Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically reading or reproducing digital information recorded as a plurality of pits on at least one track of a movie film. A linear light source having a plurality of light elements, such as LED's, is arranged such that light from at least one of the light elements is irradiated on each of the pits. The light or optical beam from the linear light source is transmitted through the pits of the movie film and received by a light receiving element, such as a photodiode, having a single light receiving portion. The light elements of the linear light source are lit sequentially so that the digital information recorded in each line of each track may be read out at a pit unit by the light receiving element.

Abstract: A motion picture film is provided on which a digital sound track for audio data is formed along the film running direction. Data tracks are disposed in the digital sound track along a direction normal to the film running direction and extend in the film running direction. A data pattern having a block of audio data is recorded in the data tracks, along with tracking patterns representing each data track. Each of the tracking patterns is recorded at one side of the data track along the film running direction with an offset in the film running direction of one half the width of a data track from the center of that data track.