PURPOSE: To enhance the operability at recording and to make the size small by operating an operation switch for recording start of a still picture when the operation period of the operation switch is a predetermined period length.
CONSTITUTION: An operation switch 9 is a pushbutton switch for video recording start/stop provided usually to a VTR and a discrimination circuit 37 measures the time when the operation switch 9 is depressed. When the measured time is longer than the preset reference time, it is discriminated that the operation is used for starting or stopping of usual video recording and does not output a control signal S1, and when the discrimination time is shorter than the reference time, it is discriminated that the operation is for still picture recording and a control signal S1 is outputted. A memory 8 is operated by the control signal S1 and an output of an encoder circuit 6 by initial one frame after the operation switch 9 is depressed is written in the memory 8 as still picture information. Thus, the size is made small and the convenience of use at recording is improved.
KOBAYASHI JUN
ITO KENJI
YOSHIOKA ATSUSHI
