An output coding apparatus includes a coder for coding an inputted
bitstream to an error correction and/or detection code composed of
information bits and check bits; and a bitstream assembling section for
assembling an outputted bitstream by inserting a synchronization code at
any one of a plurality of synchronization code insertion positions
previously determined in the outputted bitstream, arranging the
information bits at any desired positions of the bitstream, and by
arranging the check bits at positions other than the synchronization code
insertion positions in the bitstream. Therefore, when the coding
apparatus is combined with a resynchronization method using both an error
correction and/or detection code and a synchronization code, it is
possible to solve a problem caused by pseudo-synchronization or
synchronization-loss pull-out or step-out due to erroneous detection of
the synchronization code.