Abstract: A record and playback system comprises a signal source such as a video camera, a recording apparatus such as a VTR, and a control circuit device connected between the signal source and the recording apparatus. The control circuit device sends one or a few frames selected from a plurality of still picture frames to the successive frames of a composite picture signal given from the signal source to the recording apparatus, as well as sends a signal showing the total time length of a number of still picture frames. As a result, it is possible to record much and various picture information on a small volume of a record medium.

Abstract: For reliable playback of digital video signals in slow-motion operation over a wide range of slow-motion speeds, auxiliary playback heads are positioned closely behind normal playback heads and offset by half a track width therefrom. Each of the playback heads have a circuit for regenerating clock and data signals which includes a PLL circuit and all of the PLL circuits have an output for the signal that shows whether the PLL circuit is locked in or not. The lock-in signals are supplied to first address inputs of an ROM which has a principal output showing whether the normal playback heads or the auxiliary playback heads have the larger number of locked-in PLL circuits and the group of playback heads having that larger number of locked-in PLL circuits is selected for having the data and clock signal outputs passed on to playback channels for further processing. The control of the switching circuit is improved by having auxiliary outputs of the ROM fed back to second address inputs thereof.

Abstract: An information signal reproducing apparatus operating with selection of kinds of recording media having information signals and pilot signals for tracking control recorded thereon, which apparatus includes a reproducing head for reproducing the information signals and the pilot signals and a signal processing circuit receptive of the pilot signals for forming a tracking control signal for controlling a relative position of the head to the recording medium, whereby the processing characteristic of the processing circuit is changed over in response to the kind of the used recording medium.

Abstract: A digital audio tape recorder is used as a digital data storage recorder and digital signals containing main data and sub-data are recorded in separate areas in each track of a plurality of tracks formed on a recording medium, wherein a predetermined number of tracks constitute a group and a plurality of groups are recorded on the medium. In the sub-area an identification signal is further recorded which indicates whether or not main data recorded in the main areas of a given group is same as the main data recorded in the main areas of preceding and subsequent adjacent groups. When identical data is multiply written for a plurality of units, a division of the multiply written portions is detected, and signal processing is facilitated.

Abstract: In this invention, a predetermined amount of data is given as one frame, and data having a predetermined format is recorded for each frame. A first area recording main data and a second area recording sub data are formed in each frame. Plural types of units each consisting of a plurality of frames are set, and a number of first units from a leading end of a recording medium and the numbers of other units from the leading end of the recording medium to a trailing end of the first units are recorded in the second area of a frame constituting the unit including the trailing end, thus facilitating a high-speed search operation.

Abstract: A dual channel helical scan recording system (30) includes a rotating dum (36) having sets of heads (W1, W2) (R1, R2) mounted on its peripheral surface (56). A set of write heads (W1, W2) is situated on an opposite side of the drum (36) from a set of read heads (R1, R2). The write heads (W1, W2) simultaneously write two adjaent tracks (T1, T2), which are read for verification 180 detrees later by corresponding read heads (R1, R2). The heads (W1, W2, R1, R2) are strategically mounted on the drum (36) with respect to angular and axial placement, and have selected head widths and azimuthal angles. Should a block of data (317) written to tape (32) be determined, during readback, to be bad block, that bad block is subsequently rewritten on the tape (32) in the course of writing good blocks and amongst other good blocks. The rewritten block is recorded at a row position on the tape which is sufficiently displaced from the row position of a previous writing to avoid media defects occuring on the tape.

Abstract: A video tape recorder having provisions for erasing a desired fraction of each frame of a composite picture signal on a magnetic tape and for recording substitute picture information on the erased fractions, thereby making it possible to split the screen into two windows for the simultaneous display of different images. Included is a window size input device to be operated upon by the user for specifying a desired fraction of each frame of the composite picture signal recorded on the tape. A frame fraction signal generator circuit responds to the output from the window size input device, as well as to horizontal and vertical sync pulses derived from the composite picture signal being reconstructed from the tape, for generating a frame fraction signal indicative in real time of the specified fraction of each frame of the composite picture signal to be erased from the tape.

Abstract: In a high definition television system (HDTV), a video signal is recorded on and reproduced from oblique and successive parallel tracks on a magnetic tape, and an audio signal is recorded on and reproduced from a plurality of parallel tracks extending in a longitudinal direction of the tape. The tape is transported in its longitudinal direction during recording and reproduction. A tape position adjuster adjusts the position of the magnetic tape in its transport direction, and first and second transducing heads located at positions separated by a predetermined distance which may vary slightly because of manufacturing tolerances are employed for respectively reproducing and recording the audio signal. When the tape is edited, a processor connected to the first transducing head processes a reproduced audio signal and supplies it to the second transducing head, which records it accordingly.

Abstract: A video signal recording apparatus which records a video signal on a recording medium after separating a fixed time portion of an input video signal and extending the time axis of the separated video signal.

Abstract: Methods and circuitry for generating sector and data cell timing frequencies for banded variable frequency sector disc drive systems with dedicated plus embedded servo positioning systems which have the timing signals synchronized to servo track information written on a dedicated surface of the disc.

Abstract: A magnetic recording apparatus includes a control circuit and a switch which is provided between a recording amplifier and a secondary coil of a transformer for coupling the recording amplifier with a magnetic head, the control circuit stops a flow of a transient current into the magnetic head by controlling an ON/OFF timing of the switch.

Abstract: A digital signal magnetic recording and playback apparatus which is applicable to digital video signals, utilizes quadrature amplitude modulation to produce a recording signal from a digital input signal with a carrier frequency being employed which is less than or equal to than the frequency of a recording system clock signal that is synchronized with the successive data values of the digital input signal. Carrier bursts are periodically inserted into the recording signal with a fixed period, through data inserted by a burst data insertion circuit and the carrier and clock signal are arranged to periodically coincide in phase, with the aforementioned period. The carrier frequency is made equal to the clock frequency multiplied by a factor (n/m), where n and m are integers and n<m. During playback, time information obtained from the bursts is used to mutually phase-relate recovered clock and carrier signals.

Abstract: Two magnetic heads having different azimuth angles are mounted spaced from each other on a cylindrical rotary drum. Data is recorded on a magnetic tape using of the magnetic heads. On the magnetic tape, one track is formed by one of the magnetic heads and another (second) track is formed by another magnetic head. The two tracks form one frame on the tape. The data is recorded in the unit of one frame. When reproducing, the data recorded in one track is read out by one magnetic head, and the data recorded in the other track is read out by the other magnetic head. When reproducing in the normal direction, the data in one frame is first read out on one track and then on the other track. When reproducing in the reverse direction, first the data of the other track is read out, and the data is fed into a delay circuit composed of memory. The delay circuit, after the data of one track is read out and output, outputs the data of the other track.

Abstract: A method of correcting read channel signal compensation in magnetic storage data storage systems with calibration data stored on select portions of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for equalizing a signal with weighted first and second derivative signals extracted from a resistance-capacitance-inductance series circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically sorting out a defectively signal-recorded cassette videotape. A series of video signals recorded on the videotape by means of frequency modulation is amplitude-detected to obtain a normally constant DC output. If the DC output, which is compared with a predetermined reference voltage by a comparator, shows a voltage drop deeper than a value defined by the above predetermined reference voltage for a predetermined period of time, the video signals are judged to be recorded defectively, and the cassette videotape is discharged from the apparatus. As to sound signals also, if they are recorded in the form of frequency modulation for Hi-Fi recording, defective recording of the sound signals is judged in a manner similar to the above.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing method and corresponding apparatus are provided, in which in phase monaural audio signals are separately mixed with a clock signal and a data signal, which are opposite in phase to each other, and the mixed signals are recorded in separate channels on a recording medium. Upon reproduction and recombination of the signals recorded in the two channels, the clock signal and the data signal cancel each other out so that the listener hears only the combined monaural audio signals but the clock signal and the data signal can be separated from the reproduced two channel recorded signals prior to their recombination and be used to generate visual display data concerning the recorded signals.

Abstract: An image signal recording and reproducing system of this invention includes an apparatus for reproducing an image signal from a recording medium on which the image signal is recorded in a recording format selected between a first recording format for recording a reference signal for time base correction together with the image signal and a second recording format for recording the image signal without the reference signal for time base correction. The apparatus is arranged to detect whether or not the reference signal for time base correction is present in a signal reproduced from the recording medium and then to process and reproduce the signal reproduced from the recording medium on the basis of a reproduction format selected between a first reproduction format corresponding to the first recording format and a second reproduction format corresponding to the second recording format in accordance with the detection result.

Abstract: Provided is a signal reproducing circuit for an optical disc player including a multidivisional photodetector with photoelectric converting elements in a preceding side and photoelectric converting elements in a succeeding side relative to a proceeding direction of pits of an optical disc, a variable delay circuit for delaying outputs from the photoelectric converting elements in the preceding side, a circuit for detecting a time difference between an output from the photo electric converting elements in the succeeding side and an output from the variable delay circuit, and a circuit responsive to an output from the time difference detecting circuit for changing a delay time of the variable delaying circuit. The signal reproducing circuit further includes a circuit for amplifying and correcting high frequency components of signals reproduced by the photo detector in response to the output from the time difference detecting circuit.

Abstract: A system (1) for reproducing picture signals from a record carrier (3) in the form of a tape on which the reproduced picture signals are stored in juxtaposed inclined tracks comprises a character generator (23) for inserting character signals into reproduced picture signals. The character generator (23) is enabled to insert character signals depending on a starting-pulse edge (S1 S2, S3) generated by means of a control device (25), which edge is generated at a time interval from a position-pulse edge (P1, P2, P3) which is each time generated by means of a pulse generating device (11) at the beginning of the scan of an inclined track.