PURPOSE: To store lots of program picture data by registering data again through compression processing.

CONSTITUTION: Coded data from a storage device 51 are decoded by a decoder 58 and subjected to compression processing in a compressor 61. The processed picture data are given to a coder 57, and generated coded data therefrom are registered in the device 51 again. An address of 2nd registration may be a new address. A controller 55 controls a switch 56 to give a read instruction/ registration instruction/data command information to the device 51 and allows the storage device to output a read end signal/registration end signal. The controller gives the data command information to a time lapse monitor 52 and a read state monitor 53 through signal lines 73, 76 respectively and an output of the monitors 52, 53 is given to a compression discrimination device 54. The set signal from a terminal 62 to the device 54 must be inactive. Thus, lots of picture data of a program are stored in the storage device with less equipment space while suppressing the large scale and high cost for the storage device.