Abstract: A novel pickup stylus includes a tapering dielectric support element which has a tip defined by a prow and a relatively flat surface remote from the prow. The dielectric support element has an arrowhead-shaped cross-section in the region of its tip with the apex of the arrowhead-shape cross-section located on the prow and its base defined by the rear surface. The entire rear surface of the dielectric support element is covered with conductive material to form a narrow electrode in the region of its tip. To form a narrowed-electrode stylus, a tapering dielectric support element, having a prow and an electrode surface remote from the prow, is introduced in a trapezoidal abrasive groove while relative motion is established therebetween. The electrode face of the support element is gradually tilted toward the abrasive groove until it subtends a shallow angle therewith to form a portion having an arrowhead-shape cross-section in the region of its tip.

Abstract: Video disc record is provided with a spiral information track containing recorded representations of composite video signals. The information representations occupying the length of each convolution of the spiral depart slightly from an integral number of field intervals by a fixed amount. The departure amount is such that the information content per spiral convolution corresponds to a given integral number of line intervals plus a predetermined fraction of a line interval (other than one-half). Synchronizing information locations is successive convolutions are thus staggered in a spiral manner. Recording apparatus for forming such a record includes means for maintaining the rate of rotation of a recording turntable substantially constant at a rate which differs from an integral submultiple of the field rate of the composite video signals supplied to the recorded by an appropriate small amount.

Abstract: Video disc record is provided with a spiral information track containing recorded representations of composite video signals. The information represents occupying the length of each convolution of the spiral depart slightly from an integral number of field intervals by a fixed amount. The departure amount is such that the information content per spiral convolution corresponds to a given integral number of line intervals plus a predetermined fraction of a line interval (other than one-half). Synchronizing information locations in successive convolutions are thus staggered in a spiral manner. In record player apparatus for such a record, a power line synchronous drive system is employed to control rotation of the player's turntable.

Abstract: Video disc record is provided with a spiral information track containing recorded representations of composite video signals. The information representations occupying the length of each convolution of the spiral depart slightly from an integral number of field intervals by a fixed amount. The departure amount is such that the information content per spiral convolution corresponds to a given integral number of line intervals plus a predetermined fraction of a line interval (other than one-half). Synchronizing information locations in successive convolutions are thus staggered in a spiral manner. Recording apparatus for forming such a record includes apparatus for maintaining the rate of rotation of a recording turntable substantially constant at a rate which differs from an integral submultiple of the field rate of the composite video signals supplied to the recorder by an appropriate small amount.

Abstract: Recording apparatus for use in the mastering of a color picture/sound disc includes a source of composite color video signals in which chrominance information appears as sideband components of a chrominance subcarrier interleaved with luminance signal components in an intermediate region of a band occupied by luminance signal components; means for frequency modulating a first carrier over a high frequency deviation range in accordance with composite video signal amplitude; a source of accompanying audio signals; means for frequency modulating a second carrier over a low frequency deviation range in accordance with the audio signal amplitude; means for combining the two modulator outputs, means for clipping the resultant signal; and SEM recorder apparatus responsive to the clipper output for exposing successive groove bottom regions of a disc master coated with electron sensitive material in a manner establishing, upon development, a desired groove bottom depression pattern.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in playback of a color picture/sound disc record includes a stylus having a groove bottom engaging tip, with a conductive electrode having an exposed edge with an effective dimension along the groove which does not exceed the longitudinal dimension of the narrowest depressed groove bottom region of the disc; means for rotating the disc to cause variations in the capacitance exhibited between the stylus electrode and the disc's conductive layer; detection means responsive to the capacitive variations for deriving a train of impulses having a repetition rate varying in accordance with a first FM carrier, bearing modulation representative of luminance and chrominance information, and a duty cycle varying in accordance with a second FM carrier, bearing modulation representative of sound information; means for amplifying the impulse train; first filter means coupled to the amplifier output for selectively passing the first FM carrier and sidebands to a first FM demodulator to effect recovery of (