Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus has a supply reel and a take-up reel around which a magnetic tape is to be wound. A first tape guide is provided in the vicinity of a rotary head at the supply reel side and a second tape guide in the vicinity of the rotary head at the take-up reel side. The first and second tape guides are movable in directions of a width of the magnetic tape. A detector detects a height of each of the first and second tape guides. A count value corresponding to the detected height of at least either the first or the second tape guide is obtained by a counter. The height of at least either the first or the second tape guide is adjusted so that the count value becomes equal to a reference value. The count value is set to a specific value when the detected height becomes a reference height corresponding to the reference value after the magnetic tape has been wound around the supply and take-up reels.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes a tape guide drum (10) composed of a lower stationary drum (10A) supported integrally with a drum shaft (18) and an upper rotary drum (10B), a lead member (12) provided separately from the lower drum and composed of an annular portion (52) having a portion for guiding a reference edge Te of a magnetic tape T and a bottom portion (53). The apparatus further includes pivot means provided inside the drum to support and allow the center axis of the drum to tilt with respect to the annular portion of the tape guide.

Abstract: The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention performs a fast forward reproduction, a fast backward reproduction, a still picture reproduction and the time-lapse recording. To correct for noise-bar the magnetic heads mounted on an upper drum are deviated from intended tracks depending on a difference in tape running speed between a recording operation and a reproducing operation. This is accomplished by tilting the upper drum about a predetermined pivot point with respect to a lower drum having a lead formed thereon. A preferred reproduced image containing no noise-bar is achieved even for a signal recorded in a narrow track pattern in an extended time recording mode, by correcting a slight separation of the magnetic tape from the lead due to a tilt of the upper drum, caused by tilting the lower drum.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus with a positioning mechanism for a tape guide drum is provided. The positioning mechanism includes first and second actuators which changes the position of the tape guide drum relative to a direction of travel of a magnetic tape during reproduction for orienting rotary magnetic heads to follow tracks formed on the magnetic tape perfectly if the tracks are curved undesirably. The first actuator is designed to turn the tape guide drum to orient a portion of a rotation plane of the rotary magnetic heads at a tape-entering position where the magnetic tape enters the tape guide drum in a first direction and a portion of the rotation plane at a tape-leaving position where the magnetic tape leaves the tape guide drum in a second direction opposite the first direction. The second actuator is designed to turn the rotation plane of the rotary magnetic head at the tape-entering position and the tape-leaving position in the same direction.

Abstract: Magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus has a lower drum, an upper drum equipped with a rotary magnetic head and being coaxially and rotatably supported by the lower drum, a first tilt driving device for tilting a center axis of the upper and lower drums at a predetermined angle to allow a rotary locus of the rotary magnetic head to coincide with a recorded track on a magnetic tape, a lead ring having a first tape positional regulation surface for guiding a reference edge of the magnetic tape, the lead ring being independently provided close to an outer peripheral surface of a small diameter section of the lower drum, and a second tilt driving device for tilting the lead ring to allow the first tape positional regulation surface thereof to match the reference edge of the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus with a drum positioning mechanism is provided. The drum positioning mechanism performs track correction to rotate a tape guide drum about a given axis of rotation according to a travel speed of a magnetic tape to orient a head path of magnetic heads at a given angle relative to a lead member which guides movement of a lower edge of the magnetic tape wrapped about the tape guide drum so that the head path coincides with tracks recorded on the magnetic tape correctly. The drum positioning mechanism also performs lead correction to rotate the lead member through a given angle relative to a drum base to eliminate a shift of the lower edge of the magnetic tape from the lead caused by the track correction so that the lower edge of the magnetic tape follows the lead completely. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus may also be employed in a recording mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus capable of performing a fast forward reproduction, a fast backward reproduction, a still picture reproduction and the time-lapse recording. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention realizes a preferred reproduced image containing no noise-bar, by correcting deviation of magnetic heads mounted on an upper drum from intended tracks depending on a difference in tape running speed between a recording operation and a reproducing operation by tilting the upper drum about a predetermined pivot point with respect to a lower drum having a lead formed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus capable of performing a fast forward reproduction, a fast backward reproduction, a still picture reproduction and the time-lapse recording. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention realizes a preferred reproduced image containing no noise-bar, by correcting deviation of magnetic heads mounted on an upper drum from intended tracks depending on a difference in tape running speed between a recording operation and a reproducing operation by tilting the upper drum about a predetermined pivot point with respect to a lower drum having a lead formed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus capable of performing a fast forward reproduction, a fast backward reproduction, a still picture reproduction and the time-lapse recording. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention realizes a preferred reproduced image containing no noise-bar, by correcting deviation of magnetic heads mounted on an upper drum from intended tracks depending on a difference in tape running speed between a recording operation and a reproducing operation by tilting the upper drum about a predetermined pivot point with respect to a lower drum having a lead formed thereon.

Abstract: A tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a cassette tray adapted for holding a standard size tape cassette and having a depression adapted for holding a compact size tape cassette, a cassette carriage for transporting the cassette tray in a horizontal direction from an unloading position to the inside of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, and an elevating mechanism for moving the cassette tray transported to the inside of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in a downward direction to a loading position where the tape cassette is located ready for loading on a rotary drum assembly of the apparatus. The loading system comprises detecting switches for detecting uncorrect state of the tape cassette on the cassette tray and a controller for inhibiting the continuation of loading procedure when it is detected that the tape cassette is not properly or correctly placed on the cassette tray.

Abstract: A tape loading mechanism of a video tape recorder designed to play a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape casette comprises a chassis carrying a pair of guide grooves at both sides of a guide drum toward a first area of the chassis on which the standard size tape cassette is held at the time of operation of the video tape recorder. The guide grooves are further extended toward a second area of the chassis defined inside the first area on which the compact size tape cassette is held. A pair of loading members are moved along the guide grooves toward their front ends close to the tape cassette when the compact size tape cassette is loaded so that loading poles in the loading members are accepted in a cutout portion formed at a front side of the compact size tape cassette.

Abstract: A mechanism for loading the tape of a standard- or compact-size tape cassette against a rotary head assembly in a compatible recording/reproducing apparatus for selective use with the two types of tape cassettes. The apparatus has a main chassis with a set of fixed positioning pins for positioning the standard-size tape cassette thereon. A floating chassis, much less in size than the main chassis, is mounted thereto for displacement in a direction normal to the principal plane of the main chassis. A pair of tape loader assemblies are mounted to the main chassis for taking the tape out from the standard-size tape cassette positioned on the main chassis, or from the compact-size tape cassette positioned on the floating chassis, and for loading the tape against the rotary head assembly. A common drive cam is coupled to both the floating chassis and the tape loader assemblies via separate drive linkages in order to cause their timed travels.

Abstract: A removable tape reel assembly system for a magnetic tape cassette includes a tape cassette (20) having a top section (22) and a bottom section (23) connected by a hinge (21), a movable supply reel (30) having a first hub (31) onto which a tape is wound and provided with flanges (32, 33) having first engaging portions (35) on the outer periphery, a take up reel (70) rotatably mounted to the bottom section (23) and having a second hub (71) forming a second engaging portion (74, 75), an anchor (40) having a body portion (41) and a fastener portion (42, 42a).

Abstract: A tape cassette loading system of a video tape recorder comprises a cassette loading mechanism including a cassette tray adapted to accept a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape cassette, for transporting a tape cassette placed thereon from a eject state located substantially outside of a body of the video tape recorder for placement or removal of the tape cassette horizontally to a closed state in which the tape cassette is completely inside the body of the video tape recorder, then to a compact cassette loading state immediately below the closed state, and then to a standard cassette loading state further below the compact cassette loading state, wherein a reel drive mechanism is movable responsive to the type of the tape cassette on the cassette loading means between a first state and a second state for driving a take up reel and a supply reel of the tape cassette, a tape loading mechanism is movable responsive to the type of the tape cassette on the cassette loading mechanism between a firs

Abstract: A tape cassette driving system of a video tape recorder for driving the reels of the tape cassette comprises a main chassis for supporting a standard size tape cassette and a sub-chassis for supporting a compact size tape cassette. The main chassis carries a reel disk for driving a take up reel of the standard size tape cassette and the sub-chassis carries a drive gear adapted for engagement with the reel disk on the main chassis and further for engagement with teeth formed on the periphery of the take up reel of the compact size tape cassette. The sub-chassis is connected to the main chassis by a plurality of swing arms such that the sub-chassis is movable up and down relative to the main chassis. As a result of the connection by the swing arms, the sub-chassis is moved along a circular path when it is moved up and down and the engagement of the drive gear with the toothed part of the reel disk can be achieved smoothly.

Abstract: A compatible recording/reproducing apparatus for selective use with a standard-size tape cassette and compact-size tape cassette. Included is a main chassis having a set of fixed positioned pins for positioning the standard-size tape cassette thereon, and a pair of drive spindles for driving engagement with the reel hubs of the standard-size tape cassette. A floating chassis, much less in size than the main chassis, is mounted thereto for displacement in a direction at right angles with the principal plane of the main chassis. The floating chassis has mounted thereon another set of positioning pins for positioning the compact-size tape cassette thereon, and a drive gear for driving engagement with a driven gear incorporatd with the compact-size tape cassette. Positioned on the floating chassis, the compact-size tape cassette has its magnetic tape transported by the drive gear and one of the drive spindles on the main chassis.

Abstract: A miniature type tape cassette comprises a spring for urging a lid having a first hook in a lid closed direction and a lid locking member like an elastic plate having a projecting part, a second hook and a rear part. The projecting part projects from a side wall of a cassette case through a through window formed in the side wall. The second hook engages with the first hook when the lid is in a closed state. The rear part is fitted into a supporting part of the side wall in the tape cassette, so that the lid locking member is fixed to the side wall of the cassette case. The release of lock of the lid is carried out by pressing the projecting part of the lid locking member.

Abstract: In a video head driving unit having a rotary drum and a stationary drum, a horizontal yoke is secured to a leaf spring having a non-linear spring which is in turn connected to the rotary drum for rotation therewith. Video transducer heads are respectively mounted on the opposite ends of the yoke. The yoke is resiliently pivotally tiltable about an axis transverse thereto by an electromagnetic arrangement in response to a control signal so that the video heads are displaced in vertical position as they rotate with the rotary drum during "trick play mode". The leaf spring and yoke are so arranged that they are disengaged from each other at one of the diametrically opposite positions when the yoke is pivotally moved beyond a predetermined range of tilt angles, whereby the leaf spring exerts a non-linear spring force against the yoke to provide a higher tension to the yoke when same is pivotally moved within the range than when same is pivotally moved beyond the range.