To sustain continuity of STC and GOP structures in the output TS after switching when the output TS of a plurality of encoders is outputted while being switched.

The encoder unit comprises a plurality of encoders 1-N for assigning a picture type to an input image and encoding it while reordering the picture before being outputted as TS1-TSn, a TS switch 20 for selecting one TSm from the outputs TS1-TSn, a controller 30 for distributing a GOP synchronization designating signal S2, and an STC/GOP generator 40 for distributing reference PCR data S3 and a GOP head designation signal S4. When the S2 is distributed at the picture type assignment stage, the encoders 1-N synchronize the time reference by mutual STC based on the S3 with such a GOP structure as the head position of mutual GOP is matched based on S4. The switch 20 selects one TSm at a point where the GOP head position is matched.

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