Patent Publication Number: US-2018046337-A1

Title: Video playback device and program information display method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a recording and playback apparatus that records and plays back broadcast programs, and a method for displaying program information. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A recording and playback apparatus that records and plays back broadcast programs and includes a storage apparatus with increased capacity can record a significant number of programs. For example, a recording and playback apparatus disclosed in PTL 1 includes a plurality of tuners and can simultaneously receive a plurality of channels, and is capable of continuously recording programs of one or more channels. Such a function is hereinafter referred to as “channel recording”. 
     CITATION LIST 
     PTL 
     PTL 1: Japanese Patent No. 4,843,703 
     SUMMARY 
     The larger the number of programs recorded in a recording and playback apparatus, the greater the time and trouble taken for a user to select a desired program from among the recorded programs. 
     The present disclosure provides a recording and playback apparatus and a method for displaying program information that are capable of selecting and playing back a desired program from among recorded programs, with a relatively small amount of time and trouble. 
     A recording and playback apparatus of the present disclosure includes a user input unit, a receiver, a recorder, a player, a user interface creator, and a controller. The user input unit accepts a user command. The receiver receives a plurality of programs and pieces of program information of the programs. The recorder records the plurality of received programs and the pieces of received program information in a recording medium. The player plays back the recorded programs. The user interface creator creates a plurality of selection screens for selecting, by a user, a desired program from among the plurality of recorded programs. The controller controls the player and the user interface creator. Each of the selection screens created by the user interface creator arranges and displays the plurality of pieces of program information classified by different classification methods each other. When one of the pieces of program information is selected on one of the selection screens, the player plays back the program related to the selected program information. When the user input unit receives a predetermined user command during the playback of the program by the player, the controller controls the user interface creator such that a user interface image is created, the user interface image being for selecting any of the pieces of program information by the user and being displayed around video of the program being played back. The user interface image has a region representing the pieces of program information or a classification type that is classified using a classification method, the classification method conforming to a classification method for the selection screen used when the program being played back is selected. 
     A method for displaying program information of the present disclosure is a method for displaying program information in a recording and playback apparatus, and includes accepting a user command; receiving a plurality of programs and pieces of program information of the programs; recording the plurality of received programs and the pieces of received program information in a recording medium; creating one of a plurality of selection screens, the selection screens being for selecting, by a user, a desired program from among the plurality of recorded programs, and arranging and displaying the plurality of pieces of program information classified by different classification methods each other; playing back, when one of the pieces of program information is selected on one of the selection screens, the program related to the selected program information; and creating a user interface image when a predetermined user command is received during the playback of the program, the user interface image being for selecting any of the pieces of program information by the user and being displayed around video of the program being played back. The user interface image has a region representing the pieces of program information or a classification type of the program information that is classified using a classification method, the classification method conforming to a classification method for the selection screen used when the program being played back is selected. 
     The recording and playback apparatuses and methods for displaying program information of the present disclosure allow a user to select and play back a desired program from among recorded programs, with a relatively small amount of time and trouble. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically showing an exemplary configuration of a television system including a recording and playback apparatus of a first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a remote controller of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the remote controller of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen of a first program selection menu for a channel recording list that is displayed on a display when a channel recording list key of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when a playback menu key of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when an up key of the remote controller is pressed down after the screen shown in  FIG. 6  is displayed in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when a left key of the remote controller is pressed down after the screen shown in  FIG. 6  is displayed in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen of a first program selection menu for a normal recording list that is displayed on the display when a normal recording list key of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a normal recording list shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when the playback menu key of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a normal recording list shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when the up key of the remote controller is pressed down after the screen shown in  FIG. 11  is displayed in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when the left key of the remote controller is pressed down after the screen shown in  FIG. 11  is displayed in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen of a first page of a first program selection menu for a category list that is displayed on the display when a category list key of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen of a second page of the first program selection menu for a category list that is displayed on the display when the category list key of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen of a third page of the first program selection menu for a category list that is displayed on the display when the category list key of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when the playback menu key of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when the up key of the remote controller is pressed down after the screen shown in  FIG. 18  is displayed in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when the left key of the remote controller is pressed down after the screen shown in  FIG. 18  is displayed in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when one of the up/down/left/right keys of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 22  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when one of the up/down/left/right keys of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 . 
         FIG. 23  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display when one of the up/down/left/right keys of the remote controller is pressed down in a state in which the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 . 
         FIG. 24  is a diagram schematically showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the display by operating, by a user, the screen shown in  FIG. 23  in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 25  is a flowchart showing an example of a program playback process performed by a control circuit included in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 26  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a playback start process performed by the control circuit included in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 27  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a program reselection process performed by the control circuit included in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 28  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a top menu reselection process performed by the control circuit included in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 29  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a left menu reselection process performed by the control circuit included in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 30  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a program zapping process performed by the control circuit included in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 31  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a playback end process performed by the control circuit included in the recording and playback apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note, however, that a more-than-necessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, a detailed description of already well-known matters and an duplicating description of substantially the same configurations may be omitted to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant and facilitate the understanding of one skilled in the art. 
     Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for one skilled in the art to thoroughly understand the present disclosure and thus are not intended to limit the subject matters described in the claims. 
     Note also that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not always depicted strictly. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference marks and description thereof may be omitted or simplified. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 31 , a recording and playback apparatus of a first exemplary embodiment will be described below. Note that, in the following, switches provided to remote controller  2  and operable by a user are referred to as “keys”. Note also that regions or areas displayed on screen  40  of display  4  and operable by the user are referred to as “buttons”. 
     [1-1. Configuration] 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically showing an exemplary configuration of a television system including recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     The television system includes antenna ANT, recording and playback apparatus  1 , remote controller  2 , program information server apparatus  3 , and display  4 . 
     Recording and playback apparatus  1  is connected to antenna ANT. Recording and playback apparatus  1  can record a plurality of programs which are broadcast from broadcast stations through broadcast waves, and play back the recorded programs. Recording and playback apparatus  1  has a normal recording function and a channel recording function. The normal recording function is a function of recording a program that is being broadcast and specified by a user or a program that is programmed to record by the user. The channel recording function is a function of continuously recording programs of one or more channels. Therefore, recording and playback apparatus  1  having the channel recording function can continuously record substantially all programs that are broadcast on channels which are recording targets. 
     Remote controller  2  can communicate with recording and playback apparatus  1  wirelessly (e.g., Bluetooth (registered trademark) or infrared rays). Remote controller  2  can obtain an instruction (user command) which is input by the user, and wirelessly transmit the user command to recording and playback apparatus  1 . 
     Program information server apparatus  3  can communicate with recording and playback apparatus  1  through a network such as the Internet, and provide recording and playback apparatus  1  with program information which is information related to a program being played back on recording and playback apparatus  1 . 
     Display  4  is, for example, a television receiver. Display  4  is connected to recording and playback apparatus  1  through an interface such as HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark), and can display a program played back by recording and playback apparatus  1 , on screen  40 . 
     Recording and playback apparatus  1  includes normal recorder  10 , channel recorder  20 , control circuit  31 , RC (remote control) receiver  32 , communication circuit  33 , program DB (database) creating circuit  34 , program playback circuit  35 , UI (user interface) creating circuit  36 , and screen superimposing circuit  37 . 
     Normal recorder  10  includes tuner  11 , tuner  12 , tuner  13 , normal recording circuit  14 , and storage apparatus  15 . 
     Channel recorder  20  includes tuner  21 , tuner  22 , tuner  23 , tuner  24 , tuner  25 , tuner  26 , channel recording circuit  27 , and storage apparatus  28 . 
     Normal recorder  10  can record a program that is being broadcast and specified by the user or a program that is programmed to record by the user. 
     Channel recorder  20  can continuously record programs of one or more channels. Therefore, channel recorder  20  can continuously record substantially all programs that are broadcast on channels which are recording targets. 
     Tuners  11  to  13  and tuners  21  to  26  are examples of at least one receiver. Tuners  11  to  13  and tuners  21  to  26  are connected to antenna ANT, and can receive a plurality of programs that are broadcast from broadcast stations by terrestrial broadcasting or satellite broadcasting (BS (Broadcasting Satellite) broadcasting, CS (Communications Satellite) broadcasting, or the like), and program information of the programs. 
     Normal recording circuit  14  records the plurality of programs and the program information of the programs which are received by tuners  11  to  13 , in storage apparatus  15 . Channel recording circuit  27  records the plurality of programs and the program information of the programs which are received by tuners  21  to  26 , in storage apparatus  28 . Storage apparatus  15  and storage apparatus  28  are examples of a storage unit and may be composed of one or a plurality of hard disk drives, etc. 
     Channel recorder  20  may, for example, go inactive for a period of a predetermined length of a day for maintenance of recording and playback apparatus  1 . 
     RC receiver  32  is an example of a user input unit. RC receiver  32  can obtain user commands (control signals) from remote controller  2  by wirelessly communicating with remote controller  2 . 
     Communication circuit  33  can obtain program information related to a program being played back on recording and playback apparatus  1  from program information server apparatus  3  by communicating with program information server apparatus  3 . The program information related to the program being played back on recording and playback apparatus  1  includes, for example, a list of scenes of the program being played back, programs similar to the program being played back, and program ranking Communication circuit  33  may obtain other information such as news by communicating with program information server apparatus  3 . 
     Program DB creating circuit  34  can create a program database including attribute information, such as title names, recording time, and genres, and information about recording positions, which are the program information of the programs recorded in storage apparatuses  15 ,  28 . 
     Program playback circuit  35  is an example of a player. Program playback circuit  35  can play back one of the plurality of programs recorded in storage apparatuses  15 ,  28 . 
     UI creating circuit  36  is an example of a user interface creator. UI creating circuit  36  can create a plurality of user interface images, based on program database information. The user interface images are images to be displayed on screen  40  of display  4  so that the user can select one of the plurality of programs recorded in storage apparatuses  15 ,  28 . 
     Screen superimposing circuit  37  is an example of a screen superimposer. Screen superimposing circuit  37  can generate an output video signal, based on a video signal of a program played back and a user interface image. 
     Control circuit  31  is an example of a controller. Control circuit  31  can control normal recording circuit  14 , channel recording circuit  27 , program playback circuit  35 , and UI creating circuit  36 , based on user commands. 
     Video created using the output video signal which is generated by screen superimposing circuit  37  is displayed on screen  40  of display  4 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of remote controller  2  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  shows an example of a plurality of keys included in remote controller  2 . In the present exemplary embodiment, of the plurality of keys included in remote controller  2 , cursor key  51 , OK key  52 , channel recording list key  53 , normal recording list key  54 , category list key  55 , and playback menu key  56  are mainly used. Cursor key  51  includes an up key, a down key, a left key, and a right key. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of remote controller  2  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a back of remote controller  2  (a back side of a side where the plurality of keys are provided) is provided with an indentation in which a user&#39;s finger can be inserted. Then, motion key  57  is disposed in the indentation so that the user can easily shake remote controller  2  up and down or left and right with motion key  57  kept pressed. 
     Remote controller  2  may include a gyro sensor that operates when motion key  57  is pressed. Remote controller  2  may detect, by the gyro sensor, an amount of movement when remote controller  2  is shaken up and down or left and right, and transmit the detected amount of movement to recording and playback apparatus  1 . UI creating circuit  36  in recording and playback apparatus  1  may move a cursor on screen  40 , according to the amount of movement of remote controller  2  which is detected by remote controller  2  and transmitted from remote controller  2 . This function is hereinafter referred to as a “motion function”. 
     [1-2. Operation] 
     In order to enable the user to select a desirable program from among recorded programs, recording and playback apparatus  1  presents a plurality of program selection menus to the user. In the present exemplary embodiment, recording and playback apparatus  1  mainly presents following three program selection menus to the user. 
     (1) Channel Recording List 
     A channel recording list is a program selection menu for enabling the user to select a desired program from a plurality of programs recorded by channel recorder  20 . The channel recording list has a program table format where a plurality of pieces of program information are arranged two-dimensionally by channel and time. 
     (2) Normal Recording List 
     A normal recording list is a program selection menu for enabling the user to select a desired program from a plurality of programs recorded by normal recorder  10 . The normal recording list has a format where a plurality of pieces of program information are arranged chronologically. 
     (3) Category List 
     A category list is a program selection menu for enabling the user to select a desired program from the plurality of programs recorded by channel recorder  20 . The category list has a format where a plurality of pieces of program information are classified and arranged by category. 
     In the program selection menus (i.e., the channel recording list, the normal recording list, and the category list), pieces of program information of a plurality of recorded programs are classified and arranged by different classification methods. 
     In general, when a number of menus presented to the user increases, a number of transitions performed between the menus increases, complicating user operations. Therefore, a recording and playback apparatus is desired that allows the user to select and play back his/her desired program from among recorded programs, with a relatively small amount of time and trouble by suppressing complication of user operations. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, UI creating circuit  36  creates UI images of program selection menus with a plurality of pairs where pieces of program information of a plurality of programs recorded in storage apparatuses  15 ,  28  are classified and arranged by a plurality of classification methods. When UI creating circuit  36  creates, for example, a program selection menu for the channel recording list, UI creating circuit  36  creates a UI image where a channel and a date (or time) are paired up. 
     Each program selection menu has a first program selection menu and a second program selection menu. The first program selection menu and the second program selection menu include a plurality of arrays of a plurality of pieces of program information classified by a same classification method. Namely, the channel recording list has a first program selection menu and a second program selection menu that are displayed on display  4  in a channel recording list format. The normal recording list has a first program selection menu and a second program selection menu that are displayed on display  4  in a normal recording list format. The category list has a first program selection menu and a second program selection menu that are displayed on display  4  in a category list format. 
     Note that the first program selection menu is displayed on display  4  when a recorded program is not being played back, and the second program selection menu is displayed on display  4  when a recorded program is being played back, such that the second program selection menu is partially superimposed on video of the program being played back. 
     [1-2-1. Playback of a Program Using a Channel Recording List] 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  100  of a first program selection menu for a channel recording list that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when channel recording list key  53  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  110  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1 , when channel recording list key  53  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which a recorded program is not being played back, a first program selection menu for a channel recording list is displayed on display  4  by control circuit  31 . Screen  100  of  FIG. 4  shows an example of the first program selection menu for a channel recording list. The first program selection menu for a channel recording list includes program table area  101  and description area  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , program table area  101  has a program table format where pieces of program information of a plurality of programs recorded by channel recorder  20  are arranged two-dimensionally with a horizontal axis being a channel and a vertical axis being time. Therefore, in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list, the plurality of programs recorded by channel recorder  20  are classified into a plurality of arrays corresponding to each of a plurality of channels having broadcast the programs. Then, in a display field of each channel, programs of the channel are arranged chronologically. 
     The user can select one piece of program information among the plurality of pieces of program information displayed in program table area  101  by moving cursor  103  within program table area  101 , using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 . Description area  102  displays description of a program corresponding to the program information selected by cursor  103 . When OK key  52  of remote controller  2  is pressed down, recording and playback apparatus  1  starts playback of the program corresponding to the program information selected by cursor  103 . By this, for example, as exemplified in  FIG. 5 , video of the program selected by the user is displayed on display  4 . 
     When a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu is input in a state in which a recorded program is being played back, a second program selection menu is displayed on display  4  by control circuit  31  so as to be partially superimposed on video of the program being played back. The second program selection menu is a program selection menu that uses a classification method conforming to a classification method for a program selection menu used when the program being played back is selected. For example, when a program selected in a first program selection menu for a channel recording list is being played back, if a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu is input, then a second program selection menu conforming to a channel recording list format is displayed on display  4  so as to be partially superimposed on video of the program being played back. Likewise, when a program selected in a first program selection menu for a normal recording list is being played back, a second program selection menu conforming to a normal recording list format is displayed on display  4 , and when a program selected in a first program selection menu for a category list is being played back, a second program selection menu conforming to a category list format is displayed on display  4 . Note that, in the present exemplary embodiment, a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu is input to remote controller  2  by pressing down playback menu key  56  of remote controller  2 , and transmitted to recording and playback apparatus  1  from remote controller  2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  120  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when playback menu key  56  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  130  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when the up key of remote controller  2  is pressed down after screen  120  shown in  FIG. 6  is displayed in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  140  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when the left key of remote controller  2  is pressed down after screen  120  shown in  FIG. 6  is displayed in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     Screen  120  of  FIG. 6 , screen  130  of  FIG. 7 , and screen  140  of  FIG. 8  show examples of the second program selection menu for a channel recording list. 
     The second program selection menu includes a plurality of tab menus  121  to  124  and a plurality of detailed menus for respective tab menus  121  to  124 . For example, detailed menu  131  is a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  121 , and detailed menu  141  is a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  122 . 
     When a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu is input, control circuit  31  allows display  4  to display a plurality of tab menus  121  to  124 . As exemplified in  FIG. 6 , tab menus  121  to  124  are displayed along a top side, a left side, a bottom side, and a right side of screen  40  of display  4 , respectively. 
     When a user command for selecting one of the plurality of tab menus  121  to  124  is input in a state in which the second program selection menu is being displayed on display  4 , control circuit  31  allows display  4  to display a detailed menu corresponding to the selected one tab menu. In the present exemplary embodiment, a user command for selecting one of the plurality of tab menus  121  to  124  is input to remote controller  2 , for example, by pressing down any of the up key, down key, left key, and right key of cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 , and transmitted to recording and playback apparatus  1  from remote controller  2 . 
     Detailed menus corresponding to respective tab menus  121  to  124  are also displayed, for example, along the top side, left side, bottom side, and right side of screen  40  of display  4 . 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  121  is input, detailed menu  131  corresponding to tab menu  121  is displayed along the top side of screen  40  of display  4 , as exemplified in  FIG. 7  and as with tab menu  121 . Detailed menu  131  includes a plurality of icons (in an example shown in  FIG. 7 , a plurality of icons corresponding to channels CH 1  to CH 6 , respectively). By clicking an icon, a plurality of pieces of program information are arranged and displayed. 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  122  is input, detailed menu  141  corresponding to tab menu  122  is displayed along the left side of screen  40  of display  4 , as exemplified in  FIG. 8  and as with tab menu  122 . Detailed menu  141  includes an array of a plurality of pieces of program information included in a classification to which program information of the program being played back belongs (in an example shown in  FIG. 8 , an array of pieces of program information of a plurality of programs having been broadcast on channel CH 1 ). 
     When, for example, a user command for selecting tab menu  121  is input, control circuit  31  may highlight, in detailed menu  131 , an icon corresponding to an array of a classification to which the program being played back belongs (in the example shown in  FIG. 7 , channel CH 1 ), by cursor  132  or other display methods. In addition, when a user command for selecting tab menu  122  is input, control circuit  31  may highlight, in detailed menu  141 , program information of the program being played back, by cursor  142  or other display methods. 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  123  has been input, a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  123  is displayed along the bottom side of screen  40  of display  4  (not shown), as with tab menu  123 . The detailed menu (not shown) displays, for example, pieces of program information of recommended programs similar to the program being played back. 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  124  is input, a detailed menu for tab menu  124  is displayed along the right side of screen  40  of display  4  (not shown), as with tab menu  124 . The detailed menu (not shown) displays, for example, a list of representative scenes of the program being played back. Note that the pieces of program information of recommended programs and the list of scenes are obtained, for example, from program information server apparatus  3 . 
     Note that display positions of tab menus  121  to  124  shown in  FIG. 6  are merely an example. Positions of tab menus  121  to  124  displayed on screen  40  of display  4  may be switched. 
     [1-2-2. Playback of a Program Using a Normal Recording List] 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  200  of a first program selection menu for a normal recording list that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when normal recording list key  54  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  210  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a normal recording list shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1 , when normal recording list key  54  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which a recorded program is not being played back, a first program selection menu for a normal recording list is displayed on display  4  by control circuit  31 . Screen  200  of  FIG. 9  shows an example of the first program selection menu for a normal recording list. The first program selection menu for a normal recording list includes a plurality of tags  201  and program list  203 . 
     A plurality of programs recorded by normal recorder  10  are classified by a plurality of predetermined tags  201  representing program categories (e.g., genres). Then, in the first program selection menu for a normal recording list, those plurality of tags  201  are arranged and displayed on display  4 . 
     The user can select one of the plurality of tags  201  by moving cursor  202  over the plurality of tags  201 , using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 . 
     When one of the plurality of tags  201  is selected by cursor  202 , pieces of program information of a plurality of programs having the tag are displayed in program list  203  in a chronologically arranged format. For example, an “all” tag represents all programs recorded by normal recorder  10 . Therefore, when the “all” tag is selected by cursor  202 , some of pieces of program information of all programs recorded by normal recorder  10  (a number of pieces of program information that can be displayed on screen  40  of display  4 ) are displayed in program list  203 . As such, a plurality of programs recorded by normal recorder  10  are classified so as to correspond respectively to the plurality of tags  201 . Then, when any of the plurality of tags  201  is selected by the user, an array where a plurality of pieces of program information having the tag are arranged chronologically is displayed in program list  203 . 
     The user can select one of the plurality of pieces of program information displayed in program list  203  by moving cursor  204  within program list  203 , using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 . When OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down, recording and playback apparatus  1  starts playback of a program corresponding to the program information selected by cursor  204 . By this, for example, as exemplified in  FIG. 10 , video of the program selected by the user is displayed on display  4 . 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  220  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when playback menu key  56  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a normal recording list shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  230  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when the up key of remote controller  2  is pressed down after screen  220  shown in  FIG. 11  is displayed in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  240  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when the left key of remote controller  2  is pressed down after screen  220  shown in  FIG. 11  is displayed in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     Screen  220  of  FIG. 11 , screen  230  of  FIG. 12 , and screen  240  of  FIG. 13  show examples of a second program selection menu for a normal recording list. 
     The second program selection menu includes a plurality of tab menus  221  to  224  and a plurality of detailed menus corresponding to respective tab menus  221  to  224 . For example, detailed menu  231  is a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  221 , and detailed menu  241  is a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  222 . 
     When a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu is input, control circuit  31  allows display  4  to display a plurality of tab menus  221  to  224 . As exemplified in  FIG. 11 , tab menus  221  to  224  are displayed along a top side, a left side, a bottom side, and a right side of screen  40  of display  4 , respectively. 
     When a user command for selecting one of the plurality of tab menus  221  to  224  is input in a state in which the second program selection menu is displayed on display  4 , control circuit  31  allows display  4  to display a detailed menu corresponding to the selected one tab menu. In the present exemplary embodiment, a user command for selecting one of the plurality of tab menus  221  to  224  is input to remote controller  2 , for example, by pressing down any of the up key, down key, left key, and right key of cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 , and transmitted to recording and playback apparatus  1  from remote controller  2 . 
     Detailed menus for respective tab menus  221  to  224  are also displayed, for example, along the top side, left side, bottom side, and right side of screen  40  of display  4 . 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  221  is input, detailed menu  231  corresponding to tab menu  221  is displayed along the top side of screen  40  of display  4 , as exemplified in  FIG. 12  and as with tab menu  221 . Detailed menu  231  includes a plurality of icons (in an example shown in  FIG. 12 , a plurality of icons corresponding to the plurality of tags  201  shown in  FIG. 9 , respectively). By clicking an icon, a plurality of pieces of program information are arranged and displayed. 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  222  is input, detailed menu  241  corresponding to tab menu  222  is displayed along the left side of screen  40  of display  4 , as exemplified in  FIG. 13  and as with tab menu  222 . Detailed menu  241  includes an array of a plurality of pieces of program information included in a classification to which program information of the program being played back belongs (in an example shown in  FIG. 13 , pieces of program information of a plurality of programs having the “all” tag). 
     When, for example, a user command for selecting tab menu  221  is input, control circuit  31  may highlight, in detailed menu  231 , an icon corresponding to a tag representing an array of pieces of program information of the program being played back (in the example shown in  FIG. 12 , the “all” tag), by cursor  232  or other display methods. In addition, when a user command for selecting tab menu  222  is input, control circuit  31  may highlight, in detailed menu  241 , a piece of program information of the program being played back, by cursor  242  or other display methods. 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  223  is input, a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  223  is displayed along the bottom side of screen  40  of display  4  (not shown), as with tab menu  223 . The detailed menu (not shown) displays, for example, pieces of program information of recommended programs similar to the program being played back. 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  224  is input, a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  224  is displayed along the right side of screen  40  of display  4  (not shown), as with tab menu  224 . The detailed menu (not shown) displays, for example, a list of representative scenes of the program being played back. The pieces of program information of recommended programs and the list of scenes are obtained, for example, as described above, from program information server apparatus  3 . 
     [1-2-3. Playback of a Program Using a Category List] 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  300  of a first page of a first program selection menu for a category list that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when category list key  55  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  310  of a second page of the first program selection menu for a category list that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when category list key  55  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  320  of a third page of the first program selection menu for a category list that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when category list key  55  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is not playing back a recorded program. 
       FIG. 17  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  330  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 . 
     In the first program selection menu for a category list, a plurality of programs recorded by channel recorder  20  are classified into a plurality of arrays corresponding to a plurality of categories, respectively, and displayed on display  4 . In the present exemplary embodiment, for example, among the plurality of programs recorded by channel recorder  20 , only newly recorded programs are classified into a plurality of arrays corresponding to a plurality of categories, respectively, and displayed on display  4  and presented to the user. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1 , when category list key  55  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which a recorded program is not being played back, a first program selection menu for a category list is displayed on display  4  by control circuit  31 . Screen  300  of  FIG. 14 , screen  310  of  FIG. 15 , and screen  320  of  FIG. 16  show examples of the first program selection menu for a category list. 
     The first program selection menu for a category list may include a plurality of pages. The present exemplary embodiment shows an example in which a first program selection menu for a category list includes three pages (screens  300 ,  310 , and  320 ). 
     The first page of the first program selection menu for a category list (screen  300 ) includes history area  301  showing categories of programs with a high viewing frequency by a user that uses recording and playback apparatus  1  (programs that are frequently viewed by the user); ranking area  302  showing program ranking; and news area  303  showing a list of most talked-about news. The program ranking and the list of most talked-about news are obtained, for example, from program information server apparatus  3 , as with pieces of program information of recommended programs and a list of scenes. 
     The second page of the first program selection menu for a category list (screen  310 ) displays categories of programs classified by genre. The third page of the first program selection menu for a category list (screen  320 ) displays categories of programs searched by conditions (genres, keywords, and the like) set by the user. Button of each category displayed on each of screens  300 ,  310 , and  320  displays, for example, a thumbnail image of one of a plurality of programs included in that category. 
     The user can display any one of the three pages (screens  300 ,  310 , and  320 ) on display  4  by turning the pages of the first program selection menu for a category list, using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 . The user can also turn the pages of the first program selection menu using the motion function of remote controller  2 , instead of pressing down cursor key  51 . For example, the pages of the first program selection menu may be turned by selecting button  305  shown in  FIG. 14 , or button  311  to  312  shown in  FIG. 15 , or button  321  shown in  FIG. 16  by a cursor that moves by the motion function when motion key  57  of remote controller  2  is pressed down by the user. 
     In addition, the user can select one of the plurality of pieces of program information displayed in the first program selection menu by moving cursor  304  within the first program selection menu using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 . When OK key  52  of remote controller  2  is pressed down, recording and playback apparatus  1  starts playback of a program corresponding to the program information selected by cursor  304 . By this, for example, as exemplified in  FIG. 17 , video of the program selected by the user is displayed on display  4 . 
     In addition, when the first page of the first program selection menu for a category list is displayed, if one of the plurality of categories displayed in history area  301  is selected, unviewed programs in that category are played back and displayed on display  4  in order of oldest first (in chronological order), according to a user&#39;s playback history. When one of the categories of a plurality of rankings displayed in ranking area  302  is selected, programs in that category are played back and displayed on display  4  in order of ranking When one of the categories of a plurality of pieces of news displayed in news area  303  is selected, scenes of news in that category are played back and displayed on display  4  in descending order of a number of broadcasts. When the second page of the first program selection menu for a category list is displayed, if one of the plurality of categories displayed on screen  310  is selected, a latest program in that category is played back and displayed on display  4 . When the third page of the first program selection menu for a category list is displayed, if one of the plurality of categories displayed on screen  320  is selected, a latest program in that category is played back and displayed on display  4 . 
       FIG. 18  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  340  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when playback menu key  56  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 . 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  350  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when the up key of remote controller  2  is pressed down after screen  340  shown in  FIG. 18  is displayed in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
       FIG. 20  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  360  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when the left key of remote controller  2  is pressed down after screen  340  shown in  FIG. 18  is displayed in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     Screen  340  of  FIG. 18 , screen  350  of  FIG. 19 , and screen  360  of  FIG. 20  show examples of a second program selection menu for a category list. 
     The second program selection menu includes a plurality of tab menus  341  to  344  and a plurality of detailed menus corresponding to respective tab menus  341  to  344 . For example, detailed menu  351  is a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  341 , and detailed menu  361  is a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  342 . 
     When a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu is input, control circuit  31  allows display  4  to display a plurality of tab menus  341  to  344 . As exemplified in  FIG. 18 , tab menus  341  to  344  are displayed along a top side, a left side, a bottom side, and a right side of screen  40  of display  4 , respectively. 
     When a user command for selecting one of the plurality of tab menus  341  to  344  is input in a state in which the second program selection menu is displayed on display  4 , control circuit  31  allows display  4  to display a detailed menu corresponding to the selected one tab menu. In the present exemplary embodiment, a user command for selecting one of the plurality of tab menus  341  to  344  is input to remote controller  2 , for example, by pressing down any of the up key, down key, left key, and right key of cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 , and transmitted to recording and playback apparatus  1  from remote controller  2 . 
     Detailed menus for respective tab menus  341  to  344  are also displayed, for example, along the top side, left side, bottom side, and right side of screen  40  of display  4 . 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  341  is input, detailed menu  351  corresponding to tab menu  341  is displayed along the top side of screen  40  of display  4 , as exemplified in  FIG. 19  and as with tab menu  341 . Detailed menu  351  includes a plurality of icons (in an example shown in  FIG. 19 , a plurality of icons corresponding to the plurality of categories shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 , respectively). By clicking an icon, a plurality of pieces of program information are arranged and displayed. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 19 , information area  352  in a first row of detailed menu  351  arranges and displays a plurality of icons corresponding to the categories shown in  FIG. 14 , respectively. Genre area  353  in a second row of detailed menu  351  arranges and displays a plurality of icons corresponding to the categories shown in  FIG. 15 , respectively. Favorite area  354  in a third row of detailed menu  351  arranges and displays a plurality of icons corresponding to the categories shown in  FIG. 16 , respectively. 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  342  is input, detailed menu  361  corresponding to tab menu  342  is displayed along the left side of screen  40  of display  4 , as exemplified in  FIG. 20  and as with tab menu  342 . Detailed menu  361  includes an array of a plurality of pieces of program information included in a category to which program information of the program being played back belongs (in an example shown in  FIG. 20 , pieces of program information of a plurality of programs that belong to a “frequently viewed programs—drama” category). 
     In case where an array of pieces of program information displayed in detailed menu  361  shows, for example, ranking for a number of recordings or most talked-about news, the pieces of program information are arranged and displayed in order of ranking In case where an array of pieces of program information displayed in detailed menu  361  shows a genre such as a drama, the pieces of program information are arranged and displayed in order of oldest first. In case where an array of pieces of program information displayed in detailed menu  361  shows a playback history, the pieces of program information are arranged and displayed in order of newest first. 
     When, for example, a user command for selecting tab menu  341  is input, control circuit  31  may highlight, in detailed menu  351 , an icon corresponding to a category to which program information of the program being played back belongs (in the example shown in  FIG. 19 , the “frequently viewed programs—drama” category), by cursor  355  or other display methods. In addition, when a user command for selecting tab menu  342  is input, control circuit  31  may highlight, in detailed menu  361 , program information of the program being played back, by cursor  362  or other display methods. 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  343  is input, a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  343  is displayed along the bottom side of screen  40  of display  4  (not shown), as with tab menu  343 . The detailed menu (not shown) displays, for example, pieces of program information of recommended programs similar to the program being played back. 
     When a user command for selecting tab menu  344  is input, a detailed menu corresponding to tab menu  344  is displayed along the right side of screen  40  of display  4  (not shown), as with tab menu  344 . The detailed menu (not shown) displays, for example, a list of representative scenes of the program being played back. The pieces of program information of recommended programs and the list of scenes are obtained, for example, as described above, from program information server apparatus  3 . 
     Note that the first program selection menu for a category list may include only a screen of one page, or may include screens of two pages, or may include screens of four or more pages. In addition, the first program selection menus for a channel recording list and for a normal recording list may include screens of two or more pages. 
     [1-2-4. Transition between Program Selection Menus] 
     When, in a state in which a second program selection menu is being displayed on display  4 , a user command is input to instruct to display another second program selection menu that uses a different classification method than a classification method used by the second program selection menu being displayed on display  4 , control circuit  31  can allow display  4  to display another second program selection menu, according to the user command. Namely, when one detailed menu among the detailed menu of the channel recording list shown in  FIG. 7 , the detailed menu of the normal recording list shown in  FIG. 12 , and the detailed menu of the category list shown in  FIG. 19  is displayed on display  4 , control circuit  31  can switch the detailed menu displayed on display  4  to another one of those detailed menus, according to a user command. 
     The user can switch a second program selection menu displayed on display  4 , using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 . The user can also switch a second program selection menu using the motion function of remote controller  2 , instead of pressing down cursor key  51 . For example, the second program selection menu may be switched by selecting button  133  shown in  FIG. 7 , or button  233  shown in  FIG. 12 , or button  356 ,  357  shown in  FIG. 19  by a cursor that moves by the motion function when motion key  57  of remote controller  2  is pressed down by the user. 
     [1-2-5. Playback of a Program Using Zapping— 1 ] 
     Next, examples of a third program selection menu will be described with reference to  FIGS. 21 and 22 . 
     Recording and playback apparatus  1  may create a third program selection menu and display the third program selection menu on display  4  in a state in which a recorded program is being played back. The third program selection menu is a program selection menu for allowing the user to easily select and play back another program information adjacent to program information of a program being played back in a plurality of arrays where pieces of program information are arranged, in a program selection menu (a channel recording list, a normal recording list, or a category list) used when the program being played back is selected. The third program selection menu is created for a purpose of enabling the user to more easily select another program information than a first program selection menu and a second program selection menu. 
     UI creating circuit  36  creates a UI image of a third program selection menu to be displayed on display  4 , when a recorded program is being played back. The third program selection menu includes at least one piece of program information adjacent to program information of a program being played back in a plurality of arrays of a plurality of pieces of program information which are classified by at least one of a plurality of classification methods. 
     When a user command for instructing to call a third program selection menu is input in a state in which a recorded program is being played back, a third program selection menu is displayed on display  4  by control circuit  31 . The third program selection menu is a program selection menu that uses a classification method conforming to a program selection menu that is used when the program being played back is selected. For example, when a program selected in a first program selection menu (or a second program selection menu) for a channel recording list is being played back, if a user command for instructing to call a third program selection menu is input, then a third program selection menu conforming to a channel recording list format is displayed on display  4 . Likewise, when a program selected in a first program selection menu (or a second program selection menu) for a normal recording list is being played back, a third program selection menu conforming to a normal recording list format is displayed on display  4 , and when a program selected in a first program selection menu (or a second program selection menu) for a category list is being played back, a third program selection menu conforming to a category list format is displayed on display  4 . Note that in the present exemplary embodiment a user command for instructing to call a third program selection menu is input to remote controller  2 , for example, by pressing down one of the up/down/left/right keys of remote controller  2 , and transmitted to recording and playback apparatus  1  from remote controller  2 . 
       FIG. 21  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  400  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when one of the up/down/left/right keys of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 . Screen  400  of  FIG. 21  shows an example of a third program selection menu for a channel recording list. 
     The third program selection menu for a channel recording list includes at least one piece of program information adjacent to program information of a program being played back in arrays of a plurality of pieces of program information for the respective channels in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Screen  400  which is an example of the third program selection menu for a channel recording list includes, at a center of screen  400 , button  401  corresponding to a program being played back. Button  401  displays a thumbnail image, a channel, recording date and time, a title name, and program content information of the program. 
     The third program selection menu for a channel recording list further includes button  402 , button  403 , button  404 , and button  405 . Button  402  is a button disposed above button  401  within screen  400  and corresponding to a program immediately before the program being played back (a program that is represented by program information displayed immediately above program information representing the program being played back in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list. See  FIG. 4 ). Button  403  is a button disposed below button  401  within screen  400  and corresponding to a program immediately after the program being played back (a program that is represented by program information displayed immediately below the program information representing the program being played back in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list. See  FIG. 4 ). Button  404  is a button disposed on a left side of button  401  within screen  400  and corresponding to a channel adjacent, on a left, to a channel having broadcast the program being played back (a channel including program information that is displayed on a left side of the program information representing the program being played back in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list. See  FIG. 4 ). Button  405  is a button disposed on a right side of button  401  within screen  400  and corresponding to a channel adjacent, on a right, to the channel having broadcast the program being played back (a channel including program information that is displayed on a right side of the program information representing the program being played back in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list. See  FIG. 4 ). 
     Note that although screen  100  of the first program selection menu for a channel recording list exemplified in  FIG. 4  has cursor  103  at a left edge, it is assumed that cursor  103  moves to a position of channel CH 6  by further moving cursor  103  left. At this time, entire displayed program information may slide in a right direction. As such, it is assumed that in screen  100  of the first program selection menu for a channel recording list exemplified in  FIG. 4 , an array of channel CH 6  is disposed on a left side of an array of channel CH 1  and the array of channel CH 1  is disposed on a right side of the array of channel CH 6 . In addition, although screen  100  has cursor  103  at an upper end, it is assumed that when cursor  103  is moved up, the entire displayed program information slides in a down direction and pieces of program information between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm are displayed, and cursor  103  moves to a position of a piece of program information between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. 
     Button  402  displays recording date and time and a title name which are a part of program information of a program at time immediately before the program being played back. Button  403  displays recording date and time and a title name which are a part of program information of a program at time immediately after the program being played back. Button  404  displays a character string representing a channel adjacent, on a left, to a channel including program information of the program being played back in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4  (in case where there is no channel adjacent on the left, a channel displayed at a right edge of the first program selection menu for a channel recording list). Button  405  displays a character string representing a channel adjacent, on a right, to the channel including program information of the program being played back in the first program selection menu for the channel recording list of  FIG. 4  (in case where there is no channel adjacent on the right, a channel displayed at a left edge of the first program selection menu for a channel recording list). 
     The user can select one of the plurality of buttons displayed in the third program selection menu, by moving cursor  406  within the third program selection menu for a channel recording list, using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 . Namely, the user can select one of a plurality of pieces of program information displayed in the third program selection menu. Program information selection operation which is performed by the user on the third program selection menu is hereinafter referred to as “zapping”. In addition, a function of implementing zapping is referred to as a “zapping function”. 
     When the user moves cursor  406  to button  404  or button  405 , a program is selected that temporally overlaps the program being played back in terms of a start time and that is included in a channel adjacent (adjacent on a right or left) to a channel including the program being played back in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list exemplified in  FIG. 4 . 
     When the user moves cursor  406 , a button that is a movement destination of cursor  406  moves to a position of button  401  and becomes new button  401 , and a thumbnail image, a channel, recording date and time, a title name, and program content information of a program corresponding to the button that is the movement destination of cursor  406  are newly displayed on button  401 . Then, pieces of program information to be displayed on buttons  402  to  405  are updated in a same manner as that described above, according to the program information that is newly displayed on button  401 . When OK key  52  of remote controller  2  is pressed down, recording and playback apparatus  1  starts playback of the program corresponding to the button selected by cursor  406 . 
       FIG. 22  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  410  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when one of the up/down/left/right keys of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 . Screen  410  of  FIG. 22  shows an example of a third program selection menu for a category list. 
     The third program selection menu for a category list includes at least one piece of program information adjacent to program information of a program being played back in an array of a plurality of pieces of program information in a category list. For example, the third program selection menu for a category list includes pieces of program information of programs immediately before and immediately after a program being played back in an array of a category to which the program being played back belongs (e.g., an array in detailed menu  361  shown in  FIG. 20 ) (e.g., pieces of program information arranged immediately above and immediately below program information of a program being played back in the array in detailed menu  361  shown in  FIG. 20 ). 
     Screen  410  which is an example of the third program selection menu for a category list includes, at a center of screen  410 , button  411  corresponding to the program being played back. Button  411  displays a thumbnail image, a channel, recording date and time, a title name, and program content information of the program. 
     The third program selection menu for a category list further includes button  412  and button  413 . Button  412  is a button disposed above button  411  within screen  410  and corresponding to a program immediately before the program being played back (e.g., a program that is represented by program information displayed immediately above program information representing the program being played back in the array in detailed menu  361  shown in  FIG. 20 ). Button  413  is a button disposed below button  411  within screen  410  and corresponding to a program immediately after the program being played back (e.g., a program that is represented by program information displayed immediately below the program information representing the program being played back in the array in detailed menu  361  shown in  FIG. 20 ). 
     Button  412  displays recording date and time and a title name which are a part of program information of the program immediately before the program being played back. Button  413  displays recording date and time and a title name which are a part of program information of the program immediately after the program being played back. 
     The user can select one of the plurality of buttons displayed in the third program selection menu, by moving cursor  414  within the third program selection menu for a category list, using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 . Namely, the user can select one of a plurality of pieces of program information displayed in the third program selection menu. In the present exemplary embodiment, this selection operation is also referred to as zapping, and a function of implementing the zapping is also referred to as a zapping function. 
     When the user moves cursor  414 , a button that is a movement destination of cursor  414  moves to a position of button  411  and becomes new button  411 , and a thumbnail image, a channel, recording date and time, a title name, and program content information of a program corresponding to the button that is the movement destination of cursor  414  are newly displayed on button  411 . Then, pieces of program information to be displayed on buttons  412 ,  413  are updated in a same manner as that described above, according to the program information that is newly displayed on button  411 . When OK key  52  of remote controller  2  is pressed down, recording and playback apparatus  1  starts playback of the thumbnail image of the program corresponding to the button selected by cursor  414 . 
     Note that when the user selects a program using the third program selection menu for a category list, the left key and right key of cursor key  51  may be invalid. 
     Note that the above-described description describes exemplary operation where, when a third program selection menu for a category list is displayed, by pressing down OK key  52  of remote controller  2 , playback of a thumbnail image of a program corresponding to a button selected by cursor  414  starts; however, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to the exemplary operation. For example, when a third program selection menu for a category list is displayed, playback of video of a program corresponding to a button that is a movement destination of cursor  414  may start immediately. 
     Note that the third program selection menu for a category list exemplified in  FIG. 22  is for an array of the “frequently viewed programs—drama” category in detailed menu  361  exemplified in  FIG. 20 , but this is merely an example. In addition, although screen  410  of the third program selection menu for a category list exemplified in  FIG. 22  does not display buttons corresponding to the left key and right key of cursor key  51  of remote controller  2 , buttons for moving to other categories using the left key and right key of cursor key  51  may be added to screen  410 . For example, buttons for selecting other categories in detailed menu  351  of the category list exemplified in  FIG. 19  (e.g., “frequently viewed programs—all” and “frequently viewed programs—animation” categories which are adjacent, on a left and a right, to the “frequently viewed programs—drama” category) may be added to screen  410  shown in  FIG. 22 , and these categories may be selected by using the left key and right key of cursor key  51 . 
     [1-2-6. Playback of a Program Using Zapping— 2 ] 
     Next, another example of the third program selection menu will be described with references to  FIGS. 23 and 24 . 
     As described above, screen  410  of the third program selection menu for a category list exemplified in  FIG. 22  corresponds to a plurality of pieces of program information that are arranged in the “frequently viewed programs—drama” category in detailed menu  361  exemplified in  FIG. 20 . In detailed menu  361  exemplified in  FIG. 20 , the plurality of pieces of program information are arranged chronologically in an up-down direction within detailed menu  361 , but are not arranged in a left-right direction. Hence, screen  410  exemplified in  FIG. 22  only displays buttons corresponding to the up key and down key of cursor key  51 , and does not display buttons corresponding to the left key and right key of cursor key  51 . 
     In the following, an example of a third program selection menu added with buttons for moving to other categories using the left key and right key of cursor key  51  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 23 and 24 .  FIGS. 23 and 24  exemplify third program selection menus that display buttons corresponding to the up/down/left/right keys of cursor key  51 . 
       FIG. 23  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  420  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) when one of the up/down/left/right keys of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment is playing back a program selected in the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 . Screen  420  of  FIG. 23  shows an example of the third program selection menu for a category list. 
     The third program selection menus for a category list shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24  are corresponding to arrays of buttons classified by each genre in a first program selection menu for a category list and corresponding to arrays of icons classified by each genre in a second program selection menu for a category list. For example, screen  420  of the third program selection menu for a category list exemplified in  FIG. 23  is corresponding to arrays of buttons classified by each genre on screen  310  of the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 15  or corresponding to arrays of icons classified by each genre on screen  350  of the second program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     Screen  420  exemplified in  FIG. 23  displays, at a center, button  421  corresponding to a program represented by one piece of program information belonging to variety among a plurality of pieces of program information classified by each genre in the category list. Button  421  displays a thumbnail image, a channel, recording date and time, a title name, and program content information of the program. 
     Furthermore, screen  420  of the third program selection menu for a category list exemplified in  FIG. 23  includes button  422  and button  423  in regions above and below button  421 , and includes button  424  and button  425  in regions on left and right sides of button  421 . Button  422  is a button corresponding to a program that belongs to a same genre as the program displayed on button  421  and that is chronologically immediately before the program displayed on button  421 , and button  423  is a button that likewise corresponds to a program immediately after the program displayed on button  421 . 
     Button  424  and button  425  represent genres that differ from a genre represented by button  421 . For example, button  424  is a button corresponding, on screen  310  shown in  FIG. 15 , to a genre (e.g., movie) that is represented by button  313  adjacent, on a left, to button  314  representing a genre (e.g., variety) to which the program displayed on button  421  belongs, or corresponding, on screen  350  shown in  FIG. 19 , to a genre (e.g., movie) represented by icon  358   a  adjacent, on a left, to icon  358   b  representing a genre (e.g., variety) to which the program displayed on button  421  belongs. Button  425  is a button that likewise corresponds to a genre (e.g., animation/special effects) adjacent, on a right, to button  314  or icon  358   b.    
     As such, a third program selection menu for a category list displays button  424  corresponding to, for example, “genre—movie” in a region on a left side of button  421  on screen  420  and displays button  425  corresponding to, for example, “genre—animation/special effects” in a region on a right side of button  421  on screen  420 , as with arrays of buttons for respective genres on screen  310  of the first program selection menu for a category list or arrays of icons for respective genres on screen  350  of the second program selection menu for a category list, which are classified by a same classification method as the third program selection menu. 
     Namely, arrays of buttons  424 ,  425  on screen  420  of the third program selection menu for a category list are synchronized with arrays of buttons on screen  310  of the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 15  or arrays of icons on screen  350  of the second program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 19 . For example, in an example of the arrays of buttons on screen  310  shown in  FIG. 15 , “genre—movie” button  313  is arranged on a left side of “genre—variety” button  314 , and “genre—animation/special effects” button  315  is arranged on a right side of “genre—variety” button  314 . In an example of the arrays of icons on screen  350  shown in  FIG. 19 , “genre—movie” icon  358   a  is arranged on a left side of “genre—variety” icon  358   b,  and “genre—animation/special effects” icon  358   c  is arranged on a right side of “genre—variety” icon  358   b.  Then, on screen  420 , the arrays of buttons  424 ,  425  are synchronized with those arrays, and buttons  424 ,  425  display their corresponding genre names. For example, button  424  displays “movie” which is a name of a genre and button  425  displays “animation/special effects” which is a name of a genre. 
     Button  422  displays recording date and time and a title name of program information of a program immediately before a program being played back (a program that belongs to a same genre as the program displayed on button  421  and that is chronologically immediately before the program displayed on button  421 ). Button  423  displays recording date and time and a title name of program information of a program immediately after the program being played back (a program that belongs to a same genre as the program displayed on button  421  and that is chronologically immediately after the program displayed on button  421 ). 
     When the user moves cursor  426  using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2  on screen  420  of the third program selection menu for a category list, a button that is a movement destination of cursor  426  moves to a position of button  421  and becomes new button  421 , and a thumbnail image, a channel, recording date and time, a title name, and program content information of a program corresponding to the button that is the movement destination of cursor  426  are newly displayed on button  421 . Then, pieces of program information to be displayed on buttons  422  to  425  are updated in a same manner as that described above, according to the program information that is newly displayed on button  421 . 
     For example, when the user moves cursor  426  in a left direction of button  421 , button  424  that is a movement destination of cursor  426  moves to the center of screen  420  and becomes new button  421 . Then, a thumbnail image, a channel, recording date and time, a title name, and program content information of a program corresponding to button  424  (e.g., a program belonging to “genre—movie”) which is before the movement are newly displayed on button  421 , and pieces of program information to be displayed on buttons  422  to  425  are updated according to the program information that is newly displayed on button  421 . 
     Next, an example of a screen (screen  430 ) of a third program selection menu for a category list that is displayed on display  4  in case where button  424  on screen  420  exemplified in  FIG. 23  moves to the center of screen  420  is shown in  FIG. 24 . 
       FIG. 24  is a diagram schematically showing an example of screen  430  that is displayed on display  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) by operating, by the user, screen  420  shown in  FIG. 23  in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. Screen  430  of  FIG. 24  shows an example of the third program selection menu for a category list. 
     Screen  430  exemplified in  FIG. 24  displays, on button  431  at a center of screen  430 , program information (a thumbnail image, a channel, recording date and time, a title name, and program content information) belonging to “genre—movie”. On screen  310  shown in  FIG. 15 , button  316  representing “genre—drama” is arranged adjacent, on a left, to button  313  representing “genre—movie”, and button  314  representing “genre—variety” is arranged adjacent, on a right, to button  313 . Alternatively, on screen  350  shown in  FIG. 19 , icon  358   d  representing “genre—drama” is arranged adjacent, on a left, to icon  358   a  representing “genre—movie”, and icon  358   b  representing “genre—variety” is arranged adjacent, on a right, to icon  358   a.  Therefore, on screen  430 , button  434  arranged on a left side of button  431  displays “drama” which is a name of a genre, and button  435  arranged on a right side of button  431  displays “variety” which is a name of a genre. 
     On the other hand, when the user moves cursor  426  in a right direction of button  421  using cursor key  51  of remote controller  2  on screen  420  of the third program selection menu for a category list, button  425  that is a movement destination of cursor  426  moves to the center of screen  420  and becomes new button  421 . Then, a thumbnail image, a channel, recording date and time, a title name, and program content information of a program corresponding to button  425  (e.g., a program belonging to “genre—animation/special effects”) which is before the movement are newly displayed on button  421 . Then, pieces of program information to be displayed on buttons  422  to  425  are updated according to the program information that is newly displayed on button  421 . Though not shown in figures, in a third program selection menu for a category list where button  425  shown in  FIG. 23  has moved to the center of screen  420  and become new button  421 , button  424  arranged on the left side of button  421  newly displays “variety” which is a name of a genre, and button  425  arranged on the right side of button  421  newly displays “music” which is a name of a genre, based on the arrays of buttons on screen  310  shown in  FIG. 15  or the arrays of icons on screen  350  shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     As such, the arrays of buttons displayed in the third program selection menu for a category list are associated with the arrays of buttons representing genres in the first program selection menu for a category list exemplified in  FIGS. 14 to 16  or the arrays of icons representing genres in the second program selection menu for a category list exemplified in  FIG. 19 . 
     [1-2-7. End of Playback] 
     When playback of a recorded program has ended, control circuit  31  allows display  4  to display a first program selection menu that uses a same classification method as a first program selection menu or a second program selection menu that is used when the program whose playback has ended is selected. 
     Control circuit  31  may highlight the program whose playback has ended, in the first program selection menu that is displayed on display  4  after the playback of the program has ended. 
     [1-2-8. Flowchart] 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 25 to 31 , operation of recording and playback apparatus  1  will be described. 
       FIG. 25  is a flowchart showing an example of a program playback process performed by control circuit  31  included in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     Control circuit  31  performs a playback start process and starts playback of one of a plurality of recorded programs (step S 1 ). A detail of the playback start process at step S 1  will be described later. 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu has been received (i.e., whether playback menu key  56  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 2 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 2  that a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu has been received (YES at step S 2 ), control circuit  31  performs a program reselection process (step S 3 ). Control circuit  31  starts playback of another program different than the program being played back, as necessary. A detail of the program reselection process at step S 3  will be described later. After control circuit  31  performs the process at step S 3 , control circuit  31  brings processing back to step S 2 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 2  that a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu has not been received (NO at step S 2 ), control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to call a third program selection menu has been received (i.e., whether the up/down/left/right key of cursor key  51  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down in a state in which the recorded program is being played back) (step S 4 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 4  that a user command for instructing to call a third program selection menu has been received (YES at step S 4 ), control circuit  31  performs a program zapping process (step S 5 ). Control circuit  31  starts playback of another program different than the program being played back, as necessary. A detail of the program zapping process at step S 5  will be described later. After control circuit  31  performs the process at step S 5 , control circuit  31  brings processing back to step S 2 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 4  that a user command for instructing to call a third program selection menu has not been received (NO at step S 4 ), control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to stop the playback of the program has been received (i.e., whether stop key  58  of remote controller  2  (see  FIG. 2 ) has been pressed down) (step S 6 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 6  that a user command for instructing to stop the playback of the program has not been received (NO at step S 6 ), control circuit  31  determines whether the program being played back has ended (i.e., whether the program being played back has been played back until an end) (step S 7 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 7  that the program being played back has not ended (NO at step S 7 ), control circuit  31  brings processing back to step S 2 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 6  that a user command for instructing to stop the playback of the program has been received (YES at step S 6 ) or in case where it is determined at step S 7  that the program being played back has ended (YES at step S 7 ), control circuit  31  performs a playback end process and allows display  4  to display one of a channel recording list, a normal recording list, and a category list (step S 8 ). A detail of the playback end process at step S 8  will be described later. 
     Next, the playback start process at step S 1  will be described. 
       FIG. 26  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the playback start process performed by control circuit  31  included in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     When the playback start process at step S 1  starts, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to display a channel recording list has been received (i.e., whether channel recording list key  53  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down in a state in which a recorded program is not being played back) (step S 11 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 11  that a user command for instructing to display a channel recording list has been received (YES at step S 11 ), control circuit  31  displays a first program selection menu for a channel recording list (see  FIG. 4 ) on display  4  (step S 12 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program corresponding to program information selected by cursor  103  in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list (hereinafter, referred to as a “program being selected”) has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 13 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 13  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has not been received (NO at step S 13 ), control circuit  31  brings processing back to step S 12 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 13  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has been received (YES at step S 13 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program being selected (see  FIG. 5 ) (step S 14 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  stores a fact that the program selected in the first program selection menu for a channel recording list is being played back (step S 15 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the playback start process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 11  that a user command for instructing to display a channel recording list has not been received (NO at step S 11 ), control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to display a normal recording list has been received (i.e., whether normal recording list key  54  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down in a state in which a recorded program is not being played back) (step S 16 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 16  that a user command for instructing to display a normal recording list has been received (YES at step S 16 ), control circuit  31  displays a first program selection menu for a normal recording list (see  FIG. 9 ) on display  4  (step S 17 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program corresponding to program information selected by cursor  204  in the first program selection menu for a normal recording list (hereinafter, referred to as a “program being selected”) has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down or not) (step S 18 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 18  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has not been received (NO at step S 18 ), control circuit  31  brings processing back to step S 17 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 18  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has been received (YES at step S 18 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program being selected (see  FIG. 10 ) (step S 19 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  stores a fact that the program selected in the first program selection menu for a normal recording list is being played back (step S 20 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the playback start process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 16  that a user command for instructing to display a normal recording list has not been received (NO at step S 16 ), control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to display a category list has been received (i.e., whether category list key  55  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down in a state in which a recorded program is not being played back) (step S 21 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 21  that a user command for instructing to display a category list has not been received (NO at step S 21 ), control circuit  31  brings processing back to step S 11 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 21  that a user command for instructing to display a category list has been received (YES at step S 21 ), control circuit  31  displays a first program selection menu for a category list (see  FIGS. 14 to 16 ) on display  4  (step S 22 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program corresponding to program information selected by cursor  304  in the first program selection menu for a category list (hereinafter, referred to as a “program being selected”) has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 23 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 23  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has not been received (NO at step S 23 ), control circuit  31  brings processing back to step S 22 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 23  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has been received (YES at step S 23 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program being selected (see  FIG. 17 ) (step S 24 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  stores a fact that the program selected in the first program selection menu for a category list is being played back (step S 25 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the playback start process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     Next, the program reselection process at step S 3  will be described. 
       FIG. 27  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the program reselection process performed by control circuit  31  included in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     When the program reselection process at step S 3  starts, control circuit  31  displays, on display  4 , a second program selection menu (see  FIG. 6, 11 , or  18 ) that classified by a same classification method as a program selection menu used when the program being played back is selected (step S 31 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to display a detailed menu along the top side of screen  40  of display  4  has been received (i.e., the up key of cursor key  51  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 32 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 32  that a user command for instructing to display a detailed menu along the top side of screen  40  has been received (YES at step S 32 ), control circuit  31  performs a top menu reselection process (step S 33 ). A detail of the top menu reselection process at step S 33  will be described later. 
     After control circuit  31  performs the process at step S 33 , control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the program reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 32  that a user command for instructing to display a detailed menu along the top side of screen  40  has not been received (NO at step S 32 ), control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to display a detailed menu along the left side of screen  40  of display  4  has been received (i.e., whether the left key of cursor key  51  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 34 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 34  that a user command for instructing to display a detailed menu along the left side of screen  40  has not been received (NO at step S 34 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the program reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 34  that a user command for instructing to display a detailed menu along the left side of screen  40  has been received (YES at step S 34 ), control circuit  31  performs a left menu reselection process (step S 35 ). A detail of the left menu reselection process at step S 35  will be described later. 
     After control circuit  31  performs the process at step S 35 , control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the program reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     Next, the top menu reselection process at step S 33  will be described. 
       FIG. 28  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the top menu reselection process performed by control circuit  31  included in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     When the top menu reselection process at step S 33  starts, control circuit  31  determines whether a program selected in a channel recording list (a first program selection menu or a second program selection menu or a third program selection menu for a channel recording list) is being played back (step S 41 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 41  that a program selected in a channel recording list is being played back (YES at step S 41 ), control circuit  31  displays detailed menu  131  along the top side of screen  40  of display  4  (see  FIG. 7 ), in a second program selection menu for the channel recording list (step S 42 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  highlights (see  FIG. 7 ), in displayed detailed menu  131 , a button corresponding to a channel having broadcast the program being played back, for example, by cursor  132  (step S 43 ). 
     Cursor  132  is movable by a user command. 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program on a channel corresponding to the button selected by cursor  132  (hereinafter, referred to as a “channel being selected”) in detailed menu  131  of the second program selection menu for the channel recording list has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 44 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 44  that a user command for instructing to play back a program on a channel being selected has not been received (NO at step S 44 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the top menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in FIG.  25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 44  that a user command for instructing to play back a program on a channel being selected has been received (YES at step S 44 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program on the channel being selected (step S 45 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the top menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 41  that a program selected in a channel recording list is not being played back (NO at step S 41 ), control circuit  31  determines whether a program selected in a normal recording list (a first program selection menu, a second program selection menu, or a third program selection menu for a normal recording list) is being played back (step S 46 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 46  that a program selected in a normal recording list is being played back (YES at step S 46 ), control circuit  31  displays detailed menu  231  along the top side of screen  40  of display  4  (see  FIG. 12 ), in a second program selection menu for the normal recording list (step S 47 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  highlights (see  FIG. 12 ), in displayed detailed menu  231 , a button corresponding to a tab of the program being played back, for example, by cursor  232  (step S 48 ). 
     Cursor  232  is movable by a user command. 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program of a tab corresponding to the button selected by cursor  232  (hereinafter, referred to as a “tab being selected”) in detailed menu  231  of the second program selection menu for the normal recording list has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 49 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 49  that a user command for instructing to play back a program of a tab being selected has not been received (NO at step S 49 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the top menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 49  that a user command for instructing to play back a program of a tab being selected has been received (YES at step S 49 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program of the tab being selected (step S 50 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the top menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 46  that a program selected in a normal recording list is not being played back (NO at step S 46 ), control circuit  31  is playing back a program selected in a category list. At this time, control circuit  31  displays detailed menu  351  along the top side of screen  40  of display  4  (see  FIG. 19 ), in a second program selection menu for the category list (step S 51 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  highlights (see  FIG. 19 ), in displayed detailed menu  351 , a button corresponding to a category of the program being played back, for example, by cursor  355  (step S 52 ). 
     Cursor  355  is movable by a user command. 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program of a category corresponding to the button selected by cursor  355  (hereinafter, referred to as a “category being selected”) in detailed menu  351  of the second program selection menu for the category list has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 53 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 53  that a user command for instructing to play back a program of a category being selected has not been received (NO at step S 53 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the top menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 53  that a user command for instructing to play back a program of a category being selected has been received (YES at step S 53 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program of the category being selected (step S 54 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the top menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In the top menu reselection process, when a detailed menu along the top side of screen  40  of display  4  is displayed, control circuit  31  may switch the displayed detailed menu to another detailed menu, according to a user command. That is, in the top menu reselection process, when one of detailed menu  131  for a channel recording list (see  FIG. 7 ), detailed menu  231  for a category list (see  FIG. 12 ), and detailed menu  351  for a normal recording list (see  FIG. 19 ) is displayed along the top side of screen  40  of display  4 , control circuit  31  may switch the displayed detailed menu to another detailed menu, according to a user command. When the displayed detailed menu is switched to another detailed menu that uses a different classification method than that of the detailed menu displayed before the switching, and the user selects and plays back a program using the detailed menu displayed after the switching, control circuit  31  stores a fact that the program that is selected using the detailed menu displayed after the switching is being played back, as with the processes at steps S 15 , S 20 , and S 25  shown in  FIG. 26 . 
     Next, the left menu reselection process at step S 35  will be described. 
       FIG. 29  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the left menu reselection process performed by control circuit  31  included in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     When the left menu reselection process at step S 35  starts, control circuit  31  determines whether a program selected in a channel recording list (a first program selection menu or a second program selection menu or a third program selection menu for a channel recording list) is being played back (step S 61 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 61  that a program selected in a channel recording list is being played back (YES at step S 61 ), control circuit  31  displays detailed menu  141  along the left side of screen  40  of display  4  (see  FIG. 8 ), in a second program selection menu for the channel recording list (step S 62 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  highlights (see  FIG. 8 ), in displayed detailed menu  141 , a button corresponding to the program being played back, for example, by cursor  142  (step S 63 ). 
     Cursor  142  is movable by a user command. 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program corresponding to the button selected by cursor  142  (hereinafter, referred to as a “program being selected”) in detailed menu  141  of the second program selection menu for the channel recording list has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 64 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 64  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has not been received (NO at step S 64 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the left menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 64  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has been received (YES at step S 64 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program being selected (step S 65 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the left menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 61  that a program selected in a channel recording list is not being played back (NO at step S 61 ), control circuit  31  determines whether a program selected in a normal recording list (a first program selection menu or a second program selection menu or a third program selection menu for a normal recording list) is being played back (step S 66 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 66  that a program selected in a normal recording list is being played back (YES at step S 66 ), control circuit  31  displays detailed menu  241  along the left side of screen  40  of display  4  (see  FIG. 13 ), in a second program selection menu for the normal recording list (step S 67 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  highlights (see  FIG. 13 ), in displayed detailed menu  241 , a button corresponding to the program being played back, for example, by cursor  242  (step S 68 ). 
     Cursor  242  is movable by a user command. 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program corresponding to the button selected by cursor  242  (hereinafter, referred to as a “program being selected”) in detailed menu  241  of the second program selection menu for the normal recording list has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 69 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 69  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has not been received (NO at step S 69 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the left menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 69  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has been received (YES at step S 69 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program being selected (step S 70 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the left menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 66  that a program selected in a normal recording list is not being played back (NO at step S 66 ), control circuit  31  is playing back a program selected in a category list. At this time, control circuit  31  displays detailed menu  361  along the left side of screen  40  of display  4  (see  FIG. 20 ), in a second program selection menu for the category list (step S 71 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  highlights (see  FIG. 20 ), in displayed detailed menu  361 , a button corresponding to the program being played back, for example, by cursor  362  (step S 72 ). 
     Cursor  362  is movable by a user command. 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program corresponding to the button selected by cursor  362  (hereinafter, referred to as a “program being selected”) in detailed menu  361  of the second program selection menu for the category list has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 73 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 73  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has not been received (NO at step S 73 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the left menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 73  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has been received (YES at step S 73 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program being selected (step S 74 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the left menu reselection process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     Next, the program zapping process at step S 5  shown in  FIG. 25  will be described. 
       FIG. 30  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the program zapping process performed by control circuit  31  included in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     When the program zapping process at step S 5  starts, control circuit  31  determines whether a program selected in a channel recording list (a first program selection menu, a second program selection menu, or a third program selection menu for a channel recording list) is being played back (step S 81 ). 
     If it is determined at step S 81  that a program selected in a channel recording list is being played back (YES at step S 81 ), control circuit  31  displays a third program selection menu for channel recording list (see  FIG. 21 ) on display  4  (step S 82 ). 
     Next, control circuit  31  determines whether the up key or down key of remote controller  2  has been pressed down (step S 83 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 83  that the up key or down key of remote controller  2  has been pressed down (YES at step S 83 ), control circuit  31  displays, in the third program selection menu for the channel recording list, program information of a program that is temporally before or after the program being played back in the first program selection menu for the channel recording list (see  FIG. 4 ) (step S 84 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 83  that either the up key or down key of remote controller  2  has not been pressed down (NO at step S 83 ), control circuit  31  determines whether the left key or right key of remote controller  2  has been pressed down (step S 85 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 85  that either the left key or right key of remote controller  2  has not been pressed down (NO at step S 85 ), control circuit  31  brings processing back to step S 83 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 85  that the left key or right key of remote controller  2  has been pressed down (YES at step S 85 ), control circuit  31  displays, in the third program selection menu for the channel recording list, information about a program on a channel on a left or right of a channel having broadcast the program being played back in the first program selection menu for the channel recording list (see  FIG. 4 ) (step S 86 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program corresponding to program information selected in the third program selection menu for the channel recording list (hereinafter, referred to as a “program being selected”) has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 87 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 87  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has not been received (NO at step S 87 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the program zapping process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 87  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has been received (YES at step S 87 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program being selected (step S 88 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the program zapping process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 81  that a program selected in a channel recording list is not being played back (NO at step S 81 ), control circuit  31  determines whether a program selected in a category list (a first program selection menu, a second program selection menu, or a third program selection menu for a category list) is being played back (step S 89 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 89  that a program selected in a category list is not being played back (NO at step S 89 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the program zapping process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 89  that a program selected in a category list is being played back (YES at step S 89 ), control circuit  31  displays a third program selection menu for the category list (see  FIG. 22 ) on display  4  (step S 90 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether the up key or down key of remote controller  2  has been pressed down (step S 91 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 91  that either the up key or down key of remote controller  2  has not been pressed down (NO at step S 91 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the program zapping process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 91  that the up key or down key of remote controller  2  has been pressed down (YES at step S 91 ), control circuit  31  displays, in the third program selection menu for the category list, program information of a program that is temporally before or after the program being played back in detailed menu  361  of a second program selection menu for the category list (see  FIG. 20 ) (step S 92 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  determines whether a user command for instructing to play back a program corresponding to program information selected in the third program selection menu for the category list (hereinafter, referred to as a “program being selected”) has been received (i.e., whether OK key  52  of remote controller  2  has been pressed down) (step S 93 ). 
     In case where it is determined at step S 93  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has not been received (NO at step S 93 ), control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the program zapping process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     In case where it is determined at step S 93  that a user command for instructing to play back a program being selected has been received (YES at step S 93 ), control circuit  31  starts playback of the program being selected (step S 94 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the program zapping process and brings processing back to step S 2  shown in  FIG. 25 . 
     Next, the playback end process at step S 8  shown in  FIG. 25  will be described. 
       FIG. 31  is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of the playback end process performed by control circuit  31  included in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     Control circuit  31  determines whether playback of a program selected in a channel recording list (a first program selection menu, a second program selection menu, or a third program selection menu for a channel recording list) has ended (step S 101 ). Note that a program playback end is performed by control circuit  31  in case where it is determined at step S 6  shown in  FIG. 25  that a user command for instructing to stop the playback of the program has been received (YES at step S 6 ). Alternatively, in case where it is determined at step S 7  shown in  FIG. 25  that the program being played back has ended (YES at step S 7 ), control circuit  31  determines that the playback of the program has ended. 
     In case where it is determined at step S 101  that playback of a program selected in a channel recording list has ended (YES at step S 101 ), control circuit  31  displays a first program selection menu for the channel recording list (see  FIG. 4 ) on display  4  (step S 102 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  highlights (see  FIG. 4 ), in the first program selection menu for the channel recording list, a button corresponding to program information representing the program whose playback has ended, for example, by cursor  103  (step S 103 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the playback end process and ends the process. 
     In case where it is determined at step S 101  that the program whose playback has ended is not a program selected in the channel recording list (NO at step S 101 ), control circuit  31  determines whether playback of a program selected in a normal recording list (a first program selection menu or a second program selection menu or a third program selection menu for a normal recording list) has ended (step S 104 ). Note that the determination at step S 104  as to whether playback of a program has end is substantially the same as the determination at step S 101  and thus description thereof is omitted. 
     In case where it is determined at step S 104  that playback of a program selected in a normal recording list has ended (YES at step S 104 ), control circuit  31  displays a first program selection menu for the normal recording list (see  FIG. 9 ) on display  4  (step S 105 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  highlights (see  FIG. 9 ), in the first program selection menu for the normal recording list, a button corresponding to program information representing the program whose playback has ended, for example, by cursor  204  (step S 106 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the playback end process and ends the process. 
     In case where it is determined at step S 104  that the program whose playback has ended is not a program selected in the normal recording list (NO at step S 104 ), the program whose playback has ended is a program selected in a category list (a first program selection menu, a second program selection menu, or a third program selection menu for a category list). At this time, control circuit  31  displays a first program selection menu for the category list (see  FIGS. 14 to 16 ) (step S 107 ). 
     Then, control circuit  31  highlights (see  FIG. 14 ), in the first program selection menu for the category list, a button corresponding to program information representing the program whose playback has ended, for example, by cursor  304  (step S 108 ). Thereafter, control circuit  31  returns the subroutine of the playback end process and ends the process. 
     The above is a flowchart of the program playback process exemplified in the present exemplary embodiment. 
     [1-3. Effects, etc.] 
     As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, a recording and playback apparatus includes a user input unit, a receiver, a recorder, a player, a user interface creator, and a controller. The user input unit accepts a user command. The receiver receives a plurality of programs and pieces of program information of the programs. The recorder records the plurality of received programs and the pieces of received program information in a recording medium. The player plays back the recorded programs. The user interface creator creates a plurality of selection screens for selecting, by a user, a desired program from among the plurality of recorded programs. The controller controls the player and the user interface creator. Each of the selection screens created by the user interface creator arranges and displays the plurality of pieces of program information classified by different classification methods each other. When one of the pieces of program information is selected on one of the selection screens, the player plays back a program related to the selected program information. In case where the user input unit receives a predetermined user command during the playback of the program by the player, the controller controls the user interface creator such that a user interface image is created, the user interface image being for selecting any of the pieces of program information by the user and being displayed around video of the program being played back. The user interface image has a region representing the pieces of program information or a classification type that is classified by using a classification method, the classification method conforming to a classification method for the selection screen used when the program being played back is selected. 
     In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, a method for displaying program information is a method for displaying program information in a recording and playback apparatus, and includes: accepting a user command; receiving a plurality of programs and pieces of program information of the programs; recording the plurality of received programs and the pieces of received program information in a recording medium; creating one of a plurality of selection screens, the selection screens being for selecting, by a user, a desired program from among the plurality of recorded programs, and arranging and displaying the plurality of pieces of program information classified by different classification methods; playing back, when one of the pieces of program information is selected on one of the selection screens, a program related to the selected program information; and creating a user interface image in case where a predetermined user command is received during the playback of the program, the user interface image being for selecting any of the pieces of program information by the user and being displayed around video of the program being played back. The user interface image has a region representing the pieces of program information or a classification type that is classified using a classification method, the classification method conforming to a classification method for the selection screen used when the program being played back is selected. 
     Note that recording and playback apparatus  1  is an example of the recording and playback apparatus. RC receiver  32  is an example of the user input unit. Tuners  11  to  13  and tuners  21  to  26  each are an example of the receiver. Normal recording circuit  14  and channel recording circuit  27  each are an example of the recorder. Program playback circuit  35  is an example of the player. UI creating circuit  36  is an example of the user interface creator. Control circuit  31  is an example of the controller. Storage apparatus  15  and storage apparatus  28  each are an example of the recording medium. Screen  100  of a first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 , screen  200  of a first program selection menu for a normal recording list shown in  FIG. 9 , and screens  300 ,  310 ,  320  of a first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16  are examples of the plurality of selection screens. Pressing down of the up/down/left/right key of remote controller  2  is an example of the predetermined user command. Screen  400  of the third program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 21  and screens  410 ,  420 ,  430  of the third program selection menus for a category list shown in  FIGS. 22 to 24  each are an example of the user interface image. Buttons  404 ,  405  shown in  FIG. 21 , buttons  424 ,  425  shown in  FIG. 23 , and buttons  434 ,  435  shown in  FIG. 24  each are an example of the region representing a classification type. 
     For example, in an example shown in the first exemplary embodiment, recording and playback apparatus  1  includes RC receiver  32 ; tuners  11  to  13  and tuners  21  to  26 ; normal recording circuit  14  and channel recording circuit  27 ; program playback circuit  35 ; UI creating circuit  36 ; and control circuit  31 . RC receiver  32  accepts a user command which is transmitted from remote controller  2 . Tuners  11  to  13  and tuners  21  to  26  receive a plurality of programs and pieces of program information of the programs. Normal recording circuit  14  records the plurality of received programs and the pieces of received program information in storage apparatus  15 . Channel recording circuit  27  records the plurality of received programs and the pieces of received program information in storage apparatus  28 . Program playback circuit  35  plays back the recorded programs. UI creating circuit  36  creates a plurality of selection screens for selecting, by a user, a desired program from among the plurality of recorded programs (e.g., screen  100  of a first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 , screen  200  of a first program selection menu for a normal recording list shown in  FIG. 9 , and screens  300 ,  310 ,  320  of a first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 ). Control circuit  31  controls program playback circuit  35  and UI creating circuit  36 . Each of the selection screens created by UI creating circuit  36  arranges and displays the plurality of pieces of program information classified by different classification methods each other. When one of the pieces of program information is selected on one of the selection screens, program playback circuit  35  plays back a program related to the selected program information. In case where RC receiver  32  receives a predetermined user command (e.g., a user command created by pressing down one of the up/down/left/right keys of remote controller  2 ) during the playback of the program by program playback circuit  35 , control circuit  31  controls UI creating circuit  36  such that a user interface image (e.g., screen  400  of the third program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 21  or screens  410 ,  420 ,  430  of the third program selection menus for a category list shown in  FIGS. 22 to 24 ) is created, the user interface image being for selecting any of the pieces of program information by the user and being displayed around video of the program being played back. The user interface image displays a region (e.g., button  404 ,  405  shown in  FIG. 21 , button  424 ,  425  shown in  FIG. 23 , or button  434 ,  435  shown in  FIG. 24 ) representing the pieces of program information or a classification type that is classified using a classification method, the classification method conforming to a classification method for the selection screen used when the program being played back is selected. 
     In the user interface image, a region that is displayed around the video of the program being played back and that represents one of the programs may correspond to program information arranged adjacent, on the selection screen, to the program information of the program being played back. 
     For example, in an example shown in the first exemplary embodiment, buttons  402  to  405  on screen  400  of the third program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 21  correspond to arrays of pieces of program information on screen  100  of the first program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, buttons  412 ,  413  on screen  410  of the third program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 22  correspond to an array of pieces of program information on screen  360  of the second program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 20 . Alternatively, buttons  424 ,  425  on screen  420  of the third program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 23  and buttons  434 ,  435  on screen  430  of the third program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 24  correspond to arrays of buttons representing genres on screen  310  of the first program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 15  or arrays of icons representing genres on screen  350  of the second program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     When a user command for selecting the user interface image displayed around the video of the program being played back is received, the controller may display a recorded program instead of the video of the program being played back, the recorded program belonging to a selected region representing program information or a classification type. 
     For example, in an example shown in the first exemplary embodiment, in case where, for example, a user command for selecting button  402  on screen  400  of the third program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 21 , which is an example of the user interface image displayed around the video of the program being played back, is received during playback of a recorded program by program playback circuit  35 , control circuit  31  of recording and playback apparatus  1  controls each circuit such that a program corresponding to program information displayed on button  402  (e.g., a program recorded in storage apparatus  28 ) is played back by program playback circuit  35  and displayed on display  4 , instead of video of the program being played back. 
     The user interface image may display a region representing a classification type of the classification method for the selection screen used when the program being played back is selected. 
     Note that pressing down of the up key of remote controller  2  is an example of the predetermined user command. Screen  130  of a second program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 7 , screen  230  of a second program selection menu for a normal recording list shown in  FIG. 12 , and screen  350  of a second program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 19  each are an example of the user interface image. 
     For example, in an example shown in the first exemplary embodiment, in recording and playback apparatus  1 , in case where RC receiver  32  receives a predetermined user command (e.g., a user command created by pressing down the up key of remote controller  2 ) during playback of a program by program playback circuit  35 , control circuit  31  controls UI creating circuit  36  such that a user interface image (e.g., screen  130  of a second program selection menu for a channel recording list shown in  FIG. 7 , screen  230  of a second program selection menu for a normal recording list shown in  FIG. 12 , or screen  350  of a second program selection menu for a category list shown in  FIG. 19 ) is created, the user interface image being for selecting program information by the user and being displayed so as to be partially superimposed on video of the program being played back. The user interface image displays a region representing a classification type of a classification method for a selection screen used when the program being played back is selected. 
     In the recording and playback apparatus, the controller may highlight a region of a classification type to which the program being played back by the player belongs. 
     For example, in an example shown in the first exemplary embodiment, in recording and playback apparatus  1 , control circuit  31  highlights a region of a classification type to which a program being played back by program playback circuit  35  belongs. 
     The region representing a classification type in the user interface image may be displayed by an icon or a tag. 
     In the recording and playback apparatus of the present exemplary embodiment, the controller may control the user interface creator such that, when the playback of the program selected from the one of the selection screens and played back is stopped, the one of the selection screens is displayed. 
     For example, in an example shown in the first exemplary embodiment, in recording and playback apparatus  1 , control circuit  31  controls UI creating circuit  36  such that, when playback of a program selected from one selection screen and played back is stopped, the one selection screen is displayed. 
     In the recording and playback apparatus of the present exemplary embodiment, the recorder may have a first recording function of recording individual programs specified by the user; and a second recording function of continuously recording a plurality of programs that are broadcast on a predetermined channel group. The selection screens may include a first selection screen for selecting, by the user, a desired program from among the plurality of programs recorded using the first recording function; and a second selection screen for selecting, by the user, a desired program from among the plurality of programs recorded using the second recording function. 
     Note that the normal recording function is an example of the first recording function. The channel recording function is an example of the second recording function. The predetermined channel group is a plurality of channels set in advance by the user, etc., and channels CH 1  to CH 6  shown in  FIG. 4  are an example of the predetermined channel group. The normal recording list is an example of the first selection screen. The channel recording list is an example of the second selection screen. 
     For example, in an example shown in the first exemplary embodiment, in recording and playback apparatus  1 , normal recording circuit  14  has the normal recording function of recording individual programs specified by the user, and channel recording circuit  27  has the channel recording function of continuously recording a plurality of programs that are broadcast on a predetermined channel group (e.g., channels CH 1  to CH 6 ). Selection screens include: a normal recording list for selecting, by the user, a desired program from among the plurality of programs recorded using the normal recording function; and a channel recording list for selecting, by the user, a desired program from among the plurality of programs recorded using the channel recording function. 
     In an example shown in the first exemplary embodiment, recording and playback apparatus  1  is disclosed that records and plays back a plurality of programs having been broadcast. Recording and playback apparatus  1  includes storage apparatuses  15 ,  28 , at least one tuner  11  to  13 ,  21  to  26 , normal recording circuit  14 , channel recording circuit  27 , program playback circuit  35 , UI creating circuit  36 , screen superimposing circuit  37 , RC receiver  32 , and control circuit  31 . 
     At least one tuner  11  to  13 ,  21  to  26  receives a plurality of programs having been broadcast and pieces of program information of the programs. Normal recording circuit  14  records a plurality of programs and pieces of program information of the programs which are received by at least one of tuners  11  to  13 , in storage apparatus  15 . Channel recording circuit  27  records a plurality of programs and pieces of program information of the programs which are received by at least one of tuners  21  to  26 , in storage apparatus  28 . Program playback circuit  35  plays back one of the plurality of programs recorded in storage apparatuses  15 ,  28 . 
     UI creating circuit  36  creates a plurality of user interface images (UI images) for enabling the user to select one of the plurality of programs recorded in storage apparatuses  15 ,  28 . Screen superimposing circuit  37  generates an output video signal, based on a video signal of a played-back program and a UI image. 
     RC receiver  32  obtains user commands from remote controller  2 . Control circuit  31  controls normal recording circuit  14 , channel recording circuit  27 , program playback circuit  35 , and UI creating circuit  36 , based on the user commands. 
     UI creating circuit  36  creates UI images of program selection menus with a plurality of pairs where the pieces of program information of the plurality of programs recorded in storage apparatuses  15 ,  28  are classified and arranged by a plurality of classification methods. Each program selection menu has a first program selection menu and a second program selection menu. The first program selection menu and the second program selection menu include a plurality of arrays of a plurality of pieces of program information classified by a same classification method. In recording and playback apparatus  1 , when a recorded program is not being played back the first program selection menu is displayed, and when a recorded program is being played back the second program selection menu is displayed so as to be partially superimposed on video of the program being played back. 
     When a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu is input in a state in which a recorded program is being played back, control circuit  31  displays a second program selection menu such that the second program selection menu is partially superimposed on video of the program being played back, the second program selection menu using a classification method that conforms to a classification method for a program selection menu used when the program being played back is selected. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, the second program selection menu includes a plurality of tab menus and a plurality of detailed menus corresponding to the respective tab menus. When a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu is input, control circuit  31  allows a plurality of tab menus to be displayed. When a user command for selecting one of the plurality of tab menus is input, control circuit  31  allows a detailed menu corresponding to the selected one tab menu to be displayed. In recording and playback apparatus  1 , when a user command for selecting a first tab menu among the plurality of tab menus is input, a first detailed menu among a plurality of detailed menus corresponding to the first tab menu includes a plurality of icons representing a plurality of arrays. In recording and playback apparatus  1 , when a user command for selecting a second tab menu among the plurality of tab menus is input, a second detailed menu among a plurality of detailed menus corresponding to the second tab menu includes an array to which a program being played back belongs. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, when a user command for selecting the first tab menu is input, control circuit  31  allows, in the first detailed menu, an icon of an array to which the program being played back belongs to be highlighted. When a user command for selecting the second tab menu is input, control circuit  31  allows, in the second detailed menu, the program being played back to be highlighted. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, when, in a state in which a second program selection menu is being displayed, a user command for instructing to display another second program selection menu that uses a different classification method than the second program selection menu being displayed is input, control circuit  31  allows another second program selection menu to be displayed. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, when playback of a recorded program has ended, control circuit  31  allows a first program selection menu to be displayed, the first program selection menu using a same classification method as a classification method for a program selection menu used when the program whose playback has ended is selected. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, control circuit  31  allows, in the first program selection menu, the program whose playback has ended to be highlighted. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, UI creating circuit  36  further creates a UI image of a third program selection menu which is displayed when a recorded program is being played back. In recording and playback apparatus  1 , the third program selection menu includes at least one piece of program information adjacent to program information of the program being played back in a plurality of arrays of a plurality of programs that are classified by at least one of a plurality of classification methods. When a user command for instructing to call a third program selection menu is input in a state in which a recorded program is being played back, control circuit  31  allows a third program selection menu to be displayed, the third program selection menu using a same classification method as a classification method for a program selection menu used when the program being played back is selected. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, tuners  21  to  26  receive a plurality of programs that are broadcast on a plurality of channels and pieces of program information of the programs, and in one of a plurality of classification methods the plurality of pieces of program information are classified into a plurality of arrays corresponding to the plurality of channels, respectively. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, in one of the plurality of classification methods, the plurality of programs are classified into a plurality of arrays corresponding to a plurality of categories, respectively. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, normal recording circuit  14  records, in storage apparatus  15 , a plurality of programs selected by the user as a plurality of first programs, and channel recording circuit  27  records, in storage apparatus  28 , a plurality of programs that are broadcast on at least one predetermined channel as a plurality of second programs. In recording and playback apparatus  1 , the plurality of recorded first programs are classified into a plurality of arrays by a first classification method among a plurality of classification methods, and the plurality of recorded second programs are classified into a plurality of arrays by a second classification method among the plurality of classification methods. 
     By this, in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, the user can select and play back a desired program from among a plurality of recorded programs, with a relatively small amount of time and trouble. In addition, in recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, when a recorded program is being played back, a third program selection menu is displayed. By this, it becomes unnecessary to stop the playback of the program to display a first program selection menu. Hence, the user can select and play back another program, with a relatively small amount of time and trouble by zapping. 
     Recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, for example, uses a normal recording list having a format where a plurality of programs are arranged chronologically, in order for the user to select any of programs recorded by normal recorder  10 . In addition, recording and playback apparatus  1  uses a channel recording list having a program table format where a plurality of programs are arranged two-dimensionally by channel and time, and a category list having a format where a plurality of programs are classified and arranged by category, in order for the user to select any of programs recorded by channel recorder  20 . 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, control circuit  31  allows, for each of the channel recording list, the normal recording list, and the category list, a first program selection menu and a second program selection menu to be displayed such that the first program selection menu and the second program selection menu are associated with each other. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, control circuit  31  controls, for each of the channel recording list, the normal recording list, and the category list, content, a page of a program selection menu to be displayed, and a position to be highlighted of the first program selection menu and the second program selection menu. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1  of the present exemplary embodiment, for example, when a user command for instructing to call a second program selection menu is input in a state in which a program selected using a first program selection menu for a channel recording list is being played back, a second program selection menu for the channel recording list is displayed. In addition, in recording and playback apparatus  1 , when a program selected using the second program selection menu for the channel recording list is played back and the playback of the program is stopped, the first program selection menu for the channel recording list is displayed. In addition, in recording and playback apparatus  1 , when cursor key  51  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which a program selected using a program selection menu for the channel recording list is being played back, a third program selection menu for the channel recording list is displayed, the third program selection menu including program information adjacent to program information of the program being played back in a plurality of arrays in the channel recording list. 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1 , when the third program selection menu for the channel recording list is displayed, the user can select program information of a program that is temporally before or after the program being played back, by pressing down the up key or down key of cursor key  51 , and select a channel adjacent, on a left or right, to a channel of the program being played back, by pressing down the left key or right key of cursor key  51 . 
     In recording and playback apparatus  1 , when cursor key  51  of remote controller  2  is pressed down in a state in which a program selected using a program selection menu for a category list is being played back, a third program selection menu for the category list is displayed, the third program selection menu including program information adjacent to program information of the program being played back in a plurality of arrays in the category list. In recording and playback apparatus  1 , when the third program selection menu for the category list is displayed, the user can select program information that is before or after program information of the program being played back, by pressing down the up key or down key of cursor key  51 . 
     Other Exemplary Embodiments 
     As described above, the first exemplary embodiment is described as exemplification of a technique disclosed in the present application. However, the technique in the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can also be applied to an exemplary embodiment where changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., are made. In addition, it is also possible to make a new exemplary embodiment by combining the components described in the above-described first exemplary embodiment. 
     Hence, other exemplary embodiments will be exemplified below. 
     Although, in the first exemplary embodiment, normal recording circuit  14 , channel recording circuit  27 , control circuit  31 , program DB creating circuit  34 , program playback circuit  35 , UI creating circuit  36 , and screen superimposing circuit  37  are shown as different blocks, some or all of these blocks may be configured as a single block. In addition, these blocks may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by software that is executed on a processor. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, arrays of program information, arrays of channels, and the like, which are shown in the drawings as examples of a program selection menu are merely examples. Program information, channels, and the like, which are displayed in a program selection menu may be appropriately set according to reception conditions of broadcast signals, broadcast programs, etc. 
     As described above, the exemplary embodiments are described as exemplification of the technique in the present disclosure. To do so, the accompanying drawings and detailed description are provided. 
     Therefore, the components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description not only include components essential to solve the problem, but may also include, in order to exemplify the above-described technique, components that are not essential to solve the problem. Hence, it should not be acknowledged such that describing those non-essential components in the accompanying drawings or detailed description directly means that those non-essential components are essential. 
     In addition, the above-described exemplary embodiments are provided to exemplify the technique in the present disclosure, and thus, various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the range of the claims or the range of equivalency of the claims. 
     Industrial Applicability 
     The present disclosure is applicable to a recording and playback apparatus including a large-capacity storage apparatus. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to a recording and playback apparatus such as a video recorder, a video receiving apparatus such as a television receiver having a recording and playback function, etc. 
     REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS 
       1 : recording and playback apparatus 
       2 : remote controller 
       3 : program information server apparatus 
       4 : display 
       10 : normal recorder 
       11 ,  12 ,  13 : tuner 
       14 : normal recording circuit 
       15 : storage apparatus 
       20 : channel recorder 
       21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 : tuner 
       27 : channel recording circuit 
       28 : storage apparatus 
       31 : control circuit 
       32 : RC receiver 
       33 : communication circuit 
       34 : program DB creating circuit 
       35 : program playback circuit 
       36 : UI creating circuit 
       37 : screen superimposing circuit 
       40 : screen 
       51 : cursor key 
       52 : OK key 
       53 : channel recording list key 
       54 : normal recording list key 
       55 : category list key 
       56 : playback menu key 
       57 : motion key 
       58 : stop key 
       100 ,  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140 ,  200 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  300 ,  310 ,  320 ,  330 ,  340 ,  350 ,  360 ,  400 ,  410 ,  420 ,  430 : screen 
       101 : program table area 
       102 : description area 
       103 ,  132 ,  142 ,  202 ,  204 ,  232 ,  242 ,  304 ,  355 ,  362 ,  406 ,  414 ,  426 ,  436 : cursor 
       121 ,  122 ,  123 ,  124 ,  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224 ,  341 ,  342 ,  343 ,  344 : tab menu 
       131 ,  141 ,  231 ,  241 ,  351 ,  361 : detailed menu 
       133 ,  233 ,  305 ,  311 ,  312 ,  313 ,  314 ,  315 ,  316 ,  321 ,  356 ,  357 ,  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404 ,  405 ,  411 ,  412 ,  413 ,  421 ,  422 ,  423 ,  424 ,  425 ,  431 ,  432 ,  433 ,  434 ,  435 : button 
       201 : tag 
       203 : program list 
       301 : history area 
       302 : ranking area 
       303 : news area 
       352 : information area 
       353 : genre area 
       354 : favorite area 
       358   a,    358   b,    358   c,    358   d:  icon 
     ANT: antenna