PURPOSE: To attain retrieval by a shrinked picture by sampling a picture signal in an equal picture element interval so as to split the signal into N blocks and constituting the device that the signal is recorded onto a recording medium possible for random access.

CONSTITUTION: In splitting an original picture A into, e.g., four blocks and recording them, the original picture image A is split into small blocks comprising four picture elements 1∼4 at first. Then picture elements of the same number are collected from each small block so as to constitute blocks A1∼A4. That is, the same signal as the original picture signal shrinked into 1/4 is obtained. The picture signal obtained in this way is recorded to the recording medium possible for random access at each block. In reproducing the picture signal from the signal recorded in this way, when the blocks, e.g., A1∼A4 are all reproduced, the original picture signal A is reproduced completely. In reproducing only the block A1 on the other hand, the picture signal shrinked into 1/4 is reproduced.