In a digital VTR having a certain recording bit rate, within a range not higher than a remaining data rate after recording the bit stream, first HP data D1 is recorded in first specific regions, and second HP data D2 is recorded in second specific regions in specific tracks. In middle-speed and high-speed fast replay, the magnetic tape is transported continuously at a middle-speed or high-speed higher than the standard speed for normal replay, and the first HP data D1 is used in common, and at a low-speed fast replay of about twice the normal speed, the speed of the magnetic tape is alternated between a speed near the standard speed for normal replay, and a speed near the low-speed fast, and at the speed near the standard speed, the second HP data disposed in the second specific regions in the specific tracks and the first HP data disposed in the first specific regions in the specific tracks are both replayed.
This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/541,088, filed on Mar. 31, 2000, which is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 08/925,074 filed on sep. 8, 1997 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,649, published Jun. 27, 2000, which is a Rule 62 Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/417,107 filed Apr. 5, 1995, now abandoned and for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120; and this application claims priority of Application Nos. 6-99370, 6-102235, 6-102206, 6-107985, 6-121718, and 6-186036 all filed in Japan on Apr. 12, 1994, Apr. 14, 1994, Apr. 15, 1994, Apr. 21, 1994, May 10, 1994, and Aug. 8, 1994, respectively, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119; the entire contents of all are hereby incorporated by reference.
