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.