Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing special motion effects such as slow or fast motion, still frame and other effects from video magnetic tape is disclosed which is particularly applicable to helical wrap recording and reproducing apparatus. The apparatus employs a transducing head that is mounted on a revolving scanning drum, with the head being movable in a line generally transverse to the recorded track. The present invention utilizes the transverse positioning of the head to accurately follow a track during reproducing or playback and, at the completion of the track, to properly position or set the head in position to either play the next adjacent successive track, replay the same track, or play yet another track so that special motion effects can be achieved without experiencing picture breakup or unwanted noise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for recording and reproducing television or other broad band signals with an altered time base effect so as to provide, for example, in the case of television signals, slow motion, faster than normal motion, stop motion or reverse motion. To provide slow motion replay of television signals, successive fields of the signal are recorded separately on a plurality of magnetic mediums, and at predetermined head-to-medium writing speeds, and are played back at substantially the same head-to-medium writing speeds. On playback, each field is repeated a number of times depending upon the time base effect desired. Reverse motion is provided by reversing the order of replay of the fields.

Abstract: A method of operating a signal recording and reproducing apparatus is disclosed whereby generally continuously and noise-free transfers of signal information are obtained while reproducing the information from a magnetic tape being transported at a changing speed. The apparatus is of the type which utilizes transverse positioning of the transducing head to accurately follow a track during reproducing. While the tape is transported at speeds other than the normal record and reproduce speed, transport derived signals are employed to control the tape transport servo. When the normal speed is attained, the reproduced signal is detected to determine whether synchronous reproduction conditions have been achieved. If synchronous reproduction conditions are not achieved, the transducing head is moved to a new track to effect synchronous reproduction of the signal information.