An information reproducing method using PRML technology which provides asymmetry compensation and also assures media interchangeability. Play participants race against the clock to determine and enter a secret code to disable the active targeting system or otherwise activate a desired self-destruct sequence or other desired sequence of events. The first active region is isolated from the second active region through an isolation structure. When the signal quality of the original station rises above a re-tune threshold, the receiver can switch back to the original station.