A method and apparatus for recording moving picture data encoded using a prediction encoding system, in which the playback control information is recorded along with moving picture data encoded using the MPEG system. The playback control information includes the information specifying a program decoding starting picture and a display starting picture and the information specifying the program decoding terminating picture and a display terminating picture. During reproduction, the playback control information is first read out and moving picture data are decoded based on this information. This enables seamless reproduction from a pre-skipping picture to a post-skipping picture.