Abstract: An apparatus for picking up a video signal recorded on a recording medium and copying a frequency modulated signal without demodulation. In the apparatus, a high-pass filter separates a high-frequency modulated luminance signal from the modulated video signal by setting a cutoff frequency higher than a frequency band of a low frequency converted color signal. A limiter receives an output signal of the high-pass filter and limits variation of the amplitude of the output of the high-pass filter to a predetermined level. A first feature compensator receives the output signal of the limiter and corrects high frequency characteristics of the signal. A low-pass filter separates a low frequency converted color signal and a low-frequency modulated luminance signal, each having a frequency that is lower than the cutoff frequency, from the modulated video signal. A gain controller receives an output signal of the low-pass filter and maintains the received signal at a constant level.