The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus and method and to a program in which a user can reliably record desired data. An instructed recording start point B indicates a position at which AV data captured when the user gives an instruction to start recording is recorded. An instructed recording end point C indicates a position at which AV data captured when the user gives an instruction to finish recording is recorded. Extra pre-AV data before the instructed recording start point B and extra post-AV data after the instructed recording end point C are recorded. Accordingly, the user can record required images (sound) more reliably, and thus, the possibility of the user missing desired images (sound) is decreased. The present invention is applicable to a video image recording apparatus.