Abstract: A two-head recorder in which information is read from recording tracks which are substantially parallel to each other and which make an angle with the longitudinal axis of a tape-like recording medium. The recorder comprises two heads which are each mounted on a transducer for moving the head as a function of tracking signals for the two heads which appear alternately so that the two heads are alternately centered relative to the recording track. The tracking signals are also applied to a tape speed control circuit in order to control the speed of the tape-like recording medium depending upon the average value of the tracking signals.

Abstract: A video signal, speed-change reproducing system has a tape on which a video signal has been recorded. The tracks are disposed contiguously and obliquely relative to the tape longitudinal direction. The successive tracks are individually recorded by a plurality of rotating heads having gaps of mutually different azimth angles. The tape travels at a selected speed V which is represented by the equation ##EQU1## wherein Vo is the tape speed for normal reproduction (and recording), and n is a positive or negative integer. A pair of rotating reproducing heads have reproducing gaps which are also of the same mutually different azimuth angles that are used for recording. The reproducing heads are adapted to successively scan the tracks of the tape to reproduce the recorded video signal. The centers of the track width of the rotating heads are different in height positions with respect to the rotational planes in which the heads travel.

Abstract: A video signal, speed-change reproducing system uses a tape on which a video signal has been recorded. The recorded tracks are disposed contiguously and obliquely relative to the longitudinal tape direction. The tracks are recorded and formed by a plurality of rotating heads having gaps of mutually different azimuth angles. The tape travels at a selected speed V represented by the equation ##EQU1## wherein Vo is the tape speed for normal reproduction (and recording), and n is a positive integer. For reproduction, a plurality of rotating reproducing heads have gaps of mutually different azimuth angles which are the same as the azimuth angles used at the recording time. These heads successively scan the tracks of the tape to reproduce the recorded video signal. The rotating reproducing head is controlled to rotate in such a phase relation that each time instant when the level of the reproduced signal becomes a minimum value is within or in the vicinity of a vertical blanking period.

Abstract: A rotary head type magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus, by which a tracking condition of the reproducing heads and a recorded track can be automatically adjusted. This apparatus includes an oscillator for imparting small vibrations to the reproducing heads, a synchronous detector, an integration adder circuit including an adder and a delay circuit rotary heads mounted on a positionable element, and from the small vibrations. A tracking error signal which is derived by wobbling circuit is applied to the integration adder circuit, and the positionable element is controlled by the output signal of the integration adder means so as to construct a servo loop. Accordingly, proper tracking can be attained even for large tracking error.

Abstract: A system for reproducing a video signal in a slow-motion reproduction comprises at least one rotary head for reproducing and operating to trace a tape on which has been recorded a video signal along tracks extending obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the tape thereby to pick up or reproduce the recorded video signal from the track, a circuit for intermittently driving a capstan motor for rotating a capstan for driving the tape thereby to shift the tape and to stop the tape intermittently in a slow-motion reproducing mode, and a circuit for controlling rotation of said rotary head so that the relative tracing speed of the rotary head relative to said tape becomes the same both at the time of intermittent tape travel and at the time of intermittent tape stoppage in the slow-motion reproducing mode.

Abstract: A phase servo loop for the head drum of a video tape recorder employs a reference signal to initiate the production of a trapezoidal or ramp signal and a head position signal to sample and hold the values of the trapezoidal signal. The sampled and held value is employed to phase lock the head drum to the reference signal. A variable delay counter applies a variable delay to the head position signal. A flip-flop is used to detect a predetermined phase relationship between the reference signal and the head position signal. The out-put of the flip-flop controls an up-down counter to selectively increase or decrease a number stored therein according to whether or not the above predetermined phase relationship exists. The content or number in the up-down counter is preset into the variable delay counter by the head position signal which is thereafter clocked to its capacity at a high clock rate.

Abstract: Separate durations of acceleration and constant velocity are utilized to attain phase locking between a recorded sync signal and an external reference sync signal while accelerating a recorded medium from an intermediate velocity to its operational velocity, with each duration being proportional to the intermediate velocity.

Abstract: A device for recording and playing back information comprising an endless tape whereof one part has a translational movement in a direction x and n magnetic heads integral with one another whereof the gaps face that part and are aligned in a transverse direction y. The heads have a slow movement in the direction y and form n continuous tracks forming parallel and equidistant portions in the direction y.

Abstract: In a tape scanning device for magnetic tape equipment of the kind used for recording and/or reproducing broad band signals, by designing the head wheel carrying the rotating magnetic heads as a tachometer disc or drum, substantial advantages are obtained when replacement of the head wheel is required due to damage or wear, in particular the avoidance of the need to achieve precise correspondence of the angular positions of the head wheel and tacho disc during reassembly.

Abstract: In an apparatus for automatically maintaining a transducing head assembly on the proper track, which is particularly adapted for a helical scan recording and/or reproducing apparatus capable of providing special motion effects, an automatically compensated movable head servo is disclosed. The apparatus is of the type which utilizes transverse positioning of the transducing head assembly to accurately follow a track during reproducing and, at the completion of the reproduction from the track, to properly position the head in position to either reproduce the next adjacent successive track, reproduce the same track or reproduce another track so that the appropriate special motion effect is achieved. Proper tracking is maintained by applying a small oscillatory motion to the head to cause it to vibrate laterally of the track, examining the resulting modulation of the reproduced signal's envelope to generate a tracking error correction signal and applying the error correction signal to the head assembly.

Abstract: A single gap transducer simultaneously senses recorded control or servo signals and records data signals. A magnetic medium used with this invention is preferably a single coating magnetic medium. During recording, the recording signal is appropriately subtracted from the readback signal for removing write signal effects on the readback signal. The servo signals are preferably deeply recorded into the magnetic coating whereas the data signals are preferably recorded in an outer surface portion of the magnetic coating.

Abstract: A video signal reproducing apparatus uses a tape on which a video signal has been recorded along tracks disposed obliquely relative to the tape longitudinal direction. The tracks are mutually contiguous, with substantially no space therebetween. The tracks are recorded and formed by a pair of first and second rotating heads having gaps of mutually different azimuth angles. A control signal is also recorded interrelatedly with the start of the formation of each recording track by the first rotating head. A pair of first and second rotating heads have the same mutually different azimuth angles as the first mentioned first and second rotating heads and also have gaps at different height positions in the rotational planes relative to the centers of the track widths. These heads scan the tracks of the tape to reproduce the video signal.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording and reproducing device for recording a video signal intermittently by a rotary magnetic head, a skewing of the reproduced image can be prevented by controlling the rotation phase of the rotary magnetic head so as to record the horizontal synchronizing signals of the adjacent two tracks so that the phases are conincident, and also a skewing of a reproduced still image can be prevented by controlling the angular velocity of the rotary magnetic head so as to record an integral number of the horizontal synchronizing signals on a scanning trace of the head when the magnetic tape is stopped.

Abstract: A method of recording information on a tape-like record carrier by means of a device provided with a rotary head disc on which a write head with controllable height is mounted for actively following the tracks. During recording tracking signals are written with the aid of a separate fixed head, which preferably also constitutes the erase head, and the write head follows the tracking signal recorded by the fixed head during the recording of information.

Abstract: In a helical scan recorder using multiple heads having gaps positioned at different aximuth angles tracking errors are detected by signal processing the normal synchronization pulses recorded with the television signal. The signal processing is accomplished by using a phase shift detection circuit and a difference circuit for subtracting signals from the phase shift circuit indicating the instantaneous phase shifts produced by the tracking errors.

Abstract: Method and device for controlling the position of a write or read head, which covers adjacent tracks on a record carrier, relative to at least one adjacent track, which tracks in addition to the information signals contain tracking signals, the tracking signal in n consecutive tracks having n different frequencies, where n.gtoreq.4, and the difference of the frequencies of the tracking signals of every two adjacent tracks with the frequency of the third signal, which frequency may differ from track to track, always yielding fourth signals with the same pair of lower frequencies, a control signal being derived from said fourth signals.

Abstract: In an apparatus for reproducing video or other information signals recorded in successive parallel tracks extending obliquely on a magnetic tape or other record medium which is adapted to be longitudinally advanced, a magnetic head or transducer is movable in the direction generally along the tracks for reproducing the signals recorded therein and is mounted or supported by a bi-morph leaf or other transducer deflecting device which is operative, in response to the reception of an electrical drive signal, for deflecting the transducer or head in a direction transverse to the direction along the tracks so as to follow a desired one of the tracks in moving from one end to the other end of such desired track, a first signal is produced in correspondence to the deflection of the transducer deflecting device needed to cause the transducer to follow the desired track at a predetermined position therealong, and a second signal is produced in correspondence to the following value: ##EQU1## in which n is the ratio of

Abstract: A video signal reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing parallel record tracks formed on a tape which are scanned by a rotary head and wherein track address signals are recorded on respective vertical blanking interval sections of the record tracks which can be read out and displayed even though the tape moves at various speeds comprising a detecting means for detecting when said track address signals are not being read out and including shifting means for shifting the relative position of the rotary heads relative to the tape when the output of the detecting means continues longer than a predetermined time so as to assure that the address signals will be read at varying speeds of the tape.

Abstract: A television camera is synchronized by horizontal and vertical synchronization signals furnished by a signal generator. When the equipment is switched to a recording mode, that is when new information is to be added to previously recorded information, the reproducing-recording equipment is switched to the reproducing phase very briefly so that the last-recorded information is read out. Vertical synchronization signals are separated from the so read out information and are applied to the synchronizing input of the above-mentioned signal generator.

Abstract: Digital servo apparatus includes a counter adapted to count inputted reference clock pulses to display time data. The output of the counter is latched by a first tacho pulse (controlled signal) to a first latch circuit and the contents of the first latch circuit is transferred by a second tacho pulse to the second latch circuit and the present count data of the counter is latched to the first latch circuit. A discrimination circuit is adapted to discriminate whether or not a control signal is within a predetermined control amount, based on time difference data latched to the first and second latch circuits, and deliver an output signal corresponding to a predetermined control amount based on the result of discrimination.

Abstract: A servo circuit is disclosed for a video tape recorder of helical scan type having two rotary heads, in which recording/reproduction is capable of being performed at different tape feed rates, and a recording track for the video signal is formed partially superimposed on the previously-formed recording track, thus forming a recording track narrower than the heads when the tape feed rate is low. A control pulse which is in phase with the vertical synchronizing signal extracted from the video signal to be recorded is recorded in the control track, and the rotational phase of the rotary heads is controlled by use of the control pulse read at the time of reproduction. The servo circuit causes a shift in the phase of the control pulses and a change in the phase of the control pulses before recording when the tape feed rate is low.

Abstract: In a helical-scan tape recorder, headwheel servo loop locking is verified by a stationary head located downstream from the headwheel at a transverse position relative to the tape path at which the vertical synchronizing or blanking signals occur in normal operation.

Abstract: Servo control apparatus for controlling the speed and phase of a driven member. Reference signals, having a frequency determinative of the speed at which the member is driven, are compared to actual speed-representing signals in a servo loop, whereby the member is driven at the speed determined by the reference signals. An actual position-representing signal, representing the position, or phase, of the driven member, is derived. A window pulse generator generates window pulses corresponding to desired positions of the driven member. The occurrence of these position-representing signals within the duration of the window pulses is detected. A frequency modulating circuit modulates the frequency of the reference signals if the position-representing signals occur outside the window pulses, so as to adjust the speed and position, or phase, of the driven member until this member is driven such that its actual positions correspond to the desired positions.

Abstract: A control system for a helical scan video tape recorder having two scanning heads each of which employs a bimorph plate to dynamically control the tracking path of its respective head chip, produces separate dynamic control signals for each of its two heads by "wobbling" or "dithering" the heads with respect to their scanning paths and employing resulting amplitude variations in the reproduced signals to drive the mean paths of the head chips into coincidence with the recorded tracks being scanned. A transfer circuit transfers a portion of an offset voltage, representing a final control signal existing at the end of scanning of a recorded track by one of the heads to the control system controlling the other head. This tends to bias the second head in the same direction in which the first head is biased in order to avoid the two heads scanning different tracks during still or slow motion reproduction.

Abstract: An auto-tracking control system for use in a helical scan video tape apparatus for reproducing video signals recorded in skewed parallel tracks on a video tape includes a magnetic reproducing head mounted on an electro-mechanically deflectable head support. The head support has a first portion responsive to high frequency dithering or wobbling control signals and a second portion responsive to low frequency skew or mistracking control signals.

Abstract: A capstan servo system is used in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus which is capable of recording/reproducing either video signals of the NTSC system having a frame frequency of 30 Hz or video signals of the CCIR system having a frame frequency of 25 Hz. The capstan servo system detects the rotation of a capstan for driving a tape and produces an output frequency which is divided. A reference signal has a frequency corresponding to the frame frequency of the system of the video signal to be recorded on and/or reproduced from the tape. There is a phase comparison between the frequency divided signal and the reference signal. The frequency of the output signal of the detector is added to an error signal output of the phase comparison circuit. The resulting sum signal is used to control the rotation of the motor for driving the capstan. The detection circuit produces an output signal having a frequency of 150.multidot.M Hz (where M is a positive integer).

Abstract: A video signal reproducing system comprises a tape on which video signals are recorded along video tracks, which extend obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the tape with substantially no space therebetween. A control signal is recorded along a control track extending in the longitudinal direction, the video tracks being recorded by a plurality of rotating video heads having gaps of mutually different azimuth angles. The control signal is recorded along the control track interrelatedly with the recording of the video tracks by the video heads. A motor drives the tape in tape travel or stops the tape. A plurality of rotating, reproducing video heads successively trace the video tracks to pick up and reproduce the recorded video signals.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly for a video tape recorder includes a piezo-electric support, preferably constituted by a bi-morph leaf or leaves, supported at one end, for example, on a rotary portion of a tape guide drum, and a magnetic head mounted at the other end of the piezo-electric support, and the piezo-electric support has two pairs of first and second electrodes secured on opposed major surfaces, respectively, of the support and extending in the direction between the ends of the support, that is, in the lengthwise direction of the latter, with such pairs of electrodes being parallel and spaced from each other in the direction across the support. Thus, by applying suitable control voltages between the first and second electrodes of the two pairs thereof, the piezo-electric support can be made to flex or bend longitudinally and/or torsionally, for example, for correcting tracking erros and/or for varying the azimuth angle, respectively, of the mounted head.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing a video signal in successive parallel track sections on a moving recording medium includes a rotary head assembly having a movable recording-reproducing head whose tracking position can be adjusted in the direction transverse to the length of the track sections, and a fixed auxiliary reproducing head which is in a following position in respect to the movable recording-reproducing head. During recording, the transverse position of the movable recording-reproducing head is corrected on the basis of the reproduced output of the fixed auxiliary head so as to be eventually in alignment with the path scanned by the latter.

Abstract: An automatic tracking servo control system which is adapted to control the tracking of at least one rotary signal reproducing transducer which scans successive parallel record tracks on a movable record medium. Position pulses are generated when the transducer rotates into predetermined position with respect to the record medium, and these position pulses are used in conjunction with control signals which are reproduced from the record medium and which had been recorded at spaced locations therealong in predetermined relation to the record tracks for controlling the position of the transducer with respect to the tracks scanned thereby. A detector detects the relative strength of the signal reproduced by the transducer during periodic intervals.

Abstract: A recording medium transport control precisely controls the movement of a recording medium such as magnetic tape at a desired velocity. A pulse drive control adapted for manipulation provides drive pulses to the transport. Each drive pulse is of a variable duration sufficient to drive the transport so that the medium is moved a predetermined distance. One embodiment of the present invention includes a velocity servo drive control, also adapted for manipulation, for providing an adjustable continuous drive signal to the transport and a switch for switching control of the transport from the pulse drive control to the velocity servo drive control when the velocity of the transport reaches a predetermined cross-over velocity.

Abstract: In an apparatus for automatically maintaining a transducing head assembly on the proper track, which is particularly adapted for a helical scan recording and/or reproducing apparatus capable of providing special motion effects, track selection method and apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is of the type which utilizes transverse positioning of the transducing head to accurately follow a track during reproducing and, at the completion of the reproduction from the track, to properly position the head in position to either reproduce the next adjacent successive track, reproduce the same track or reproduce another track so that the appropriate special motion effect is achieved. During the acceleration of the tape to normal speed, the tape transport is initially controlled relative to a recorded control track to position the head relative to the recorded tracks so that the reproduced video signal is color framed with respect to studio reference.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel tape drive system in a magnetic recording and reproducing device for recording a video signal intermittently by a rotary magnetic head and recording an audio signal continuously over a wide range of predetermined tape speeds. In a high speed range a conventional brushless DC motor drives the tape. In a low speed range the same motor is driven by additional pulses. The lowest speed in the high speed range is higher than the highest speed in the low speed range.

Abstract: An automatic tracking servo control system which is adapted to control the tracking of at least one rotary signal reproducing head which scans successive parallel record tracks on a movable record medium. Position pulses are generated when the at least one head rotates into predetermined position with respect to the record medium, and these position pulses are used in conjunction with control signals which are reproduced from the record medium and which had been recorded at spaced locations therealong in predetermined relation to the record tracks for controlling the position of the at least one head with respect to the tracks scanned thereby. A detector detects the relative strength of the signal reproduced by the at least one head during periodic intervals. A phase shift circuit shifts the phase of each reproduced control signal as a function of the difference between the relative signal strengths in successive periodic intervals.

Abstract: In a digital servo system suitable for controlling the rotational phase of a rotating body, such as, the rotary head drum of a video tape recorder (VTR), a binary output signal is provided, as a phase error signal, based upon the phase relation between a reference signal and a command signal showing the rotational phase of the rotary head drum, and such binary output signal is used to process a motor drive signal. Further, an analog servo system is used in association with the digital servo system to provide highly accurate correction of both high and low frequency phase errors.

Abstract: A tracking control system used in video reproducing apparatus to keep the signal head on the parallel recorded tracks in spite of speed deviations of the recording medium has a bi-morph leaf to support the head. The bi-morph leaf includes piezo-electric material to which a control voltage can be applied to deform the piezo-electric material to the extent necessary to deflect the leaf in the proper direction and to the proper extent necessary to keep the head mounted on the leaf alignment with the correct track section. When the leaf reaches its maximum permissible deflection, the control voltage is reversed to shift the head in the opposite direction. In so doing the head either skips a track section, if the recording medium is moving too fast, or repeats playback of a section, if the medium is moving too slowly.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the scanning path of a rotary transducer which is used in a signal reproducing system of the type having at least one rotary transducer which scans across a movable record medium to reproduce, during each pass of the transducer, signals which are recorded in parallel record tracks, the apparatus being particularly useful when the record medium is moved either at a faster-than-normal or slower-than-normal speed so that the transducer scans plural record tracks during each pass thereof. A control signal generator produces a periodic tracking control signal which is synchronized with the speed at which the record medium is moved, the periodic control signal having a plurality of periods during each pass of the transducer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording and subsequently reproducing video signals including video and synchronization information initially record the video signals and first control information distinct from said video and synchronization information on a recording medium. The video signals are subsequently reproduced with the aid of second control information being distinct from said video and synchronization information for controlling the reproduction of the video signals from the recording medium. The mentioned first control information is rendered incapable as recorded of controlling the reproduction of the video signals upon reproduction of the first control information, and the second control information is provided by reproducing the recorded first control information from the recording medium and converting at least part of the reproduced first control information to the second control information.

Abstract: A method and device for maintaining an exact track when playing back video ignals, which are recorded on a magnetic tape in oblique parallel tracks with different azimuth angles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a helical scan video tape recorder having a flying sense head located upstream from a flying erase head and further upstream from a flying record/playback head. By employing a separate sense head to detect synch pulses, tension and relative speed of the video tape are controlled so as to eliminate synchronization errors in consequence of editing operations.

Abstract: In an apparatus for reproducing video or other information signals recorded in a track on a magnetic tape or other record medium; a magnetic head or transducer is moved along the track for reproducing the information signals recorded therein while a bi-morph leaf which supports the head receives an electrical drive signal for deflecting the head in a direction transverse to that along the track. A deflection signal is generated in correspondence to the deflection of the head from a rest position by a circuit which includes a strain gauge fixed on the bi-morph leaf.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for electronic editing of video signals recorded by the diagonal track method on magnetic tape, comprising a rotatable head-wheel including video recording heads and video erasing heads, a head-wheel motor in driving relation with the head-wheel and controlled by a first control signal, moving means operable for moving said magnetic tape between two reels comprising a capstan, and a capstan motor in driving relation with the capstan and controlled by a second control signal, first monitoring means operable for generating a first tachometer signal proportional to the speed of the head-wheel motor, second monitoring means operable for generating a second tachometer signal proportional to the speed of the capstan motor, a source of a reference signal, a comparator coupled to the first tachometer signal and the reference signal and operable for generating the first control signal, generating means coupled to the reference signal and operable for generating a third control signal

Abstract: In a VTR having a rotary transducer for scanning parallel tracks on a record medium in which signal information is recorded and being displaced at a skew angle with respect to the direction of travel of the record medium, an electromechanical adjustable transducer support, preferably of a piezo-ceramic material supports the transducer for displacement transversely with respect to the parallel tracks in response to a drive signal, and an open loop servo circuit is provided for generating the drive signal to align the scanning path of the transducer with one of the parallel tracks.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing system capable of recording at one speed and playback at another speed includes a capstan linear drive for a tape, and a headwheel drive means to drive heads in a transverse direction over the tape. Recording and/or playback is accomplished at any speed within a first given two-to-one speed range by operating the capstan linear drive at a corresponding speed, and by operating the headwheel at a speed which has a first given constant ratio with the linear speed. Recording and/or playback is accomplished over a second different adjacent two-to-one speed range by operating with the capstan linear drive at a corresponding proportional speed, with the headwheel at a speed which has a second different constant ratio with the linear speed, and with the rotating headwheel physically tilted by a given small angle relative to the transverse direction.

Abstract: In an apparatus for reproducing video or other information signals recorded in a track on a magnetic tape or other record medium; a magnetic head or transducer is moved along the track for reproducing the information signals recorded therein while a bi-morph leaf which supports the head receives an electrical drive signal for deflecting the head in a direction transverse to that along the track. A deflection responsive signal is generated in correspondence to the deflection of the head from a rest position, for example, in response to varying the capacitance of a capacitor formed of a fixed electrode and a movable electrode on the bi-morph leaf.

Abstract: Disclosed is a helical scan video tape recorder having a flying sense head located upstream from a flying erase head and further upstream from a flying record/playback head. By employing a separate sense head to detect synch pulses, tension and relative speed of the video tape are controlled so as to eliminate synchronization errors in consequence of editing operations.

Abstract: A pickup cartridge for use in a velocity correction system includes a polymer bimorph element mechanically interposed between a cartridge housing and a pickup arm carrying a groove-riding stylus. Signals representative of cyclical deviations in the stylus/record relative velocity are applied to the polymer bimorph element to cause displacement of the groove-riding stylus in a manner that opposes cyclical deviations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in a record/playback system for providing improved alignment between a transducer and a track on a recording medium on which track information has been recorded. The direction and magnitude of any misalignment between the transducer and the track is represented by an error signal. When the error signal indicates substantial alignment between the transducer and the track, a train of equally spaced pulses is generated. When the error signal indicates misalignment between the transducer and the track, at least one pulse is either added or deleted from the train of pulses, depending on the direction of misalignment indicated by the error signal. The pulse train is then used to generate a drive signal for effecting relative motion between the transducer and the track, the phase of the drive signal varying in response to the addition or deletion of pulses from the pulse train.

Abstract: Tracking control apparatus for a signal reproducing system of the type wherein at least one transducer scans successive parallel tracks on a record medium in which information signals, such as video signals, are recorded. The transducer preferably is of the rotary type so that, during its orbit, it is brought into and then out of reproducing relation with respect to the record medium. Any deviation between the scanning trace of the transducer across the medium and a given track which is being scanned is detected, and a control signal is produced as a function of this detected deviation. The transducer is supported by an adjustable support which is responsive to the control signal so as to displace the transducer transversely of the given track by an amount determined by the control signal. A predetermined sample of the control signal is produced while the transducer scans the given track, and this predetermined sample is stored.

Abstract: An automatic head scan tracking system for a video tape player includes a bi-morph leaf mounting a magnetic head on a drum rotatable for scanning the head across a magnetic tape having video signals recorded thereon in successive parallel tracks, the bi-morph leaf mounting the head for movement by a deflection signal applied thereto in either direction transverse to the direction of scan of the head across the tape, a generator of a sawtooth signal having a predetermined slope which, when applied to the bi-morph leaf, deflects the latter to cause the direction of the head scan across the tape to coincide with the direction of the recorded track, a circuit for producing timing signals indicating the rotational position of the magnetic head with respect to the beginning of a scan of the tape, and a circuit responsive to the timing signals and associated with the sawtooth signal generator for adjusting the starting point of the predetermined slope of the sawtooth signal so as to occur sufficiently in advance of