Abstract: In an apparatus having a record mode for recording video or other information signals in successive parallel information tracks on a record tape by means of a plurality of rotary heads repeatedly scanning across said tape and having respective gaps with different azimuth angles, and in which the apparatus is changeable to a playback mode for causing each of said heads to provide a respective output when it is scanning an information track in which information signals have been previously recorded by a head with a gap having the same azimuth angle; clogging of one or more of the head gaps which would prevent further recording is detected, in the playback mode, by switching from one to another of the outputs of the heads during each period required for the scanning of the tape by each of the heads, detecting the levels of the head outputs during such switching therebetween, and operating a clog indicator when the detected levels of the head outputs are insufficient during the scanning of the tape by each of the

Abstract: A control circuit for a DC capstan motor used for driving a tape having control signals thereon is adapted for accurate stopping of the tape during intermittent-motion operation. A frequency generator coupled to the motor generates a frequency signal whose frequency is proportional to the motor's speed. A position signal generating circuit generates a position value that increments by steps upon occurrences of the frequency signal. A clamp circuit clamps the position value to a clamping level upon detection of the control signals. A brake start signal generator provides a brake start pulse signal when the position value exceeds a predetermined threshold, and this brake start pulse signal is used to commence braking of the motor. In order to permit accurate stopping in both forward and reverse directions, the clamping circuit provides one clamping level when a forward mode is selected and another clamping level when a reverse mode is selected.

Abstract: A control circuit is used during slow or stop-motion playback operation of a video tape device to drive video tape intermittently. In order to avoid errors in the stopping position of the tape, a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal is provided to a motor controller circuit associated with the capstan motor of the video tape device. A frequency signal generator coupled to this motor generates a frequency signal that varies with the capstan motor speed, and this frequency signal is provided to a retrigger monostable multivibrator which generates a PWM signal whose duty ratio changes in proportion to the capstan motor speed. A drive pulse generator and a brake pulse generator provide drive start and brake start signals, respectively, when it is desired to commence and stop movement of the tape.

Abstract: In an apparatus for reproducing video signals recorded in successive parallel tracks extending at an angle to the lengthwise direction of a tape and wherein two main reproducing heads having different azimuth angles with respect to each other are arranged to be diametrically opposed and alternately reproduce the video signals from the tracks when the tape is transported lengthwise at a standard speed, and an auxiliary reproducing head having the same azimuth angle as one of the main reproducing heads is circumferentially displaced by (n+0.

Abstract: In an apparatus which reproduces video signals using rotating heads to scan oblique tracks formed on a tape, the tape is intermittently moved and stopped by a tape capstan motor which is driven by a motor drive pulse. The motor drive pulse is generated at predetermined time intervals corresponding to a predetermined number of tracks for slow-motion reproduction of the recorded video signals. Deviations in the amount of tape intermittently advanced, as measured by a predetermined number of tracks, is avoided by varying the pulse-width or amplitude of the motor drive pulse.

Abstract: In an apparatus which reproduces video signals from oblique tracks successively formed on a tape, there are provided at least two main rotary heads having different azimuth angles with respect to each other an auxiliary rotary head having the same azimuth angle as that of one of the main rotary heads and which is disposed to substantially scan the same track as that scanned by the one of the main rotary heads.