Abstract: When a video signal reproduced by a helical scan type video signal reproducing apparatus is displayed on the screen of a liquid crystal matrix circuit, a change in brightness on the screen is eliminated in a mode for displaying a trick reproduced image such as a noiseless search image, a still image or the like with respect to a mode for displaying a normally reproduced image, thus providing the user with displayed images causing a less feeling of strangeness. During normal reproduction, where a video signal is continuously written into a liquid crystal display circuit, the brightness of the liquid crystal display circuit is controlled based on the value in a reference brightness register set by the user. During trick reproduction, where a video signal is discontinuously written into the liquid crystal display circuit, the liquid crystal display circuit is controlled to display an image relatively darker than the value in the reference brightness register.