Abstract: In the disclosed recorder-player, an image signal is converted to multi-channel signals and a horizontal synchronizing signal is obtained therefrom by separating a synchronizing signal from the multi-channel signals to operate a flywheel oscillator, and by a loop in each channel in which a time base corrector in each channel operates a sync separator and in response to a coincident output from the sync separator in each channel and an output from the flywheel oscillator.

Abstract: Apparatus for directly recording television signals on a magnetic medium strips out sync and blanking information. Low frequency components of the television signals are time-compressed, i.e., frequency shifted, and recorded as a substitute for the stripped-out sync and blanking information. Thus, high frequency components of each video line are recorded, followed by that line's low frequency components, thereby facilitating the playback of low frequency information. In a preferred form, the low frequency video information is time-compressed sufficiently to provide time, during the time slot which corresponds to sync and blanking information, for the recording of reference signal information. During playback, the reference signal information is employed to set the gain of the playback circuit.