Apparatus and corresponding method for recording and reproducing video data to and from a record medium operate to communicate with plural external devices. The recording/reproducing apparatus includes plural audio/video data input/output devices each of which is programmable and coupled to a respective external device for receiving video data therefrom and transmitting reproduced video data thereto. Each input/output device is operable to receive a recording or reproducing external request signal from the respectively coupled external device, generate a respective recording/reproducing request signal in response thereto, output the request signal, receive data reproduced from a record medium during a reproducing operation and supply the reproduced data to the external device, and receive video data from the external device during a recording operation and supply the video data for recording on the record medium. A storage control device receives the reproduction and recording request signals and supplies appropriate reproduction and recording control signals in response thereto to the respective input/output device which output the original request signal. The respective input/output device supplies to a storage device appropriate recording/reproduction initiate signals and the storage device either records or reproduces video data to or from the record medium in accordance with the supplied initiate signal, and outputs, during the reproducing operation, the reproduced video data to the respective input/output device which output the reproduction initiate signal.