1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a) input means for inputting image data, b) encode means for encoding the image data, said encode means having the ability to encode the image data using a plurality kinds of scalability, c) external input means for inputting external information representing a desired scalability from an external equipment, d) control means for controlling the encoding process of said encode means according to the external information input by said external input means, and e) output means for outputting the image data encoded by said encode means to the external equipment.