A recording apparatus, a reproduction apparatus and a file management method are disclosed wherein, even if one of files recorded on a recording medium cannot be reproduced regularly, another file selected by the user can be reproduced normally. A file having a hierarchical structure formed from video data and audio data both in the form of compressed data together with information necessary for processing of the video data and audio data is produced and recorded on a predetermined recording medium. Upon production of the file, information regarding decoding of the video data and audio data is disposed collectively on the top side of the file.