Abstract: In a video tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus, a tape tension servo-system detects tape tension between a supply reel propelled by a voltage driven motor and the head drum to provide a corresponding detected tension signal supplied to a processor which is periodically interrupted for providing a control signal proportional to any deviation of the detected tape tension from a desired value and further for providing differential and integral control signals determined from the proportional control signal at successive interruptions and which are combined to form a control voltage signal for the supply reel motor. The processor is desirably constituted by a universal pulse processor and a central processing unit. The tape tension is detected by an angularly movable arm carrying a post about which the tape is wrapped sufficiently to ensure good compliance.

Abstract: A rotary head type recording and reproducing apparatus of the kind recording information codes on a tape-shaped recording medium by forming many parallel recording tracks and at the same time an additional code consisting of one byte at a predetermined position in each of the recording tracks and reproducing, by means of rotary heads, the signals from the medium, the apparatus is arranged to perform the reproduction as follows; A tracking error signal is formed by using signals reproduced from the rotary head. The tracking error signal is sampled at such a timing that enables the rotary head to reproduce the additional code. The position of the recording medium relative to the rotary head is controlled on the basis of the tracking error signal thus obtained.

Abstract: In a rotating head type reproducing apparatus of the kind reproducing an information signal using rotating heads from a record bearing medium on which a plurality of pilot signals of different frequencies are recorded in rotation along with the information signal, one in every recording track in a predetermined sequence, the levels of pilot signals reproduced from mutually adjacent tracks by a first rotating head are compared with each other; and the result of comparison is used in detecting the tracking error of a second rotating head which is reproducing the information signal.

Abstract: A video signal is recorded in oblique tracks on a magnetic tape. The tracks are successively scanned by rotary heads, and a reproduced radio frequency signal is obtained. The level of the signal as reproduced exhibits a nonlinearity as a function of deviations of the rotary heads from the successively scanned oblique tracks. In accordance with the invention, the running speed of the tape is controlled on the basis of the detected changes in signal level, and the gain of the reproduced radio frequency signal is controlled in such a way as to compensate for the nonlinearity of the reproduced signal.

Abstract: A rotational phase detecting apparatus for a head drum utilizing a video head capable of directly detecting the rotational phase of the head drum for the reproducing signal of the video head without using an additional pulse generating head by disposing a permanent magnet facing the rotational direction of video heads. When video heads pass by the permanent magnet, positive pulses are generated from the video heads and the positive pulse signal of the first video head is applied to a phase detecting signal processing unit via a rotary transformer and the positive pulse signal of the second video head is converted into a negative pulse signal at the rotary transformer and applied to a phase detecting signal processing unit.

Abstract: Four heads are mounted with 90.degree. spacings between them to a rotary cylinder that rotates by 3/4 turn in each one field period of a video signal. Adjacent pairs of these heads having the 90.degree. spacing have different azimuth angles while opposing pairs of the heads having the 180.degree. spacing have mutually the same azimuth angle. A tape is wound helically in about 3/4 turn on the rotary cylinder and travelled thereon, so that the frequency of a pilot signal for tracking control to be recorded on each track with a video signal by each head is different between the tracks and the same frequency as the frequency of the pilot signal reproduced from the reproduction track in the reproducing mode is used as a reference pilot signal for tracking in the reproducing mode.

Abstract: An automatic tracking control system for use in a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus, which system includes a servo control circuit for controlling a tracking phase of a rotary head assembly; a search control circuit for causing the servo control circuit to vary the tracking phase in a predetermined quantity thereby to make a search so as to reciprocate within a predetermined tracking phase area; a detecting circuit for detecting envelope voltage values of an audio signal and a video signal reproduced for each search point and summing such signals together to provide a composite envelope value; and a reference tracking phase setting circuit for detecting the tracking phase, at which an optimum tracking can be attained when the reproduced signals are integrated from the composite envelope value, thereby to set a reference tracking phase which provides a reference value to the servo control circuit.

Abstract: The information signals recorded on a magnetic tape are accompanied by marks identifying particular items of such information, each mark (M.sub.1) comprising at least one marking signal (S.sub.1), the tape being driven by a tape-up reel hub (5) during recording. During playback a magnetic head (19) reproduces the recorded signals and a tachometer (46) coupled to the take-up reel hub (5) supplies a tacho-signal which is used by a microprocessor (42) as a reference for frequency comparison with the instantaneous frequency of the reproduced signals. When a predetermined relational condition exists between such frequencies the microprocessor (42) produces a signal indicating the presence of a mark (M.sub.1). Since the frequency of the tacho-signal and the frequency of the reproduced signals from the tape are affected in the same way by variations in speed of the take-up reel hub, such variations do not affect accurate detection of the recording marks.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a rotary head type, a magnetic head having two gaps of different azimuth angles is installed on the rotary drum and a switching signal, the polarity of which is inverted every rotation of the rotary drum is generated. The duty of the switching signal is adjusted so as to correspond to a time-difference between the two gaps of the above head. The timings of the recording operation and the reproducing operation to be performed by the magnetic head are controlled on the basis of the above adjusted switching signal.

Abstract: A digital signal recording and playback apparatus having a rotary heads mounted on a rotary drum capable of recording/reproducing a digital signal onto/from a magnetic tape at a tape speed which is N times as much as the standard speed while conforming to the standard track angle and length. The number of the rotary heads are increased from the standard two heads whereas the drum speed is made one half of N times standard speed and the drum diameter is made slightly larger from the standard so that the relative speed between the running tape and the rotating heads becomes equal to the standard in the double tape speed mode, and becomes twice that in the quadruple tape speed mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing signals from a multiplicity of parallel tracks in a recording medium by means of n number of rotary heads, n being an integer not less than 3. A transportation device for transporting the recording medium is controlled on the basis of two kinds of signal: namely, a tracking control signal for leading one of the n number of rotary heads to one of m number of tracks contained in consecutive n number of tracks, m being an integer not less than 2; and a track shift signal which is generated in accordance with the result of a determination as to whether the n number of rotary heads are tracing expected tracks and which enable the tracks under tracing to be shifted to obtain a predetermined relationship between the sequence of the n number of rotary heads and the sequence of the tracks traced by these rotary heads.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording an information signal that includes a signal processor for processing an information signal to be magnetically recorded, n magnetic heads (n is an integer of 2 or more) provided on a rotating drum with a step of about 1/n the width of a magnetic tape and a distributing circuit for selectively supplying the processed information signal to one or more than two of the n magnetic heads, wherein the processed information signal is recorded on one or more than two track areas of the magnetic tape by the magnetic head. Thus, much data can be recorded at a high transmission rate to improve the quality of picture, and also, a high access speed can be achieved.

Abstract: A rotation control device comprises a rotary body arranged to move a head and a recording medium relative to each other in performing recording or reproduction on or from the recording medium; means for performing speed servo-control by detecting any speed deviation of the rotary body; means for performing phase servo-control by detecting any phase deviation of the rotary body; and means for performing the speed servo-control over the rotary body by detecting a phase-locked state of the rotary body and by synchronizing the rotary body with a synchronizing signal reproduced from the recording medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for developing a digital timing signal indicative of when a head of a helical scan recorder (30) is positioned over a recorded stripe on magnetic tape (32). The method involves rotating a drum (36) upon which a head is mounted while the magnetic tape (32) is transported past the drum at a speed greater than the nominal speed at which stripes were recorded on the tape. Given the geometry of the system and format of the tape, the head is eventually able to recognize a pattern of digital data. The timing of the recognition of the pattern of digital data is used to determine the precise time, relative to each rotation of the drum (36), that the head ceases to traverse a stripe and the precise time during each rotation of the drum that the head begins to traverse a stripe. The determination of the edges of the digital timing signal is repeated upon every rotation of the drum (36).

Abstract: A multiplex recording/reproducing system with at least four video signal recording/reproducing magnetic heads mounted on a rotating body with a predetermined interval in the direction of rotation of the rotating body. At least four audio signal recording/reproducing magnetic heads are mounted on the rotating body, alternately with the video signal recording/reproducing magnetic heads. The magnetic tape is forwarded while being wrapped on the rotating body over a region extending at least a multiple of the predetermined interval. Recording/reproducing circuits record and reproduce the video signal and the audio signal while switching over the video signal and the audio signal recording/reproducing magnetic heads in a predetermined order for every predetermined period.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having a construction in which a digital signal including index signals recorded on a magnetic tape is reproduced and rotary magnetic heads are movable. The digital signal is reproduced by digital signal reproducing means including the rotary magnetic heads. A particular index signal among the index signals is detected by index signal detecting means. Further, the timing for reproducing the particular index signal is detected by timing detecting means. The rotary magnetic heads are moved and deviated in the direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary cylinder by rotary magnetic head position deviating means. Tape speed detecting means compares a reproduction clock with a reference clock and outputs a tape speed signal. First rotary magnetic head position deviation control means forms a control input for the rotary magnetic head position deviating means on the basis of the tape speed signal.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing a signal on and/or from a recording medium has a pair of guides disposed along the path of running of the recording medium such that one is located on the leading side while the other is located on the trailing side of a head assembly carrying a recording and/or reproducing head. The guides are simultaneously moved in the same direction so as to adjust the position of the recording medium on the head assembly in the direction of running of the recording medium so as to effect a tracking control thereby permitting the head to trace any winding of the recording track.

Abstract: A head drum servo control method for high speed searches in a magnetic tape regenerating apparatus and a device thereof are disclosed, the device comprising a head drum revolution speed voltage supplying means which consists of various specific means, the method comprising; a first step in which a constant relative speed voltage for the head relative to the tape and cosine and sine values of a constant inclination angle are set in advance; and a second step in which a head revolution speed voltage value is calculated in accordance with the variation of a tape running speed based on a specific formula. If the device and method of the present invention are adopted, the revolution velocity of the head drum can be rapidly started up during the transition from the normal regeneration to a high speed search.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for reducing cross talk in tape recording and playback systems is disclosed. A single magnetic track containing D data bytes of the prior art is divided into W substracks, each containing D/W data bytes. The tape recorder is capable of recording at a preselected full speed and integral fractions thereof. When recording is done at less than full speed, the W subtracks which comprise a track are offset longitudinally, such that the area covered by the W subtracks approximates the area of a single track of the prior art recorded at full speed. To further suppress cross talk, wide write heads and narrow read heads, or opposite azimuth angle heads may be used.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and playback apparatus using a magnetic head disposed on a rotating drum for forming oblique recording tracks in succession on a magnetic tape to record or playback serial data along the same, has a tracking control for controlling the height of the magnetic head in the direction perpendicular to the length of the recording track. A speed control is included for controlling the rotating speed of the rotating drum and/or the traveling speed of the magnetic tape in accordance with the bit transfer rate of the serial data so that the magnetic tape travels one reference track pitch while the rotating drum makes an integer number of rotations. A processor is included for compressing the serial data along the time base so that the serial data is recorded while the magnetic head scans the recording track.

Abstract: A tape traveling apparatus drives differentially a tracking control actuator and a tension control actuator by inputting simultaneously into a tension controller a tracking instruction signal inputted into a tracking controller, and variably adjusts an amplification of the tracking instruction signal inputted into the tension controller according to an output of a tension sensor for detecting a tension variation of a tape, thereby eliminating a differential error between the tracking control actuator and the tension control actuator.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing device such as an R-DAT performs fast search for detecting a desired reproducing position during fast feeding or rewinding of recorded tape. The magnetic recording and reproducing device comprises a rotary head incorporating a rotary drum for recording and reproducing an input signal by tracing a magnetic tape, a rotary drum drive circuit for driving the rotary drum for rotation, a tape reel drive circuit for driving a tape reel for running a magnetic tape and a relative speed detection circuit for detecting relative speed between the magnetic tape and the rotary head. The rotary drum is driven in such a manner that, upon receiving a fast search order, the relative speed substantially becomes a predetermined speed without increasing the tape speed.

Abstract: A decoding apparatus comprises detecting circuit for detecting a leading edge of a request signal which requests transmission of sequential data as digital signal, clock generator for generating a clock signal in response to an output signal from detecting circuits, and decoding circuit for decoding sequential data in accordance with the clock signal.

Abstract: In a tracking control apparatus using a microcomputer, a speed signal proportional to the rotating speed of a capstan motor is generated by an FG coil and applied to a CPU and a latch in the microcomputer. Time data generated by a time counter is held by the latch every time the speed signal is generated. The CPU calculates the rotation frequency of the capstan motor in accordance with the interval of time of generation of the speed signal based on the time data. When a reference signal generated by a reference signal generator and a control signal reproduced by a control head are applied to the CPU, each time data therefor is held by a separate latch. The CPU thus calculates a phase error of the capstan motor in accordance with the difference in the time data for the reference and control signals. The CPU further calculates control data from the rotation frequency and phase error of the capstan motor. The level of a video signal reproduced by a video head is detected by a peak detector.

Abstract: A rotary head type digital signal reproducing apparatus controls tracking of rotary magnetic heads based on tracking reference signals obtained in an end portion of a first scan and in a beginning portion of a second scan immediately after the first scan, out of successive first through fourth scans made by the rotary magnetic heads with respect to two mutually adjacent tracks on the magnetic tape, when playing the magnetic tape which has been recorded in a half-speed mode. In the half-speed mode, a rotational speed of the rotary magnetic heads and a tape transport speed of the magnetic tape are set to speed which are one-half those in a standard mode. But when playing on the reproducing apparatus the magnetic tape which has been recorded in the half-speed mode, only the tape transport speed is set identical to that in the half-speed mode, and the rotational speed of the rotary magnetic heads is set identical to that in the standard mode.

Abstract: A rotation control device for a rotary head in a rotary head type magnetic recording and reproducing device such as an R-DAT cmprises a rotary head including an FG (frequency generator) for producing a signal at a period determined by equally dividing one rotation of a drum and a PG (phase generator) for detecting a rotation reference position of the drum, a circuit for generating a PG reference signal as a reference signal for a PG detection signal provided by the PG, a circuit for generating an FG reference signal as a reference signal for an FG detection signal provided by the FG, and a control circuit for controlling rotation phase of the drum to a predetermined state by controlling rotation of the drum in accordance with a phase error between the PG detection signal and the PG reference signal and a phase error between the FG detection signal and the FG reference signal.

Abstract: In a digital audio magnetic tape reproducing apparatus of herical scanning using two magnetic heads, a first head reproduces a pilot signal of its own track and two pilot signals of both neighboring tracks of its own track by affection of crosstalk, then a difference value between the values of the reproduced signals of the two pilot signals is calculated and is applied to a tracking servo system as a tracking error signal, moreover, the difference value is controlled by a reproduced signals of a pilot signal reproduced by a second magnetic head in the previous reproducing period.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus quickly retrieves tape position information of a tape-shaped recording medium on which tracks are formed so as to record information and tape position information. This apparatus includes a tape speed detecting unit for continuously detecting the running speed of the tape-shaped recording medium, a cylinder speed setting unit for setting target values of rotation of a rotary cylinder for making constant the component of speed at which the head moves in a track direction according to the output of the tape speed detecting unit, and a cylinder control circuit for controlling the rotary cylinder so as to adapt its rotation to the target value of velocity of the cylinder set by the cylinder speed setting unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording an information signal on a track scanned by a rotary head on a record medium in which the track is divided into a plurality of areas. A pilot signal for tracking is recorded in a predetermined area on the track. A circuit is provided for reproducing the pilot signal for tracking from the predetermined area. Also, a circuit for recording the information signal on the track and a circuit for controlling the tracking of the rotary head by the predetermined pilot signal are provided.

Abstract: A delay circuit which compensates for a variable phase output of an index signal by delaying the read out index signal. The delay time of the delay circuit depends on the cylinder on which a read/write head is located, and is chosen so that the delayed index signals are generated at an essentially constant phase angle with respect to a reference angular position. The delay circuit may include a counter which is pre-loaded with an address of the cylinder on which the head is located, and which counts number of clock pulses input to the counter. Overflowing of the counter generates the compensated index signal. Thus, synchronous operation of plural disk apparatus is accomplished, when the head seeks a new cylinder.

Abstract: The control system manages the storage and retrieval of data with respect to a rotating media, wherein an actuator is utilized in the selection of data for storage and retrieval. The control system includes a low level media control circuit that permits the selection of the rotational position of the rotating media and an actuator control circuit that permits the selection of the position of the actuator with respect to the rotating media. A system controller is utilized to direct the operation of the low level media and actuator control circuits whereby the system controller specifies and adjusts, in real time, the incremental selection of the rotational position of the rotating media and the position of the actuator with respect to the rotating media.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing device of a type recording and reproducing a signal on a magnetic recording medium such as a tape by using a rotary head and performing a tracking control by detecting crosstalk components of pilot signals on left and right adjacent tracks and comparing these components with each other comprises a pilot signal detection circuit for detecting a pilot signal during fast feeding or rewinding of the magnetic recording medium and speed control circuit for controlling at least one of rotation speed of the rotary head and running speed of the magnetic recording medium so that the pilot signal can be detected substantially at its predetermined frequency during the fast feeding or the rewinding.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing signals recorded in slanting tracks on a recording tape including tape position information recorded at a specified area on each track apparatus has a tape speed setting circuit for setting a plurality of tape speeds, and a cylinder speed setting circuit for setting a rotational speed of a rotary cylinder such that the track direction speed component of a reproducing head mounted on the rotary cylinder is kept constant. A tape running control circuit controls a reel drive circuit so that the tape runs at a speed set by the tape speed setting circuit. A cylinder control circuit controls the rotary cylinder so that the rotary cylinder rotates at a speed set by the cylinder speed setting circuit.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recording an information signal on a recording medium forming many parallel tracks on the medium and for reproducing the information signal from the medium, a tracking control system is arranged to record a pilot signal of a given frequency along with the information signal in the first of the many tracks; to have the pilot signal also recorded in second and third tracks adjoining the first track on both sides thereof but at pilot signal phases shifted from the pilot signal phase of the first track to equal degrees in the directions opposite to each other at parts of the second and third tracks aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the first track; and, in reproducing the information signal, the position of the recording medium and that of a reproducing head relative to each other are controlled on the basis of the pilot signal of the given frequency reproduced by the reproducing head from the first track along with the information signal.

Abstract: A tracking system for a helical scanning type magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus which records and reproduces signals by a rotating magnetic head in which a tracking error signal is detected, and the feeding amount of the magnetic tape is controlled by a transfer section to accomplish tracking. The transfer of the magnetic tape is controlled so that the average transfer speed of the magnetic tape becomes a specified speed during a period when the rotating magnetic head does not reproduce signals. In particular, the tracking error signal is separated into low band and high band frequency components by a band separating circuit. A first transfer section is controlled by the low band frequency component to accomplish average tracking, and a second transfer section is controlled by the high band frequency component thereby changing the length of the magnetic tape between the rotating drum and the first transfer section.

Abstract: A digital signal recording/reproducing apparatus for enabling recording/reproduction at variable speeds including normal speed, and at least one of N-times normal speed and 1/N-times normal speed while maintaining the reproducing frequency constant so as to not require switching of analog circuits. At the time of reproduction at normal speed, N-times normal speed or 1/N-times normal speed, the feed speed of the magnetic tape and the timing of picking up of a reproducing signal from the magnetic tape are varied while the speed of revolution of a cylinder of a rotary head is maintained constant so that the timing of detection of pilot signals for generating a tracking error signal is varied to cope with difference in track scanning conditions in recording and reproducing modes.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved longitudinal-type rotary head recording system. The improved assembly includes a transducing head carriage mechanism which may be easily accessed for quick and inexpensive replacement of the recording head assembly. In addition, improvements to the head drum assembly are disclosed wherein air gaps, which may form between the head assembly and recording tape are eliminated.

Abstract: An automatic tracking device which reproduces the biggest and clearest FM video signals onto a screen utilizes the concept that the width of the video heads are to be formed larger than the track of the video tape. The size of the video signals reproduced from these video heads are compared. From this comparison the automatic tracking device controls the video heads or tape speed to cause the video signal to be the same size without requiring a separate control track. This controlling of the video signals allows the biggest FM video signals to appear on a screen having substantially no noise.

Abstract: A device for transferring signals between itself and a record carrier tape, the device including a rotating head wheel disk, at least one head disposed on the rotating head wheel disk, a sensor and a signal emitter to indicate the position of the head wheel disk, the improvement wherein the signal emitter comprises two juxtaposed electrical conductors.

Abstract: A variable speed magnetic medium recording and playback apparatus for reproducing signals prerecorded in defined tracks on a magnetic recording medium by cyclical helical scanning and generating an output video signal subject to noise when more than one track is scanned in a single cycle. The magnetic reproducing apparatus includes a variable speed rotary head for helically scanning the prerecorded signals on the recording medium, a variable speed drive device or a capstan device for moving the recording medium in relation to the rotary head, and a circuit for controlling the speed of the rotary head in correspondence with changes in the speed of the variable speed drive device for reducing noise in the output signal of the apparatus.

Abstract: A technique for recovering helical audio using the standard synchronous reference clock of the video tape recorder system to conventionally clock the transport and the video signal processor, including the video timebase corrector. A modified audio signal processor clock is generated which is varied commensurate with the desired rate of tape speed override, varying accordingly the flow of audio data through an audio timebase recorder. The speed of a helical scanner is varied in accordance with the rate of tape speed override, to lock the scanner angular position to the audio timebase corrector. In turn, a capstan servo adjusts the tape position in respsonse to the scanner angular position to lock the tape to the scanner. Meanwhile, the video signal processing proceeds conventionally by skipping or repeating fields or frames via a frame store to match the rate of tape speed override.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording reproduction apparatus, electro-mechanical transducing element supply voltage to maximize output read from a standard defining tape by a rotary magnetic head is stored in a memory disecretely corresponding to position of a head in the rotational direction per each mode such as still reproduction, slow reproduction or speed search, and the supply voltage corresponding to the position of the rotary magnetic head in the rotational direction is read from the memory during the use state, and the electro-mechanical transducing element is supplied with the supply voltage read from the memory and the position of the rotary magnetic head in the rotational axis direction is controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing recorded signals by periodically tracing with reproducing heads many recording tracks formed on a record bearing medium, is arranged to form from the output of the reproducing head a first periodic signal relative to a tracking error between the head and one of many recording tracks; and to control the movement of the record bearing medium relative to the reproducing head on the basis of a phase difference between the first periodic signal and a second periodic signal which is related to the tracing period of the reproducing head.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing device with an automatic tracking control function which can record and reproduce signals by means of a rotary head incorporating plural heads of different azimuth. The device performs tracking control by detecting, based on a timing of a synchronizing signal of a track, crosstalks of pilot signals obtained from adjacent tracks and comparing the crosstalks to use the difference as a tracking error signal. A form of the synchronizing signal is different alternately in a series of tracks of the same azimuth. The device comprises a designation element and a detection element for the synchronizing signal form.

Abstract: An angular position indicating signal generator for a data reproduction machine having a rotary element for recording and reproducing data including a reference signal having a predetermined delay time. The angular position indicating signal generator includes an angular position detection circuit for detecting the angular position of the rotary element relative to the rotary plane of the rotary element, a counter circuit for detecting the time difference between the rotary element and the reference signal, a memory circuit for storing the count of the counter circuit, and a delay circuit for automatically compensating the detected output of the angular position detection circuit in response to the count stored in the memory circuit.

Abstract: In an information signal reproducing apparatus of the kind reproducing an information signal from a tape-shaped recording medium on which pilot signals of four different kinds having different frequencies are cyclically recorded in rotation along with the information signal, reference signals of four different kinds which correspond to the pilot signals of four different kinds and are generated one after another in a switch-over cycle to be used for tracking control together with these pilot signals. The reference signals are arranged to be generated one after another in a switch-over cycle which differs from the normal switch-over cycle during a specific period following change-over of the tape-shaped medium moving speed from one speed to another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing special motion effects such as slow or fast motion, still frame and other effects from video magnetic tape is disclosed which is particularly applicable to helical wrap recording and reproducing apparatus. The apparatus employs a transducing head that is mounted on a revolving scanning drum, with the head being movable in a line generally transverse to the recorded track. The present invention utilizes the transverse positioning of the head to accurately follow a track during reproducing or playback and, at the completion of the track, to properly position or set the head in position to either play the next adjacent successive track, replay the same track, or play yet another track so that special motion effects can be achieved without experiencing picture breakup or unwanted noise.

Abstract: The invention concerns a videorecorder with a rotating head drum (KT) that has video heads (K1 & K2) with a magnetic tape (B) looped partly around them mounted on it, with at least one pulse generator (M) mounted on the head drum, with at least one sensor (S) that generates a head-shift signal that switches from one video head to the other, and with a control head (KK) for scanning the vertical-synchronization signal during playback. In the playback mode the time between the signal supplied to the sensor and the vertical-synchronization signal is measured and compared with a reference, and a criterion for controlling the position in time of the head-shift signal is derived from the comparison.

Abstract: A memory controlling apparatus for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus which records and reproduces a field image signal in each read or write cycle performed by a video head for reproducing the image signal from a magnetic tape, and by a video head position detector for detecting the position of the video head. A reference circuit obtains a signal defining a reference timing which is independent of the position of the video head and which is also used to determine the phase of the video head. A memory is provided having storage sufficient to store the field image signal, and a controller is provided for controlling the operation of reading and writing the image signal from and into the memory.

Abstract: A rotary head type digital signal recording and/or reproducing apparatus wherein for 1/2 speed recording and/or reproducing from a magnetic tape, a tape feed speed is decreased to 1/2 times the normal speed, and a recording/reproducing interval becomes 2 times that of the normal mode of operation utilizing at least two rotary heads mounted at adjacent positions on a rotating cylinder with one of the rotary heads having a plus azimuth angle and the other having a minus azimuth angle. For 2 times speed recording/reproducing, a tape feed speed increases to 2 times the normal speed, and a recording/reproducing interval becomes 1/2 that of the normal mode of operation utilizing at least two rotary heads mounted on a rotating cylinder at opposite positions of a rotary axis of the cylinder, with one of the two rotary heads having a plus azimuth angle and the other having a minus azimuth angle.