Abstract: An information signal reproducing apparatus for reproducing an information signal from a recording medium on which a different pilot signals are recorded in a superimposed state upon the information signal in given rotation, with recording tracks formed at one of different selectable track pitches, is arranged: to generate, on the basis of the pilot signals reproduced by an information signal reproducing head, a tracking error signal indicative of the positional deviation of the head from one of the recording tracks; to count the number of times for which the positional deviation indicated by the tracking error signal reaches a predetermined degree for every given period of time; and to discriminate, on the basis of count value thus obtained, said one of track pitches at which the recording tracks are formed in recording.

Abstract: A digital signal reproducing apparatus which reproduces digital PCM audio signals recorded on a recording medium in the form of single helical tracks. The apparatus is provided with at least two rotary heads for reproducing signals on the recording medium. The apparatus, however, is not provided with an erase head. Previously recorded signals are erased by overwriting, as a result of which a problem may arise in which a sync signal remains unerased. Therefore, a level of a pilot signal frequency component sampled in response to the sync signal is compared with a predetermined level to see if the sampled level is appropriate. It it is not appropriate, capstan servo control is not performed.

Abstract: A rotary body drive device for controlling rotation of a motor on the basis of the phase difference between a periodic signal produced in accompaniment with rotation of the motor and a reference clock signal so that their phase relationship becomes a prescribed one. When the phase difference between both signals detected in a certain state is largely different from that detected in the preceding time, a correction is given to the phase difference of both signals detected in the aforesaid certain state, so that the rotation of said motor is controlled in accordance with the corrected phase difference.

Abstract: A parallel scanning tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a rotary head drum carrying a magnetic head which forms a given length of recording track on a magnetic tape. The magnetic head is designed to be shifted in axial direction at every cycle of recording and/or reproducing operation for forming a plurality of tracks which tracks are axially aligned to form a series of track trains which are formed at mutually different lateral orientation on the magnetic tape. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus is responsive to an operation command which includes an order for deceleration of the magnetic tape to stop, such as a command for reversing the tape drive direction, to temporarily accelerate tape drive speed for avoiding overlapping of axially aligned tracks.

Abstract: A tracking system and method are disclosed for a helical-scan recording device to automatically maintain the recording/playback heads in alignment with the stripes of recorded information on the magnetic tape. Each stripe on the magnetic tape includes a servo area having four distinct zones. An analog servo signal at a preselected frequency is recorded on one of the four zones on each stripe and is recorded at different ones of the four zones in succession on each group of four adjacent stripes. The servo signal recorded on the stripes is detected during playback and processed to maintain the desired head positioning relative to the stripes on the tape. The servo head is preferably maintained between adjacent stripes on the magnetic tape and signals detected from each of the adjacent stripes maintain head alignment by shifting the positioning of the head in either direction as needed.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus in which track pitch is determined by using a signal reproduced by a rotary head which is also used for erasing.

Abstract: A rotary head type type digital signal reproducing apparatus plays a magnetic tape which is pre-recorded with a tracking reference signal in predetermined starting and ending portions of each track which is formed obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape and with a digital audio signal in an intermediate portion between the starting and ending portions of each track. When playing a magnetic tape pre-recorded in a half-speed mode, only the tape transport speed is set identical to that at the time of the recording. A tracking control is carried out based on tracking reference signals reproduced during predetermined two successive scans out of four successive scans made with respect to every two mutually adjacent tracks.

Abstract: A magnetic reproducing apparatus comprises two rotary magnetic heads mounted on respective bimorphs, the heads being displaceable in the transverse direction relative to recorded tracks on a magnetic tape is response to control voltages applied to the respective bimorphs to effect correct scanning of the tracks, a pulse generator for generating a first pulse signal of frequency dependent on the transport speed of the tape, a first counter for counting the pulses of the first pulse signal to produce a first count output each time a head completes scanning of a track, a second counter which, starting from the first count output, counts the pulses of a second pulse signal which has a frequency which is an integral multiple of the frequency of the first pulse signal and produces a second count output, and a circuit to derive from the second count output control voltages for supply to the bimorphs to preset the positions of the heads relative to the tracks each time a head is to start scanning a track.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic tracking device for VCR designed to achieve an automatic tracking by making compensation for phase of capstan motor depending on the relative magnitudes of real color signal and cross talk signal among reproduced video signals. When video signal is reproduced, the envelope of real color signal and the envelope of cross talk signal are detected by separating a real color signal and a cross talk signal from among the reproduced video signals. Thus, signals proportional to the relative magnitudes of these two envelope detecting signals are outputted to capstan motor as signals making compensation for advancing phase or delaying phase to achieve an automatic tracking.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing information signals recorded with a plurality of pilot signals having different frequencies on a tape-like recording medium, in which a tracking error signal is formed by using the pilot signals reproduced by the head for reproducing the information signals, and pulse signals generated in correspondence to the moving action of the recording medium during a period of variation in level of the tracking error signals are counted to discriminate whether the recording speed of the information signals and the moving speed of the recording medium are coincident or not.

Abstract: A digital signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprises rotary magnetic heads for recording and reproducing digital signals on and from a magnetic tape, where the digital signals include a digitally modulated information signal and a specific signal which is in a frequency region different from that of the digitally modulated information signal, a circuit for frequency-selecting the specific signal from the reproduced digital signals, a circuit for measuring a period of the specific signal which is frequency-selected, a circuit for calculating a rate of change of a transmission rate of the reproduced digital signals from the measured period of the specific signal and for detecting a relative linear velocity between the rotary magnetic head and the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A helical scan type video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a rotary body mounted with a pair of rotary magnetic heads at positions having an angular separation of approximately 180.degree. on a rotational plane of the rotary body so that the pair of rotary magnetic heads have mutually different height positions along an axial direction of the rotary body, a mechanism for intermittently transporting a magnetic tape which is wrapped obliquely around a peripheral surface of the rotary drum for a predetermined angular range, and a circuit for successively recording and reproducing while the magnetic tape is stationary video signals each amounting to one field on and from a pair of successive tracks by the pair of rotary magnetic heads in time lapse recording and reproducing modes.

Abstract: A control pulse recording circuit for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having standard and expanded play modes, comprising an oscillator for generating a predetermined signal having a predetermined frequency which is higher than that of the vertical synchronizing signal of a video signal; a counter for counting the predetermined signal to produce a 30 Hz signal when a counted value in the counter reaches a threshold value with a timing which has been delayed by a predetermined time from every other vertical synchronizing signal in a recording mode; a circuit supplied with the 30 Hz signal for producing 30 Hz pulses; and control head circuitry for recording the 30 Hz pulses on a magnetic tape in the recording mode. The 30 Hz pulses are recorded on the magnetic tape with a timing delayed by a delay time from a timing of every other vertical synchronizing signal in both the standard and expanded play modes.

Abstract: In a slow reproducing apparatus, a magnetic tape is intermittently driven. In a tape stop state during the intermittent drive operation, a video signal for one field is written in a field memory, and in a tape moving state during the intermittent driving operation, the written signal is read out from the field memory. A means for correcting a read timing error of the video signal caused by a variation in tape stop position during the intermittent driving operation is used, thus obtaining a noiseless, stable, slow reproduced image.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus wherein control of rotation of a rotary head, control of tape transportation and a control of the tracking of the head adjusting actuator are processed in a time-share fashion by a data processing device. The control is carried out by using a timer circuit, which has a period of one or several integer times the period of rotation of the rotary head. Computing processes for the above controls are selectively carried out on a time-shared basis. By using a DC component of the tracking error signal, a track transporting system capable of noiseless playback, and which has a wide range of tracking control.

Abstract: A reel speed servo for inclined recording tracks such as used in R-DAT. The two rotary magnetic heads are inclined at different azimuth angles. The relative speed between each of the heads and the tape is detected. Then the difference of these relative speeds is determined to thereby detect the speed of the tape, which is thus used in the reel speed servo.

Abstract: An index signal detecting system for detecting an index signal recorded in a predetermined track area in a high speed playback mode. According to this index signal detecting system, the rotary head is wobbled in a direction intersecting the track so that in the high speed playback mode, the index signal can always be picked up by the rotary head.

Abstract: A tracking control system is capable of simplification of tracking operations for a recording and/or reproduction apparatus, such as VTR. The tracking control system employs an up-switch and a down-switch for increasing and decreasing tracking control or adjustment magnitude. This simplifies tracking operations to be performed by the user. The tracking control system additionally facilites with the feature of instantly setting the tracking control system at a predetermined position. Instant setting operation is performed by operating the up-switch and down-switch simultaneously.

Abstract: In an automatic tracking system for a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus wherein tracking is controlled so as to increase an amplitude of a reproduced signal which is delivered from a rotary head for reproducing a track recorded by a helical scan system, the amplitudes of the reproduced signal are detected at a plurality of points of time within one rotational cycle of the rotary head, and the tracking is controlled so as to increase a minimum value among the detected values at the plurality of points of time.

Abstract: A video signal editing apparatus use in conjunction with an existing VTR having a helically scanning type rotary magnetic head. The apparatus is designed for recording a new video signal within the framework of the previously recorded video signals on the tape. The apparatus is so designed that an editing start point for starting the recording of the new video signals and an editing end point for terminating the recording of the new video signals are determined, and that the tape running and head rotation are controlled in accordance with servo errors at the editing start and end points during the time the new video signal is recorded on the tape.

Abstract: Apparatus including a rotary head accurately reproduces a digital signal recorded on a tape, even when the tape runs at high speed. Transitions of a reproduced signal are detected, intervals corresponding to the transitions are counted on the basis of a predetermined reference signal, and the rotation of the rotary head is controlled in response to the counted value so that the relative speed between the rotary head and the tape is held constant, notwithstanding changes in the absolute speed of the tape, as in the fast-forward mode.

Abstract: A system and method are described for aligning a set of tracks which have been recorded simultaneously on a magnetic medium by a multichannel transducer mounted in a rotating scanner, with transducing channels of a corresponding multichannel transducer for reproduction. A scan identifier signal is recorded simultaneously by a rotating multichannel transducer at a predetermined location along each track. Means are provided for reproducing and summing simultaneously accessed scan identifier signals during consecutive scans of the multichannel transducer over the medium. The relative position of the recorded medium to the rotating multichannel transducer is changed in a direction across the length of the tracks. That relative position in which the largest amplitude of the summed scan identifier signals is obtained corresponds to the desired alignment with the set of tracks.

Abstract: A system to improve image quality during shuttling of a video tape in a record and playback machine of the type in which each image field is recorded on one or more tracks on video tape. The system includes an offset signal source coupled to a displaceable mechanism during shuttling to provide relative displacement between a reproduce transducer and a video tape to cause the transducer to cross tracks of recorded information irregularly, thereby providing frequent updating of substantially all regions of an image field by information stored on the tape.

Abstract: An auto-tracking apparatus of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus has a circuit for discriminating whether the audio signals recorded on a magnetic tape to be reproduced were recorded by audio rotary heads or a fixed head, and a circuit for selecting outputs of the audio rotary heads in the case of the Hi-Fi recorded magnetic tape by the audio rotary heads and outputs of the video rotary heads in the case where it is determined that the magnetic tape is the normal recorded tape by the fixed head on the basis of the result of the discrimination, and performs the auto-tracking on the basis of the selected outputs. With this arrangement, the auto-tracking can be carried out irrespective of whether the magnetic tape is the normal recorded tape by the conventional fixed head or the Hi-Fi recorded tape by the rotary heads.

Abstract: A helical scan type magnetic recording apparatus forms tracks which are mutually separated in a width direction of a magnetic tape. The apparatus comprises n pairs of rotary heads for simultaneously and independently forming n oblique tracks which are mutually separated in the width direction of the magnetic tape, where n is equal to two or three, first and second stationary heads for forming audio and control tracks, respectively, and a third stationary head for recording a specific information signal by forming a specific information signal recording track in a recording region other than recording regions in which the audio and control tracks are formed out of three or four recording regions in which the oblique tracks are not formed.

Abstract: A new automatic tracking method is disclosed for the accurate positioning of a magnetic head with information previously recorded on the magnetic tape. If a moveable magnetic head is used, the position thereof is first normalized. Thereafter tracking is automatically adjusted based on a repetitive sampling process in which the results are mathematically averaged to determine a precise center position. Finally, new video material is physically positioned on the magnetic track according to a single offset error measurement and this offset error is stored and used in all subsequent edit operations.

Abstract: A real-time magnetic digital video disk recording system has been developed for applications in on-line digital imaging systems and off-line fast access image storage and retrieval buffers. The disk recorder uses new high density recording technology and Winchester computer drive technology in a unique peripheral configuration which is fully synchronized to video system timing, provides for flexible formatting, achieves fast random access to a large video image file, and eliminates the need for complex data controllers. The recorder includes two independent actuator and head assemblies for alternately recording successive video fields on separate tracks on separate zones A and B of a disk stack. Movement of one of the actuators and head assemblies is controlled and occurs within a field time to skip tracks containing media flaws to achieve real time digital video recording.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying the playing time of a program including a signal converter (1) for converting a signal (S.sub.1) corresponding to the difference between the time content and the desired playing time of a program to a tape-speed-varying signal (.DELTA.T.sub.D) and a reference-signal-varying signal (.DELTA.T.sub.p). The tape-speed-varying signal controls a delay (5) of a detected capstan signal (T.sub.D). The delayed and nondelayed capstan signal are phase compared (4) to produce a speed control voltage. The tape-speed-varying signal varies the frequency of the capstan reference signal (T.sub.P) in a reference signal generator (2). The capstan reference signal is then phase compared (3) with a signal regenerated from the control track of the tape to produce a phase control voltage. An adder (6) adds the speed and phase control voltages to produce a signal to drive the capstan motor.

Abstract: Apparatus for recording and reading information on a magnetic tape, comprising heads rotating in the median plane of a drum (38) against which the tape can pass over a helical path (11). Means are provided for modifying the pitch of the helical path (11) of the tape, such as two movable rollers (55, 56) disposed respectively downstream and upstream of the drum (38), separated by a fixed difference in height and adapted to move in such a manner as to vary the length of the portion of tape connecting them without varying said difference in height.

Abstract: A head swtiching signal producing circuit produces a head switching signal by electrically compensating for a phase error on a rotational plane of a rotary drum between a mounting position of a rotary head on the rotary drum and a mounting position of a rotational phase detector which is used to detect a rotational phase of the rotary drum, so as to produce an accurate head switching signal without controlling the mounting position of the rotational phase detector within a small tolerance.

Abstract: A time interval measuring apparatus includes a single main counter, and a plurality of latch circuits each for latching the count content of the main counter every time a plurality of different pulses are supplied thereto. In this apparatus, one of the count contents, corresponding to two pulses to be measured, is substracted from the other thereof, thereby measuring the interval between the two pulses. This apparatus includes a circuit for stopping the count operation of the main counter before the count content of the main counter is latched, when a pulse is supplied, a circuit for storing the number of stop operations of the main counter performed within the time interval between the two pulses to be measured, and a circuit for correcting the time interval by a value corresponding to the count stop time, in accordance with the stored data representing the number of counter stop operations, when the time interval is obtained by subtracting the counter content from the latched content.

Abstract: A magnetic video reproducer outputs a plurality of pilot signals having different frequencies from a servo circuit (18) in a recording mode, to superpose the pilot signals on video signals outputted from a signal circuit (25) and record the same on video tracks provided on a magnetic tape. In shifting a mode from the recording mode to a stop mode including a pause mode, a capstan motor (19) and a reel motor (20) are reversely rotated so that a cue signal is recorded by a cue head (10) on the magnetic tape in the form of a pulse train, whereafter travelling of the magnetic tape is stopped.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus using a pilot signal control system is adapted such that a cue signal (51) is recorded in a cue track (50) provided besides a video signal track (52) when a magnetic tape (7) is temporarily stopped during the recording operation and is moved in the backward direction by a predetermined amount, and when the temporary stop is cancelled and the magnetic tape is moved in the forward direction, the cue signal (51) is reproduced and the recording operation is restarted responsive to the reproduced cue signal. Preferably, after cancellation of the temporary stop until restart of the recording operation, control is made such that coincidence of the frequency and phase of the reproduced pilot signal and those of a pilot signal to be recorded is established.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing digital signals recorded on a magnetic or other recording tape includes a servo mechanism which is effective, when the tape is transported at a high speed in either a fast-forward or rewind mode, to maintain a relative speed between the tape and a rotary head that is substantially the same as that in the normal playback mode. Moreover, in the rewind mode, the rotary head is rotated in the direction opposite to that in the normal playback mode, while the absolute value of the relative speed remains the same as that in the normal playback mode. Further, the digital signals reproduced by the rotary head in the rewind mode have their sequential order reversed.

Abstract: A drum servo circuit for a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus uses a 30 Hz or 60 Hz oscillator circuit (counter), and a trapezoidal wave signal (or a sampling pulse signal) is produced by selectively using threshold values set in the oscillator circuit depending on the play mode, so as to eliminate the need to externally couple a plurality of variable resistors to a monostable multivibrator. A drum motor which drives a rotary drum is controlled responsive to a phase error signal which is obtained by comparing the phase of the trapezoidal wave signal (or the sampling pulse signal) and the phase of a rotation detection signal which is obtained by detecting the rotation of the drum motor.

Abstract: A scan tracking circuit for helical scan video tape recorders. The circuit creates and combines three control signals and generates as an output a deflection signal which serves to accurately maintain the scanning head on a desired track. The first control signal is sawtooth shaped and is based upon and derived from the speed of the tape. The second control signal is dependent on the signal which is developed by the scanning head and is also correlated with other signals which are obtained from previous scans of a previous scanned video track. The third signal is selected from a plurality of stored signals each of which is tailored to correct for a characteristic curvature pattern associated with video tracks produced by a particular VTR machine. The final deflection signal is a composite of the three control signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing an information signal which was recorded along with one of four successive pilot signals of different frequencies from one another for every one track of a recording medium in a prescribed rotation, including a reproducing head for tracing the recording track, apparatus for selectively producing four reference signals of substantially the same frequencies as those of the respective pilot signals one at a time in a rotation different from the prescribed rotation, and apparatus for detecting a position error of the reproducing head relative to the recording track by using the four reference signals and at least one of the four pilot signals reproduced through the reproducing head.

Abstract: An information signal reproducing apparatus for tracing a recording medium on which a large number of recording tracks having four kinds of pilot signals with different frequencies from one another recorded successively on each one of the tracks together with information signals are formed with such track pitch as selectively determined from a plurality of track pitches and for respectively detecting the above-mentioned four kinds of pilot signals included in the signals reproduced by the head for reproducing the above-mentioned information signals, thus making a discrimination of the track pitches by outputs of such detections.

Abstract: An information signal reproducing apparatus, which is arranged to reproduce an information signal from recording tracks formed on a record bearing medium one after another in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the medium with different pilot signals repeatedly superimposed on the information signal, is provided with: Moving apparatus for moving the medium in the direction intersecting the recording tracks; apparatus for generating a first signal in association with the medium moving action of the moving apparatus; reproducing apparatus for reproducing from the medium the information signal and the different pilot signals; apparatus for generating a second signal corresponding to the repeating period of these pilot signals; and apparatus for detecting the pitch of the recording tracks through the first and second signals.

Abstract: An information signal reproducing apparatus for reproducing information signals on a record bearing medium having said information signals recorded thereon in many recording tracks formed on the record bearing medium with intervals of a predetermined pitch.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing video signals on a magnetic tape wherein a capstan and driving motor are coupled by a belt for driving the tape. The motor is connected to a power supply circuit through a switching circuit and voltage is applied from the switching circuit to the motor for driving the belt and therewith the tape. The motor driving voltage application time is controlled to be substantially equal to an integer multiple of the reciprocal of the resonance frequency of the belt driving system.

Abstract: A video signal recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a switch for interrupting a recording when manually turned ON and for resuming the recording when manually turned OFF, a circuit for moving a tape in a forward direction during a recording mode, stopping the tape after moving the tape in a reverse direction over a predetermined distance responsive to an ON state of the switch and moving the tape in the forward direction responsive to an OFF state of the switch, a circuit for generating a joint indication signal and a recording interruption indication signal responsive to the ON state of the switch, a circuit for recording the joint indication signal on the tape and for reproducing the joint indication signal from the tape when the tape moves in the forward direction after being moved in the reverse direction and stopped, a circuit for producing a recording start command signal responsive to a detection of a reproduced joint indication signal, and a circuit for interrupting a recording of a video

Abstract: A portable video tape recorder includes a tachogenerator which generates an actual speed signal representative of the angular velocity of a video head and an actual phase signal representative of the angular position of the head. A frequency comparator generates a speed control signal representative of the deviation of the actual speed signal from a reference speed signal and a phase comparator generates a phase control signal representative of the deviation of the actual phase signal from a reference phase signal. The speed and phase control signals are summed and applied to the motor. A detector is provided for detecting when the deviation of the actual phase signal exceeds a predetermined level and generating a warning signal to alert the user either in visual or audible form to prevent external vibration from severely disturbing the angular position of the video head.

Abstract: A synthetic control track signal is provided for a magnetic video tape recording and/or reproducing machine having a motor driven capstan and capstan servo which controls the speed of the tape during recording and reproducing. The synthetic signal enables the capstan servo to operate when the control track signal has not been recorded or has been improperly recorded. The synthetic signal is generated from vertical synchronization information extracted from the video information extracted signal.

Abstract: A rotating head type reproducing apparatus, arranged to reproduce a recorded signal by tracing, one after another many recording tracks formed on a record bearing medium at a predetermined pitch by a rotating head, includes a moving mechanism for moving the record bearing medium in a direction transverse to the recording tracks; a shifting mechanism for shifting the rotating head in a direction transverse to the rotating plane thereof; a pulse signal generator for generating a pulse signal in association with the moving operation of the moving mechanism on the record bearing medium; a counter for counting the pulse signal, the count datum of the counter being arranged to return to the initial datum every time a predetermined number of pulses of the pulse signal are counted; a timing signal generator for generating a timing signal in association with the rotation of the rotating head; and a control device for forming a control signal for controlling the shifting mechanism on the basis of the count data of the

Abstract: Apparatus for recording a video signal to sequentially form a slant track on a recording tape which is moved at a specified tape speed, the specified tape speed being different from a standard tape speed in a reproducing mode is disclosed which includes a recording head mounted on a movable member which is deflected in a direction perpendicular to the slant track, a circuit for controlling the tape speed in response to a speed reference signal to obtain the specified tape speed during recording and a circuit for controlling a position of the recording head such that an inclination of slant track which is formed by the recording head at the specified tape speed will be equal to that of the slant track which is formed by the recording head at the standard tape speed.

Abstract: Signals are recorded on a magnetic tape in the standard or long time recording mode. A capstan drive system has a plurality of control elements and controls the reproduction drive state of the tape in accordance with a rotation detection signal of a capstan motor and a signal reproduced from a control track of the tape. A disk control system has a plurality of control elements and controls the reproduction state of the tape by a rotary head in accordance with rotation detection signals from a disk motor and a disk. A high speed reproduction mode specifying unit specifies the first or second high speed reproduction mode for reproduction at a speed Ns (Ns is a positive integer of 2 or more) or Ns.N (N is a ratio of the tape speeds in the standard and long time recording modes) times the tape speed in the recording mode. A recording mode detection unit detects if the tape is recorded in the standard or long time recording mode.

Abstract: A floppy disc driving apparatus includes a floppy disc driver, a head-load driver, an index sensor for generating an index pulse for each rotation of a floppy disc and a signal generator for supplying a drive signal to the head-load driver. It further includes a timer circuit, a head-load flag area and a control circuit for setting the timer circuit to a preset time period longer than the time required for one rotation of the floppy disc in response to an index pulse from the index sensor and setting a head drive inhibition flag in the head-load flag area in response to a signal generated form the timer circuit upon completion of the counting of the preset time period by the timer circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for recording and reproducing color television signals on a magnetic media such as magnetic tape, wherein the signals recorded on and reproduced from the magnetic media are in a digital domain. The analog color television signal is converted to digital signals in a manner whereby the horizontal blanking interval is compressed and digital synchronizing information is inserted in the compressed horizontal blanking interval for every line. Upon reproduction, the digital synchronizing information is extracted from the reproduced information and is provided to servo circuits for controlling the relative transport of the magnetic tape and operatively associated magnetic heads to effect synchronous reproduction of the recorded information relative to a reference signal.

Abstract: A tracking control system comprises a capstan motor for moving a magnetic tape which is at least recorded with an FM signal and a control signal having a constant period, a driving circuit for generating a signal which drives the capstan motor, a control head for reproducing the control signal from the tape in a reproducing mode, heads for reproducing the FM signal from the tape in the reproducing mode, a tracking adjuster for generating a comparison signal, a phase comparator for comparing phases of the reproduced control signal with the comparison signal and for generating a phase error signal which is supplied to the driving circuit to control the driving circuit, a sampling circuit for sampling a signal which is based on the reproduced FM signal with a preset sampling interval, a discriminating circuit for discriminating levels of sampled data obtained from the sampling circuit, and a circuit for generating a control signal based on a discriminated result in the discriminating circuit and for supplying th