When the head of a data pack that can be a start point of consecutive
recording is included in an ECC (error correcting code) bank, data
indicating this is set in an ECCTB (error correctly code two-B picture).
When the head of a data pack that can be a start point of consecutive
recording is not included in the ECC bank, data indicating this is set in
the ECCTB. Thus, when performing consecutive recording, a recording
apparatus refers to contents of the ECCTBs to detect a consecutive
recording start, thereby allowing selection of the point closest to a
point where a user desires to start consecutive recording, and the user
starts the consecutive recording at the detected point.