Abstract: A time lapse magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus for recording and reproducing picture signals while intermittently thinning them out in a frame unit is used for monitoring and burglar-proofing in plants, shops, banks, etc. Recording picture information is generated and added to one continuous picture signal obtained by sequentially switching the output of each video camera, and is then recorded. A speed multiple k for a normal tape travelling speed is optimally set by servo circuit on the basis of the recording picture information (the total number m of channels) detected from the reproduction picture signals reconstructed by double-azimuth four heads at the time of search reproduction, and a search reproduction picture throughout the full screen of a monitor television is obtained in full recording channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording and reproducing unit of a helical scan type having a slow speed tape running mode in which the speed of running a magnetic tape is slower than that of a standard running mode. The magnetic recording and reproducing unit of the present invention has a pair of azimuth heads of mutually different azimuthal angles which are mutually adjacently disposed on the outer periphery of a rotating cylinder and another pair of azimuth heads of mutually different azimuthal angles which are mutually adjacently disposed at positions symmetrical with the first pair of azimuth heads with respect to a rotating center of the rotating cylinder. Each pair of the two pairs of azimuth heads alternately traces tracks recorded with image signals on a magnetic tape to reproduce the recorded image signals.