Imaging apparatus and reproducing apparatus which changes frame rate based on zoom operation

Abstract

An imaging unit outputs a video signal at a frame rate higher than a standard frame rate. During a zoom operation period or a period including the zoom operation period and periods before and after the zoom operation, a video signal from the imaging unit is recorded in a recording medium at a high recording frame rate. Other than this period, a video signal is recorded in the recording medium at the standard frame rate. The recording frame rate and zoom operation information is recorded as metadata in the recording medium. During reproduction, based on a set reproduction mode, thinning processing is carried out on a video signal recorded during a zoom operation, and the processed signal is output at the standard frame rate. In this way, it is possible to change a frame rate in view of a photographer's intention and assure compatibility with existing viewing and reproduction environments.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for reproducing, comprising:
 carrying out a thinning process on a video signal recorded at a predetermined frame rate; 
 reproducing the video signal; 
 selecting a reproduction mode; and 
 controlling changing a zoom effect during reproduction according to the selected reproduction mode during a period when a zoom operation unit is operated during recording. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 controlling reading out zoom operation information recorded with the video signal; and 
 determining, based on the zoom operation information, whether the zoom operation unit is operated during recording. 
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the zoom operation information is zoom speed. 
     
     
       4. A method for reproducing, comprising:
 carrying out a thinning process on a video signal recorded at a predetermined frame rate; 
 reproducing the video signal; 
 selecting a zoom effect; and 
 controlling the thinning process or selecting of frames to be displayed, during reproduction according to the selected zoom effect during a period when a zoom operation unit is operated during recording. 
 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 controlling reading out zoom operation information recorded with the video signal; and 
 determining, based on the zoom operation information, whether the zoom operation unit is operated during recording. 
 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the zoom operation information is zoom speed. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the thinning process is controlled during reproduction according to the selected zoom effect during a period when a zoom operation unit is operated during recording, so as to control selecting of frames to be displayed. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising reproducing the video signal at a different frame rate. 
     
     
       9. A method for reproducing, comprising:
 carrying out a thinning process on a video signal recorded at a predetermined frame rate; 
 reproducing the video signal; and 
 controlling selecting of frames to be displayed or thinned, during reproduction, during a period when a zoom operation unit is operated during recording, so as to control changing of a zoom effect. 
 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 controlling reading out zoom operation information recorded with the video signal; and 
 determining, based on the zoom operation information, whether the zoom operation unit is operated during recording. 
 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the zoom operation information is zoom speed. 
     
     
       12. A method for reproducing, comprising:
 carrying out a thinning process on a video signal recorded at a predetermined frame rate; 
 reproducing the video signal; 
 selecting a reproduction mode; 
 controlling the thinning process during reproduction according to the selected reproduction mode during a period when a zoom operation unit is operated during recording; and 
 changing a zoom effect or reproducing the video signal at a different frame rate. 
 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 controlling reading out zoom operation information recorded with the video signal; and 
 determining, based on the zoom operation information, whether the zoom operation unit is operated during recording. 
 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the zoom operation information is zoom speed. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 controlling reading out zoom speed information recorded with the video signal; and 
 determining, based on the zoom speed information, whether the zoom operation unit is operated during recording. 
 
     
     
       16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method for reproducing, the method comprising:
 carrying out a thinning process on a video signal recorded at a predetermined frame rate; 
 reproducing the video signal; 
 selecting a reproduction mode; and 
 controlling changing a zoom effect during reproduction according to the selected reproduction mode during a period when a zoom operation unit is operated during recording. 
 
     
     
       17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method for reproducing, the method comprising:
 carrying out a thinning process on a video signal recorded at a predetermined frame rate; 
 reproducing the video signal; 
 selecting a zoom effect; and 
 
       controlling the thinning process or selecting of frames to be displayed, during reproduction according to the selected zoom effect during a period when a zoom operation unit is operated during recording. 
     
     
       18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method for reproducing, the method comprising:
 carrying out a thinning process on a video signal recorded at a predetermined frame rate; 
 reproducing the video signal; and 
 
       controlling selecting of frames to be displayed or thinned, during reproduction, during a period when a zoom operation unit is operated during recording, so as to control changing of a zoom effect. 
     
     
       19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method for reproducing, the method comprising:
 carrying out a thinning process on a video signal recorded at a predetermined frame rate; 
 reproducing the video signal; 
 selecting a reproduction mode; 
 controlling the thinning process during reproduction according to the selected reproduction mode during a period when a zoom operation unit is operated during recording; and 
 changing a zoom effect or reproducing the video signal at a different frame rate.