Data recording and/or reproducing apparatus and method for detecting sector defects

摘要

A method for detecting a defective sector on a recording medium in a method for recording and/or reproducing data for the signal recording medium. A read gate is opened to reproduce data from a data field at a pre-set timing derived from a timing reference signal obtained on detecting a servo timing mark recorded in a servo field. If the timing reference signal has not been detected with success, the read gate is opened at a timing obtained based on a detection signal of a previously detected servo timing mark to reproduce the data from the data field. In detecting the defective sector, the state of deviation between the timing of opening the read gate and the data field is detected to detect the defective sector of the disc.