Abstract: A processor for analog and digital audio, video, and control information has analog connections to supply analog A/V signals and output control information to a television set. At the beginning of a recording mode in the DVHS video recorder, when an A/V signal (which may be a processed digital reception signal) of a television program just being displayed on the television set is applied to the television set, the signal is supplied to the DVHS video recorder as an A/V signal via an analog connection and/or as digital A/V data via a digital connection. An A/V signal of a television program being displayed on the television set and supplied by its tuner is transferred from one analog connection to another analog connection from the beginning of a recording mode in the DVHS video recorder, as a result of which the A/V signal is recorded by the DVHS video recorder.

Abstract: A method of and a device for determining the total playing time of a magnetic tape accommodated in a cassette (1) in a magnetic-tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus, for example, a video recorder of the helical-scan type. The tape (4) is moved between a tape spool coupled to a first reel disc (2) and a tape spool coupled to a second reel disc (3), two measurements being carried out. In the first measurement, the tape is moved with a known tape speed. The revolution times (T.sub.l, T.sub.r) of the first and the second reel disc are measured in this first measurement and a parameter is derived which corresponds to the sum of the squares of the revolution times. A cassette-specific constant (.beta.) is derived from this parameter and the known tape speed. In a second measurement, the revolution times of the first and the second reel disc are measured during N revolutions of one of the two reel discs for each revolution of this reel disc.

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.

Abstract: A system (1) for reproducing information signals recorded on a magnetic tape (2) in oblique tracks (S) in different modes of operation with different tape speeds v(n) includes a tape drive device (13), which is switchable in respect of the tape speed, at least one magnetic head (K1, K2), which is rotatable by a head drive device (32), which is switchable as regards the speed of rotation, and a tracking servo system (41) for guiding said head along the tracks, and including a sawtooth generator (67) whose signal waveform is variable in order to generate a sawtooth-shaped control signal. In the case of a change of mode, the tape drive device (13), the sawtooth generator (67) and the head drive device (32) are set to different operating values by a switching device (12).