according to this invention , there is provided a playback device including a control unit which causes a rotational speed control unit to control the rotational speed of a drive unit on the basis of a first reference signal such that the rotational speed of the drive unit becomes almost equal to a rotational speed with which second data can be played back from a second recording area , by causing a playback unit to move to a first recording area of a disc - like recording medium and causing a selection unit to select the first reference signal , and then causes the rotational speed control unit to control the rotational speed of the drive unit on the basis of a second reference signal by causing the playback unit to move to the second recording area and causing the selection unit to select the second reference signal .