A recording and reproducing apparatus is disclosed which comprises: an input element supplied with video signals; a recording element for recording the video signals input through the input element onto a storage medium; a reproducing element for reproducing the video signals from the storage medium; a processing element for generating display-ready video signals on the basis of video monitor image signals supplied by the input element and/or on the basis of the reproduced video signals furnished by the reproducing element; and a controlling element for selectively activating, by a single operation of a user, any one of a recording monitor image, a dual-screen display image made of a recording monitor image and a playback image, and a playback image alone.