By introducing a new copy control system into video signals subjected to picture quality restriction satisfactory only in small-sized PMP displays, a new business model in which copyrighters, consumers and makers can have mutual prosperity is created. “A new copy control rule of prohibiting a video signal output with a picture quality equivalent to that at time of recording from being copied, but permitting a video signal sufficiently degraded in picture quality as compared with time of recording to be copied” is added to the copy-never, copy-one-generation, and copy-free states belonging to the conventional copy control rule. The quality for which the copyrighter can permit copying corresponds to half the current number of DVD pixels. If a quality restricting scheme of thinning out pixels to half compared with time of recording is used, therefore, needs of consumers desiring to enjoy PMPs are satisfied while protecting rights of copyrighters.