Abstract: A recording apparatus performs recording on an optical disc recording medium which has a plurality of recording layers and is capable of having data rewritten thereon. The recording apparatus includes recording means for performing data recording on each recording layer of the recording medium and recording controlling means for controlling the recording means so that, among the plurality of recording layers, recording of dummy data is performed preferentially starting from a recording layer intended for the final user data recording operation.

Abstract: In a rewritable recording medium, in which the opposite track path is adopted, having a plurality of recording layers, the confirmation of the formation of a middle area is made to be faster and easier. Within a predetermined management information area (e.g., lead-in) of a disc, intermediate-area management information (middle status) indicating whether or not a guard intermediate area (middle area) whose one end is the inter-layer transition position (inter-layer loopback address) which is determined according to the recording of user data is recorded. As a result, it is possible for a recording and reproduction apparatus to determine whether or not the middle area needs to be formed on the basis of the value of the intermediate-area management information.

Abstract: A recording apparatus performs recording on an optical disc recording medium which has a plurality of recording layers and is capable of having data rewritten thereon. The recording apparatus includes recording means for performing data recording on each recording layer of the recording medium and recording controlling means for controlling the recording means so that, among the plurality of recording layers, recording of dummy data is performed preferentially starting from a recording layer intended for the final user data recording operation.

Abstract: In a rewritable recording medium, in which the opposite track path is adopted, having a plurality of recording layers, the confirmation of the formation of a middle area is made to be faster and easier. Within a predetermined management information area (e.g., lead-in) of a disc, intermediate-area management information (middle status) indicating whether or not a guard intermediate area (middle area) whose one end is the inter-layer transition position (inter-layer loopback address) which is determined according to the recording of user data is recorded. As a result, it is possible for a recording and reproduction apparatus to determine whether or not the middle area needs to be formed on the basis of the value of the intermediate-area management information.