Abstract: A timing error detecting and speed control system is provided for a video playback system. Signal information which recurs at the horizontal line scanning rate of a prerecorded video signal is derived during playback of a record medium. The signal information is delayed for a period of time which corresponds to the normal duration of one horizontal line of the video signal. An error signal is generated by a comparison of the delayed and undelayed signal information. The error signal is utilized to control a drive mechanism for the playback system. The drive mechanism is adjusted to control the speed of the relative motion between the record medium and a pickup device to reduce timing errors in the recovered video signal.