Data output apparatus, decoding apparatus, and recording medium

A decoding apparatus, comprising:

• a data acquiring unit which acquires a data stream;
• a first decoding unit which decodes first coded data that is included in the data stream acquired by the data acquiring unit and that has been coded by a first coding method;
• a decoding program acquiring unit which acquires a decoding program for decoding second coded data that has been coded by a coding method different from the first coding method;
• and
• a second decoding unit which decodes the second coded data acquired by the data acquiring unit, by executing the decoding program acquired by the decoding program acquiring unit.

A recording medium storing a program for controlling a computer to realize:

• a function for acquiring content data representing a predetermined content;
• a function for selecting a coding method for coding the acquired content data;
• a function for determining a switching timing at which coding methods are switched;
• a function for switching the selected coding method to another at the determined switching timing;
• a function for coding the content data by a selected coding method;
• a function for generating a data stream built up of the coded content data;
• and
• a function for outputting a decoding program corresponding to either coding method, and the generated data stream.

A recording medium storing a program for controlling a computer to realize:

• a function for acquiring a data stream built up of content data coded by plural types of coding methods;
• a function for storing a decoding program for decoding the acquired data stream;
• a function, in a case where the stored decoding program does not correspond to any of the coding methods used for the acquired data stream, for acquiring a decoding program that corresponds to such a coding method;
• and
• a function for decoding the acquired data stream by executing the acquired decoding program.