Abstract: In a video tape recorder of the helical scan type having a pair of heads mounted on diametrically opposite positions of a rotary cylinder, a pilot signal is recorded through the heads on the same track with video signal during recording and edit modes. During "insert" edit modes, the video heads are alternately switched between playback and recording modes in synchronism with each half revolution of the cylinder. A tape is wound over an arcuate extent greater than a semicircle of the circumference on the cylinder so that the video heads are simultaneously in contact with the tape at different positions to record a video signal over a major portion of the track and record a pilot signal over the full length of the track. One of the heads is in a recording mode and tracing the major portion of a given track, while the other head is in a playback mode tracing a minor portion of a subsequent track where the prerecorded pilot signal is present. A tracking signal is derived from the prerecorded pilot signal.

Abstract: A two speed or multi-speed video tape recorder of the conventional helical scan type in which the audio signal is capable of being recorded as a time compressed signal at one end of each helical video scan, or alternatively, in conventional longitudinal fashion by means of a stationary magnetic head engaging one edge of the tape.At low tape transport speeds, improved bandwidth (and therefore sound fidelity) is obtained by use of the time compression technique; while at higher transport speeds, there are advantages in utilizing the stationary audio head.Circuitry is provided to automatically utilize the time compression technique at lower tape transport speeds and the stationary head longitudinal recording technique at higher tape transport speeds.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording and reproducing system of the type wherein a plurality of rotating magnetic heads record the video signal on a magnetic tape as tracks which are inclined at an angle relative to the direction of travel of the magnetic tape, the audio signal is time compressed and recorded by the rotating magnetic heads on tracks contiguous with either or both ends of said video signal recording tracks, whereby even at a considerably low tape transport speed the audio signal may be recorded in a stable manner.

Abstract: A method for positioning a composite head comprising a control head and an audio head in a rotary head type magnetic video recording and reproducing apparatus at a precise spacing relative to a mounting position of the rotary head is disclosed. A video signal is recorded intermittently for each group of a predetermined number of video tracks on a reference tape and an audio signal is also recorded intermittently in association with the intermittently recorded video signal. The composite head is adjusted and positioned such that the intermittent relationship existing between a reproduced video signal and a reproduced audio signal is the same as the intermittent relationship existing between the video signal and audio signal during recording.

Abstract: A magnetic tape feeding apparatus for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having a guide drum with a magnetic tape partially wrapped around the drum having therein one or more magnetic heads. A pair of first guide posts inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the datum plane, a pair of second posts perpendicular to the datum plane and the drum are arranged in a manner such that the tape travels without any twisting action and the longitudinal center line of the tape in the vicinities of the tape supply and take-up reels lies in a plane parallel with the datum plane.