Abstract: A tape speed measuring circuit for use with quadruplex video recorder/reproducers, which identifies the speed at which the recording was made to allow automatically switching to the correct speed upon playback. The circuit measures the ratio of control track frequency relative to the capstan tach frequency to obtain the recorded tape speed. A commutating filter means responsive to the capstan tach signal allows the accurate extraction of the desired control track signal component at all tape speeds. Divider means counts the number of tach pulses received during a selected time period. If the number of pulses is more or less than a pre-selected quantity, a high or low logic level respectively is generated commensurate with the standard 15 or 71/2 inches/second recorded tape speed.