Abstract: In an apparatus of digitally recording and reproducing video signals, when video signal data in one image frame is divided into a multiple-number of parts (N-parts) by dividing the image frame into N-divided rectangular regions and the N-parts of data are recorded on respective N tracks, each rectangular region is divided into blocks each having a multiple number of pixels and the thus generated blocks is subjected to a bit reduction coding operation. In recording the blocks, each of blocks are recorded onto a corresponding track in such a sequence that the blocks are scanned in a reciprocating manner along short-side directions of the rectangular region on the image frame. When the data is reproduced in a varied speed playback mode, the data are modified by every short-side row of blocks to thereby provide a high-quality playback picture at the varied speed.