Abstract: In the event that a chapter setting mode is effective, for example, when pausing takes place at a time (t1) during reproduction, a chapter (c1) is set to the location of the pause. When a commercial then appears at a time (t2) and a skip commercial operation takes place, a chapter (c2) is set to the location where the skipping starts. When the commercial skipping then ends at a time (t3), a chapter (c3) is set to the location where the skipping ends. When a fast forward operation takes place during reproduction at a time (t4), a chapter (c4) is set to the location where fast forwarding starts. When a fast reverse operation occurs at a time (t5) and fast reversing takes place, a chapter (c5) passed through during the fast reversing is deleted. When an operation to stop fast reversing then takes place, a chapter (c6) is set to the location where fast reversing ends.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus using an overwritable recording medium and chapter setting is mechanized is equipped with a recording unit that records play position information on the recording medium, the information indicating a play position of at least one timing selected from the timings when an operation is made for changing from a normal play action to a predetermined action except the normal play action, and when the predetermined action changes to the normal play action after that.