Providing a connection mode setting apparatus, a connection mode setting method, a connection mode control apparatus, a connection mode control method, and the like realizing shorter time of fining an optimum connection destination at the time of connection for participation/withdrawal to/from the system since network topology itself constructing the system clearly shows that the bandwidths of paths attached to nodes constructing the system are wide at the higher hierarchical level and narrow at a lower hierarchical level, and capable of improving communication performance over a wide range of the system without exerting an adverse influence on the whole system even in the case where resume operation or the like accompanying reproduction of contents data after connection is performed. A connection mode setting apparatus sets a mode of connection among a distributing device for distributing distribution information and a plurality of receiving devices for receiving the distribution information provided in a tree type distribution system in which the distributing device is positioned at the highest hierarchical level, the plurality of receiving devices form a plurality of hierarchical levels, the devices are connected in a tree shape via communication paths, and the distribution information distributed by the distributing device is sequentially transferred from the receiving device at the high hierarchical level to the receiving device at the lower hierarchical level. And the apparatus includes effective bandwidth information obtaining means for obtaining effective bandwidth information indicative of an effective bandwidth of each of the communication paths attached to the receiving devices so that each of the receiving devices is connected to the receiving device or the distributing device at the higher hierarchical level; effective bandwidth comparing means for comparing the effective bandwidths of the communication paths; and connection mode setting means for setting a mode of connection among the devices on the basis of a result of comparison of the effective bandwidth comparing means.