Recording apparatus and method for recording information on a record carrier in the form of contiguous pit-marks

A recording apparatus for recording channel symbols of a channel data stream on a record carrier (50), said apparatus being adapted for recording said channel symbols as a channel band (cb) of at least two symbol rows (sr) one-dimensionally evolving along a first direction (t) and aligned with each other along a second direction (r), said two directions constituting a two-dimensional lattice of symbol cells (sc) each being associated with a symbol area (sa) of the record carrier (50). To reduce the occurrence of leading and trailing edges of pit-marks in the recorded channel band, and in order to be able to write a small radial extent in said second direction in view of limiting cross-write effects, it is proposed to record a channel symbols in the form of a mark area (rpm) having a longitudial shape of a length in said first direction (1) substantially equal to the length of a symbol area (sa) in said first direction (t) and of a width in said second direction (r) being smaller than the width of a symbol area (sa) in said second direction (sa).