Abstract: A signal recording apparatus is arranged to record main information in a first area provided in each of a multiplicity of parallel tracks formed on a tape-shaped recording medium, and an index signal in a second area of each of a predetermined number of continuous tracks, the second area being provided separately from the first area within each of the multiplicity of parallel tracks. The apparatus records, as the index signal, first index information in a first section within the second area of each of the predetermined number of continuous tracks, with either one of binary data being repeated continuously during a period corresponding to the first section, and second index information in a second section within the second area of each of the predetermined number of continuous tracks, the second index information including track data indicative of relation to a specific track among the predetermined number of continuous tracks.