Image data recorder wherein compressed data recording is stopped/started at a different time than commanded

An image data recorder for recording image data coded by a moving picture encoding method that includes inter-fame encoding wherein a plurality of frames in a moving picture are assumed to be one encoding unit and wherein the coded image data is recorded in predetermined recording units determined by a recording medium, comprising:

• inputting means for inputting said coded image data;
• detecting means for detecting a start instruction to start recording of said coded image data;
• and
• recording means for recording said coded image data on the recording medium in accordance with an output of said detecting means, wherein said recording means controls a start recording operation such that the recording is performed from the beginning of said coded image data in said encoding unit.

A method for recording coded image data which is coded such that frames of image data are intermixed and grouped into predetermined encoding units, said method comprising the steps of:

• inputting the coded image data;
• receiving a stop recording command or a start recording command for stopping or starting a recording operation respectively;
• stopping or starting recording the coded image data to a recording medium in response to the stop recording command or the start recording command, respectively;
• and
• controlling a stop recording operation or a start recording operation such that the recording is not stopped or started at the coded image data situated in the middle of the encoding unit.

Apparatus for recording coded image data which is coded such that frames of image data are intermixed and grouped into predetermined encoding units, said apparatus comprising:

• means for inputting the coded image data;
• means for receiving a stop recording command or a start recording command for stopping or starting a recording operation, respectively;
• means for stopping or starting the recording of the coded image data to a recording medium in response to the stop recording command or the start recording command, respectively;
• and
• control means for controlling a stop recording operation or a start recording operation such that the recording is not stopped or started at the coded image data situated in the middle of the encoding unit.