Abstract: A video cassette recording and/or playback apparatus, having a tape guide drum around which the tape is passed in a helical path, and a tape guide device for self threading, mounted on a rotatable support about the drum. The tape drive spindle or capstan is mounted on the rotatable support, and functions as the self-threading guide.

Abstract: A magnetic-tape guide arrangement for a transverse scan tape recorder in which the magnetic tape is pressed in cupped form against two cylindrical drums at either side of a head disc which is rotatable about an axis parallel to the direction of transport of the magnetic tape, a pressure member having concave guide portions pressing the tape transversely toward the axis at locations to each side of the head disc between the disc and a respective drum. The supporting portions of the pressure member press against the drums and are located at an axial distance from each other which is at least as great as the distance which is covered by the magnetic tape during its movement from the one drum to the other drum.

Abstract: Transverse track magnetic tape wide-band recording apparatus such as a video cassette recorder, having a rotating head disc and a tape guide system with concave and convex guide members at either side of the head disc for transversely curving and guiding the tape past the circular path of the heads. The convex guide members are separated axially by a distance greater than the distance between the concave members, which are mounted in a pressure piece that is aligned by pressing against a portion of the convex guide members. Preferably, there is an axial gap between the concave and convex guide surfaces, in which the tape is clear of contact with the apparatus.