Abstract: A video signal reproducing apparatus, typically an 8-mm video tape recorder, reproduces a signal recorded along inclined tracks on a magnetic video tape in a tape cassette having an erase prevention member. The video signal reproducing apparatus has an erase prevention detector for detecting whether a further signal can be recorded on the magnetic video tape or not based on the status of the erase prevention member. A reproducing circuit reproduces the recorded signal from the magnetic video tape for a predetermined period of time, typically one second, when the erase prevention detector detects that no further signal can be recorded on the magnetic video tape. An index extracting circuit extracts an index signal from the reproduced signal, and the extracted index signal is decoded by an index decoder. The decoded index information, typically a chapter number, is displayed on a television monitor in response to the depression of an index key on a control panel.