Abstract: A recording apparatus capable of recording data either in a current-used format or a new format on a recording medium accommodated in a current-used tape cassette or a new tape cassette. The recording apparatus comprises a first writing prohibition detection switch to be inserted to an discrimination hole formed on both cassettes and receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole provided on the current-used cassette, a second writing prohibition detection switch to be receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole formed in the new tape cassette, and a cassette type detection switch to be inserted to an discrimination hole formed in the new tape cassette and receded by a side surface of the current-used cassette. A control circuit discriminates a new tape cassette from the current-used tape cassette.

Abstract: A recording apparatus capable of recording data either in a current-used format and a new format on both of recording medium accommodated in a current-used tape cassette 50B and a new tape cassette 50A is provided. The recording apparatus comprises a first writing prohibition detection switch 12 to be inserted to an discrimination hole 50Ah3 formed on the cassette 50A and receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole provided on the current-used cassette, a second writing prohibition detection switch 10 to be receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole 50Ah1 provided on an upper cassette 20, and a 11 to be inserted to an discrimination hole 50Ah2 provided on the upper cassette 50A and receded by a side surface of the current-used cassette.

Abstract: A magnetic record/playback apparatus for continuously recording at least two tracks of data conforming to a digital recording format applied to a first magnetic tape having a first tape width onto one track formed on a second magnetic tape having a second tape width larger than the first tape width, and for reproducing the data from the second magnetic tape. This apparatus includes a fixed drum and a rotating drum adapted to be rotated relative to the fixed drum. The rotating drum has a record/playback head for recording and/or reproducing the data with respect to the second magnetic tape and an erase head for erasing the data recorded on the second magnetic tape. A plurality of grooves extending in a direction of rotation of the rotating drum are formed on the outer circumference of the rotating drum, and each of the grooves has a width of 0.21 mm±0.02 mm.