Patent ID: 6393199
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: G11B,H04N

Abstract:
Apparatus for recording multiple parallel analog video and audio signal channels onto a cassette loaded magnetic tape for playback on a standard helical scan playback unit, said audio signal channels synchronously related to said video signal channels, said apparatus comprising:a) means for recording said video signal channels in a helical scan format on said tape, b) means for recording said audio signal channels onto said tape in a helical scan format, wherein said audio signals are recorded in synchronism with said video signals, and c) means for recording at a tape speed greater than 4 times the playback tape speed of said standard playback unit, d) a fixed upper cylinder and an axially aligned fixed lower cylinder, whereby said tape partially wraps said cylinders during recording, e) a rotatable scanner axially positioned between said cylinders, said scanner having alternately spaced around its periphery multiple video record heads and multiple audio record heads, wherein the number of said video record heads equals 2n and the number of said audio record heads equals 2n, where n is the number of said multiple video signal channels and n is the number of said multiple audio signal channels being recorded, whereby said tape wrapping said cylinders is contacted by said video record heads and said audio record heads for slant recording on said tape during rotation of said scanner, f) a time delay for delaying said audio channel prior to recording, whereby a segment of video information is recorded on top of the segment of recorded audio information synchronous with said video segment, and g) a means for accepting a group synch signal from an external source generating said video signal channels and said audio signal channels, wherein said scanner is locked to said group synch signal.