An optical disc recording and playing apparatus records a video format signal on an optical disc on which an address signal is recorded in the form of prepits, while controlling the rotation of the optical disc on the basis of a phase difference between a synchronizing signal in the video format signal to be recorded and the address signal read-out from the optical disc, and reproduces the recorded video format signal. During the playing operation the apparatus generates a synchronizing signal which is synchronized with the reproduced video format signal and the generated synchronizing signal is outputted in place of the video format signal for the period of sections of the video format signal corresponding to the address signal. With this feature, generation of disturbances in the reproduced picture is surely prevented.