Method and apparatus employing an improved format for recording and reproducing digital audio

In a method for recording digital audio data in a recording medium the method for providing an improved digital audio data format comprising the steps of;

• generating successive series of digital words representing the digital audio data;
• separating the digital words into odd and even sub-blocks of digital audio data;
• generating a parity sub-block for a given pair of the odd and even data sub-blocks;
• recording the given pair of data sub-blocks in selected spaced apart relation with their respective parity sub-block to define a triad configuration in two tracks of the recording medium;
• recording successive triads in the recording medium to define a data block;
• and
• recording successive data blocks in the recording medium with selected inter-block gaps therebetween to define the improved format.

A digital recorder for digitally recording an input signal in a recording medium via an improved digital data format, the combination comprising;

• means for generating successive series of digital words representing the input signal;
• formatter means coupled to the means for generating the digital words and including, means for constructing the digital data format of a succession of precisely spaced apart data blocks formed of a selected arrangement of sub-blocks of said digital words and including respective sub-blocks of parity information, with error detection and sync information interspersed in each data and parity sub-block;
• and
• means coupled to the formatter means for simultaneously recording the data blocks in separate tracks in the recording medium with precise inter-block gaps therebetween.