Abstract: A drum assembly (20, 20(7)) for a helical scan recorder comprises a stationary first drum (22) and a shaft (24) having a shaft first end (26) centrally mounted to the first drum and a shaft second end (28). The drum assembly further comprises a rotatable second drum (32) which has at least one transducing element (34) mounted thereon. The shaft (24) extends axially through the second drum (32) and the shaft second end (28) protrudes axially above the second drum (32). The drum assembly also comprises a physical support member (40, 40(7)) connected to the first drum (22). The physical support member (40, 40(7)) is connected to the first drum (22) and also connected to stabilize the shaft second end (28) while allowing rotation of the second drum (32). The physical support member (40, 40(7)) is connected to the shaft second end (28) to reduce deflection of the shaft second end (28) when the drum assembly is exposed to external vibration or shock.

Abstract: A head unit for use in a helical scan magnetic tape drive comprises a substrate having a substrate surface (300) and multiple thin film magnetic elements (D1, D2) formed on the substrate. Each of the multiple thin film magnetic elements has an interactive component for transducing information with respect to magnetic tape. The interactive components of at least two elements are situated on different planes at respective different distances from the substrate surface. None of the multiple elements of the head unit are situated to traverse a same path on the magnetic tape. Moreover, all of the multiple elements of the head unit perform a same type of transducing operation.