SCENE CHANGE DETECTOR

A coding parameter extracting unit extracts predictive-coded mode information, motion vectors, and coded transformed coefficients from video-signal-demultiplexed information. An abrupt scene change judging unit uses a characteristic that scenes change greatly before and after an abrupt scene change, to classify blocks on the basis of the predictive-coded mode information among the compressed moving picture data, so that an abrupt scene change is detected. A special effect judging unit detects dissolve from motion characteristic values calculated from the values of motion vectors, predictive-coded picture characteristic values derived from coefficients on frequency domains in blocks, and the number of blocks each having a motion vector that is larger than a threshold; and detects wipe by motion characteristic values calculated from the values of motion vectors, and predictive-coded picture characteristic values derived from coefficients on frequency domains in blocks. According to this architecture, scene changes including special effects such as dissolve or wipe can be detected at high speed and high accuracy by a processing which is far less than that of the prior art.