A semiconductor device capable of deleting data already recorded on a
recording medium when information indicative of prohibition of copying is
detected from picture signal. Input portion receives an input picture
signal, and copy protection information detecting portion detects copy
protection information included in the picture signal input from the
input portion. Compressing portion compresses the picture signal, and
compressed data output portion outputs compressed data obtained by the
compressing portion. Specification information output portion generates
and outputs specification information specifying a position of the
compressed data where the information indicative of prohibition of
copying was detected first by the copy protection information detecting
portion. A device for recording the compressed data can specify the head
of unnecessary compressed information by looking up the specification
information, whereby the unnecessary information can be deleted from the
recording medium.