PURPOSE: To start writing from a position on a disc by forming data of the write starting time based on the previously obtained ATIP data or subcode data when a predicting ATIP generatirng means or a predicting subcode means detects the abnormality of the demodulated ATIP data or subcode data.

CONSTITUTION: When recording of data to an optical disc is to be started, data is started to be written to a write/read device 5 by a controlling circuit 6 only when an ATIP synchronizing signal agrees with a subcode synchronizing signal. If a synchronization disagreement signal is output from a synchronization loss detecting circuit 2 after recording of data is started, the circuit 6 stops writing of data to the device 5. In other words, the circuit, 6 permits writing to the device 5 on tone condition that an abnormal signal is not supplied from a tracking/focusing loss detecting circuit 4 and the circuit 2 before writing of data to an optical disc is started. Even if the ATIP data demodulated by an ATIP demodulation circuit 7 is abnormal, writing is started on the basis of a predecting time signal from arm increment circuit 9 for the abnormal occasion.