Information recording apparatus

Abstract

Before information is recorded onto an information record medium by irradiating a light beam, a test signal is recorded for each of a plurality of unit test record regions with a plurality of different record powers. Then, the test signal recorded in each of the unit test record regions is reproduced, and further an optimal record power for the light beam is selected on the basis of a condition of the reproduced test signal. The information recording apparatus is provided with: a re-writable memory device for storing power set values to obtain the plurality of different record powers respectively, in response to location information which identifies respective one of the unit test record regions; a recording device for recording the test signal in the test record region on the basis of a constant record clock signal; a location information generating device for generating the location information at a cycle corresponding to a record time for each of the unit test record regions; a record controlling device for reading out the power set value stored in the re-writable memory device in accordance with the generated location information and then outputting it to the recording device; a defect detecting device for detecting a defect in respective one of the unit test record regions, in which a recording operation is performed; and a power set value storing device for storing the power set value, which is read out in accordance with one location information when the defect is detected, into the re-writable memory device such that the stored power set value corresponds to another location information.