Communication method and system, and output equipment

为了防止在通过一个IEEE 1394或其他网络传输流式数据期间数据格式改变时中断处理，在第一设备输出的流式数据通过一个指定的网络被第二设备接收的情况下，在第一设备输出的流式数据从第一格式的内容A改变为第二格式的内容B时，在结束输出内容A后以与内容B相同的格式输出无效数据，而在输出无效数据期间第一设备对第二设备的状态进行探查(步骤S11至S14)，在检测到输入第二格式的流式数据的准备已完成时，开始输出第二格式的内容B。 In order to prevent interruption of processing at the time when the format of data changes during transmission of streaming data over an IEEE 1394 or other network, when streaming data output from first equipment is caused to be received by second equipment via a prescribed network, when the streaming data output from the first equipment changes from content A in a first format to content B in a second format, after the end of output of content B invalid data in the same format as content B is output, and during output of this invalid data the first equipment investigates the state of the second equipment (steps S11 to S14); when it is detected that preparations for input of streaming data in the second format are completed, output of content B in the second format is begun.