Abstract: The interleaving/deinterleaving region of compressed image data is restrictively determined in accordance with a predetermined maximum speed, and interleaving/deinterleaving is performed within the restricted interleaving/deinterleaving region. Various burst and random errors can be effectively processed and corrected, especially in variable speed play since the compressed image data is stored in and read out from a memory with a different format. In recording and reproduction, the compressed image data is scanned per data segment in zigzag form and the data sequence of the input data segment is changed, resulting in interleaving being performed with data continuity maintained. Error correction capability is improved by performing outer and inner coding with respect to the interleaved data.