Audio data management device and method, and recorder

A data-processing apparatus comprising:

• a first recording medium storing prescribed content data;
• management means for managing the content data;
• and
• input means for inputting data supplied from a second recording medium that is removable,
• wherein the management means manages the content data in accordance with management data for managing the content data, said management data stored in the second recording medium and input by the input means.

A method of managing audio data in an audio playback apparatus which reproduces audio data stored in the form of an electronic file, said method comprising:

• a step of storing the audio data and management data for managing the audio data, into a recording apparatus in which data can be rewritten;
• a step of reading the management data from the recording apparatus and supplying the management data to an external editing apparatus;
• a step of editing the management data in the external editing apparatus;
• a step of receiving the management data edited by the external editing apparatus;
• and
• a step of rewriting the management data stored in the recording apparatus to the management data edited by the external editing apparatus.

A method of managing content data in a playback apparatus that reads and reproduces prescribed content data from a recording medium which stores the prescribed content data and management data for managing the content data, said method comprising:

• a step of reading the management data from the recording medium and outputting the management data to an external editing apparatus;
• a step of editing the management data in the external editing apparatus;
• receiving the management data edited in the external editing apparatus;
• and
• managing the content data by using the management data received, instead of the management data stored in the recording medium.