Patent ID: 6026213
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus for recording digital signals in sequential tracks on a tape-form recording medium, comprising:first selecting means for selecting either first digital signals for normal reproduction or second digital signals for special reproduction according to a data rate of the first digital signals;adding means, in the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with at least a first recording format, for adding a header indicating at least previously determined areas among recording areas on each track to a data block of the selected digital signals and to auxiliary data to be recorded on an area other than a plurality of divided areas of the first format, the recording areas being common for the first recording format and a second recording format, the divided areas being rewritable independently on each track;second selecting means for selecting the digital signals without the header when the digital signals are recorded in accordance with the second format, whereas selecting the digital signals with the header or the auxiliary data with the header when the digital signals are recorded in accordance with the first format; andrecording means, in the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with the second format, for recording at least the first digital signals selected by the second selecting means in a single area of the second format on each track, in the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with the first format, for recording at least the first digital signals selected by the second selecting means in a specific area among the divided areas of the first format, and for recording the second digital signals selected by the second selecting means in the previously determined areas.