Method for determining whether tape is recordable and apparatus therefor

A method of identifying when a medium is recordable, comprising:

• reproducing data and error correction information stored on a medium the medium corresponding to tape;
• correcting errors in said stored data in dependence upon said error correction information;
• counting said errors in said stored data;
• when quantity of said counted errors is larger than a first predetermined quantity of errors determining that the medium is a new medium and that the medium is recordable;
• and
• when said quantity of said counted errors is larger than a second predetermined quantity of errors, determining that the medium is not recordable.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first unit correcting errors in data in dependence upon error correction information, said data and error correction information being stored in a medium;
• a counter counting said errors in said data;
• and
• a comparator comparing quantity of said counted errors with a first predetermined value;
• the medium corresponding to a new medium when said quantity of said counted errors is larger than said first predetermined value the new medium being recordable;
• the medium being not recordable when said quantity of said counted errors is larger than a second predetermined value.