Abstract: Time-based compressed data representing a program is supplied from a local conditional access circuit to two recording signal processing circuits which supply the data to be recorded simultaneously in time-compressed form by a digital VTR and an HDD (hard disc drive). The HDD need only store enough data to allow the digital VTR to record the entire program and to synchronize the output of the VTR with the output of the HDD. Once the program has been recorded on the VTR, it is reproduced therefrom concurrently with the portion of the program reproduced by the HDD and, once synchronization therebetween is reached, the VTR-reproduced data replaces the HDD-reproduced data. The reproduced data is supplied to an MPEG decoder circuit to be output as a reconstructed program for immediate display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for recording video signals in a plurality of tracks on a recording medium. In certain embodiments, first and second video signal intervals include respective first and second common sub-area signals representing at least one common sub-area of a video screen. The common sub-area signals of the first and second video signal intervals are recorded at respectively different locations within the plurality of tracks. In certain embodiments, component color video signals including luminance signals and first and second color difference signals are divided into a plurality of discrete cosine transformation (DCT) blocks and blocks representing common respective subdivisions of a video screen are assembled into corresponding macro blocks. Adjacent macro blocks are assembled into super macro blocks which, in turn, are arranged in a shuffled sequence relative to the positions of their subdivisions on the video screen for recording in the shuffled sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing digital and analog consumer electronic devices with digital and analog broadcast signals. The broadcast signals are received by electronic devices which tune the signals and provide them to set back boxes. The set back boxes process the signals and provide a plurality of signals to a plurality of electronic devices. Analog devices are provided with composite video signals, luminance video signals, chrominance video signals, and at least one audio signal while digital devices are provided with a digital video and audio signal. The processing performed by the set back boxes includes signal descrambling and decryption for analog and digital signals, error correction for digital signals, and intermediate frequency signal processing for analog signals. In addition, to interface digital signals, including high definition television (HDTV) signals, with analog electronic devices, the set back box decompresses the digital signal and converts it to an analog signal.

Abstract: Digital data representing a compressed image is separated into priority data and normal data, and formatted so that the priority data is repeatedly recorded on a magnetic tape. The transmission rate of the digital data is compared with the recording rate on the magnetic tape to control the number of repetitions of the priority data.

Abstract: In a digital video tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus including a pair of rotary magnetic heads having a predetermined head width and gaps with mutually different azimuth angles which helically scan a magnetic tape as the tape is advanced in order to reproduce digital video signals that have been previously azimuth-recorded in oblique tracks on the tape, there is a tape transport that can transport the tape either at a standard speed or at a non-standard speed. If the tracks recorded on the video tape have a track width equal to the head width, then the tape is transported for reproduction at the standard speed, whereas, if the track width is different from the head width, the tape is transported at the non-standard speed. For example, if the track width is twice the head width, then the tape is transported at twice the standard speed.

Abstract: A magnetic head comprises a head base (56), and a pair of magnetic head chips (57, 58) of different azimuth angles (.theta..sub.1, .theta..sub.2) disposed on the head base (56). The pair of magnetic head chips (57, 58) are disposed in a stepped arrangement with respect to the direction of arrangement of tracks on a magnetic recording medium with a step (DA) substantially equal to the pitch (P) of tracks on the magnetic recording medium. The gap distance (GL) between the magnetic gaps of the magnetic head chips (57, 58) is shorter than the sum of the step (D) between adjacent tracks and the length (L) of interblock gap regions between video signal regions and audio signal regions arranged along the direction of the movement of the magnetic head. The magnetic head permits satisfactory audio signal after-recording and extended recording and reproducing of digital video signals on the magnetic recording medium even if the magnetic recording medium is a narrow magnetic tape of 8 mm or less in width.

Abstract: A still picture video signal processing unit 30 and a head unit 40 records video signals of a still picture imaged by a camera unit 10 and PCM audio signals from terminal 2 in a PCM audio area of a magnetic tape 1 as digital signals. A controlling unit 50 controls the still picture video signal processing unit 30 so that an ID for discriminating interchangeability or non-interchangeability of the digital signals may be stored in a predetermined area. During playback, the controlling unit 50 controls the processing unit 30 or the like so that the video signals, the PCM audio signals or the like may be reproduced based on the ID. The user may be informed as to if the recorded digital signals belong to the basic function having interchangeability or to the extension function not having interchangeability and as to the reason playback cannot be made. The producer may be free to add a unique function to make distinction from products of other producers as well as to develop products attractive to customers.

Abstract: Rotary head recording and/or reproducing apparatus in which respective oblique tracks on a record medium are scanned, each track having an information signal area in which information data is recorded and a track following area in which a tracking control pilot signal is recorded. The track following area precedes the information signal area; and in the preferred embodiment, an additional track following area follows the information signal area. The pilot signal is recorded in only a portion of the track following area, the remainder of which has timing sync data recorded therein. In an after-recording mode the timing sync data is reproduced, detected and used as a reference to define an after-record area.

Abstract: Video and audio data are recorded onto video and audio signal recording areas of a track of a record medium, these areas being included either in one of several segments in the track or the track being comprised of only a single segment of video and audio signal recording areas. Audio data that is supplied at substantially the same time as the video data is compressed and recorded in a first audio sector of the audio signal recording area. Then, depending upon whether a first or second audio signal recording mode is selected, either compressed audio data which is derived from the audio data supplied at substantially the same time as the video data or independent compressed audio data is provided. The derived or independent compressed audio data is recorded in a second audio sector of the audio signal recording area.

Abstract: In a digital video tape recorder (VTR) which reproduces digital video and audio signals from a magnetic tape, a copy protect bit in the reproduced digital video signal is detected, and on the basis of the copy protect bit, a code is generated and inserted into the vertical blanking interval of the reproduced video signal. When a video signal (which may be in analog or digital form) having the code in the vertical blanking interval is received in a digital VTR, the code is detected and recording of the video signal and an associated audio signal is inhibited if the code indicates that the received video signal is copy protected.

Abstract: A tracking control apparatus for a rotary head type recording unit having a first rotary head and a second rotary head for forming pairs of slant tracks on a magnetic type, each track having a head entering side tracking region and a head leaving side tracking region. First and second pilot signals of different frequencies are recorded in the head entering and head laving sides tracking region, with the first pilot signal being recorded at a predetermined position on the first track which precedes (in the track direction) the second pilot signal recorded at a predetermined position on the second track adjacent to the first track.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for recording and reproducing digital information signals including image and audio portions in successive tracks on a magnetic tape. An ID signal is produced for one of an image portion and an audio portion of a corresponding digital information signal to be recorded. The ID signal indicates whether the portion is to be after-recorded in a respective track. The ID signal is combined with the portion to form a recording signal. Previously recorded digital information signals are reproduced from the track and an ID signal thereof is obtained. The recording of the portion in the track is controlled based on the reproduced ID signal.

Abstract: A magnetic recording apparatus of a digital picture signal comprising a block segmenting circuit for converting an input digital picture signal into data segmented by blocks composed of a plurality of picture elements, an encoding circuit for compressing and encoding the output data of the block segmenting circuit by blocks, and a channel encoding circuit for channel encoding the encoded output data from the encoding circuit, wherein the output data from the channel encoding circuit is recorded on a magnetic tape by a magnetic head mounted on a rotation drum, and wherein the magnetic recording apparatus of digital picture data is characterized in that the track pitch formed on the magnetic tape by the magnetic head is 5.5 .mu.m or less, the diameter of the rotary drum is 25 mm or less, and the rotating speed of the rotary drum is 150 rps or more, the track length per unit time is set to particular value thereby.

Abstract: A digital video tape recorder includes a rotary drum that has a leading head and a trailing head mounted thereon for recording video signals in respective slant tracks scanned on the tape while the tape is advanced. Each of the tracks includes, in sequence in the scanning direction of the respective head, a first auxiliary recording area, a second auxiliary recording area and a video signal recording area. The heads are displaced with respect to each other on the drum in the scanning direction by a distance that is less than the distance in the scanning direction between an ending edge of the first auxiliary recording area of the track formed by the trailing head and a starting edge of the video recording area of the track formed by the leading head. Because of the arrangement of the heads, after-recording of audio signals in the first auxiliary recording area by the trailing head is completed before the leading head begins reproduction of video signals.

Abstract: Digital video tape recording apparatus of the type which converts a vertical interval of picture data into image blocks of digital picture element data that is compression encoded and recorded on video tape which is selectively driven at first or second speeds, wherein the second speed is approximately 1.5 times faster than the first speed. The digital video recorder includes two rotatable transducers disposed approximately 180.degree. apart, each transducer having a recording gap length, or head width, for recording a track pitch, the gap length being at least equal to the track pitch that is recorded when the tape is driven at the second speed. The transducers have respectively different azimuth angles to minimize crosstalk interference during playback.

Abstract: A digital video tape recorder for recording and reproducing digital video and digital audio signals in separate portions of at least one common record track is operable in an after-recording mode, for example, to record in different tracks a digital audio signal that is associated with a previously recorded digital video signal. Digital video and audio processors exhibit inherent time delays t.sub.2 and t.sub.21 when processing reproduced digital video and audio signals (t.sub.21 <t.sub.2); and, during a normal reproducing mode the digital audio signal is delayed by an amount substantially equal to t.sub.2 -t.sub.21 so that the reproduced digital video and audio signals are recovered in synchronism. This delay is reduced to a minimal amount when the apparatus operates in its after-recording mode.

Abstract: Digital signal recording and reproducing apparatus for recording digital signals in successive tracks of given pitch on a record medium and for reproducing digital signals therefrom. A rotary head assembly including two pairs of head subassemblies angularly separated by approximately 180.degree., with each subassembly comprised of a pair of heads displaced from each other in a direction parallel to the track pitch, is driven at a predetermined rotation speed to record digital signals selectively supplied at respectively different original transmission rates which exhibit a predetermined ratio. The digital signals are timebase modified to have substantially the same data rate even though their original transmission rates differ from each other; and are coupled to the rotary head assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording an information signal that includes a signal processor for processing an information signal to be magnetically recorded, n magnetic heads (n is an integer of 2 or more) provided on a rotating drum with a step of about 1/n the width of a magnetic tape and a distributing circuit for selectively supplying the processed information signal to one or more than two of the n magnetic heads, wherein the processed information signal is recorded on one or more than two track areas of the magnetic tape by the magnetic head. Thus, much data can be recorded at a high transmission rate to improve the quality of picture, and also, a high access speed can be achieved.

Abstract: In a system for recording digital data obtained based on an information signal on a magnetic tape and/or reproducing digital data obtained based on an information signal from a magnetic tape, a magnetic recording apparatus comprises an encoder for producing, based on the information signal, one of plural kinds of digital data which have different transmission rates respectively, a time base processor for selectively converting a time base of digital data obtained from the encoder so as to produce modified digital data having a predetermined transmission rate, a recording modulator for producing a recording signal corresponding to the modified digital data, a recording portion provided with a rotary magnetic head device to which the recording signal is supplied and a tape guide for guiding the magnetic tape and operative to cause the rotary magnetic head device to contact with the magnetic tape for forming oblique record tracks on the magnetic tape, a head driver for rotating the rotary magnetic head device at

Abstract: A rotary head assembly is provided with a sweeper member upstream of a magnetic head with respect to the direction of feed of magnetic tape which serves to remove dust, grit and so forth from the tape surface. The aforementioned member is provided with a surface lying oblique to the tape axis so as to effectively scrape off the dust, grit and so forth.