A pattern matching section compares reference taps supplied by one area
extracting section with a reference tap component of a training pair
pre-stored in a training-pair storing section, selects a training pair
including a reference tap component having highest similarity to the
reference taps, and supplies the selected training pair to a
normal-equation generating section. Training pairs stored in the
training-pair storing section include a SD signal and HD signal. A
prediction-coefficient determining section obtains prediction
coefficients by solving normal equations generated by the normal-equation
generating section. A prediction calculating section produces a HD signal
by applying the prediction coefficients to prediction taps extracted by
another area extracting section.