Abstract: A recordable DVD disk which includes a read-only sector for specifying a video encoding algorithm to be used for compressing video programs that are to be recorded in the recordable region of the recordable DVD disk. Such disks may be used in a digital video recording system having a programmable video encoder. In one embodiment, the system accepts the recordable DVD disks having a read-only sector for storing customized video encoding algorithms and programs the programmable video encoder with the customized video encoding algorithms prior to encoding and recording a video signal on the disk. By designing the video encoding algorithms to optimize one or more of a number of desirable attributes, the DVD media vendors can then create “classes” of recordable DVD disks, i.e. high capacity, high quality, high speed, high image detail, high color resolution, variable frame rate, etc.

Abstract: A digital information recording apparatus having a first recording mode recording a first digital information signal of a first information rate on a magnetic tape and a second recording mode recording a second digital information signal of a second information rate on the magnetic tape. The apparatus includes a circuit which when the second information rate is less than 1/N times the first information rate (N is an integer ≧2), adds a dummy signal to the second digital information signal to make the recording rate of the second digital information signal substantially equal to the recording rate of the first digital information signal and a circuit which multiplexes identification signals for identifying the first and the second digital information signals or the first and the second recording rates on the first or the second digital information signal, for recording.

Abstract: During recording, a multilingual indication is generated when at least two of the audio channels of a digital audio signal are associated with a common program, and the multilingual indication is combined with the digital audio signal. During reproduction, a display is activated when a multilingual indication indicates that at least two of the audio channels included in a digital audio signal are associated with a common program.

Abstract: A signal recording apparatus and method supplies recording signals to at least a pair of positive and negative azimuth magnetic heads provided on a rotary drum so as to be adjacent to each other in all recording occasions for recording by the magnetic heads when a recording track having a first track width is formed on the magnetic tape, while the apparatus and method supplies recording signals to at least the pair of positive and negative azimuth magnetic heads once in a predetermined number of recording occasions for recording by the recording heads when a recording track having a second track width which is larger than the first track width is formed on the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A method of managing information to be stored on a storage disc in a disc drive system to achieve improved system performance. Some of the data on the disc may be mirrored on the same surface of the disc to reduce latency and/or seek time. Compression techniques may be employed to limit reductions in the storage capacity of the disc. In another embodiment, data is preferentially stored on the outer tracks of the disc because system performance is greater when accessing outer tracks. Compression techniques may also be employed with this embodiment to limit reductions in the storage capacity of the disc. Compressed data stored on the disc may be transferred to another storage medium in its raw compressed form to reduce the number of instructions that would be required to transfer the data if it were decompressed before transfer.

Abstract: A digital information transmitting, receiving and/or recording/reproducing system, provided with the digital information transmitting apparatus for transmitting the digital information to a transmission path, a receiving apparatus for receiving the transmitted digital information and a recording/reproducing apparatus for the recording received digital information to a recording media and reproducing therefrom. The apparatus includes a compressor which compresses the digital information, a transmission parity signal adder which adds a transmission parity signal to the output signal of the compressor in order to correct an error occurring in the transmission path, wherein the transmission parity signal is different from a record parity signal to be added at the recording apparatus and a transmitter which transmits the transmission parity signal added compressed digital information added by the transmission parity signal adder to the transmission path.

Abstract: An error component such as an eccentricity implicated in an encoder itself is superimposed upon a detected value from an FG due to an assembly error of assemblies themselves and in the manufacturing process. As a result, a speed could not be controlled with a high accuracy and wow and flatter could not be reduced. A tape speed (TSS) signal detected and corrected from the tape transport by FG and PG is inputted into a PLL loop within a data controller (TBC) of a reproducing system. A reproduced signal is converted by an A/D converter in response to a reference clock generated therein and this data is temporarily stored in an FIFO. When this data is reconverted by a D/A converter into an analog signal, if this data is sequentially converted at a timing of an absolute control clock of a quartz oscillator, then it is possible to eliminate the error component superimposed upon the head reproduced signal.

Abstract: A digital signal recording method and apparatus for recording digital signals of two channels along tracks on a magnetic tape in a helical pattern by employing at least two pairs of rotary heads mounted on a rotatable drum oppositely to each other and by making use of a read-after-write function, the paired heads being disposed adjacent to each other. The input signal to be recorded is compressed such that the digital signal recording period for each relevant track is shortened by a ratio corresponding to a time for which a write period for one track and a read period for adjacent one overlap each other. The write period and the read period are thus prevented from overlapping. The reproduced signal for the read-after-write function is prevented from being masked by an input signal recording current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing blocks of information in a disc drive storage system. One embodiment is directed to a disc drive storage system that employs a plurality of disc drives, and that mirrors blocks of information on different physical locations within at least two of the disc drives. Preference may be given in each of the mirrors to reading blocks of information that are closer to an outer edge of the disc to improve system performance. Another embodiment is directed to the handling of a hot spot by reading blocks of information within the hot spot from a mirror in the system that is not read during normal operation. A further embodiment addresses hot spots by temporarily employing another disc drive as a temporary mirror to enable parallel access to blocks of information within the hot spot.

Abstract: In a data recording apparatus and its method, data is compressed in units of a stated data block, it is detected in units of the data block whether or not data extension has occurred in consequence of the compression processing. Then, the compressed data is recorded on a recording medium in the case where the data extension has not detected, and on the other hand, in the case where the data extension has detected, the original data is recorded on a recording medium with respect to a stated number of data blocks subsequent to the data block in which the data extension has occurred. Thereby, a data recording apparatus and its method can be realized with a simple construction, which can record non-compressed original data on the recording medium with respect to a string of data in which the data extension is apt to occur, and thus can alleviate bad influence of data extension which occur in consequence of the compression processing.

Abstract: A plurality of digital signals having total data rates of n bit/s or less are input to a digital recording device recording digital signals having a data rate of n bit/s. The digital signals are subjected to format-conversion for the digital recording device to be recorded therein. Furthermore, signals having a data rate of n/i.sub.1 bit/s or less are subjected to format-conversion to be recorded i.sub.1 times in the digital recording device. In the case where the data rate of the digital signals to be input is n/j bit/s, the digital signals are subjected to format-conversion so that the amount of data capable of being recorded per unit time is decreased by i/j; thus, the digital signals are recorded for a long period of time under the condition that the data recording time is prolonged j times.

Abstract: A method of managing information to be stored on a storage disc in a disc drive system to achieve improved system performance. Some of the data on the disc may be mirrored on the same surface of the disc to reduce latency and/or seek time. Compression techniques may be employed to limit reductions in the storage capacity of the disc. In another embodiment, data is preferentially stored on the outer tracks of the disc because system performance is greater when accessing outer tracks. Compression techniques may also be employed with this embodiment to limit reductions in the storage capacity of the disc. Compressed data stored on the disc may be transferred to another storage medium in its raw compressed form to reduce the number of instructions that would be required to transfer the data if it were decompressed before transfer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus of an azimuth system for recording/reproducing a digital signal by helical scanning a magnetic tape has an SP mode and an LP mode having recording/reproducing time period N (N is an even number) times that of SP mode. The apparatus includes a pair of magnetic head units with opposite azimuth, disposed in close proximity on a circumferential face of a rotary head cylinder with difference in level therebetween corresponding to a predetermined track pitch t for scanning simultaneously two continuous tracks at that pitch. The cylinder is rotated at the same rotation speed in both SP and LP modes, while the tape travel speed is reduced to 1/N that of SP mode when LP mode is specified. When LP mode is specified, the data amount of a digital signal to be recorded is compressed to 1/N that in SP mode, which are provided to the magnetic heads 2-channel record data, and the data amount of reproduced 2-channel digital signals of is expanded by N.

Abstract: An information transmission system using data compression and/or error detection includes an information compression circuit for compressing digital information to generate compressed information. A record/reproducing device is provided for recording the compressed information on a recording medium, and reproducing the compressed information from the recording medium. Transmission circuitry is provided for transmitting the compressed information reproduced from the record/reproducing device to a transmission channel without expanding the compressed information. An information expansion circuit is then provided for expanding the compressed information which has been transmitted through the transmission channel in order to reproduce the digital information.

Abstract: A digital information recording/reproducing apparatus and method thereof including a parity signal adder which receives error corrected compressed information which has been corrected based upon a first parity signal added to the compressed information and in which the parity signal adder adds a second parity signal to the compressed information which is different from the first parity signal.

Abstract: A data recording device in which the data recording can be carried out at an optional speed without any loss of data using a buffer with less amount of memory.

Abstract: A plurality of digital signals having total data rates of n bit/s or less are input to a digital recording device recording digital signals having a data rate of n bit/s. The digital signals are subjected to format-conversion for the digital recording device to be recorded therein. Furthermore, signals having a data rate of n/i.sub.1 bit/s or less are subjected to format-conversion to be recorded i.sub.1 times in the digital recording device. In the case where the data rate of the digital signals to be input is n/j bit/s, the digital signals are subjected to format-conversion so that the amount of data capable of being recorded per unit time is decreased by i/j; thus, the digital signals are recorded for a long period of time under the condition that the data recording time is prolonged j times.

Abstract: A method of managing information to be stored on a storage disc in a disc drive system to achieve improved system performance. In one embodiment, data is preferentially stored on the outer tracks of the disc because system performance is greater when accessing outer tracks. Compression techniques may be employed with this embodiment to limit reductions in the storage capacity of the disc. The compression ratio can have any value, including compression ratios less than 2:1, or of F:1, wherein F is a non-integer. In another embodiment, a storage system is provided having sectors of different sizes. The different sized sectors may be on the same disc surface, on different disc surfaces, or on different disc drives. The differently sized sectors can be used to store blocks of information having different sizes to minimize the number of sectors read, thereby improving system performance.

Abstract: A recording device for recording film information concerning photography made to each of a plurality of exposure areas on respective recordable areas corresponding to the plurality of exposure areas, includes: a film feeder which feeds the film; a recording head which records a film information signal on a corresponding recordable area, the signal having a specified frequency; and a frequency controller which changes the signal frequency during the time when the film information is being recorded on the recordable area. The recording device makes it possible to simplify the construction of a camera, and to record film information with high density and stability.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus for the recording and reproduction of signals, including a magnetic tape having plural data tracks running parallel to an edge of the tape; a multi-track reading device including a multi-track playback head configured to read simultaneously plural of the tracks and output signals corresponding to data recorded on the plural tracks; and a housing in which the tape and the reading device are permanently disposed; wherein the tape is adapted for simultaneous recording of data onto plural data tracks of the tape via external recording heads upon the apparatus being connected to an external recording facility.

Abstract: An encoded data recording apparatus with high speed reproduction capability, which by encoding intra-frame data and inter-frame data in variable length code, records them as recorded codes on prescribed locations of tracks of a recording medium and plays them back, which includes a data rearranger for recording the data in areas to be played back at least two specific speed mode playbacks on the tracks by rearranging prescribed data out of the data encoded in variable length code, a variable length decoder for playing back the data recorded on the recording medium and decoding it in variable length code, a data restorer for controlling and restoring the time series of the output of the variable length decoder to the original data train before the rearrangement, and a decoder for constructing a playback picture from the decoded outputs for several frames in the specific speed mode playback by decoding the output of this data restorer.

Abstract: A processing system and a recording/reproducing system for a digital signal including a digital video signal and a digital audio signal are disclosed. Upon transmission, the digital signal is transmitted after time-base compression and modulation. The transmitted signal is received and demodulated. In the case where the signal is to be transmitted to a plurality of recording/reproducing systems, address signals designating ones of the plural recording/reproducing systems and a control signal for controlling the start/stop of recording are transmitted. The recording by the recording/reproducing system is controlled so that it is made with the same format in either normal-speed or high-speed mode or in either normal or multiple recording mode.

Abstract: A disc drive data recovery system for recovering data from a magnetic disc having asperities is disclosed. The data recovery system includes a magnetoresistive head for reading magnetically encoded data from the magnetic disc and providing in response a signal indicative of the magnetically encoded data. Contact between the magnetoresistive head and an asperity corrupts the signal such that the signal contains thermal asperity noise. The data recovery system includes an asperity recovery filter coupled to the magnetoresistive head for receiving the signal from the magnetoresistive head and reducing the thermal asperity noise in the signal.

Abstract: A difference/compression ratio calculating means 76 in a data processing means 71 of a data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention calculates an actual difference and an actual compression ratio based on the data length of pre-compression data received from a data source 2 through pre-compression data receiving means 74 and the data length of compressed data outputted from a data compression circuit 67. If the actual difference is equal to or greater than a preset difference .alpha. and the actual compression ratio is equal to and greater than a preset compression ratio .beta., then the compressed data is transmitted to a data destination 3 through a transfer request data output means 79. Otherwise, the pre-compression data is transmitted to the data destination 3.

Abstract: A high speed search device for a video cassette recorder including a first data compressing unit for receiving data in units of predetermined bits and compressing the data so as to reduce it into a predetermined amount, an error correcting code inserting unit for inserting an error correcting code between the data, a modulator for modulating the data coded in accordance with a recording type, a record signal amplifier for amplifying the modulated data, a recording medium for recording the amplified data, a reproduction signal amplifier for amplifying the recorded data for reproduction, a demodulator for demodulating the data into its original form.

Abstract: A processing system and a recording/reproducing system for a digital signal including a digital video signal and a digital audio signal are disclosed. Upon transmission, the digital signal is transmitted after time-base compression and modulation. The transmitted signal is received and demodulated. In the case where the signal is to be transmitted to a plurality of recording/reproducing systems, address signals designating ones of the plural recording/reproducing systems and a control signal for controlling the start/stop of recording are transmitted. The recording by the recording/reproducing system is controlled so that it is made with the same format in either normal-speed or high-speed mode or in either normal or multiple recording mode.

Abstract: A data packet which contains time information is time compressed and the time information is extracted from the time compressed data packet. A system clock is synchronized with the extracted time information and is multiplied by a predetermined compression ratio to produce replacement time information which replaces the time information in the time compressed data packet. The time compressed data packet that now contains the replacement time information is modulated and transmitted or recorded.

Abstract: A digital audio tape recorder for processing input signals in a predetermined manner and for digitally recording the processed signals on a recording medium or reproducing digital signals recorded on the recording medium by a rotary head has a time base compressing unit and a time base expanding unit for time base compressing signals supplied to the rotary head or time base expanding signals reproduced from the rotary head for recording and reproducing data at a high transmission rate on or from the recording medium. Time base compression/expenion and the rotation of the rotary head at a number of revolutions in conformity to the high transmission rate are achieved.

Abstract: A data packet which contains time information is time compressed and the time information is extracted from the time compressed data packet. A system clock is synchronized with the extracted time information and is multiplied by a predetermined compression ratio to produce replacement time information which replaces the time information in the time compressed data packet. The time compressed data packet that now contains the replacement time information is modulated and transmitted or recorded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and replaying variable speed data uses a rotating drum device. When information to be recorded is presented to the transfer rate of the information, be recorded is determined. If this information is not presented at a standard information transfer rate (N), it is converted to that standard rate. If the information not only is not at the standard rate N, but is outside a predetermined amount from that standard rate, the travel speed of the magnetic medium is slowed and the activation sequence of the magnetic recording head is altered. In the case where the information to be recorded is at a rate outside of the predetermined rate, the magnetic medium travel speed is reduced from the standard speed (L/T) in relation to the information transfer rate of the information to be recorded. If the tape speed is reduced to L/XT, then the activation sequence is every Xth head.

Abstract: An audio signal reproducing apparatus which can remove, upon variable speed reproduction, only noise such as noise caused by a bias frequency without sacrificing sound is disclosed. An audio signal recorded on a magnetic tape is reproduced by a magnetic head, amplified by an amplifier and supplied to a voltage controlled filter. Meanwhile, the feeding speed of the magnetic tape is detected by a tape speed detector and converted into a corresponding voltage by a tape speed to voltage converter, and the voltage is further converted into a control voltage by a control voltage generation circuit. The control voltage is supplied to the voltage controlled filter so that the cutoff frequency of the filter is varied in accordance with the control voltage. The cutoff frequency decreases as the feeding speed of the magnetic tape decreases.

Abstract: Digest playback apparatus and method for a VCR. The digest playback apparatus includes a system controller for outputting a plurality of control signals to control the entire operation of a video cassette recorder system, the plurality of control signals including speed-change multispeed and direction data and audio multispeed change mode ON/OFF data. An analog/digital conversion circuit converts an analog audio signal read by an audio head and then restored to its original state into digital audio data regardless of a speed-change mode. A memory stores the digital audio data from the analog/digital conversion circuit.

Abstract: An information signal recording system arranged to divide original information signals into signal groups, each bearing a predetermined amount of information, to have a plurality of compressing modes for different information compressing ratios and to compress the information signals of each group in one of the different compressing ratios in recording these signals on a tape-shaped magnetic recording medium comprises first compressed information signal forming means which operates on all these groups to form and produce a first compressed information signal consisting of only the information signals of a specific part of each of these groups; second compressed information signal forming means which operates on some of these groups to form and produce a second compressed information signal consisting of information signals of each groups excluding the information signals of the specific part; a magnetic head which records signals on the tape-shaped magnetic recording medium by tracing the medium in a directio

Abstract: An input data rate delivered from an external device and a recording rate at the recording system for recording data onto a recording tape by using a rotary head are compared at a rate comparison section, and a comparison result is sent to a control section. The control section controls a tape running drive section for allowing the recording tape to undergo running drive. This control section carries out a switching control such that when input rate is lower than recording rate, tape running speed is caused to undergo switching control so as to shift to a lower speed side and to reduce recording rate, and when input rate is higher than recording rate at the time of tape low speed running, tape running speed is caused to be in correspondence with original stationary speed for a second time.

Abstract: A digest variable speed reproducing apparatus for a video cassette recorder (VCR) including a system controller for supplying a desired variable speed data; a control signal detector for detecting a control signal written onto a VCR tape together with an audio signal during digest variable speed reproduction, from the VCR tape; a variable speed controller for supplying A/D conversion execution signal and D/A conversion execution signal and for supplying write control signal or read control signal only when a control pulse is detected by the control signal detector, in response to the variable data from the system controller; an A/D converter for converting a reproduced analog audio signal into a digital signal with a sampling rate corresponding to the variable speed data in response to the A/D conversion execution signal; a D/A converter for reconverting the digital signal read from a memory into an analog audio signal in response to the D/A conversion execution signal; and a memory for writing variable speed

Abstract: A variable speed reproduction of speech from memory depending on the indication of a jog dial is accomplished by buffer memory (23) for speech sound and a jog dial (17) for controlling a read speed from this memory. Speech sound data is read out from the buffer memory (23) at a speed corresponding to the indication of the jog dial (17). The speech sound data is reproduced, independent of the jog dial (17), from a tape (13) and is written into the memory (23). A capstan motor drive circuit (18) detects the difference between the read address and the write address of the memory (23) and controls the reproduction speed of the sound speech data from the tape (13) in accordance with this difference. Since the read speed is directly controlled for the memory (23), no time delay exists between the speed command and the actual variable-speed reproduction.

Abstract: A recording apparatus, recording/reproducing apparatus or a reproducing apparatus for digital video signals, in which ATV signals, for example, recorded directly on the recording medium, may be easily reproduced with plural varying playback speeds, and in which a playback picture output with spontaneous motion may be achieved even during low varying playback speed. A first area for directly recording the input area, a plurality of second areas for recording data of the input data obtained on intra-picture coding as first data for varying-speed reproduction and a plurality of third areas for recording the motion vector of data of the input data obtained on inter-picture predictive coding as second data for varying-speed reproduction, are provided in each track of the recording medium. The first data and the second data for varying-speed reproduction are repeatedly recorded on a number of tracks of the same azimuth corresponding to the number of speed multiples of the maximum varying playback speed.

Abstract: A virtual memory system and method enable a computer system to use a virtual memory address space larger than the size of physical primary memory while swapping few, if any, pages out to secondary memory. Primary memory is divided into a work space, used for storing uncompressed pages in current use, and a "Compression Heap". A MappedOut storage space, which includes the Compression Heap and a portion of secondary memory, is used to store all pages swapped out of the work space. A virtual memory manager dynamically determines the number of pages of primary memory which need to be included in the work space, and moves pages of primary memory into the work space from the Compression Heap as needed. Pages are selected to be swapped out of the work space to the MappedOut storage space on the basis of memory usage data.

Abstract: An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus including a record parity signal adder for receiving error corrected compressed information and an error corrected control signal both of which have been corrected based upon a transmission parity signal added to the compressed information and to the control signal. The record parity signal adder adds a record parity signal to the compressed information which is different from the transmission parity signal. A modulator is provided for modulating the record parity signal added compressed information and a recorder is provided for recording the compressed information modulated by said modulation means. A controller is provided for controlling a start of recording of the recorder based upon the error corrected control signal.

Abstract: Digital video tape recorder which operates to receive an advanced television (ATV) signal to be recorded, provide a portion such as a low-band coefficient of an intra-coded frame of the ATV signal as variable-speed data, and record the digital video data and the variable-speed data in a main and a marginal area, respectively, of successive tracks on the record medium in which the marginal area is located on each track at a position which is reproducible in a fast-speed reproducing mode. The digital video tape recorder reproduces the recorded data in the fast-speed reproducing mode by reproducing the portion of the signal stored from the marginal area of each track which is located at specific reproducible areas.

Abstract: A recording medium stores video information representing frames including intra-coded frames which are spaced by intervals. A first device is operative for sequentially accessing different places on the recording medium and sequentially reproducing different segments of the video information therefrom. During a search, a second device is operative for detecting whether or not a first segment of the video information which is currently reproduced by the first device represents first one of the intra-coded frames. During the search and after the second device detects that the first segment of the video information represents the first one of the intra-coded frames, a third device is operative for jumping a place accessed by the first device to a given place on the recording medium and enabling the first device to reproduce a second segment of the video signal therefrom. The second segment represents second one of the intra-coded frames which differs from the first one of the intra-coded frames.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus for receiving a transmitted bit-compressed signal and a transmitted control signal which controls a performance of a recording apparatus. The transmitted bit-compressed signal and the transmitted control signal are transmitted after adding of a parity signal thereto and effecting modulation thereof. The receiving apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving the transmitted bit-compressed signal and the transmitted control signal, a demodulator for demodulating the bit-compressed signal and the control signal outputted by the reception unit in a manner corresponding to the modulation thereof. An error correcting unit receives the demodulated bit-compressed signal and the demodulated control signal for correcting errors therein in accordance with the parity signal added thereto and for at least outputting an error-correcting bit-compressed signal and an error-corrected control signal.

Abstract: A processing system and a recording/reproducing system for a digital signal including a digital video signal and a digital audio signal. Upon transmission, the digital signal is transmitted after time-base compression and modulation. The transmitted signal is received and demodulated. In the case where the signal is to be transmitted to a plurality of recording/reproducing systems, address signals designating ones of the plural recording/reproducing systems and a control signal for controlling the start/stop of recording are transmitted. The recording by the recording/reproducing system is controlled so that it is made with the same format in either normal-speed or high-speed mode or in either normal or multiple recording mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for changing the repetition rate of image data. A correlation value representing similarity between fields or frames of the image data is produced and one or more fields or frames are added to or subtracted from the image data selectively based on the first correlation value to produce output image data having a repetition rate different from an initial repetition rate of the image data. In other aspects, methods and apparatus for detecting that a sequence of field or frame image data intervals represent a still image are provided which compare direct current components of corresponding discrete cosine transformed data blocks of sequential image data intervals to determine a number thereof which are equivalent, and determine that the image data intervals represent a still image when the sum number exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating and supplying the information includes a unit for encoding the information signals having an overall length of L seconds at a speed of V bits per second where L>0 and V>0, a memory unit for repeatedly reading out the entire region of the memory unit at a speed of (N.times.V) bits per second, a decoding unit for decoding the read-out information signals for recovering N information signal strings so that, during such decoding, each of the N information signal strings is separated from one another by a time phase equal to L/N, and a unit for selecting one of the N information signal strings so that the original information signals are supplied at the speed of V bits per second with the overall length of L seconds. In this manner, it becomes possible to cope with increase in the number of users and picture or speech signals of long time duration.

Abstract: A magnetic a tape recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a tape running unit, a recording and reproducing unit, a data memory, and a controller. The controller controls the tape running unit, the data memory and the recording and reproducing unit such that, in a recording mode, the input data are continuously written into the data memory at a first a data rate and the written data are intermittently read out from the data memory at a second data rate which is higher than the first data rate and intermittently recorded onto a magnetic tape, and that, in a reproduction mode, the recorded data are intermittently reproduced from the magnetic tape and intermittently written into the data memory at the second data rate and the written data are continuously read out from the data memory at the first data rate.

Abstract: A digital audio tape recorder for processing input signals in a predetermined manner and for digitally recording the processed signals on a recording medium or reproducing digital signals recorded on the recording medium by a rotary head has a time base compressing unit and a time base expanding unit for time base compressing signals supplied to the rotary head or time base expanding signals reproduced from the rotary head for recording and reproducing data at a high transmission rate on or from the recording medium. Time base compression/expansion and the rotation of the rotary head at a number of revolutions in conformity to the high transmission rate are achieved.

Abstract: In an apparatus for sequentially reproducing the audio signal recorded in an adjacent track with a time interval T, an audio signal reproducing apparatus which reproduces an audio signal during a slow reproduction mode of operation includes a delay receiving an audio signal and generating a delayed audio signal, a signal-free period detector for detecting the period in which the received audio signal is discontinuous, and a switch, controlled by the signal-free period detector, for selectively providing one of the received audio signal and the delayed audio signal. The audio signal reproducing apparatus, which can be provided in a video tape recorder or a video disk player with a slow reproduction mode of operation can reproduce the audio signal without the annoying audio characteristics associated which sounds produced by a conventional slow reproduction apparatus. A method of generating a continuous audio signal during slow reproduction is also described.

Abstract: An information signal recording apparatus for recording information signals on a recording medium comprises information signals which are input to the apparatus in a predetermined quantity. The apparatus is adapted to retain the information signals thus input and allows an arbitrary portion of the predetermined quantity of information signals to be designated. The designated portion of the predetermined quantity of information signals can be edited before the information signals are recorded on the recording medium, thus making it possible to record on the recording medium the information signals with an arbitrary portion of the predetermined quantity deleted or corrected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and reproducing a video signal which enables the provision of a VTR which is reduced in noise, lowered in power consumption, and can be used at a high magnetic permeability, wherein the diameter of the rotary drum and the wrap angle of the magnetic tape on the rotary drum are left unchanged, but the rotational speed of the rotary drum is halved and the number of magnetic heads disposed at the rotary drum are doubled and recording is performed by time expansion by a factor of k of the recording data rate of the video signal. Since the rotational speed of the rotary drum is halved, the noise is reduced and the power consumed by the motor and the rest of the drive system for driving the rotation of the rotary drum is lowered. In addition, the recording data rate is lowered, so use may be made of magnetic heads with high magnetic permeability characteristics.