A method and apparatus for controlling a recording operation of a digital video device is provided which automatically skip over or mute a data stream of some duration consistent with a user-defined filter condition during a data recording process, such as a disc copy process. The method and apparatus prevent data of the duration from being recorded, or additionally record navigation information, such as playlist information, to prevent some duration from being reproduced even if the duration has been recorded in a recording process. Thus, the method and apparatus prevent video and audio data of some duration inappropriate for adolescents or children from being freely copied/recorded, or from being reproduced by a general playback operation.