PURPOSE: To output continuously a reproduced image by decoding the fault state compression image data in the recording medium so as to minimize a defect when decoding of the normal state compressed image data is disabled.

CONSTITUTION: On the occurrence of an error in the case of decoding by a decoder 4R (4L), for example, an arithmetic error, a control signal aR (aL) is outputted to a system controller 3 to inform the occurrence of the error. The system controller 3 receives the control signal aR (aL) and outputs a control signal bR (bL) to the decoder 4R (4L) when an erroneous image is an I or P picture to command interruption of decoding and initialization to an internal register and a buffer memory 6R (6L). Then the system controller 3 outputs fault state compression image data and the control signal bR (bL) for decoding start recorded in a recording medium 1 to the decoder 4R (4L).