Media communication system, and terminal apparatus and signal conversion apparatus in said system

Disclosed is a media communication system in which communication of media such as sound, image and the like is performed between first and second terminals, each of which is constructed so as to be capable of IP communication, via an IP network. The system includes an IP packetizing unit for IP-packetizing and sending, to the IP network, a media signal sent from the first terminal, and for converting an IP packet received from the IP network to a media signal and sending the media signal to the first terminal, and a media signal transmitting unit for connecting a media/signal converter, which is provided within the first terminal, to the IP packetizing unit to transmit a media signal.