  300  is set to the BD wise mode, the BD player  300  transmits image data of which image quality is not adjusted to the TV  200  so that the TV  200  may adjust the quality of the image. If the TV  200  is set to the BD wise mode, the TV  200  receives image data of which image quality is not adjusted from the BD player  300  and adjusts the quality of the image. Adjusting image quality means performing image processing. Image mode adjustment includes deinterlacing, upscaling, back light adjustment, contrast, hue, saturation, noise reduction, cadence detection, white balance, resolution, and brightness. However the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
     A video processing apparatus mounted on the BD player  300  may have less performance than that of the AN processing unit  220  of the TV  200 . In this case, if the BD player  300  and the TV  200  execute the BD wise mode, the A/V processing unit  220  of the TV  200  which have better performance performs image data processing, and as a result, a viewer may watch an image with better image quality. 
     The TV  200  and the BD player  300  may determine whether the BD wise mode is supported with each other by going through the process illustrated above with reference to  FIG. 4 . If both the TV  200  and the BD player  300  support the BD wise mode, the TV  200  and the BD player  300  may execute the BD wise mode. Accordingly, the TV  200  and the BD player  300  can automatically provide an image with better quality. 
     Even if the TV  200  and the BD player  300  support the BD wise mode, whether to execute the BD wise mode may be determined depending on whether the function is on or off. 
     This will be explained with reference to  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  is a table illustrating whether a BD wise mode is executed depending on whether a BD wise mode of TV and BD is on or off. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when the BD wise mode of the BD player  300  is on, both the BD player  300  and the TV  200  execute the BD wise mode. However, if the BD wise mode of the BD player  300  is off, the BD player  300  does not execute the BD wise mode and the TV  200  executes the BD wise mode only when the BD wise mode of the TV  200  is on. 
     As such, the TV  200  and the BD player  3300  may execute the BD wise mode in various ways, and accordingly a user may view an image with optimum quality. In addition, since the TV  200  and the BD player  300  checks whether the BD wise mode is supported with each other, the TV  200  and the BD player  300  may execute the BD wise mode appropriately without separate manipulation by a user. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept, a video apparatus is the TV  200 , but any other video apparatus capable of receiving a HDMI interface, such as a monitor and notebook computer, can also be used. 
     Video apparatus information is information regarding a video apparatus, and function information of a video apparatus is information regarding functions of a video apparatus. 
     In exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the apparatus connected to the video apparatus is the BD player  300 , but any other AV apparatuses can also be connected. For instance, other than the BD player  300 , a set-top box, blue-ray player, or video player can be connected to the video apparatus. External apparatus information is information regarding apparatuses connected to the video apparatus, and function information of an external apparatus is information regarding functions of external apparatuses connected to the video apparatus. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a video system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. 
     As illustrated shown in  FIG. 11 , the video system includes a television apparatus (TV)  200 , a first data storing and/or reproducing apparatus  1110   a,  such as a Blue-ray Disk (BD) player  300  of  FIG. 1 , and a second data storing and/or reproducing apparatus  1110   b,  such as another BD player  300  of  FIG. 1  or data player. In exemplary embodiments, the TV  200  may select at least one of the first data storing and/or reproducing apparatus  1110 a or the second data storing and/or reproducing apparatus  1110   b  to generate image and sound according to signals (data) received from the corresponding data storing and/or reproducing apparatus  1110   a  and  1110   b  by using the interface to communicate with the TV  200  as described above. 
     The present general inventive concept can also be embodied as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium can include a computer-readable recording medium and a computer-readable transmission medium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The computer-readable transmission medium can transmit carrier waves or signals (e.g., wired or wireless data transmission through the Internet). Also, functional programs, codes, and code segments to accomplish the present general inventive concept can be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the present general inventive concept pertains. 
     Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.