Abstract: A recording apparatus capable of recording data either in a current-used format or a new format on a recording medium accommodated in a current-used tape cassette or a new tape cassette. The recording apparatus comprises a first writing prohibition detection switch to be inserted to an discrimination hole formed on both cassettes and receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole provided on the current-used cassette, a second writing prohibition detection switch to be receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole formed in the new tape cassette, and a cassette type detection switch to be inserted to an discrimination hole formed in the new tape cassette and receded by a side surface of the current-used cassette. A control circuit discriminates a new tape cassette from the current-used tape cassette.

Abstract: A recording apparatus capable of recording data either in a current-used format and a new format on both of recording medium accommodated in a current-used tape cassette 50B and a new tape cassette 50A is provided. The recording apparatus comprises a first writing prohibition detection switch 12 to be inserted to an discrimination hole 50Ah3 formed on the cassette 50A and receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole provided on the current-used cassette, a second writing prohibition detection switch 10 to be receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole 50Ah1 provided on an upper cassette 20, and a 11 to be inserted to an discrimination hole 50Ah2 provided on the upper cassette 50A and receded by a side surface of the current-used cassette.

Abstract: In an apparatus for reproducing either a video signal or a PCM (pulse code modulated) audio signal from a record medium, the existence of a PCM audio signal recorded on the record medium is detected in response to an identifying pilot signal recorded together with the PCM audio signal, and, when a video signal is being reproduced, detection of a PCM audio signal is obviated. Thus, even if the identifying pilot signal and a portion of the video signal are superposed upon each other on a frequency axis, erroneous assumption of the presence of a recorded PCM audio signal can be avoided to prevent incorrect reproducing operation.

Abstract: A video tape recorder for recording a plurality of skewed recording tracks on a video tape includes a recording head, an auxiliary head and an erasing head mounted on a rotary body of a tape guide drum about which the tape is helically wrapped, a rotary transformer for transmitting signals to the recording head, auxiliary head and erasing head rotating with the rotary body, an erase signal generator for generating an earsing signal to be supplied to the erasing head by way of the rotary transformer, and a short circuit arrangement coupled to a signal path connected with the auxiliary head for short circuiting the latter upon applying the erasing signal form the erase signal generator to the erasing head by way of the rotary transformer.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing a video signal and an audio signal which are recorded in different areas or portions of each slant track on a tape includes first and second rotary heads for recording and reproducing the video and audio signals in alternate tracks, a playback circuit for processsing luminance and chrominance components of the video signal reproduced by the first and second rotary heads when scanning video signal-containing areas of the respective tracks, a circuit for supplying an audio signal to the rotary heads to be recorded, a signal generator for generating a predetermined signal in substitution for the processed luminance component, and a muting circuit for muting the reproduced chrominance component, and wherein the predetermined signal from the signal generator is substituted for the processed luminance component and the chrominance component is muted by the muting circuit during recording of the audio signal in place of a previously recorded audio signal.