PURPOSE: To record a multimedia presentation in real time and reproduce an oversight part at an accelerated speed until the current point in time is reached. CONSTITUTION: In a step 406, a routine accepts a user command in order to determine the start point of reproduction. A user uses a switch like the switch (control) explained in an inset window. Similarly, a routine accepts a user command in step 408 and shows a reproduction speed. In step 410, stored multimedia information is reproduced at high-speed (accelerated) format so that the user can 'catch up with' the real-time presentation which is still in progress. During the reproduction, the realtime presentation is recorded simultaneously until the user catches up. COPYRIGHT: (C)1995,JPO