Abstract: A system is disclosed for processing a pilot signal in a video recording and reproducing apparatus so that the pilot signal can be used to provide automatic correction of the chrominance level for a head switching equalizer for a number of transducing heads, as well for providing a continuous signal that can be used for a time base corrector for the color video signal. The apparatus also corrects internally produced phase errors and phase locks the pilot signal with the color burst of the video signal.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for correcting luminance errors that are caused by velocity errors in the playback of a color video signal on video recording apparatus of the type which utilizes a pilot that is included in the color video signal at a frequency that is higher than the color subcarrier frequency and a carrier frequency which is frequency modulated by the pilot and color video signal. During playback, luminance correction signals are added to the demodulated color video signal to remove distortions in the luminance level of the color video signal.