A method and circuit for providing a playback signal which is compensated for time delay. The circuit includes a time delay compensator for detecting a time difference between outputs of a photodetector and temporally matching part of the outputs of the photodetector and another part of the outputs of the photodetector, between which the time difference occurs, to compensate for time delay between different outputs of the photodetector, and an operational unit for summing the part of the outputs of the photodetector, which is compensated for the time delay, and the other part of the outputs of the photodetector to provide a playback signal. Accordingly, the circuit compensates for the time delay between the outputs of the photodetector, thereby increasing the degree of modulation of the data playback signal. In addition, the circuit maximumly suppresses the distortion or degradation of the signal and minimizes the occurrence of errors in the playback signal, thereby improving the reliability of the playback signal.
