Recording/reproducing apparatus for recording starting identification information prior to a recording start position

A reproducing system for reproducing information from a first recording medium and providing the reproduced information to a recording apparatus for storage on a second recording medium, the first recording medium storing in a first sequence recorded blocks of main program information, each block being preceded by sub-code control information that includes address information designating a block start position, comprising:

• means for inputting a second sequence for selectively playing back recorded blocks of main program information from the first recording medium different from the first sequence for recording onto the second recording medium;
• means for calculating a playback position corresponding to a selected block of main program information based on the second sequence and the start position of the selected block;
• means for determining a destination position a predetermined distance before the playback position;
• means for determining a start identification position between the playback position and the destination position;
• means for moving a playback device to the destination position on the first recording medium and commencing reproduction of the selected block of main program information;
• means for detecting when the playback device reaches the start identification position on the first recording medium and recording a start identification signal corresponding to the selected block on the second recording medium before recording any main program information of the selected block;
• means for detecting when the playback device reaches the playback position on the first recording medium and recording the selected block of main program information onto the second recording medium.