Abstract: A video signal recording and reproducing apparatus for a digital video cassette tape recorder by which it is possible to judge the transmission amount of the digital data inputted from a digital source, the type of the video tape, and whether or not the tape is recorded in accordance with the judgment result, for thus automatically controlling a recording mode and a reproducing mode, which includes a tape type detector for judging a tape type in accordance with a recordable wavelength of the video tape on which a digital signal is recorded; a data rate detector for detecting and judging a data transfer rate of a digital signal, and a controller for varying a recording or reproducing speed in accordance with the judged tape type and the data transfer rate of the digital signal.

Abstract: An improved video signal recording and reproducing apparatus for a digital video cassette tape recorder by which it is possible to divide, record and reproduce a digital video signal on a low density video tape into multiple tracks based on the amount of data recordable on one track of a high density video tape by controlling a recording/reproducing speed and a tape running speed in accordance with a judgement of the type of the video tape having a predetermined recordable wavelength. The apparatus includes a detector for detecting the type of the video tape in accordance with a recordable wavelength of the video tape, a judgement section for judging the type of the tape by receiving a detected tape type signal from the detector, and a controller for controlling a recording and reproducing speed in accordance with the judged tape type.