Abstract: An optical disk includes a first area on which user information is recorded, and a second area in which a plurality of marks radially extending are arranged in a track direction in the optical disk. Information about the reflectance of the optical disk is recorded in the second area. It is intended to optimize the amplification factor of the reproduced signal on the basis of the information about the reflectance of the optical disk in the second area. Control data and user data can be reproduced quickly and highly reliably without depending on the relationship between the reflectances of a recording area and a non-recorded area of the optical disk.

Abstract: A write-once optical disc and a method and apparatus for recording management information of the write-once optical disc, are provided. The method includes closing an opened session by closing all opened sequential recording-units of the opened session, opening a new session having a new sequential recording-unit, and recording session start information on the recording medium. The session start information indicates whether or not the new sequential recording-unit is a start of the new session.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the method of recording data on a recording medium, a next recordable position of a recording range is notified to a host. A replacement for data requested to be recorded is performed at a first area of the recording range by recording sequentially the data requested onto a second area starting from the next recordable position instead of the first area. The first area has recorded data and the second area does not have recorded data. A management information entry is recorded onto a temporary defect management area of the recording medium. The management information entry indicates the first and second areas and includes first and second status indicators indicating a status of the management information entry. The first status indicator indicates that the replacement is performed and the second status indicator indicates a type of the replacement.

Abstract: An information recording medium and a recording and/or reproducing apparatus and method used to guarantee reproduction compatibility in consideration of the fact that content distribution may be performed according to various business models includes a management information zone in which management information is recorded, wherein the management information indicates an intended type of use of the information recording medium.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes a lead-in area and a data area for storing contents information. The lead-in area includes a first lead-in information area and a second lead-in information area. The first lead-in information area corresponds to a first playback mode. The second lead-in information area corresponds to a second playback mode different from the first playback mode. The first lead-in information area has a first depth and is designed for storing lead-in information related to the contents information stored in the data area. The second lead-in information area includes pre-pits having a second depth greater than the first depth. The pre-pits represent predetermined information, such as information of copyright protection, related to the contents information stored in the data area.

Abstract: The invention discloses an optical recording drive for recording data on an optical carrier such as an optical disk of the DVD or BD format. A radiation source is arranged to emit a write pulse train (80) for writing an optically detectable effect (90) i.e. a pit or mark. Photo detection means (10) detects a first reflected radiation beam pulse (R1) from a start time portion of the write pulse train (80) and generates a corresponding first signal (PS1) indicative of the power in the first pulse, the photo detection means (10) further detects a second reflected radiation pulse (R2) from an end time portion of the write pulse train (80) and generates a corresponding second signal (PS2) indicative of the power in the second pulse. By comparing (e.g.

Abstract: When playback of a recording medium, which stores content data that is only allowed to be played back for a limited number of times, is forcibly terminated due to a scratch on the recording medium, the playback of the content data residing at a subsequent location that follows a location having the scratch is performed without the number of playbacks being counted, and without a particular operation such as skip. Upon the playback after the forced termination, an address of an optical disk at which the playback was performed at the time of the forced termination is stored in a RAM unit. The address stored in the RAM unit is read out, and the content data residing at a subsequent address that follows the read address in terms of a predetermined number of addresses is played back.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To reduce the number of recording condition adjustment steps before information recording, simplify the recording condition adjustment procedure, and perform stable and accurate recoding condition adjustment of an information recording medium. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] When recording information on a recording medium, the recording condition is optimized. Next, under the optimized recording condition, a signal is recorded in a prescribed area of the information recording medium. Next, by using the signal recorded under the optimized recording condition, a part of the recording condition for the next and later is adjusted. Thus, a part of the recording condition is adjusted by using the signal recorded under the optimized recording condition and accordingly, it is possible to rapidly perform the recording condition adjustment before information recording.