Abstract: A head carrier plate is pressed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the videotape by spring force against stops. The audio control head bears with its lower edge on a support which simultaneously serves as a tape guide of the lower edge of the videotape and as a pivotal support for the audio control head. Only two setting screws are then necessary, with which the head carrier plate can be set in terms of the angle of inclination with respect to the capstan shaft and in terms of the angle of inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis of the videotape.

Abstract: A cassette drive mechanism for cassettes wherein cassettes can be played back which have different sizes and for which different tape drive systems are otherwise required. By placing the different cassettes into a common cassette receiving device, the adaptation of the drive and tape scanning systems is automatically carried out at the side of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: An actuating device for a pinch roller in a tape recording and/or playing device has a capstan spindle driven by a mechanism supported on a chassis. A pinch lever supports the pinch roller. At least one drive lever is rotatably coupled to the pinch lever and mounted to pivot about a fixed axis normal to the chassis for swiveling the pinch roller between resting and working positions. A spring connects the pinch lever and the at least one drive lever for urging the pinch roller against the capstan spindle only in the working position. A first guide controls the swiveling of the at least one drive lever. A lift roller is rotatably supported by the pinch lever and disposed in proximity to the pinch roller. The lift roller has a cylindrical region and a conical region having a diameter which increases in a direction away from the chassis.