Information reproducing apparatus and method, and error correction system

Abstract

An information reproducing apparatus improved is provided with: an optical pickup () for reading record information recorded on an optical disc () and outputting a read signal; an error correction circuit () for executing an error correction process with respect to the outputted read signal and outputting output data through the error correction process corresponding to the record information; and a buffering memory device () for buffering the outputted output data. The apparatus is further provided with a microcomputer () for altering the error correction process in the error correction circuit depending on a memory status of the buffering memory device, if in the error correcting device, an error is detected in the read signal or an error ratio of the error becomes greater than a predetermined threshold value.