Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproduction system of the helical scan type is disclosed. During the recording process, pilot signals for reproduction tracking control are sequentially recorded by the rotary magnetic head in recording tracks in proximity to each other in superimposed relation with the television signal to be recorded. During the normal reproduction process, from the level difference between the crosstalk signals of the pilot signals reproduced from the recording tracks adjacent to the recording track to be reproduced, a tracking error is detected to control the relative positions of the recording track and the reproduction scanning traces of the reproduction magnetic head. During the reproduction process at a speed different from that for recording, on the other hand, a pulse signal is produced at a time point when the crosstalk levels of the pilot signals reproduced from the tracks adjacent to the recording track to be reproduced coincide with each other.

Abstract: In a video tape recorder of the helical scan type having a pair of heads mounted on diametrically opposite positions of a rotary cylinder, a pilot signal is recorded through the heads on the same track with video signal during recording and edit modes. During "insert" edit modes, the video heads are alternately switched between playback and recording modes in synchronism with each half revolution of the cylinder. A tape is wound over an arcuate extent greater than a semicircle of the circumference on the cylinder so that the video heads are simultaneously in contact with the tape at different positions to record a video signal over a major portion of the track and record a pilot signal over the full length of the track. One of the heads is in a recording mode and tracing the major portion of a given track, while the other head is in a playback mode tracing a minor portion of a subsequent track where the prerecorded pilot signal is present. A tracking signal is derived from the prerecorded pilot signal.