Abstract: Receiver circuits in serial lanes each generate a synchronous clock signal that is aligned with a master clock signal to allow synchronous transfer of data onto the master clock domain without corruption. A serial-to-parallel converter circuit in each receiver circuit converts a serial data signal into parallel data signals in response to one of the synchronous clock signals. Phase detection circuitry generates an indication of a phase shift based on a phase offset between the synchronous and master clock signals. A clock signal generation circuit provides an adjustment to a phase of the synchronous clock signal based on the indication of the phase shift. The serial-to-parallel converter circuit adjusts positions of bits indicated by the parallel data signals based on the adjustment to the phase of the synchronous clock signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information recording configuration that achieves both difficulty in reading and highly accurate reading. Highly confidential additional information such as encryption key is recorded in a groove signal. During recording of the additional information, a groove signal is recorded that has an amplitude offset setting commensurate with the bit value. During reading of the additional information, a signal R0 with no offset is estimated from a signal R1 read from the groove signal for a predetermined period, after which a difference signal C=R1?R0 is calculated and integrated for each of the predetermined periods so as to determine the direction of the amplitude offset for each period. This process achieves recording and reproduction of additional information that offers enhanced difficulty in reading and highly accurate reading at the same time.

Abstract: Information unique on a group basis is allowed to be efficiently added to a recording medium in which read-only contents data is recorded. Master data (cutting master) having a data structure in which data to be replaced is managed by a file system as data to be arranged in a specific folder or a specific file is produced by authoring. In manufacturing of a recording medium master disc through premastering and mastering using the master data, replacement data unique to each group is prepared, and the data to be replaced is replaced with the replacement data to perform the mastering (master disc exposure). Then, a stamper is produced from the produced master disc, and recording media is mass-produced by using the stamper. In other words, the replacement data are changed on the group basis to allow the recording media in which the replacement data (such as GP1 and GP2) unique to each group is recorded as read-only data to be manufactured, as recording media containing the same content.

Abstract: A header region evaluation circuit includes a difference signal detection unit that detects a difference signal proportional to a difference in amounts of received light from an optical disc, a high pass filter that switches a plurality of cutoff frequencies according to a passband control signal, removes a low frequency component from the difference signal, and generates a difference signal HPF output, a waveform shaping unit that generates a shaping signal to convert the difference signal HPF output into a pulse, and a physical header detection sequencer that generates a groove detection signal for evaluating whether the physical header region is either one of a groove and an inter-groove and generates a passband control signal for controlling the cutoff frequency to be reduced for a difference signal corresponding to at least a part of the physical header region.

Abstract: Information unique on a group basis is allowed to be efficiently added to a recording medium in which read-only contents data is recorded. Master data (cutting master) having a data structure in which data to be replaced is managed by a file system as data to be arranged in a specific folder or a specific file is produced by authoring. In manufacturing of a recording medium master disc through premastering and mastering using the master data, replacement data unique to each group is prepared, and the data to be replaced is replaced with the replacement data to perform the mastering (master disc exposure). Then, a stamper is produced from the produced master disc, and recording media is mass-produced by using the stamper. In other words, the replacement data are changed on the group basis to allow the recording media in which the replacement data (such as GP1 and GP2) unique to each group is recorded as read-only data to be manufactured, as recording media containing the same content.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk barcode forming method wherein, as information to be barcoded, position information for piracy prevention, which is a form of ID, is coded as a barcode and is recorded by laser trimming on a reflective film in a PCA area of an optical disk. When playing back the thus manufactured optical disk on a reproduction apparatus, the barcode data can be played back using the same optical pickup.

Abstract: An offset corrector of an information readout apparatus receives a digital signal DRF output from an A/D converter, and performs offset correction. The offset corrector is capable of switching between a level-correction operation that corrects the offset so that the DC level of the shortest period signal included in the readout signal assumes a zero amplitude reference and a HPF operation that matches the level of the readout signal with the zero amplitude reference. The offset corrector corrects the offset in the level correction operation during a normal reproduction, and switches to the HPF operation for offset correction when a defect judgment unit detects a defective area. The information readout apparatus is stable and has a superior performance without a symmetry deviation if there occurs a waveform fluctuation caused by a defect etc.

Abstract: A method for recording information which cannot be easily copied on a BCA is provided so as to prevent pirated copies from being made. The BCA recording device for optical discs records, on the BCA on an optical disc, identifying information unique to the optical disc. The BCA recording device is provided with: a BCA data generating section which generates BCA mark signals and BCA code signals which indicate the identifying information; a BCA mark generating section which, based on the BCA mark signals, generates BCA marks by recording marks on the recording film in the BCA on the optical disc, thereby partially changing the reflectance of the recording film; and a BCA code generating section which, based on the BCA code signals, generates BCA codes by partially removing the recording film on the BCA.

Abstract: An information detection device includes an equalizer that equalizes the readout signal to a PR channel having equalization target levels of four or more values, and a Viterbi detector. The Viterbi detector generates branch metrics with the equalization target levels as reference levels to determine recording data from an output of the equalizer. The Viterbi detector has a mode of generating the branch metrics and determining the recording data by limiting at least one out of a maximum value and a minimum value of the equalization target levels.

Abstract: An information recording device can record a plurality of pieces of recording information, for instance, at different times, in an information recording medium provided by stacking first and second recording layers. A writing control element controls a writing element so that each piece of the information can be written over the first recording layer to the second recording layer. Furthermore, a boundary control member controls the writing element so that first boundary information is written in a recording area which is to be a boundary between the pieces of information in the first recording layer, and that second boundary information is written or ensured, in a recording area of a second recording layer which overlaps the recording area wherein the first boundary information of the first recording layer is written, as a recording area to be a boundary between the pieces of information in the second recording layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk barcode forming method wherein, as information to be barcoded, position information for piracy prevention, which is a form of ID, is coded as a barcode and is recorded by laser trimming on a reflective film in a PCA area of an optical disk. When playing back the thus manufactured optical disk on a reproduction apparatus, the barcode data can be played back using the same optical pickup.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc and a recording medium employing the method. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in n.xy form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: A data writing device for preventing a phase-change optical disc from deteriorating due to repeated writing and for preventing the rewritable number of times of the disc from decreasing. The device writes data including synchronization frames to the disc. Each synchronization frame includes a primary or secondary synchronization signal. A comparator compares a first accumulated DSV for specifying the data including the primary synchronization signal for the synchronization frame with a second accumulated DSV for specifying the recording data including the secondary synchronization signal for the synchronization frame and generates a first selection signal based on the comparison. An inverter randomly inverts the first selection signal to generate a second selection signal. A selection circuit receives the primary and secondary synchronization signals and outputs the primary or secondary synchronization signal in response to the second selection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for light spot servo signal detection for reading an optical recording medium having a plurality of non-writable areas between writable data areas containing address information. An optical pickup provides a light spot to the non-writable areas of the optical recording medium with a predetermined state according to a control signal, and detects optical reflecting signals from the optical recording medium to generate a detection signal. A signal adjusting module offsets signal levels of the detection signal to an operating range to generate an offset shifted detection signal. An analog to digital converter digitizes the offset shifted detection signal to generate a digital signal. A detection circuit detects the servo detection signal according to the digital signal.

Abstract: An optical disc and a method and apparatus for recording digital data streams and management information on the disc, are provided. The method includes recording a digital data stream including at least one predetermined-sized unit, each unit carrying header information and at least one packet, the header information being represented in at least one header entry, selectively appending an additional header entry based on whether a number of the at least one header entry corresponds to a number of the at least one packet, and recording an indication information that indicates whether or not the additional header entry is appended.

Abstract: An address information modulation method includes using a first characteristic of a first modulation method and a second characteristic of a second modulation method to modulate address information and/or additional information. Accordingly, a data amount of information, to access a disc, in a predetermined space of the disc is increased, and the modulated information is formed in a form of a wobble signal in a track. Here, the first characteristic of the first modulation method can be physical location information of an MSK-modulated signal, and the second characteristic of the second modulation method can be sign information of a second harmonic wave obtained by an HMW modulation, which synthesizes a cosine function of a basic frequency of a wobble signal with a sine function having a frequency that is a multiple of the basic frequency of the wobble signal.

Abstract: An optical disc driving apparatus and a land pre-pit detection method are provided for defining determination factors which have an effect on land pre-pit signal detection efficiency. The optical disc driving apparatus comprises an RF processing unit for forming a push-pull signal from an electrical signal acquired through an optical disc; and a control unit for arranging a representative value of determination factors for forming the push-pull signal and testing an error with respect to a land pre-pit (LPP) signal detected from the push-pull signal. As a result, the optical disc driving apparatus is capable of decreasing time for determining the optimal balance level and slice level, and applying the optimal balance level and slice level to the optical disc driving apparatus which operates in real time by defining representative values of each zone according to size of a balance level and a slice level.

Abstract: A recording medium is disclosed. In the recording medium, address information is recorded in advance, one bit of the address information recorded is represented by a modulated wobble signal obtained by modulating each of a predetermined number of modulation unit sections of a wobble waveform, and a groove is formed in association with the modulated wobble signal, wherein, in converting the one bit of the address information into a chip sequence in which a predetermined number of chips continue, the modulated wobble signal is adapted such that a code sequence is inverted when the one bit is a first value and is not inverted when the one bit is a second value, and the modulated wobble signal is generated by modulating a wobble waveform in a modulation unit section according to a value of each of the chips of the chip sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling an application to cooperate with the running of a program. According to the invention, the playing control information of a program and the linking information of an application corresponding to the program are edited into a program playing control file. Through executing said playing control file, guided by the linking information and based on the running control information of the application, the application can download, run or stop to run cooperating with the playing of the optical disc program. The Solution of combining an application and a program into a playing control file will effectively cause the downloading and running of the application to cooperate with the playing of the program so as to ensure normal realization of corresponding functions.

Abstract: A pre-pit signal generating device includes: a first slicer for generating a sliced signal corresponding to a push-pull signal based on a first reference level; a duty ratio controller coupled to the first slicer for adjusting the first reference level or the push-pull signal to control a duty ratio of the sliced signal to a predetermined ratio; a reference level generator coupled to the duty ratio controller for generating a second reference level corresponding to the first reference level; and a second slicer coupled to the reference level generator for generating a first pre-pit signal corresponding to the push-pull signal based on the second reference level.

Abstract: After a playback RF signal 3 detected from an optical disc medium 1 is waveform-shaped, it is converted into a digital RF signal 6 with a sampling clock 8 having a cycle twice as long as a channel clock. Thereafter, a first offset correction circuit 9 corrects an offset fluctuation in a high frequency band, and a digital adaptive equalizer 23 performs adaptive equalization, and then a second offset correction circuit 27 corrects an offset component that remains after the offset correction by the first offset correction circuit 9, thereby demodulating a digital binary signal 37. Therefore, even when high-speed playback is carried out and an asymmetry depending on the recording quality is large, a reduction in power consumption can be realized while maintaining high-performance playback. Consequently, it is possible to provide an optical disc playback apparatus which can realize sufficient playback performance at low power consumption.

Abstract: An information storage medium that includes a lead-in area, a user data area, and a lead-out area. Information about whether the information storage medium is compatible with a drive following an older version of standards is recorded in at least one of the lead-in and lead-out areas. Accordingly, the recording performance thereof is improved, and a drive following an older version of standards can record data on or reproduce data from a newer version of an information storage medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of configuring and recording control information on an optical disc, thereby enabling to facilitate to utilize the specified control information and to efficiently cope with the recording/reproducing of the optical discs. In configuring a control information within a disc management area of a read-only or recordable disc, the present invention includes configuring the control information with a common field recording an information commonly applied to both of the read-only and recordable discs and a specific field recording an information failing to be commonly applied to at least one disc type.

Abstract: A device for recording information on CDRs or other recording media and printing file information for observing what is recorded thereon. The information may be medical images such as x-rays, cat scans, magnetic resonance images, or sonograms. The discs can have patient names and other information selected from information stored thereon, printed on the disc as well as logos for the hospital, service provider or trademarks. The discs can be automatically loaded into the recorder and printer. The fields of information or logos printed on the discs can be changed to suit the user. A database creates and updates a directory of patient files so the discs can be located and the images thereon viewed for each patient. The discs have software allowing the computer to view the images on the disc so that a personal computer not having imaging software can operate the disc. The image information can be downloaded from a remote imaging machine for storage.

Abstract: A device for recording information on CDRs or other recording media and printing file information for observing what is recorded thereon. The information may be medical images such as x-rays, cat scans, magnetic resonance images, or sonograms. The discs can have patient names and other information selected from information stored thereon, printed on the disc as well as logos for the hospital, service provider or trademarks. The discs can be automatically loaded into the recorder and printer. The fields of information or logos printed on the discs can be changed to suit the user. A database creates and updates a directory of patient files so the discs can be located and the images thereon viewed for each patient. The discs have software allowing the computer to view the images on the disc so that a personal computer not having imaging software can operate the disc. The image information can be downloaded from a remote imaging machine for storage.

Abstract: This specification discloses a recordable optical recording medium containing preinstalled information, the method of reading the preinstalled information, and the circuit thereof. The recordable optical recording medium containing preinstalled information is a substrate with a spiral pregroove. Microscopically, the pregroove has regular wiggles. They are featured in containing a first waveform, a second waveform, and a third waveform with the same fundamental wave cycle. The duty cycle of the first waveform is 1. The duty cycles of the second and third waveforms are distinct. The combinations of these duty cycles are used to record the preinstalled information. Moreover, the invention discloses a method and circuit of reading the preinstalled information. After obtaining the wobble signals, the method further takes the steps of phase corrections, integrations, and resetting to more accurately obtain the preinstalled information.

Abstract: Conventionally, as in the case of switching between a DVD-R and a DVD-RAM, when the method of record mark arrangement in a track is changed, the physical format of the disk is also changed. This makes it difficult to ensure compatibility between pieces of data recorded by a plurality of different methods of record mark arrangement. According to the present invention, sector address data and block address data are recorded in each sector by using wobbling or deformation of a recording groove. Then, depending on which address is used, sector data structure is modified, thereby making it possible to select an address data detection and a data structure on a disk in a single physical format depending on the purpose.

Abstract: A method of detecting address information for an optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus, including: detecting and/or correcting by using the characteristic of a medium when additional data has a specific value with respect to an area of the medium among address area data on the medium, and/or the characteristic of an address that the address increases by specified unit, an error in detected address area data and outputting the result of error detection and/or correction; and providing optimal address information by using the result of the error detection and/or correction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus extract information from a burst cutting area (BCA) of a recording medium. The BCA extraction includes (a) receiving a signal from the recording medium, the signal including BCA data read from the BCA, the BCA data being represented by channel symbols, (b) analog-to-digital (A/D) sampling the signal to generate input data, (c) identifying a BCA region within the input data, the BCA region corresponding to the BCA data, (d) determining an average channel symbol width of the BCA data, the average channel symbol width corresponding to an average number of A/D samples per channel symbol in the BCA data, (e) increasing a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the BCA data using the average channel symbol width, (f) generating a channel pattern data from the BCA data using a selected threshold value, and (g) generating a channel symbol data from the channel pattern data using the average channel symbol width.

Abstract: A data slice signal generation method of an optical disk drive, which uses a disk including header areas and data areas of different materials, includes the following steps. First, a data slice signal is generated according to the RF signal read by the optical pickup head of the optical disk drive, and the data slice values, reflecting the central levels of the RF signal, of the data slice signal at the beginnings of the header area and data area are preset. Secondly, when the optical pickup head of the optical disk drive enters a header area or a data area, the data slice signal takes the preset data slice value of the header area or data area, respectively. Then, the data slice signal is adjusted to approach the central levels of the waves of the RF signal by one wave after another.

Abstract: An evaluation method for calculating an identification signal by using PRML, comprises a table storing true patterns and ideal signals thereof, false patterns corresponding to the true patterns and ideal signals thereof, and Euclidean distance between the true pattern and the false pattern, a calculating unit, when a recording signal synchronized with an identification signal coincides with any pattern of the table, calculates a distance between Euclidean distance between the ideal signal of the true pattern and a reproduction signal and Euclidean distance between the ideal signal of the false pattern and a reproduction signal, and an evaluation unit which evaluates an identification signal by using an average and standard deviation of difference. A table for patterns is created for a likely mistaken pattern, whereby calculating an evaluation value with high precision, of a signal quality, with a small amount of calculation.

Abstract: A method for searching for at least one recordable area in which real time data can be recorded from at least one empty area included in an information recording medium includes a first step of setting at least one of a starting end and a terminating end of the section so as to match at least one of a starting end and a terminating end of at least one empty area, and determining whether or not the section fulfills an unused area condition regarding the size and the number; and a second step of determining at least one empty area, included in an area on an information recording medium including at least one section fulfilling the unused area condition, as a recordable area in which real time data can be recorded.

Abstract: An optical disc medium comprises a track groove, along which main information is recorded. The track groove is divided into a plurality of blocks. The plurality of blocks each include a plurality of frames. The plurality of frames each include one shape of wobbles indicating sub information, among a plurality of prescribed shapes of wobbles. The plurality of blocks each have address information. The address information is represented by a string of at least one piece of sub information represented by the shape of wobbles of at least one of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: An optical recording medium storing information for regarding data in the current sector as data in a linking loss area, and an apparatus and method providing linking data. The data link method includes dividing an error correction code block having a predetermined size into a plurality of sectors and checking data type identification information which indicates whether or not data in each sector is linking data; and replacing main data of a sector with predetermined data according to the result of checking the data type identification information. According to the above method, data type information is checked to determine whether or not to replace main data of the current sector with dummy data. By doing so, error occurrence of the prior art can be prevented and block error correction is carried out more effectively.

Abstract: An optical disk device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an irradiating unit irradiating an optical disk with laser light; a photodetector split into at least two along a track direction of the optical disk and converting return light from the optical disk into an electric signal to output a detection signal; and a reproduction signal generating unit generating an RF signal based on the detection signal from the photodetector. The reproduction signal generating unit generates an RF signal in a header portion based on a detection signal from one of the at least two photodetectors split along the track direction or a detection signal from the other photodetector. An RF signal in a data portion is generated based on all of detection signals from the photodetector.

Abstract: An optical disc medium comprises a track groove, along which main information is recorded. The track groove is divided into a plurality of blocks. The plurality of blocks each include a plurality of frames. The plurality of frames each include one shape of wobbles indicating sub information, among a plurality of prescribed shapes of wobbles. The plurality of blocks each have address information. The address information is represented by a string of at least one piece of sub information represented by the shape of wobbles of at least one of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: An optical disc medium comprises a track groove, along which main information is recorded. The track groove is divided into a plurality of blocks. The plurality of blocks each include a plurality of frames. The plurality of frames each include one shape of wobbles indicating sub information, among a plurality of prescribed shapes of wobbles. The plurality of blocks each have address information. The address information is represented by a string of at least one piece of sub information represented by the shape of wobbles of at least one of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: A protecting device installed in an optical storage system for protecting a plurality of physical identification data synchronous signals includes a synchronous pattern detecting device, a data synchronous signal insertion device for adding the amount of data synchronous signals to a first predetermined number, a counting/reloading device for sequentially counting the first predetermined number of data synchronous signals and an additional second predetermined number of data synchronous signals, a PID window generator for generating a plurality of protecting windows respectively corresponding to the plurality of physical identification data synchronous signals while the counting/reloading device is counting the second predetermined number of data synchronous signals, and a PID synchronous signal protection device for protecting the plurality of physical identification data synchronous signals according to the plurality of protecting windows.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of determining a recording location of a high-density recording medium. The present method determines a targeted recording location on a high-density rewritable or read-only recording medium based on successively-detected frame syncs or their combination that includes at least one frame sync written after the targeted recording location.

Abstract: Conventionally, as in the case of switching between a DVD-R and a DVD-RAM, when the method of record mark arrangement in a track is changed, the physical format of the disk is also changed. This makes it difficult to ensure compatibility between pieces of data recorded by a plurality of different methods of record mark arrangement. According to the present invention, sector address data and block address data are recorded in each sector by using wobbling or deformation of a recording groove. Then, depending on which address is used, sector data structure is modified, thereby making it possible to select an address data detection and a data structure on a disk in a single physical format depending on the purpose.

Abstract: A method for decoding encoded data around a linking area on an optical storage medium includes: detecting at least one type of sync patterns within the encoded data; determining an offset value corresponding to the linking area according to the detected sync patterns; and decoding the encoded data according to the offset value for generating decoded data.

Abstract: An information storage medium according to an embodiment of this invention includes a management area for recording management information, and a data area for recording content data. The content data recorded in the data area contains a plurality of object data, each object data contains a plurality of data units, each data unit contains a plurality of packs, each pack contains at least one packet, the packet contains at least one transport stream packet, the management information recorded in the management area contains program chain information which manages the playback order of data contained in the object data, the program chain information contains cell information, and the cell information contains information that specifies an object to be played back.

Abstract: A wobble signal detecting circuit for optical disc system includes at least a sample-and-hold circuit for carrying out sample-holding steps on each of first and second photoelectric signals, and a high range frequency limiting circuit for removing frequency components equal to, or higher than, a predetermined cut-off frequency from the first and second photoelectric signals. By selectively enabling either the sample-and-hold circuit or high range frequency limiting circuit, depending on recording conditions during the period of recording information into an optical information recording medium, noise components which may unduly affect wobble signals can be removed efficiently, irrespective of recording conditions.

Abstract: A data storage medium which includes a link zone, an apparatus and a method of recording data, and an apparatus and a method of reproducing data. The data storage medium includes a plurality of ECC blocks in which user data are stored, and a plurality of link zones arranged among the ECC blocks so as to correspond to the ECC blocks, Additional information on the ECC blocks is recorded in the link zones.

Abstract: An optical disc medium compares a track groove, along which main information is recorded. The track groove is divided into a plurality of blocks. The plurality of blocks each include a plurality of frames. The plurality of frames each include one shape of wobbles indicating sub information, among a plurality of prescribed shapes of wobbles. The plurality of blocks each have address information. The address information is represented by a string of at least one piece of sub information represented by the shape of wobbles of at least one of the plurality of frames.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in either n.xy or n.x. form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in either n.xy or n.x. form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting pre-pit information is disclosed, including an optical pickup, an optical-detecting section, a difference-detecting circuit, a first peak-value detecting circuit, a filtering circuit, a second peak-value detecting circuit, a differential potential-dividing circuit, and a comparator.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in either n.xy or n.x. form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.

Abstract: An information storage medium according to an embodiment of this invention includes a management area for recording management information, and a data area for recording content data. The content data recorded in the data area contains a plurality of object data, each object data contains a plurality of data units, each data unit contains a plurality of packs, each pack contains at least one packet, the packet contains at least one transport stream packet, the management information recorded in the management area contains program chain information which manages the playback order of data contained in the object data, the program chain information contains cell information, and the cell information contains information that specifies an object to be played back.