Information recording and reproducing apparatus, and information recording and reproducing method

An information recording and reproducing apparatus comprising a reproduced signal output unit for reading information recorded on a recording medium and outputting a reproduced signal, a partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) signal processing unit for performing signal processing by a PRML system on the reproduced signal outputted from said reproduced signal output unit, and a record data generation unit for generating record data to be recorded on said recording medium, comprising:

• a record data correction unit for generating correction data for correcting a record waveform generated according to the record data;
• and
• a discrimination data output unit for generating discrimination data for use in pattern discrimination performed by said record data correction unit to generate the correction data, using decoded data outputted from said PRML signal processing unit and the record data, and outputting the generated discrimination data to said record data correction unit.