Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus (1) for a record carrier in the form of a tape accommodated in a cassette (23) comprises a cassette holder (4), which moves between a loading position and an operating position and is provided with a latching device (45) which latches a cassette which has been inserted into the cassette holder in its loading position.

Abstract: A helical scan cassette tape recorder including tape guide means for pulling part of the tape out of the cassette and laying it on a surface of the recorder drum. The guide means includes a curved guide rail and a support which moves on the rail along a curved path defined by the rail and carries a tape guide element which engages the tape during threading and operation. Grooves in the rail may cause the support to tilt during its longitudinal movement on the rail.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive system for a video cassette recorder comprises a flip-over magnetic tape cassette having side-by-side reel hubs, each hub having a disc-shaped centering and drive member in the center of the hub with a central centering aperture and one or more drive apertures at some radial distance from the centering aperture, and a drive arrangement with drive spindles having a centering pin for the centering aperture in the reel hub, and at least one resiliently depressable drive pin which engages a drive aperture. To ensure correct positioning and drive of the spools and an excellent lace-up, and prevent undesired variations in the tensile stress in the magnetic tape and thus variations of the stretch of the magnetic tape, the reel hubs are resiliently urged onto stop surface which rotate with the drive spindles. The resilient urging devices and drive apertures are arranged to prevent disturbing forces on the reel hub.