Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus includes a recording medium storing information. Buffer memories are assigned to channels respectively. Detection is made as to a size of an unoccupied area in each of the buffer memories. Pieces of the information are sequentially read out from the recording medium, and are distributed to the buffer memories and are written thereinto at first rates on a time-division basis. The pieces of the information are sequentially and continuously read out from the buffer memories in parallel at a second rate lower than the first rates. A piece of the information is permitted to be read out from the recording medium and to be written into one of the buffer memories when the detected size relating to the buffer memory is equal to or greater than a predetermined size.

Abstract: A multi-channel information item selection apparatus for outputting selected items when requested, has a plurality of frequently-requested information items, such as items of music, moving or still pictures, etc., stored in a first storage apparatus having a relatively high read-out speed, and a plurality of less frequently requested items stored in a second storage apparatus having a relatively low read-out speed, e.g. an appropriate speed for subsequent audio or video reproduction processing of the items. Items that are read out from the first storage apparatus are temporarily loaded into regions of a buffer memory at high speed and thereafter read out at the lower speed via a switch circuit to the respective requesting locations, so that a plurality of frequently-requested items can be simultaneously read out in parallel from the buffer memory. Items read out from the second storage apparatus are transferred directly through the switch circuit to the requesting locations.