To perform continuation of recording operation untile a finish time and reproducing operation of a recorded picture in parallel by performing reproduction of a recorded picture recording operation alternately and continuously before recording operation reaches a finish time.

This device is provided with signal recording and reproducing sections 2 and 3 as a signal recording and reproducing system. A control device 4 control the device so that after recording operation is started at a reservation time of start of recording, continuation of recording operation and reproduction of a recorded picture are performed till a finish time by indicating reproduction/ recording by a user only one time. Consequently, a recorded picture can be reproduced even before recording is finished.