Abstract: An apparatus for recording a digital information signal in the form of an information file on a record carrier includes input apparatus for receiving the digital information signal, processing apparatus for processing the digital information signal into an information file, and writing apparatus for writing the information file on the record carrier in sections having a predetermined memory size. The apparatus further includes apparatus for generating characteristic point information (CPI) for inclusion in a CPI sequence. The characteristic point information identifies a characteristic point in the information file. The CPI sequence is formatted and CPI information for several CPI sequences is shared.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, for recording an information signal in at least one track on a record carrier. The information signal comprises packets (P.sub.i) that may occur irregularly as a function of time in the serial datastream of the information signal. The apparatus comprises an input terminal for receiving the information signal, a channel encoding unit for channel encoding the information signal into a channel encoded information signal and a writing unit for writing the channel encoded information signal in said at least one track on the record carrier. The channel encoded information signal comprises frames of information. A frame of information may be recorded in a group of n subsequent tracks (Tr0 to Tr11), when the recording apparatus is a recording apparatus of the helical scan type, where n is an integer larger than 1. The apparatus further comprises a time stamp generator unit for generating time stamps (TS.sub.