A VCR and optical disk composite medium reproducing apparatus include a key input unit for outputting a command signal upon receiving a user's selection command on an operation mode, and a controller that preferably directly selects a reproducing operation according to a new medium insertion and can output a control signal if the new reproducing medium is inserted while one medium is being reproduced in a DVD unit or in a VCR unit corresponding to the command signal of the key input unit. In such a composite medium recording apparatus and method for using same, the medium can be reproduced effectively and conveniently.