DISK UNIT AND METHOD FOR REPRODUCING DISK

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a disk unit capable of starting an audio signal output or the like in a short period of time when reproduction start is instructed, and a method for reproducing a disk. SOLUTION: The disk unit comprises: means 103 to 106 for executing intermittent reproduction by intermittently reading out data from a disk 1 in which data including an audio signal or the like are recorded; a buffer memory 107 where the storage operation of data reading out by the intermittent reproduction done by the foregoing means is controlled based on a first threshold value corresponding to data volume for stopping the storage of the data and a second threshold value corresponding to data volume for re-starting the storage of the data; and a signal output means 130 continuously outputting the audio signal or the like based on the data stored in the buffer memory 107. In controlling the storage operation of the buffer memory 107, the continuous output of the audio signal or the like by the signal output means 130 is not started until the data volume in the buffer memory 107 reaches a third threshold value corresponding to data volume less than that corresponding to the second threshold value. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO