FIELD: instrumentation engineering; recording digital data on magnetic or optical medium. SUBSTANCE: binary signals of input data sequence are distributed among code groups and the latter, among blocks; data swings and time intervals between swings are shaped in two levels of record signals in compliance with code groups and their values; marker swings are shaped; second marker swings and time intervals are disposed in record signals of blocks. Reference set of code groups having different values of τ0 (minimal length of interval between adjacent swings) and Δτ (elementary increment of length) are shaped and recorded. Capacity of code groups, τ0, and Δτ, consistent with desired requirements to record density and/or error-free read-out of data array are set. EFFECT: improves assessment of all current features of write/read hardware and data media; optimal adaptation of recording modes to requirements in force. 2 cl, 2 dwg
