A recorder adapted to encode a moving picture signal using an MPEG method to record the resultant encoded moving picture signal to transmit the encoded moving picture signal to the outside of the recorder, wherein in accordance with an instruction to start a recording operation issued in the middle of transmission of the encoded moving picture signal, the recording operation is started from a frame corresponding to the instruction to start the recording operation, and a picture structure of a GOP after start of the recording operation is changed from a picture structure of the GOP before issue of the instruction to start the recording operation.