PURPOSE: To shorten the time required to decode picture data and the time between the end of the former screen effect and the start of the next screen effect when confirming the degree of perfection of the edited program.

CONSTITUTION: In a packet separation section 103, picture packet containing the picture data and screen effect packet containing screen effect time data are separated. The picture packet is outputted to a low-pass/high-pass separation section 105 and the screen effect packet is outputted to an effect time comparison section 107. The section 105 extracts the only low-pass component for each one MUD of the picture packet, comprising the 1 frame of picture data. The section 107 compares screen effect end time T1 of the former frame with screen effect start time T2 of the next frame and omits the excess time (T2-T1) at the time of editing programs. The screen effect start time T2 of the next frame is put forward and the time required to appreciate the still picture is shortened.