Information outputting apparatus, information reporting method and information signal supply route selecting method

An information-outputting apparatus connected to a network comprising a plurality of electronic apparatuses connected by digital buses, said information-outputting apparatus comprising:

• a digital interface unit that receives a digital signal transmitted through one of said digital buses, which has a plurality of data channels;
• an information-detecting section configured to detect source-apparatus information indicating an electronic apparatus serving as a source outputting said digital signal and information on a video format of said digital signal from a packet header of said digital signal, which is received through said digital interface unit;
• a signal decoder that decodes a digital signal having a predetermined video format among digital signals received by said digital interface unit;
• a display capability judgment section configured to form a judgment as to whether or not a digital signal received by said digital interface unit can be capable of displaying a video;
• and
• means for reporting information that reports said information on the video format detected by said information-detecting section,
• wherein said means for reporting information further reports content information that a digital signal received by said digital interface unit is capable of displaying said video format to said electronic apparatus through one of said plurality of data channels of said digital buses in case an outcome of a judgment formed by said display capability judgment section indicates that said digital signal is capable of displaying said video.

A method of operating an information-outputting apparatus connected to a network comprising a plurality of electronic apparatuses connected by digital buses, said method comprising:

• receiving, at a digital interface unit, a digital signal transmitted through one of said digital buses, which has a plurality of data channels;
• detecting source-apparatus information indicating an electronic apparatus that serves as a source of said digital signal and information on a video format of said digital signal from a packet header of said digital signal, which is received by the receiving;
• decoding, by a signal decoder, a digital signal having a predetermined video format among digital signals received by said digital interface unit;
• judging whether or not a digital signal received by said digital interface unit can be capable of displaying a video;
• reporting said information on the video format detected by said information-detecting section;
• and
• reporting content information that a digital signal received by the receiving is capable of displaying said video format to said electronic apparatus through one of said plurality of data channels of said digital buses in case an outcome of a judgment formed by said judging indicates that said digital signal is capable of displaying said video.