Encoding device and dynamic image recording system having the encoding device

1. An encoder comprising:

a converting section for converting picture data representing a moving picture into a coefficient including a plurality of frequency components on a predetermined unit basis;

a determining section for determining a matrix to define a frequency bit allocation characteristic based on the resolution of the moving picture and a target bit rate for encoding that has been specified in advance;

a quantization section for quantizing each said coefficient based on the matrix determined, thereby generating a quantized value; and

an encoding section for encoding the quantized value to generate encoded data of the moving picture.

2. The encoder of claim 1 , wherein the quantization section stores multiple types of matrices, and

wherein the determining section selects one of the matrices for use in quantization process.

3. The encoder of claim 2 , wherein the quantization section includes circuits that are respectively associated with the multiple types of matrices, and

wherein the determining section instructs the quantization section to change signal paths into one leading to the circuit that is associated with the matrix for use in the quantization process.

4. The encoder of claim 1 , wherein the determining section retains a condition table that defines association of multiple different combinations of resolutions and target bit rates with the multiple types of matrices and makes reference to the condition table with the resolution of the moving picture and the pre-specified target bit rate for encoding, thereby determining the associated matrix.

5. The encoder of claim 4 , wherein the condition table retained in the determining section defines at least one of a particular numerical value and a particular numerical value range as the target bit rate.

6. The encoder of claim 1 , wherein the quantization section stores two types of matrices that are associated with two different target bit rates, respectively, and

wherein if a specified target bit rate is different from any of the two target bit rates, the determining section makes calculations based on at least the target bit rate specified and the two types of matrices, thereby figuring out the matrix for use in the quantization process.

7. The encoder of claim 1 , wherein the quantization section stores a single matrix that is associated with a particular target bit rate, and

wherein the determining section stores in advance a step value per unit bit rate, and wherein if a specified target bit rate is different from the particular target bit rate, the determining section makes calculations based on at least the target bit rate specified, the step value and the single matrix, thereby figuring out the matrix for use in the quantization process.

8. A moving picture recording system comprising:

a video signal receiving section for receiving a video signal representing a moving picture and outputting picture data to present the moving picture;

an encoder for outputting encoded data of the moving picture based on the picture data; and

a storage section for writing the encoded data on a storage medium,

wherein the encoder includes:

a converting section for converting the picture data into a coefficient including a plurality of frequency components on a predetermined unit basis;

a determining section for determining a matrix to define a frequency bit allocation characteristic based on the resolution of the moving picture and a target bit rate for encoding that has been specified in advance;

a quantization section for quantizing each said coefficient based on the matrix determined, thereby generating a quantized value; and

an encoding section for encoding the quantized value to generate encoded data of the moving picture.