A multimedia optical disk is provided. The multimedia optical disk includes
a data area for storing objects which include moving picture data and at
least one of audio data and sub-picture data. The multimedia optical disk
also includes an index area for storing reproduction orders of the
objects. Route information in the index area includes a sequence of
addresses of objects whose alignment represents a reproduction order.
Chain control information in the index area corresponds to the route
information. The chain control information, being effective in reproducing
objects specified by the alignment of the sequence of addresses (objects
specified by the alignment of the sequence of addresses are called a
chain), instructs the reproduction apparatus to have a navigation control
of the chain. A piece of moving picture data having a certain time period
is reproduced at the same timing as a piece of audio data and a piece of
sub-picture data. A piece of sub-control information, being effective in
reproducing moving picture data, sub-picture data, and audio data stored
in a small unit instructs the reproduction apparatus to have a navigation
control of the data stored in the same small unit.