Video data recording apparatus and method, and video data reproducing apparatus and method

1. A video data recording apparatus comprising:

means for dividing video data into at least three portions and sequentially recording the video data portions on at least three recording mediums respectively, the recording mediums being removable;

means for setting IDs of the respective recording mediums, and IDs of the respective video data portions;

means for recording, on first one among the recording mediums, the ID of the first recording medium, the ID of first one among the video data portions which is recorded on the first recording medium, the ID of second one among the recording mediums which follows the first recording medium, and the ID of second one among the video data portions which is recorded on the second recording medium;

means for recording, on last one among the recording mediums, the ID of the last recording medium, the ID of last one among the video data portions which is recorded on the last recording medium, the ID of second last one among the recording mediums which precedes the last recording medium, and the ID of second last one among the video data portions which is recorded on the second last recording medium;

wherein the ID of third one among the recording mediums which follows the second recording medium and the ID of third one among the video data portions which is recorded on the third recording medium are not recorded on the first recording medium, and the ID of third last one among the recording mediums which precedes the second last recording medium and the ID of third last one among the video data portions which is recorded on the third last recording medium are not recorded on the last recording medium;

the video data recording apparatus further comprising

means for assigning playback order numbers to the video data portions respectively;

means for generating information pieces indicative of the assigned playback order numbers respectively; and

means for recording the information pieces indicative of the assigned playback order numbers on the recording mediums respectively.

2. A video data recording apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising means for recording, on intermediate one among the recording mediums, the ID of the intermediate recording medium, the ID of intermediate one among the video data portions which is recorded on the intermediate recording medium, the ID of preceding one among the recording mediums which precedes the intermediate recording medium, the ID of preceding one among the video data portions which is recorded on the preceding recording medium, the ID of following one among the recording mediums which follows the intermediate recording medium, and the ID of following one among the video data portions which is recorded on the following recording medium.

3. A video data recording apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising means for setting an ID of the video data, and means for recording the ID of the video data on each of the recording mediums on which the video data portions are recorded respectively.

4. A video data recording apparatus as recited in claim 2 , further comprising means for generating a signal indicative of a representative of pictures represented by each of the video data portions and setting an ID of the generated representative picture signal, and means for recording, on the intermediate recording medium, the representative picture signal for the video data portion recorded on the preceding recording medium, the ID of the representative picture signal for the video data portion recorded on the preceding recording medium, the representative picture signal for the video data portion recorded on the following recording medium, and the ID of the representative picture signal for the video data portion recorded on the following recording medium.

5. A method of recording video data on at least three recording mediums, comprising the steps of:

dividing the video data into at least three portions and sequentially recording the video data portions on the recording mediums respectively, the recording mediums being removable;

setting IDs of the respective recording mediums, and IDs of the respective video data portions;

recording, on first one among the recording mediums, the ID of the first recording medium, the ID of first one among the video data portions which is recorded on the first recording medium, the ID of second one among the recording mediums which follows the first recording medium, and the ID of second one among the video data portions which is recorded on the second recording medium; and

recording, on last one among the recording mediums, the ID of the last recording medium, the ID of last one among the video data portions which is recorded on the last recording medium, the ID of second last one among the recording mediums which precedes the last recording medium, and the ID of second last one among the video data portions which is recorded on the second last recording medium;

wherein the ID of third one among the recording mediums which follows the second recording medium and the ID of third one among the video data portions which is recorded on the third recording medium are not recorded on the first recording medium, and the ID of third last one among the recording mediums which precedes the second last recording medium and the ID of third last one among the video data portions which is recorded on the third last recording medium are not recorded on the last recording medium;

the method further comprising the steps of

assigning playback order numbers to the video data portions respectively;

generating information pieces indicative of the assigned playback order numbers respectively; and

recording the information pieces indicative of the assigned playback order numbers on the recording mediums respectively.