A shared storage section 2 stores: moving picture data which is split in sequences, data necessary for encoding each sequence, and a processing state of each sequence. Based on the processing states stored in the shared storage section 2, each processor 1 selects one of the sequences and a process to be next executed for that sequence and executes that process, independently of the operation of any other processor. Based on identification management information, each processor 1 acquires an identification number prior to beginning a process, and abandons the acquired identification number when the process is completed or when a failure occurs. Each processor 1 performs a process of updating its own program as necessary, or a process of detecting an abnormality in a bitstream. The shared storage section 2 can function so as to store moving picture data in a distributed manner, so that a distributed file system is constructed during a motion vector search.
