Video recording and/or reproducing medium

An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing video signal information employs, as a record medium, a sheet assembly composed of at least two normally closely adjacent, confronting flexibly resilient sheets which provide mutual protection, when in that relation, for video signal information recorded, for example, magnetically, on at least one of the sheets. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus has a separator device which slidably receives the sheet assembly and separates or spreads apart substantial portions of the sheets, and the separated portion of each sheet which is adapted to have signal information recorded thereon is directed by respective sheet guides from the separator device in an arcuate path about a respective guide drum which has associated rotary transducers, for example, magnetic heads, so that, when the sheet assembly and the guide drum and transducers are moved relative to each other in the direction of the drum axis, for example, by displacement of the separator device and sheet guides, as a unit, relative to the guide drum, the rotary transducers scan successive parallel record tracks on the portion of sheet about the drum. Preferably, in recording video signal information on one of the sheets, the rate of movement of the sheet assembly relative to the respective drum and rotary transducers is selected so that there are no guard bands or gaps between the successive parallel tracks for enhancing the utilization of the sheet for recording purposes. When audio signal information is also to be recorded on, and reproduced from another of the sheets of the sheet assembly, the separated portion of such other sheet is also directed from the separator device about another guide drum having rotary transducers associated therewith, and the latter transducers are preferably rotated at a slower speed than the transducers for recording and/or reproducing the video signal information so that the transducers for recording and/or reproducing the audio signal information will scan spaced apart, parallel record tracks on the respective sheet portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to an apparatus for recording and/or 
reproducing at least video signal information on a record sheet, and more 
particularly is directed to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus of 
the type in which signal transducers are mounted for rotation in a 
circular path transverse to the direction of movement of the record sheet, 
whereby such video signal information is recorded on and/or reproduced 
from the sheet in a series of parallel record tracks. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Conventional apparatus for recording and/or reproducing video signals, that 
is, a video tape recorder (hereinafter referred to as VTR), has employed a 
magnetically coated recording tape which is wound on at least one reel and 
which is transported from such reel in a helical path about the circular 
path of rotation of magnetic heads or transducers so that the latter 
record and/or reproduce video signal information in parallel record tracks 
extending obliquely across the tape. However, the reel or reels having the 
tape would thereon are bulky and relatively heavy, and thus are 
inconvenient for transportation and storage thereof. Further, when it is 
desired to record or reproduce signals on a portion of the tape 
intermediate its ends, it is necessary to either unwind or rewind the tape 
on the supply reel in order to gain access to the desired portion of the 
tape, and such unwinding or rewinding is time consuming. If such wasted 
time is to be reduced, for example, by providing fast forward and rewind 
operating modes, the apparatus becomes undesirably complicated. The 
described existing apparatus is also disadvantageous in that special 
operations are required for still- or slow-motion reproduction, and 
reproduction of the signals recorded in the successive oblique tracks 
cannot be effected in the reverse order. 
The existing VTR employing magnetic tape as the recording medium, as 
described above, requires a highly accurate servo system for ensuring that 
the transducers accurately scan the record tracks during recording and/or 
reproducing operations. In cases where the magnetic tape is contained in a 
cassette, relatively complex mechanisms are required for withdrawing the 
tape from the cassette housing and training the withdrawn tape about the 
usual guide drum associated with the rotary heads or transducers. Finally, 
in the case of video signals recorded on magnetic tape, as aforesaid, the 
mass reproduction of the recorded tapes is difficult and expensive. 
It has been proposed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,915,596, issued Dec. 
1, 1959, to record and/or reproduce intelligence or information on a sheet 
of paramagnetic material in an apparatus that comprises a cabinet provided 
with an interiorly directed, semi-cylindrical guide channel into which the 
sheet is insertable in the direction of curvature of the channel so as to 
engage a straight margin of the sheet with an abutment extending parallel 
to the longitudinal axis of the semi-cylindrical channel for guiding the 
sheet in its slidable movement within the channel parallel to that axis by 
means of a rotated drive roller extendable into the channel. Rotary 
magnetic transducers or heads are moved in a circular path that 
substantially coincides with the curvature of the channel for recording or 
reproducing signals on the sheet therein, with the slidable movement of 
the sheet and the rotary movement of the transducers combining to cause 
the transducers to scan spaced-apart, parallel record tracks on a portion 
of the sheet. The foregoing arrangement is disclosed specifically only for 
the magnetic recording and reproducing of sound and is suitable, if at 
all, only for that purpose. If an attempt is made to employ the apparatus 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,915,596 for recording and/or reproducing 
video signal information, the spaced-apart relation of the successive 
record tracks and the consequent poor utilization of the sheet area for 
the recording of signal information results in a relatively short playing 
time for each sheet. Further, the existing apparatus, as aforesaid, is 
incapable of simultaneously recording and/or reproducing both video signal 
information and associated audio signal information. It is also apparent 
that the sheets employed individually in the existing apparatus have their 
para-magnetic coatings exposed to damage when not in use, particularly 
after recording, and further that such sheets are susceptible to creasing 
when not in use or when being inserted into the apparatus, particularly if 
formed of desirably thin film material. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a video recording 
and/or reproducing apparatus wherein video signal information is recorded 
on a recording sheet by rotating transducer means. 
Another object is to provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, with means to feed 
the sheet in a direction parallel to a margin of the sheet and to move 
transducer means in a transverse direction with respect to such movement 
of the sheet. 
Still another object of this invention is to provide a video recording 
and/or reproducing apparatus, wherein rotating transducer means scan a 
recording sheet which is moved in a direction at substantially right 
angles to the path of the transducer means, and wherein the recording 
sheet may be inserted into, or moved from the apparatus in a direction 
other than the normal path of travel of said sheet. 
A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus, as 
aforesaid, wherein a recording sheet is scanned by a transducing means to 
provide a series of transverse record tracks with continuously recorded 
signal information thereon. 
Still another object is to provide an apparatus, as aforesaid, wherein a 
recording sheet is held firmly in a semi-cylindrical configuration during 
its transverse movement relative to the path of the transducer means. 
A still further object is to provide a video recording and/or reproducing 
apparatus, wherein a sheet separator is used to separate a video recording 
sheet from a leader sheet, which is normally in overlapping relation to 
the video recording sheet so as to serve as a protector or holder 
therefor, and guides are provided to direct the separated video recording 
sheet around rotating transducer means. 
Still another object of this invention is to provide a video and audio 
recording and/or reproducing apparatus, wherein a sheet separator is used 
to separate video and audio recording sheets which are normally in 
overlapping or confronting relation, and the separated video and audio 
recording sheets are guided about rotating video transducer means and 
rotating audio transducer means, respectively. 
It is still a further object of this invention to provide a recording 
medium, preferably in the form of a sheet assembly, adapted to have video 
signal information, and preferably also audio signal information, recorded 
thereon, and which is compact, light in weight, and not easily damaged in 
normal use, and which is further capable of the high speed reproduction of 
large numbers of copies. 
In accordance with an aspect of this invention, an apparatus for recording 
and/or reproducing video signal information employs, as a record medium, a 
sheet assembly composed of at least two normally closely adjacent, 
confronting or overlapped flexibly resilient sheets at least one of which 
is adapted to have video signal information recorded thereon, for example, 
magnetically. Further, one of the sheets of the sheet assembly preferably 
is less flexible than the other sheets so as to function as a leader 
during the spreading apart or separation of the sheets for the recording 
and reproducing operations. The sheets are preferably of different sizes, 
for example, of different widths or lengths, so that a separator device of 
the apparatus which slidably receives the sheet assembly can detect the 
size differences for separating at least major portions of the sheets from 
each other. Upon such separation of the sheets, each sheet which is 
adapted to have signal information recorded thereon has its separated 
portion directed by respective sheet guides in an arcuate path about a 
respective guide drum which has associated rotary transducers, for 
example, magnetic heads, so that, when the sheet assembly and the rotary 
transducers are moved relative to each other in the direction of the axis 
of rotation of the transducers, for example, by displacement of the 
separator device and sheet guides, as a unit, relative to the guide drum 
and transducers, the rotary transducers scan successive parallel record 
tracks on the portion of the sheet about the drum. 
It is a feature of this invention that, in recording video signal 
information on at least one of the sheets of the sheet assembly, the rate 
of movement of the sheet assembly relative to the rotary transducers in 
the direction of the axis of the latter is selected in relation to the 
rotary speed of the transducers so that there are no guard bands or gaps 
between the successive parallel record tracks for enhancing the 
utilization of the sheet for recording purposes, with the recording method 
involving phase modulation, for example, as disclosed in U.S. pat. 
application Ser. No. 425,845, filed Dec. 18, 1973, and having a common 
assignee herewith, so that beat interference between signals reproduced 
from adjacent record tracks is avoided even though such tracks do not have 
gaps or guardbands therebetween and even though a tracking servo system is 
not provided. 
When audio signal information is also to be recorded on, or reproduced from 
another sheet of the sheet assembly, which other sheet may be the 
relatively less flexible leader sheet or a sheet in addition to the 
latter, the separated portion of such other sheet is directed from the 
separator device about another guide drum having rotary audio recording 
and/or reproducing transducers associated therewith, and the audio 
transducers are preferably rotated at a slower speed than the video 
recording and/or reproducing transducers so that the audio signal 
information is recorded in parallel tracks which are spaced apart on the 
respective sheet. 
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, 
will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrative 
embodiments which is to be read in connection with the accompanying 
drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, it 
will be seen that a record medium in accordance with this invention for 
the recording and reproducing of at least video signal information may be 
in the form of a sheet assembly 1 comprising a video signal recording 
sheet 2, and audio signal recording sheet 3 which may also serve as a 
leader, and a stopper member 4 by which sheets 2 and 3 are fastened or 
permanently held together adjacent ends 2a and 3a of sheets 2 and 3. 
Sheets 2 and 3 are preferably of oblong configuration, for example, 
rectangular as shown, and are formed of flexibly resilient material, such 
as, the plastic sheet or film material available under the tradename Mylar 
from E. I. DuPont Company. The sheets 2 and 3 are normally flat so as to 
be disposed in closely adjacent, confronting or overlapping relation, as 
shown on FIG. 1, and the sheet 3 which is adapted to have audio signal 
information recorded thereon is, in the embodiment of the invention 
presently being described, preferably less flexible than sheet 2 so as to 
also function as a leader for the sheet assembly 1, as hereinafter 
described in detail. 
In order to adapt sheets 2 and 3 for the recording thereon of video signal 
information and audio signal information, respectively, surfaces of such 
sheets, and preferably the surfaces thereof which are in confronting 
relation when sheets 2 and 3 are closely adjacent each other, may have 
suitable magnetic coatings thereon so that such magnetic coatings are 
protected by the sheets 2 and 3 in the normal, overlapping relation 
thereof. 
In accordance with this invention, sheets 2 and 3 are of different sizes, 
for example, as shown on FIG. 1, sheet 3 may be longer than sheet 2 so 
that, in the normal closely adjacent, confronting relation of the sheets, 
the free end portion 3b of the relatively less flexible sheet 3 will 
project beyond the adjacent free end 2b of sheet 2. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that a recording and/or 
reproducing apparatus according to this invention which is adapted to be 
employed with the record medium or sheet assembly 1 of FIG. 1 generally 
comprises a separator device 5 which slidably receives sheet assembly 1 
and spreads apart the free ends 2b and 3b of sheets 2 and 3 so that 
substantial portions of the sheets are separated from each other, a guide 
drum for each of the sheets of assembly 1 adapted to have signal 
information recorded thereon, for example, a guide drum D.sub.2 for the 
sheet 2 adapted to have video signal information recorded thereon and a 
guide drum D.sub.3 for the sheet 3 adapted to have audio signal 
information recorded thereon, sheet guides 22 and 23 associated with the 
drums D.sub.2 and D.sub.3, respectively, for receiving the separated 
portions of sheets 2 and 3 from separator device 5 and for guiding the 
respective separated portions of the sheets in arcuate paths about at 
least portions of the circumferences of the respective drums, and rotary 
signal transducers, for example, magnetic heads H.sub. 2 and H'.sub.2 
associated with guide drum D.sub.2 and magnetic heads H.sub.3 and H'.sub.3 
associated with guide drum D.sub.3, for movement in circular paths 
substantially coinciding with the circumferences of the respective drums 
so that, when the sheet assembly 1 and the rotary signal transducers are 
moved relative to each other in a direction transverse to the paths of the 
rotary signal transducers, as hereinafter described in detail, the rotary 
signal transducers or heads will scan successive parallel record tracks on 
the separated portions of sheets 2 and 3 disposed in the arcuate paths 
about drums D.sub.2 and D.sub.3. 
As shown particularly on FIG. 2, the separator device 5 of the recording 
and/or reproducing apparatus according to this invention for use with the 
record medium or sheet assembly 1 may comprise a pair of similar side 
members 6a and 6b held in parallel, spaced apart relation by spacer rods 
10a and 10b, and having their inner or confronting surfaces formed with 
respective sheet-guiding channels or grooves 8. Each of the grooves 8 
includes an entry portion 8d opening at an edge of the respective side 
member 6a or 6b, for example, at the top edge of the latter, and leading 
to a flaring portion 8a from which arcuate branching portions 8b and 8c 
diverge so as to open at the opposite side edges of the respective members 
6a a or 6b, as at 8f and 8e, respectively. The distance between side 
members 6a and 6b is selected in relation to the width of sheets 2 and 3 
so that the opposite side edge portions of the sheets, at the free ends of 
the latter, can be slidably introduced into entry portions 8d of the 
respective channels or grooves 8. As the side edge portions of sheets 2 
and 3 are slidably moved through channels 8, it is intended that sheet 3 
will have its side edge portions directed into branching channel portions 
8c of the respective channels 8 while sheet 2 will have its opposite side 
edge portions directed into branching channel portions 8b, whereby to 
progressively spread apart or separate sheets 2 and 3 beginning at the 
free ends 2b and 3b thereof. In order to thus direct sheets 2 and 3 into 
branching channel portions 8b and 8c, respectively, separator device 5 is 
further shown to include a sheet directing member 9 movably mounted in the 
flaring portion 8a of each channel 8 between entry portion 8d and 
branching portions 8b and 8c for initially directing the respective side 
edge portion of the longer sheet 3 into and along the respective branching 
portion 8c and then directing the respective side edge portion of the 
other sheet 2 along the branching portion 8b. 
Referring specifically to FIG. 3, it will be seen that each sheet directing 
member 9 may be of substantially triangular configuration so as to have 
opposite flanks 9a and 9b leading from an apex 9c to respective lower 
edges 9e. Each triangular directing member 9 is pivotally mounted, as on a 
pivot pin 9d, within the respective flaring portion 8a of the groove 8, 
and is yieldably urged, as hereinafter described, so that the apex 9c 
normally bears against the side of entry portion 8d remote from branching 
portion 8c and with the flank 9b of the directing member extending into 
branching portion 8c, as shown on FIG. 4A. The yieldable urging of each 
directing member 9 to the position shown on FIG. 4A may be effected 
gravitationally, for example, by disposing the axis of its pivot 9d below 
the center of gravity of member 9, indicated at G on FIG. 3, and at a 
position that is spaced laterally from such center of gravity in the 
direction toward flank 9b. 
It will be apparent that, with sheet directing member 9 in its initial 
position shown on FIG. 4A, channel portion 8b is effectively closed so 
that, upon initial insertion of sheet assembly 1 into entry portion 8d of 
each groove or channel, the projecting free end portion 3b of the 
relatively less flexible sheet or leader 3 will come in contact with flank 
9b and be directed thereby into branching channel portion 8c. By reason of 
the resilience and reduced flexibility of leader sheet 3, the latter in 
moving into branching channel portion 8c will assume the largest possible 
radius of curvature and thereby act against flank 9b of directing member 9 
for pivoting the latter in the counterclockwise direction to the position 
shown on FIG. 4B, in which the apex 9c of sheet directing member 9 is 
moved to an intermediate position in the respective groove and bears 
against sheet 3. Thereafter, as the insertion of sheet assembly 1 
continues, apex 9c of each directing member 9 peels sheet 2 away from 
sheet 3 and flank 9a directs sheet 2 into branching channel portion 8b 
(FIG. 4C). 
From the above, it will be apparent that the provision of the relatively 
longer sheet 3 with less flexibility than sheet 2 serves to both protect 
sheet 2 against creasing or other damage when the sheets are in their 
normal closely adjacent, confronting relation, and to ensure that the 
projecting free end portion 3b of sheet 3 will be effective to actuate 
each sheet directing member 9, as described above, when the sheet assembly 
is slidably inserted in separator device 5. 
As the free ends of sheets 2 and 3 exit from openings 8f and 8e, 
respectively, of the branching channel portions 8b and 8c of separator 
device 5, such free end portions of sheets 2 and 3 are directed about 
guide drums D.sub.2 and D.sub.3 by the sheet guides 22 and 23, 
respectively, which are fixed relative to separator device 5 and movable 
with the latter, as a unit, relative to guide drums D.sub.2 and D.sub.3 in 
directions parallel to the axes of such drums. Further, pressure rollers 
24 and 25 (FIG. 5) may be provided adjacent drums D.sub.2 and D.sub.3, 
respectively, for urging the free end portions of sheets 2 and 3 against 
the drums upon the full insertion of sheet assembly 1 into separator 
device 5, for example, as determined by the engagement of stopper member 4 
with the top surfaces of the side members 6a and 6b of the separator 
device. 
Upon the rotation of drums D.sub.2 and D.sub.3 in the directions of the 
arrows a on FIG. 5, that is, in the directions in which sheets 2 and 3 
extend about the drums from separator device 5, air is frictionally drawn 
between each of the sheets 2 and 3 and the respective drum surface to 
provide an air layer therebetween, except at the free end of each sheet 
where it is pressed against the drum surface by the pressure roller 24 or 
25. The signal transducers or heads H.sub.2 and H'.sub.2 rotate with drum 
D.sub.2 so as to alternately engage slidably with the portion of sheet 2 
wrapped about drum D.sub.2. Similarly, the signal transducers or heads 
H.sub.3 and H'.sub.3 rotate with drum D.sub.3 so as to alternately engage 
slidably with the portion of sheet 3 wrapped about drum D.sub.3. In 
response to the movement of separator device 5 and guides 22 and 23 
parallel to the axes of drums D.sub.2 and D.sub.3, that is, transverse to 
the paths of rotation of the signal transducers or heads, each pair of 
rotary transducers or heads scans successive, parallel record tracks on 
the respective sheet 2 or 3, with the pitch of adjacent tracks, that is, 
the distance between their parallel center lines, being determined by the 
speed of rotation of the respective pair of heads. 
In the embodiment of the present invention described above with reference 
to FIGS. 1-5, the sheets 2 and 3 differ in size in respect to the lengths 
thereof, and the separator device 5 detects the difference in the lengths 
of sheets 2 and 3 as the means for separating the latter. However, the 
sheets of a record medium or sheet assembly according to this invention 
may differ in width so that the wider one of the sheets projects laterally 
beyond another of the sheets at the opposite sides of the latter, in which 
case, the separator device adapted to receive such record medium or sheet 
assembly detects the difference in width of the sheets as the means by 
which the latter are spread apart or separated. More specifically, as 
shown on FIG. 6, a record medium or sheet assembly 101 according to this 
invention is shown to include flexibly resilient sheets 102 and 103 which 
are respectively adapted to have video signal information and audio signal 
information recorded thereon, and which are permanently held together at 
their ends 102a and 103a by means of a stopper member 104 in the same 
manner as in the previously described sheet assembly 1. The sheets 102 and 
103 are oblong and preferably substantially rectangular, with the lengths 
of sheets 102 and 103 being equal, while their widths are different so 
that the side edge portions 103b and 103c of sheet 103 project laterally 
beyond the adjacent side edges 102b and 102c of sheet 102. As before, 
sheets 102 and 103 are normally in closely adjacent, confronting relation, 
as shown, so as to mutually protect the magnetic coatings which are 
preferably provided on their inner surfaces for receiving the respective 
recorded signal information. 
As shown on FIG. 7, a separator device 105 for separating or spreading 
apart sheets 102 and 103 may comprise side members 106a and 106b which are 
held in suitably spaced apart parallel relation by spacer rods 110, and 
which each have an arcuate groove 108 in the inner surface opening at the 
top and one side surface of the respective side member 106a or 106b. The 
distance between side members 106a and 106b is selected to substantially 
correspond to the width of the relatively narrow sheet 102, and the 
arcuate grooves 108 in the inner surfaces of side members 106a and 106b 
have depths approximately corresponding to the widths of the side edge 
portions 103b and 103c of sheet 103 that project laterally beyond the side 
edges of sheet 102. Thus, when sheet assembly 101 is slidably inserted 
downwardly into separator device 105, only the opposite side edge portions 
103b and 103c of the relatively wider sheet 103 are received in arcuate 
grooves or channels 108 so that the wider sheet 103, in moving along the 
arcuate channels 108, is similarly curved and thereby separated from the 
other sheet 102 which, by reason of its flexible resilience, tends to 
resist curvature with the sheet 103. 
In order to further separate sheet 102 from sheet 103, separator device 105 
may have, on the inner surface of each of side members 106a and 106b, a 
curved guide 107 for further directing sheet 102 away from sheet 103 
following the initial separation thereof, as described above. Each curved 
guide 107 may include two arcuate, parallel guide flanges 107a and 107b 
directed inwardly from side member 106a or 106b and defining an arcuate 
channel 107c between the flanges 107a and 107b. Such arcuate channel 107c 
opens upwardly at one end, as at 107d adjacent the respective channel 108, 
while the other end of channel 107c opens at a side surface of the 
respective side member 106a or 106b, as at 107e. With the arrangement 
shown on FIG. 7, when the free end portion of sheet 102 is separated from 
sheet 103, as described above, the side edge portions 102b and 102c of 
sheet 102 enter channels 107c at the open ends 107d of the latter and, 
thereafter, sheet 102 is guided along the arcuate channels 107c away from 
the oppositely curved sheet 103. Following the spreading apart or 
separation of the sheets 102 and 103 in separator device 105, such sheets 
may be guided about corresponding rotary guide drums and signal 
transducers or heads in the same manner as has been described above with 
reference to FIG. 5. 
In each of the previously described embodiments of the invention, the 
record medium or sheet assembly 1 or 101 has included only two sheets 
which are either of different lengths, (FIG. 1) or of different widths 
(FIG. 6), and which are distinguished from each other for purposes of 
separation of the sheets either by such different lengths or different 
widths. However, as shown on FIGS. 8A and 8B, a record medium or sheet 
assembly 201 according to this invention may include more than two sheets, 
for example, flexibly resilient sheets 202 and 203 which are respectively 
adapted to have video signal information and audio signal information 
recorded thereon, and a leader sheet 205 which is relatively less flexible 
than the sheets 202 and 203. The ends 202a, 203a and 205a of the three 
sheets are secured together, as by a stopper member 204a, with the sheet 
202 for recording video signal information being interposed between sheet 
203 for recording audio signal information and the relatively less 
flexible leader sheet 205. Further, in the sheet assembly 201 the lengths 
1.sub.1 and 1.sub.2 of sheets 203 and 202, respectively, are selected to 
be equal to each other and smaller than the length 1.sub.3 of the leader 
sheet 205, while the widths W.sub.1 and W.sub.3 of sheets 203 and 205 are 
selected to be equal to each other and substantially larger than the width 
W.sub.2 of sheet 202. Further, in the sheet assembly 201, the magnetic 
coating for the recording of audio signal information is preferably 
applied to the inner surface of sheet 203, while the coating of magnetic 
material on sheet 202 for the recording of video signal information is 
preferably applied to the surface of that sheet 202 which faces toward 
leader sheet 205 in the normal, closely adjacent confronting or 
overlapping relation of the sheets, whereby the magnetic coatings of 
sheets 202 and 203 are protected. 
Referring now to FIG. 9, it will be seen that a separator device 215 for 
use with the record medium or sheet assembly 201 includes a pair of side 
members 206a and 206b which are held in parallel, spaced apart relation by 
spacer rods 210 so that the distance between the inner surfaces of members 
206a and 206b is substantially equal to the width W.sub.2 of sheet 202. 
Each of side members 206a and 206b has, in its inner surface, a groove or 
channel 208 which is generally similar to the channel 8 described above 
with reference to the separator device 5 of FIG. 2, and which contains a 
pivoted sheet directing member 209 similar to the sheet directing member 9 
of separator device 5 and operating similarly to separate leader sheet 205 
and record sheet 203 on the basis of the relatively greater length of 
leader sheet 205. In addition to the channel 208 and directing member 209 
for separating sheets 203 and 205, each of the side members 206a and 206b 
has a pair of parallel, spaced apart flange members extending vertically 
on its inner surface to define a channel 207f therebetween which opens, at 
its upper end, between beveled ends 207a a and 207b of the flange members 
disposed adjacent the confluence of the branching channel portions 208b 
and 208c. Thus, when sheets 203 and 205 are separated from each other and 
made to follow the diverging arcuate paths defined by branching channel 
portions 208b and 208c, the relatively narrow sheet 202 which is not 
influenced by channels 208 or sheet directing members 209 resists 
curvature with either sheet 203 or sheet 205 by reason of the flexible 
resilience of sheet 202, and thus sheet 202 continues downwardly and is 
guided, at its opposite side edge portions, in channels 207f. 
More specifically, as shown on FIG. 10A, each sheet directing member 209 is 
initially disposed to block the communication between the entry portion 
208d and the branching portion 208c of the respective channel 208. Thus, 
when sheet assembly 201 is initially inserted downwardly into separator 
device 215, the side edge portions of sheets 203 and 205 are received in 
the entry portions 208d of channels 208 and the free end portion of the 
relatively longer sheet 205 is guided by directing members 209 into 
branching channel portions 208b. The movement of leader sheet 205 past 
directing members 209 into branching channel portions 208b causes pivoting 
of directing members 209 to the position shown on FIG. 10b, whereby 
directing members 209 peel record sheet 203 from leader sheet 205 and 
direct sheet 203 into branching channel portions 208c. As sheets 203 and 
205 are being thus separated, or made to diverge from each other, the 
flexible resilience of the intermediate record sheet 202 resists the 
curvature of the latter with either sheet 203 or sheet 205 so that sheet 
202 continues downwardly and has its opposite side portion slidably 
received and guided in channels 207f (FIG. 10C). 
Referring now to FIG. 11, it will be seen that, in the recording and/or 
reproducing apparatus according to this invention for employing the record 
medium or sheet assembly 201, the record sheet 202 exiting downwardly from 
channels 207f of separator device 215 is directed by a sheet guide 222 in 
an arcuate path extending in the counter-clockwise direction about a 
substantial portion of the circumference of a rotary guide drum D.sub.202 
having rotary signal transducers or magnetic heads H.sub.202 and 
H'.sub.202 associated therewith. Similarly, the record sheet 203 exiting 
from the branching channel portions 208c of separator device 215 is 
directed in an arcuate path also extending in the counterclockwise 
direction about a substantial portion of the circumference of a 
corresponding rotary guide drum D.sub.203 having rotary signal transducers 
or magnetic heads H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203 associated therewith. A 
pressure roller 224 may be provided, as shown, for urging the free end 
portion of sheet 203 against the surface of the corresponding drum 
D.sub.203. The leader sheet 205 exiting from the branching channel 
portions 208b of separator device 215 is directed in an arcuate path in 
the clockwise direction about the outer surface of sheet guide 222 by 
means of an arcuate outer cover 225. It will be apparent that, with the 
arrangement of separator device 215, sheet guides 222 and 223 and outer 
cover 225 shown on FIG. 11, sheet 202 adapted for the recording thereon of 
video signal information is brought into close and crease-free contact 
with rotary guide drum D.sub.202, sheet 203 adapted for the recording 
thereon of audio signal information is brought into close and crease-free 
contact with rotary drum D.sub.203, and the relatively less flexible 
leader sheet 205 is extended between cover 225 and sheet guide 222 without 
being rumpled or damaged. With the several sheets 202, 203 and 205 being 
thus positioned, and with separator device 215, sheet guides 222 and 223 
and cover 225 being moved, as a unit, in directions parallel to the axes 
of rotation of drums D.sub.202 and D.sub.203, it will be apparent that 
rotary heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 will scan successive, parallel 
record tracks on sheet 202, and that rotary heads H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203 
will similarly scan successive, parallel record tracks on sheet 203. 
Referring now to FIG. 12, it will be seen that, in the recording and/or 
reproducing apparatus described above with reference to FIG. 11, the guide 
drums D.sub.202 and D.sub.203 are mounted on respective shafts 231 and 240 
which are suitably journalled in a housing (not shown) so as to be 
rotatable about parallel axes while being held against axial movement 
relative to the housing. In order to permit the movement of the record 
medium or sheet assembly 201 in the direction transverse to the circular 
paths of travel of the signal transducers or magnetic heads associated 
with guide drums D.sub.202 and D.sub.203, separator device 215, sheet 
guides 222 and 223 and cover 225 are secured, as a unit, to a carriage 250 
(indicated in broken lines) which is mounted on sleeves 248a and 248b that 
are axially slidable on support rods 238a and 238b extending parallel to 
the axes of the drums and being carried by respective brackets 253a and 
253b. 
In order to effect rotation of drums D.sub.202 and D.sub.203, an electric 
motor (not shown) suitably drives drum D.sub.202 in the direction of the 
arrow a thereon and such rotation of drum D.sub.202 is transmitted to drum 
D.sub.203 by way of a relatively small diameter pulley 249 on shaft 231 
driving a belt B.sub.1 which runs about a relatively large diameter pulley 
232 fixed on a rotatable idler shaft 233 along with a relatively small 
diameter pulley 251 which, in turn, drives a belt B.sub.2 running about a 
relatively large diameter pulley 252 fixed on a rotatable idler shaft 237 
axially aligned with drum shaft 240 and being adapted to be rotatably 
coupled with the latter through a selectively engageable and disengageable 
clutch C.sub.2. 
It will be apparent that, when clutch C.sub.2 is engaged to rotatably 
couple idler shaft 237 with drum shaft 240, guide drum D.sub.203 will be 
driven in the direction of the arrow a thereon, that is, in the same 
direction as guide drum D.sub.202, but at a slower rotational speed by 
reason of the above described relationship of the pulleys 249 and 232 and 
of the pulleys 251 and 252. Thus, if the carriage 250 is moved in a 
direction parallel to the axes of the guide drums during such rotation of 
the latter the pitch or spacing between the center lines of adjacent 
parallel record tracks which are successive scanned on record sheet 202 by 
heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 will be smaller than the pitch or spacing 
between the center lines of adjacent parallel record tracks scanned on 
record sheet 203 by heads H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203. 
In order to effect the movements of carriage 250, a nut 246 is fixed to the 
carriage and threadably engages a feed screw 247 on a shaft journalled in 
the housing so as to extend parallel to support rods 238a and 238b while 
being suitably held against axial displacement. A gear 242 fixed on shaft 
234 is continuously meshed with a gear 241 fixed on a rotatable idler 
shaft 239 which is axially aligned with idler shaft 233 and adapted to be 
rotatably coupled with the latter by means of an engageable and 
disengageable clutch C.sub.1. The gear 242 on shaft 234 is further 
continuously meshed with a gear 243 on a rotatably mounted intermediate 
shaft 235, and gear 243, in turn, is continously meshed with a gear 244 
fixed on shaft 240 of drum D.sub.203. Finally, a manually rotatable shaft 
236 carries a gear 245 which is in meshing engagement with gear 244. 
Although the above described drive arrangement of FIG. 12 is shown 
incorporated in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for employment 
with a record medium or sheet assembly of the type shown on FIGS. 8A and 
8B, that is, in which a leader sheet 205 is provided in addition to the 
sheets 202 and 203 for the recording of video signal information and audio 
signal information, respectively, it will be apparent that a similar drive 
arrangement may be provided for the recording and/or reproducing apparatus 
of FIG. 5 which is intended for use with a two-sheet record medium, as 
indicated at 1 and 101 on FIGS. 1 and 6, respectively. 
The recording and/or reproducing apparatus of FIG. 12 operates as follows: 
RECORDING OR NORMAL PLAYBACK OR REPRODUCTION 
With the record medium or sheet assembly 201 inserted in separator device 
215 so that sheets 202 and 203 are in their operative positions extending 
about drums D.sub.202 and D.sub.203, respectively, as previously 
described, clutch C.sub.1 is disengaged and clutch C.sub.2 is engaged for 
coupling idler shaft 237 with drum shaft 240. Upon rotation of drum 
D.sub.202 in the direction of the arrow a thereon, idler shaft 237 and the 
coupled drum shaft 240 are driven in the same direction through belts 
B.sub.1 and B.sub.2 and the associated pulleys so as to rotate drum 
D.sub.203 in the same direction as drum D.sub.202, but at a slower speed. 
Simultaneously, shaft 234 and feed screw 247 are rotated in the direction 
of the arrow a thereon from drum shaft 240 by means of the successively 
meshing gears 242, 243 and 244, with the result that nut 246 is moved 
axially in the direction of the arrow c for effecting similar movement of 
carriage 250, and hence of record sheets 202 and 203 relative to the drums 
D.sub.202 and D.sub.203, respectively. As a result of the foregoing 
movement of sheets 202 and 203, heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 scan 
successive, parallel record tracks on sheet 202 for recording or 
reproducing video signal information in such record tracks, and heads 
H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203 similarly scan successive, parallel record tracks 
on sheet 203, but with a greater pitch between the adjacent tracks, for 
recording or reproducing audio signal information in the record tracks on 
sheet 203. It will be understood that the successive record tracks on 
sheets 202 and 203 are respectively arranged in a series extending across 
the respective record sheet commencing adjacent one side edge of the 
record sheet and ending adjacent the opposite side edge of the record 
sheet. Thus, at the commencement of the recording or normal reproducing 
operation, carriage 250 is disposed so that the circular paths of travel 
of the signal transducers or heads associated with drums D.sub.202 and 
D.sub.203 will be adjacent one side edge of sheets 202 and 203, 
respectively, and movement of nut 246 and carriage 250 in the direction of 
the arrow c has the effect of relatively moving the circular paths of 
travel of the signal transducers or magnetic heads toward the opposite 
side edges of the record sheets. 
RETURN OR REVERSE PLAYBACK OPERATION 
At any time when it is desired to effect reverse playback or reproduction 
of recorded video signal information, or when it is desired to return 
carriage 250 to its original or starting position, for example, upon the 
completion of a recording or normal reproducing operation, clutch C.sub.1 
is engaged and clutch C.sub.2 is diengaged. As a result of the foregoing, 
idler shaft 239 and gear 241 are driven from idler shaft 233 so as to 
effect rotation of gears 241 and 242 in the direction of the arrows b on 
FIG. 12 and, accordingly, nut 246 and carriage 250 are driven by screw 247 
in the direction opposed to that indicated by the arrow c. 
STILL MOTION AND SLOW MOTION REPRODUCTION 
At any time during a playback or reproducing operation of the apparatus, 
both clutches C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 may be simultaneously disengaged with 
the result that the driving of feed screw 247 from either idler shaft 239 
or drum shaft 240 is interrupted. With both clutches C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 
disengaged, shaft 235 may be manually rotated to drive feed screw 247 
through meshing gears 242 and 243 so that carriage 250 can be manually 
displaced either to select a record track on sheet 202 which is to be 
repeatedly scanned by heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 on drum D.sub.202 for 
still motion reproduction of an image or picture represented by the 
corresponding video signal information recorded in such record track. Of 
course, if shaft 235 is manually rotated continuously at a relatively slow 
speed, the effect thereof will be to cause relatively slow movement of 
caariage 250 for achieving corresponding slow motion reproduction of the 
recorded video signal information. 
Referring now to FIG. 13A, it will be seen that a record medium or sheet 
assembly 201' according to another embodiment of this invention, and which 
may be advantageously employed in the recording and/or reproducing 
apparatus described above with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, may include, 
in addition to record sheets 202 and 203 and leader sheet 205 which are 
similar to the correspondingly numbered sheets of the record medium 201 on 
FIGS. 8A and 8B, a second video record sheet 202' and a second audio 
record sheet 203'. The record sheets 202' and 203' are similar to the 
record sheets 202 and 203, respectively, but are arranged in order at the 
opposite side of leader sheet 205, with all of the sheets of record medium 
201' being secured together at one end by means of the stopper member 
204'. 
If the record medium or sheet assembly 201' is inserted into entry portions 
208d of channels 208 in separator device 215 with sheets 202 and 203 at 
the side of leader sheet 205 facing toward branching channel portions 
208c, as in FIG. 13B, then record sheet 202 is directed downwardly by 
channels 207f and record sheet 203 moves along branching channel portions 
208c, with leader sheet 205 and record sheets 202' and 203' being directed 
along branching channel portions 208b. Thus, as before, record sheets 202 
and 203 will be directed by sheets guides 222 and 223 about drums 
D.sub.202 and D.sub.203, respectively, while leader sheet 205 and record 
sheets 202' and 203' will be accommodated between cover 225 and sheet 
guide 222. However, if the position of record medium or sheet assembly 
201' is reversed, that is, if sheet assembly 201' is inserted in separator 
device 215 with sheets 202'and 203' at the side of sheet leader 205 
facing toward branching channel portions 208c, then sheets 202' and 203' 
are guided about drums D.sub.202 and D.sub.203 while leader sheet 205 and 
record sheets 202 and 203 are received between cover 225 and sheet guide 
222. Accordingly, record medium 201' can record and playback or reproduce 
video and audio signals for an increased playing time, first in one 
position and then in the opposite position. 
Referring now to FIGS. 14A and 14B, it will be seen that, with sheets 202 
and 203 extending about the circumferences of drums D.sub.202 and 
D.sub.203, respectively, over an angular extent of at least 180.degree. , 
and with the video recording heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 moving at a 
predetermined speed in the plane of their rotation as indicated by the 
arrow e (FIG. 14A) and the audio recording heads H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203 
moving at a predetermined speed in their plane of rotation as indicated by 
the arrow f (FIG. 14B), while both sheets 202 and 203 are simultaneously 
moved, at the same speed, transversely to the planes of rotation of the 
respective heads, as indicated by the arrows d, then heads H.sub.202 and 
H'.sub.202 will alternately scan sheet 202 along parallel, successive 
tracks arranged in a series across the width of sheet 202, as at T.sub.1, 
T.sub.2 and T.sub.3. Such record tracks will be inclined relative to the 
opposed side edges of sheet 202, with the inclination of the tracks and 
the pitch P.sub.1 thereof being determined by the relationship of the 
speed of movement of heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202, indicated by the 
arrow e, and the speed of movement of the sheet transverse to the plane of 
rotation of the heads, as indicated by the arrow d. Similarly, the audio 
recording heads H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203 will alternately scan the 
respective sheet 203 along successive, parallel record tracks which are 
arranged in a series across the width of sheet 203, as indicated at 
t.sub.1, t.sub.2 and t.sub.3, which tracks are inclined relative to the 
opposite side edges of sheet 203 with the inclination of the tracks and 
their pitch P.sub.2 being determined by the relation of the speed of 
rotational movement of heads H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203, as indicated by the 
arrow f and the speed of movement of sheet 203 transverse to the plane of 
rotation of those heads, as indicated by the arrow d. 
It will be apparent that, if video signals are applied to heads H.sub.202 
and H'.sub.202 and audio signals are applied to heads H.sub.203 and 
H'.sub.203 during the described scanning of sheets 202 and 203 by such 
heads, video and audio signal information will be recorded in the tracks 
T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3 - - - etc. on sheet 202 and in the tracks 
t.sub.1, t.sub.2, t.sub.3 - - - etc. on sheet 203, respectively. 
Preferably, in the apparatus according to this invention, the heads 
H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 for recording and reproducing video signal 
information are each provided with an air gap g.sub.V having a width D 
(FIG. 14A) which is substantially larger than the pitch P.sub.1, that is, 
the distance through which the sheet 202 is moved in the direction of the 
arrow d during the rotation of each of heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 
through 180.degree.. As a result of the foregoing, and as shown 
particularly on FIG. 15, after one of the heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 
has recorded video signal information in a track T.sub.n having a width D, 
the other head H'.sub.202 or H.sub.202 records video signal information in 
the next track T.sub.n.sub.+1 which also has the width D, but which 
overlaps and erases a portion of the previous track T.sub.n so as to 
effect so-called overlap writing. Accordingly, the successive tracks 
T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 in which video signals are recorded each have 
an effective width equal to the pitch P.sub.1 which is substantially less 
than the gap width D of the heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202. Since there 
are no gaps or guard bands between the successive record tracks T.sub.1, 
T.sub.2, T.sub.3 - - - etc. for the recording of the video signal 
information, it will be apparent that the utilization of the area of 
record sheet 202 for the recording of the video signal information is 
enhanced. 
Since the preferred apparatus according to this invention rotates the audio 
recording and reproducing heads H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203 at a slower speed 
than the heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202, it will be apparent that the 
inclination of the audio record tracks t.sub.1, t.sub.2, t.sub.3 - - - 
etc. and the pitch P.sub.2 between adjacent audio record tracks will be 
greater than the inclination and pitch, respectively, of the video record 
tracks. In any case, the width of the air gap g.sub.A of each of the heads 
H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203 for recording and/or reproducing the audio signal 
information is selected to be substantially smaller than the pitch P.sub.2 
so that the audio record tracks will be formed on record sheet 203 with 
substantial spaces therebetween, as shown on FIG. 14B. 
When the video signal information being recorded and reproduced corresponds 
to that of a standard television picture signal having sixty fields, or 
thirty frames, per second, the drum D.sub.202 and associated heads 
H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 are preferably rotated at a speed of thirty 
revolutions per second, so that each of the record tracks T.sub.1, 
T.sub.2, T.sub.3 - - - etc. will contain video signal information 
corresponding to a single television picture field. The heads H.sub.202 
and H'.sub.202 are substantially diametrically opposed on drum D.sub.202, 
but with the angular distance therebetween deviating from 180.degree. by 
an angle corresponding to 0.5H (in which H represents one horizontal 
period of the standard video signal). By reason of the foregoing, and as 
shown on FIG. 14A, the recording positions P.sub.H of the horizontal 
synchronizing signals in the successive record tracks are arranged on 
straight lines extending parallel to the direction of the air gaps g.sub.V 
of heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202. The heads H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203 for 
recording and reproducing the audio signal information may be angularly 
spaced apart on drum D.sub.203 by precisely 180.degree., and may be 
rotated at a relatively slow speed, for example, at a speed of five 
revolutions per second in the case where heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 
are being rotated at a speed of thirty revolutions per second. 
In the recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to this invention, 
the signal actually recorded by heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 is 
preferably obtained by employing the video signal to phase modulate a 
suitable carrier, for example, as disclosed in detail in U.S. pat. 
application Ser. No. 425,845, filed Dec. 18, 1973, and having a common 
assignee herewith, while the signal recorded by the heads H.sub.202 and 
H'.sub.203 is obtained by conventionally superposing a biasing signal on 
the audio signal. Thus, as shown on FIG. 16, in the apparatus according to 
this invention, a video signal supplied to an input terminal 301 is 
applied from the latter to a phase modulator 302 in which the video signal 
phase-modulates a carrier which is supplied from an oscillator 303. The 
resulting phase-modulated signal is supplied through a recording contact R 
of a recording-reproducing switch 304 to heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202. 
In the foregoing arrangement, the oscillator 303 for providing the carrier 
to be phase-modulated by the video signal is suitably synchronized with 
the rotation of heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 so that the phases of the 
carriers J.sub.o to be modulated, indicated in broken lines on FIG. 17, in 
the successive tracks T.sub.n.sub.-1, T.sub.n, T.sub.n.sub.+1, - - - are 
aligned in the directions parallel to the direction of the air gaps 
g.sub.V of heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202. Further, the modulation index 
of the phase modulation, which is expressed as a radian corresponding to 
the phase deviation of the modulated carrier relative to the unmodulated 
carrier, is selected to be relatively small, for example, less than about 
1.0 so that the side band components of the second and higher order 
signals become sufficiently small and can be neglected. 
Returning to FIG. 16, it will be seen that the audio signal is applied to 
an input terminal 305 from which it is supplied through an amplifier 306 
and equalizer 307 to a recording contact R of a recording-reproducing 
switch 308. The output of equalizer 307 has superposed thereon a bias 
signal from an oscillator 309 and, during recording, the resulting signal 
is supplied from switch 308 to heads H.sub.203 and H'.sub.203. 
For reproducing or playback operation of the apparatus, switches 304 and 
308, which are indicated to be ganged, are changed over to engage the 
respective reproducing or playback contacts P while heads H.sub.202 and 
H'.sub.202 and heads .sub.203 and H'.sub.203 are rotated in the same 
manner as described above for recording operation and sheets 202 and 203 
are moved in the direction parallel to the axes of the rotary heads also 
in the same manner as for recording operation. The reproduced output from 
heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 is supplied through contact P of switch 
304, a reproducing or playback amplifier 310 and a limiter 311 to a 
demodulator 312 which supplies its demodulated output or video signal to 
an output terminal 313. The reproduced output from heads H.sub.203 and 
H'.sub.203 is supplied through contact P of switch 308, an equalizer 314 
and a reproducing or playback amplifier 315 having its output connected to 
terminal 316 for providing a reproduced audio signal at such output 
terminal. 
Since heads H.sub.202 and H'.sub.202 for reproducing the recorded video 
signals each have an air gap g.sub.V with the width D thereof being 
substantially larger than the pitch P.sub.1 or effective width of the 
successive record tracks on sheet 202, each of the heads H.sub.202 and 
H'.sub.202 is effective, during reproducing or playback operation, to scan 
more than one of the record tracks, for example, the record track T.sub.n 
and portions of the adjacent record tracks T.sub.n.sub.-1 and 
T.sub.n.sub.+1, as shown on FIG. 17. However, by reason of the use of 
phase modulation in recording the video signal, the demodulated reproduced 
signal obtained at output terminal 313 is substantially equivalent to the 
composite signal that would result from combining the original video 
signals corresponding to the respective tracks T.sub.n,T.sub.n.sub.-1 and 
T.sub.n.sub.+1 with a predetermined level ratio therebetween corresponding 
to the position of the reproducing head relative to the record tracks in 
the direction across the latter, with the result that no beat interference 
is produced. Even if the scanning head H.sub.202 or H'.sub.202 is shifted 
relative to the track T.sub.n, for example, in the direction toward the 
adjacent track T.sub.n.sub.-1 or in the direction toward the other 
adjacent track T.sub.n.sub.+1, no beat interference due to cross-talk 
between adjacent tracks is generated, and hence a so-called tracking servo 
system is not required for the reproducing or playback operation of the 
apparatus. 
In the foregoing description of illustrative embodiments of this invention, 
reference has been made repeatedly to the recording and reproducing of 
"video" signals, which term, of course, includes monochrome as well as 
color television signals, but is further intended to include any other 
types of signal which, when applied to a cathode ray tube or the like, are 
effective to produce a visual image or picture. 
It is further to be noted that while magnetic recording and reproducing of 
the signals is preferred, as in the illustrative embodiments of the 
invention described above, other recording and reproducing methods may be 
employed. For example, in place of a magnetic record medium, the record 
medium may be constituted by a thin plastic foil in which grooves of 
varying depth are formed to constitute the record tracks having video or 
audio signals recorded therein, with such recorded signals being 
reproduced by a diamond or other stylus moving along the successive record 
tracks and associated with a piezo-electric ceramic transducer or the like 
by which the resulting variations in the pressure on the pickup stylus are 
converted to a corresponding electrical signal. The invention can also be 
applied to the electro-optical recording and reproducing of video and 
audio signals, for example, in which the successive record tracks on the 
record medium have variations in either light reflectivity or transmission 
in correspondence to the signals recorded therein. The invention can be 
further applied to the capacitive recording and reproducing of video and 
audio signals, for example, to an apparatus in which the record medium is 
constituted by a vinyl base sheet having a coating of aluminum or copper 
thereon and a dielectric coating, for example, of polystyrene, superposed 
on the aluminum or copper coating, in which case the video or audio 
signals are recorded as variations in the capacitance along the successive 
record tracks. When reproducing such video or audio signals, the 
variations in capacitance between the electrode of a pickup head moving 
along the record tracks in succession and the aluminum or copper coating 
of the record medium are employed to produce an output signal 
corresponding to the original video or audio signals which were recorded. 
Finally, while it is preferred to record the video signal as a 
phase-modulated signal without guard bands between adjacent record tracks, 
so as to enhance the utilization of the record medium without encountering 
beat interferenence between signals reproduced from adjacent tracks and 
without requiring the use of a tracking servo system during reproducing or 
playback operation, the invention can also be applied to an apparatus in 
which the video signal is recorded as a frequency-modulated signal. 
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described above 
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that 
the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that 
various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled 
in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as 
defined in the appended claims.