Abstract: Digital video tape recorder which reproduces from a record medium a digital high definition video signal having copy-prevention data therein, extracts the copy-prevention data from the reproduced signal, generates from the extracted digital copy-prevention data an analog copy-inhibit signal that has the same data format as a copy-inhibit signal superimposed on a standard definition video signal, converts the reproduced digital high definition video signal to an analog signal, and superimposes the analog copy-inhibit signal onto the analog signal for output.

Abstract: On tape carrying a mixture of a static image recording portion and a dynamic image recording portion, ID (identification) signals are recorded to specify only a specific static image for retrieval. During image recording, the PP (Photo/Picture) ID signal indicative of the static image recording portion is automatically recorded on the static image recording portion for a sufficiently long duration to allow its detection during quick search. When a desired static image is determined on the screen, the INDEX ID signal indicative of the static image is subsequently implanted only in the static image recording portion. Thus, the desired static image can be retrieved by first searching the PP ID signal quickly to locate the static image recording portion and then searching the INDEX ID signal in the static image recording portion. These two ID signals can also be subsequently implanted in the dynamic image recording portion to retrieve any one frame image.

Abstract: Only the data sampled by a correct sampling clock is data processed. A PLL circuit 5 generates a sampling clock locked with a sync signal in a video signal and supplies to a sampling circuit 4. A lock flag indicating whether the generated sampling clock is correctly synchronized with the sync signal or not is also generated. The data multiplexed to the sync signal is sampled by the above sampling clock. The data is stored in a memory 7. The lock flag is supplied to a controller 2 and the data that is outputted from the memory 7 is made valid or invalid according to the level of the lock flag.

Abstract: A recorded data securing mechanism secures data recorded on a recording medium cassette provided with a memory and a data recording enable/disable tab at a predetermined position on the cassette. Breaking the recording enable/disable tab provided on the memory-based recording medium cassette prevents data recorded on the cassette from being written over and ensures that there will be no mismatch between the recording information stored in the memory of the cassette and the data recorded on the recording medium of the cassette. In one embodiment, rewriting is enabled but a memory mismatch flag is set if rewriting results in a mismatch.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for recording in selectable recording modes, track number data and information signals in recording tracks on a recording medium, in which the track number of a track in which an information signal is recorded is determined by utilizing a ratio of a track pitch produced when a first recording mode is selected and a track pitch produced when a second recording mode is selected.

Abstract: A video tape recording and reproducing apparatus records and reproduces digital video signals representing both still pictures, and moving pictures in the form of coded signals that have a recording format which includes a video signal recording area for recording video data and its respective accompanying video information, and a subcode information area. The recording and reproducing apparatus generates signals for high speed cuing and reproduction of the still pictures and moving pictures and stores the signals in the accompanying video information and in the subcode area.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records a first information signal in a first recording area in a helical track by a rotary head, and optionally records a second information signal in a second recording area preceding the first recording area. The switch timing of the rotary head is determined and the end of the second recording area is detected. A third information signal is recorded between the first and second recording areas at a position which is adjusted based on the switch timing of the rotary head and the detected end point of time of the second recording area.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing a video signal and a digital audio signal, the audio signal being recorded and reproduced in either a first mode or a second mode, includes a rotary drum having a pair of rotary heads and records the video signal and selectively records the audio signal on a magnetic tape wrapped around the rotary drum. When the video signal and selected digital audio signals are reproduced, a detector detects the frequency of a predetermined portion of the reproduced signal and judges the mode of the digital audio signal on the basis of the detected frequency.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus for performing editing of video signals includes a memory into which one field or one frame of a moving picture video signal from a video camera is written and a crossfading circuit, wherein a still picture of the video signal is written in the memory at a selected time or at a time the video camera stops operation. Thereafter, when the video camera resumes operation, the contents of the memory are read out, so that the real moving picture video signal being currently provided by the video camera and the previous still picture video signal read out from the memory are crossfaded. The video signal processing apparatus can also cooperate with a video tape recorder for storing in the memory a still picture derived from the video tape recorder, so that when the video camera starts its operation, the real moving picture video signal produced by the video camera and a still picture video signal from the memory are crossfaded.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus has an input terminal receiving a real moving picture video signal, for example, from a video camera, a memory for storing at least one field of the real moving picture video signal so as to form a still picture video signal, a key signal generator which may be constituted by an additional memory storing data characteristic of a key picture, and a circuit responsive to reading of the data stored in the additional memory for switching between the real moving picture video signal and the still picture video signal and thereby forming a composite video signal therefrom.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for a video signal in which first and second heads for recording and reproducing are attached through electrostrictive elements to a rotary drum with an angular spacing of substantially 180.degree. therebetween. When a video signal is recorded, a pilot signal recorded by the first head over a predetermined interval is reproduced by the second head while a pilot signal recorded by the second head and spaced apart by a predetermined number of recording tracks is reproduced by the first head. Reproduced levels of the pilot signals are compared so as to control a drive voltage for the electrostrictive elements and thus to adjust a step difference between the first and second heads in the recording mode.