Encoded data stream recording and reproducing apparatus

摘要

According to the present invention, a recording and reproducing apparatus for an input encoded data stream having two different bit rates of N1 and N2 (where N1 < N2) is provided. The recording and reproducing apparatus includes: an input interface having two outputs for outputting the input encoded data stream to two channels, the input interface dividing and outputting the input encoded data stream to both of the two channels when the bit rate of the input encoded data stream is N1, while the input interface outputting the input encoded data stream to only one of the two channels when the bit rate of the input encoded data stream is N2; a first recording processor and a second recording processor for converting the input encoded data stream into a signal suitable for being recorded so as to supply the signal to a recording head, the first recording processor and the second recording processor being connected with the two outputs of the input interface; a recording head for writing the signal onto a magnetic tape; a tape speed controller for varying a speed for transporting the magnetic tape in accordance with the bit rates of the input encoded data stream; a reproducing head for reading the signal from the magnetic tape; a first reproducing processor and a second reproducing processor for performing a predetermined reproduction processing for a signal reproduced from the reproducing head; and an output interface having two inputs for inputting the signals from two channels, the input interface integrating and outputting the signals input from the two channels when the bit rate of the reproduced encoded data stream is N2, while the output interface outputting the signal input from only one of the two channels when the bit rate of the reproduced encoded data stream is N1. In the recording and reproducing apparatus, the speed for transporting the magnetic tape and a number of the channels used for recording and reproducing operations are varied in accordance with the bit rates of the input encoded data stream.