Magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus records video signals divided in plural segments in every specific group, and index signals accompanying the video signals in different areas on a magnetic having oblique tracks, records the time code of at least the video signal as the index signal, and records the same time code in the index areas of continuous plural tracks. The index area for recording the time code is divided into a plurality of small areas in one track, and the same time code is recorded in each small region. The leader code is recorded in the index area for recording at least the time code.

Description: The present invention relates to a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for recording information such as video, sound and data in a magnetic tape, and reproducing the recorded information, and more particularly a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus including index information for editing in the recorded information. Editing is the function for rewriting a specific recording area, erasing a specific recording area, continuous additional recording after a specific recording area, and other changes of recorded data. The magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus using a magnetic tape as a recording medium such as the video tape recorder (hereinafter called VTR) has been developed and widely spread. Further, much higher density technologies, digital signal processing technologies and down-sizing of the apparatus have been progressed. Usually, when recording information signals, an index signal is recorded together. The index signal is the leader code for showing the recording start position of data, absolute time code showing the absolute position on the magnetic tape, user time code determined by the user, title showing the content of information, and the like. Examples of recording such index signals include a DAT (digital audio tape recorder) and 8 mm VTR. In the standard of DAT or 8 mm VTR, as known widely, it is possible to edit so as to re-record only the index while preserving the recorded video signals or audio signals. It is, however, not possible to edit so as to re-record only one of the items (for example, leader code, absolute time code, or user time code) while information about plural items (leader code, absolute time code, timer time code, etc.) is recorded in the index region of one track. It is hence a primary object of the invention to present a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus capable of editing in every item in the index containing plural items. European Patent Application EP-A-0241014 discloses a method of recording and reproducing a time code signal together with digital video and audio signals, wherein at least one channel of a digital audio signal is supplied to rotary heads scanning successive slant tracks on a tape for recording in intermediate sections of the slant tracks, a digital video signal is supplied to the same heads for recording in other sections of the slant tracks situated before and after the intermediate sections and being relatively longer than the latter, and the time code signal is also supplied to the rotary heads for recording in the intermediate sections with the same time codes being represented by the time code signal recorded in the intermediate sections of a successive plurality of the slant tracks which contain the digital video signal for a respective frame. According to the present invention, there is provided a magnetic recording apparatus for recording video signals and index signals on oblique tracks each having a video signal recording area and an index area on a magnetic tape, comprising: a means for moving the magnetic tape; a video signal generating means for generating a video signal; a clock signal generating means for generating a clock signal synchronized with the video signal; a segmenting means for dividing the video signal in each frame into a plurality of segments to obtain segmented video signals; an index signal generating means for generating index signals containing a user time code; and recording means including a rotary magnetic head, said recording means being responsive to the clock signal for alternately selecting and recording via the rotary magnetic head the segmented video signals and the index signals such that the segmented video signals in each frame and the index signals are recorded in video signal recording areas and index areas, respectively, of each of a set of continuous oblique tracks, characterised in that said index signal generating means generates a same user time code repeatedly so that the same user time code is recorded in the index signal recording area of each of at least three continuous adjacent oblique tracks selected from among the set of continuous oblique tracks and so that the index signal recording area of at least one oblique track selected from among the set of continuous oblique tracks fails to have a user time code recorded therein. In this constitution, since the item of the index recorded in the index area in one track is the time code only, it is possible to change only the time code when editing. In addition, since the same time code is recorded in the index area of each of the continuous plural tracks, the tolerance to track maceration (reduction of track width) is strong even when the both adjacent tracks of the time code recorded track are rewritten by using a magnetic head broader than the track width. Moreover, by arranging the constitution such that the index area recording the time code is divided into a plurality of small areas in one track, and the same time code is recorded in each small area, the length on the track in the synchronous unit is short when reproducing the index signal, and when the scanning trace of the rotary head crosses plural tracks as in a high speed search, successful index detection rate can be enhanced. By further arranging the constitution such that the index generating means comprises leader code generating means for generating a leader code, and synthesizing means for synthesizing the leader code and time code, and the leader code is recorded at least in the time code recording index area by recording the output of the synthesizing means in the index area, the time code can be rewritten while preserving the leader code, or the leader code can be rewritten while preserving the time code, and such editing can be done easily. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an operation in a recording mode of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a layout diagram of rotary heads on a cylinder in the embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3 is a composition diagram of recording tracks in the embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 is a detailed composition diagram in one synchronous unit of index region in the embodiment of the invention. Fig. 5 is an example of mode of track maceration occurring during insert editing. Fig. 6 is an example of mode of track maceration occurring during insert editing in the invention. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an operation in an insert editing mode of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in the embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8 is an internal detailed diagram of editing timing generating means in the embodiment of the invention. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a time chart of signals in insert editing mode in the embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the recording action of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in an embodiment. In Fig. 1, numeral 1 is a magnetic tape, 2a, 2b are rotary heads mounted on a cylinder (not shown), and 24_1 to 24_10 are tracks formed on the magnetic tape 1. Numeral 7 denotes a tape running unit, comprising a capstan motor 4, a pinch roller 5, and a capstan control circuit 6. Numeral 8 is a video signal generator, 9 is a clock generator, 10 is a segmenting circuit, 11 is a frame synchronous signal generator, and 12 is a tracking signal generator. Numeral 21 denotes an index generator, comprising a leader code generator 13, a time code generator 16, a character code generator 17, a segment number identifier 18, a time code output unit 19, and a synthesizer 20. The time code generator 16 is composed of an absolute time code generator 14 and a user time code generator 15. Numeral 22 is a recorder and 23 is a rotary head controller. This embodiment is an example of recording and reproducing two tracks nearly simultaneously by using rotary heads 2a, 2b. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the layout of the rotary heads on the cylinder in the same embodiment, in which 3 is a cylinder. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the composition of each track shown in Fig. 1, in which a positioning signal area 27 is formed in a part of a tracking signal area 28 formed at the beginning of a track, and a positioning signal is recorded. For this positioning signal, a relatively high frequency so as to be less influenced by adjacent tracks is selected. Meanwhile, in the tracking signal area 28, a pilot signal for tracking is recorded in frequency multiplexing. This pilot signal is recorded alternately at two different frequencies f1, f2 in every other track. For these two frequencies of the pilot signal, relatively low frequencies are selected so as to be less influenced by the azimuth loss of the rotary heads 2a, 2b. In a video signal area 25, video signals are recorded, while index signals are recorded in an index area 26. The recording operation in Fig. 1 is explained. In recording mode, the magnetic tape 1 is driven by the capstan motor 4 controlled in rotating speed by the capstan control circuit 6, and the pinch roller 5. The video signal generator 8 creates signals corresponding to 30 frames per second (one frame corresponds to one screen of television). The segmenting circuit 10 divides the signals of one frame into ten segments. Finally, the video signals of one frame are recorded as being divided in ten tracks. The segmented video signals are entered in the recorder 22 together with segment numbers. In the clock generator 9, a clock synchronized with the input video signal is produced. Here, video signals for 30 frames per second are entered, and a 150 Hz clock synchronized with the video signal is produced. The tracking signal generator 12 generates a tracking signal containing a pilot signal of two different frequencies f1, f2 depending on the clock from the clock generator 9, and a positioning information signal. This tracking signal is entered in the recorder 22. The frame synchronous signal generator 11 generates a 30 Hz frame synchronous signal synchronized with the frame of the input video signals. The leader code generator 13 generates a leader code for use mainly in a high speed search. More specifically it is a signal showing the recording start position of a program or the like. The leader code is entered in the synthesizer 20. The absolute time code generator 14 generates an absolute time code showing the absolute position on the tape. More specifically, it is a signal showing the recording time or the number of tracks from the start of the tape. The absolute time code is entered in the time code output unit 19. The user time code generator 15 generates a user time code added to a recorded program to be controlled by the user. More specifically, it is a signal showing the recorded date and time of the program. The user time code is entered in the time code output unit 19. The character code generator 17 generates a character code relating to a recorded program. More specifically, it is a signal showing the title of a program, or the name of the operator of a camera-recorder, or the like. The character code is entered in the time code output unit 19. The segment number identifier 18 recognizes the segment number (1 to 10) within one frame of segmented video signals entered in the recorder 22, by the clock of the clock generator 9 and the frame synchronous signal of the frame synchronous signal generator 11, and enters the segment number in the time code output unit 19. The time code output unit 19 changes over the signal to be entered in the synthesizer 20 depending on the segment number of the segment number identifier 18. More specifically, the absolute time code is entered in the synthesizer 20 when the segment number is 1, 2 or 3, the user time code when the segment number is 4, 5 or 6, and the character code when the segment number is 7, 8, 9 or 10. However, in the outputs of the absolute time code and user time code, the same time code is entered in the synthesizer 20 regardless of the segment number. The synthesizer 20 synthesizes the leader code and the output of the time code output unit 19. The signal after synthesis is entered in the recorder 22 as index signal. The index signal in the embodiment, therefore, contains the leader code in any segment number in one frame. The absolute time code, user time code and character code are contained in the index signal in continuous plural segment numbers. The recorder 22 sends such a recording signal as to record the segmented video signal, index signal and tracking signal in each area separately depending on the clock output of the clock generator 9, out to the rotary heads 2a, 2b. The rotary head controller 23 controls the rotating speed of the cylinder 3 mounting the rotary heads 2a, 2b so as to be synchronized with the clock output of the clock generator 9. As a result of the above operation, tracks as shown in Fig. 3 are formed on the magnetic tape 1. Here, the index area 26 is divided into plural (fifteen in Fig. 3) small areas called synchronous units. Numerals 26a to 26o are synchronous units. In the track where the absolute time code or user time code is recorded, the same code is recorded in each synchronous unit of the index area in one track. A detail configuration of one synchronous unit 26a in the index region 26 in Fig. 3 is shown in Fig. 4. Suppose numeral 26a denotes a synchronous unit where the absolute time code and leader code are recorded. Numeral 26a_1 is an area called sync, in which the signal showing the recording start position in synchronous unit is recorded in 2 bytes. Numeral 26a_2 is a recording area of absolute time code, which is recorded in 4 bytes. Numeral 26a_3 is a recording area of leader code, which is 1 byte. Numeral 26a_4 is an area called parity, in which a signal for detecting (and correcting) a signal reading error is recorded. This area is 2 bytes. The composition is the same for one synchronous unit in the index area in which the user time code is recorded. That is, instead of the absolute time code, the user time code is recorded. Thus, by recording the time code (absolute time code or user time code) and leader code which are simultaneously recorded in the video signal as index signals, they can be effectively utilized in detecting and retrieval at the time of editing or searching. In particular, as shown in the embodiment, by recording the same time code in the index area in continuous three or more tracks, it becomes extremely resistant against track maceration due to editing of adjacent tracks. For example, as for the absolute time code, adverse effects by track maceration caused at the time of rewriting the user time code or character code can be notably reduced. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a mode of rewriting the index area of both adjacent tracks of a certain track. For example, when the absolute time code is recorded in one track only, and the insert editing of its both adjacent tracks is done, the absolute time code recording track is macerated, or narrowed, at both sides of the track, and the reading error rate is high when reading the signal by the rotary heads, and the data reliability is significantly lowered. Fig. 6 shows the mode of track maceration when the index area of the both adjacent tracks is rewritten when the same time code is recorded in continuous three tracks as in this embodiment. The both sides of the track are not macerated, and at least one track is preserved as it is, so that the time code can be reproduced and detected without error. Thus, as in this embodiment, recording of the same absolute time code or user time code in continuous three or more tracks is very effective from the viewpoint of reliability of the time code after insert editing. In the track where the time code is recorded, meanwhile, by recording the same code in each synchronous unit in the index area in that track, in the case of the scanning trace of the rotary head as in the high speed search crossing plural tracks, it is enough to detect from at least one synchronous unit, and the successful detection rate of time code is notably enhanced. Or in the track composition in which the same time code (absolute time code or user time code) is recorded in the index area of continuous plural tracks in one frame, and the leader code is recorded in the index area for recording the time code, it is possible to rewrite the leader code while preserving the time code. It is very convenient if the leader code can be inserted at an arbitrary position after recording the video signal. For example, if it is possible to insert after recording at a scene changing position while taping with a camera-recorder or the like, it is very effective when searching a desired scene. In this case, the time code must be preserved. That is, it is a very effective function to edit to change only the leader code while preserving the time code. The editing operation is explained by reference to Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, numeral 29 is a editing point changeover switch, 30 is a tracking error detector, 31 is a positioning information signal detector, 32 is an editing timing generator, 33 is an editing region indicator, 34 is a segment number detector, 35 is a leader code detector, 36 is an absolute time code detector, and 37 is a user time code detector. Supposing a leader code is recorded in the index area where the absolute time code and user time code are recorded, the case of rewriting the leader code for five seconds (150 frames) is explained below. When rewriting the leader code in a recorded magnetic tape, the mode of running the magnetic tape in reproducing state is shifted to the mode of rewriting the leader code from a specific timing. First, the operation common to two modes is explained. The clock generator 9 generates a signal of 150 Hz, the rotary head controller 23 controls the rotating speed of the cylinder 3 mounting the rotary heads 2a, 2b so as to be synchronized with the clock output of the clock generator 9. As described later, when the rotary heads 2a, 2b scan the tracking signal area 28 of the track, the editing point changeover switch 29 is connected to the terminal 29a to be in reproducing state of producing the reproduction signal from the rotary head 2a. By this output signal, tracking control is effected. The tracking method is explained. In the tracking signal region 28 of the track recorded in the above method, pilot signals of two different frequencies f1, f2 are recorded in every other track in frequency multiplexing. Suppose signals are recorded, sequentially from track 24_1, in f0 track, f1 track, f0 track, f2 track, f0 track, f1 track, .... In f0 track, pilot signal is not recorded. In f1 track, a pilot signal of frequency f1 is recorded in frequency multiplexing. In f2 track, a pilot signal of frequency f2 is recorded in frequency multiplexing. Tracking is controlled so that the rotary head 2a always scans the f0 track. For example, in Fig. 7, tracking is effected to scan the track 24_11. When the rotary head 2a scans the tracking signal area 28 of the track 24_11, the leakage components of different pilot signal components f1, f2 recorded in both adjacent tracks 24_10, 24_12 are detected inclusively. From the signal, the tracking error information is detected by the tracking error detector 30, and the capstan control circuit 6 controls the capstan motor by the input tracking error information. As the tracking error detector 30, a known detector for producing tracking error information proportional to the difference by comparing the magnitude of f1 component and magnitude of f2 component is used. The tracking error information is designed to always produce the difference of the pilot signal component contained in the succeeding track from the pilot signal contained in the preceding track. For example, while the rotary head 2a is scanning the track 24_11, the output is the value proportional to the difference of the pilot component contained in the tracking signal area of track 24_10 from the pilot component contained in the tracking signal area of track 24_12. The rotary head 2b is located very closely to the rotary head 2a, and its relative position relation to the rotary head 2a is accurately maintained. Therefore, by tracking the rotary head 2a and track 24_11, tracking of rotary head 2b and track 24_12 is achieved at the same time. Incidentally, during the reproduction state before start of rewriting of the leader code, creation of recording signal is newly started. Its operation is explained below. By tracking in the above method, the reproduction signal from the rotary head 2a is entered in the absolute time code detector 36 and user time code detector 37. In the absolute time code generator 14, the absolute time code increasing the absolute time code detected by the absolute time code detector 36 for one frame is generated, and by increasing successively if no input is made from the absolute time code detector 36, the same code as the previously recorded absolute time code is created. As for the user time code, too, the same code as the previously recorded user time code is created similarly by the user time code detector 37 and user time code generator 15. Suppose, from this point, to rewrite the leader code by the instruction signal from the editing region indicator 33. In this case, at the timing determined by the method mentioned below, the mode for recording the recording signal generated in the recorder 22 and the mode of reproducing the signal from the rotary heads 2a, 2b are changed over by the editing point changeover switch 29. That is, when scanning the index area of the track in which the leader code has been recorded, it is the mode for recording the recording signal, and when scanning the other regions, it is the mode for reproducing the signals from the rotary heads 2a, 2b. First, in the leader code generator 13, a new leader code is created by an instruction signal from the editing region indicator 33. The time code output unit 19 changes over the signal to be fed to the synthesizer 20 depending on the segment number detected by the segment number detector 34. Here, the segment number detector 34 detects the segment number (the track number in one frame) contained in the video signals in the video signal area 25 by demodulating the reproduction signals from the rotary heads 2a, 2b. For example, in Fig. 7, the segment number of the track 24_11 is 1. The detected segment number is the segment number of one scan before, and also because of two-channel simultaneous recording, the absolute time code is produced when the detected segment number is 9, 10 or 1, and the user time code when the detected segment number is 2, 3 or 4. Same as in the case of recording shown in Fig. 1, the leader code and time code are synthesized in the synthesizer 20, and entered in the recorder 22 as index signal. The recorder 22 sends such recording signal for recording the index signal in the index area to the editing point changeover switch 29, depending on the clock output of the clock generator 9, which is the control reference of the rotary heads 2a, 2b. By such operation, the recording current is created. The subsequent operation is explained by reference to Figs. 8, 9. The editing region indicator 33 produces the signal for indicating to rewrite the leader code. That is, when the segment number is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, the signal for instructing to rewrite the index area is entered in the editing timing generator 32. This indication signal is produced for 5 seconds (equivalent to 150 frames). While the editing point changeover switch 29 is connected to the terminal 29b, the signal from the rotary head 2a is entered in the positioning information signal detector 31. The positioning information signal detector 31 detects the positioning information signal recorded in the positioning information signal area 27 in a part of the tracking signal area in the track, and the pulse signal indicating the position of the positioning signal as shown in Fig. 9 (b) is generated. This pulse signal is fed in the editing timing generator 32. The segment number detector 34 detects the segment number (the track number in one frame) contained in the video signals in the video signal area 25 by demodulating the reproduction signal. The detected segment number is fed into the editing timing generator 32. To rewrite the index area of a specific track in one frame, the track (segment) number to be rewritten and the start position and end position on the track must be specified. The editing timing generator 32 generates a timing signal for changing over the connection of the editing point changeover switch 29 to the terminal 29a or terminal 29b, by the output signal of the editing area indicator 33, output pulse signal of the positioning information signal detector 31, and output segment number of the segment number detector 34. Next, the operation of the editing timing generator 32 is described in detail below. The output signal of the editing region indicator 33 and the output signal of the segment number detector 34 are fed into a comparative operator 32a of the editing timing generator 32. In the comparative operator 32a, by the output of the segment number detector 34, the track number to be tracked by the next head scanning is detected. If this track number coincide with the track number entered from the editing region indicator 33, the comparative operator 32a sets its output Trs at Trs=H, and if not coinciding, Trs=L. Here, since the segment number detector 34 detects the segment number contained in the video signal recorded in the video signal area 25, the segment number preserved when the rotary head 2a is scanning the index region 26 or tracking signal region 28 is the segment number of one scan before. The output pulse signal of the positioning information signal detector 31 is entered in a first delay circuit 32b and second delay circuit 32c. In each delay circuit, starting to count the internal clocks in the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus shown in Fig. 9 (a), the delay signal of each delay circuit is created by counting the internal clocks corresponding to the specified delay time t1, t2. By entering these signals in R-S FF (flip-flop) 32d as shown in Fig. 8, the index editing timing signal as shown in Fig. 9 (c) is created. This index editing timing signal is entered in an AND circuit 32e together with output Trs of the comparative operator 32a, and the operation result is entered in the editing point changeover switch 29 as the leader code editing timing signal. Only when thus composed leader code editing timing signal is H, the editing point changeover switch 29 is changed from terminal 29b to terminal 29a, and a new recording signal is applied to the rotary head 2a, and the index region of the track in which the leader code is recorded is replaced with a new leader code. The recording current is created in the above method and the timing of rewriting is determined, and hence the embodiment of the invention realizes an insert editing of rewriting the leader code while preserving the time code (absolute time code and user time code). Suppose a case of changing the time code only while preserving the leader code. For example, if recorded without adding time code, or when the recorded date is wrong (due to time difference or unadjusted internal clock), a correct code is desired to be recorded. In this case, the user time code is changed while preserving the leader code. In this case, what differs from changing of the leader code is, if the desired time code can be created by the user time code generator 15, the method of generating the leader code in creation of recording current, and the track number to be changed as indicated by the output signal of the editing area indicator 33. Here, the rewriting track number differs from the case of rewriting the leader code, but the principle of operation is the same, and detailed explanation is omitted. The output signal of the editing area indicator 33 feeds the output signal for instructing to rewrite the index region only the track number (segment number) is 4, 5 or 6 into the editing timing generator 32. Next is explained the method of creating the leader code when rewriting the user time code. When the editing point changeover switch 29 is connected to the terminal 29b and the reproduction signal is entered from the rotary head 2a, the leader code detector 35 detects the leader code by the reproduction signal from the index area of the track in which the absolute time code is recorded. In the leader code generator 13, the same code as the detected leader code is created. By feeding the created leader code into the synthesizer 20, the recording current is created thereafter in the same manner as above. When rewriting the absolute time code, the leader code is detected from the index area of the track in which the user time code is recorded, and the leader code detected by the leader code detector 35 is the information of one frame before, but considering from the nature of leading code, there is no problem at all functionally. As explained herein, by recording together with the leader code in the index area of the track for recording the time code, the time code or leader code can be individually edited. Hence, the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus having a more advanced editing function can be realized. The embodiment refers to a case of simultaneous recording in two channels, but the combination of the rotary head and layout are not limited to this embodiment alone, but may be similarly applied also in other cases. In the foregoing embodiment, the case of creating video signals of 30 frames per second is shown, but this number of frames is not limitative. Likewise, in the embodiment, the video signals of one frame are divided into ten segments and recorded in ten tracks, but the number of segments to be divided is not limitative. The embodiment relates to the apparatus for recording video signals, but, needless to say, the invention also include the apparatus for recording video signals together with audio signals. The pilot signal for tracking in the embodiment is shown in two types, but pilot signals of four types of frequencies as used in the 8 mm VTR may be also used. Moreover, it is also possible to record only one type of pilot signal by varying the recording position of the pilot signal as in the DAT. The method of feeding the pilot signal may not be specified. The embodiment shows the tracking control by using the pilot signal multiplexed in frequency in the beginning tracking signal area of the track, but only the positioning information signal in editing may be recorded in the tracking signal area, and the tracking control may be realized by controlling with the use of the control signal recorded in the linear track at the end of the tape as employed in the conventional VHS version VTR.

Claims: A magnetic recording apparatus for recording video signals and index signals on oblique tracks each having a video signal recording area and an index area on a magnetic tape, comprising: a means (4-7) for moving the magnetic tape; a video signal generating means (8) for generating a video signal; a clock signal generating means (9) for generating a clock signal synchronized with the video signal; a segmenting means (10) for dividing the video signal in each frame into a plurality of segments to obtain segmented video signals; an index signal generating means (21) for generating index signals containing a user time code; and recording means (22, 2a, 2b) including a rotary magnetic head, said recording means being responsive to the clock signal for alternately selecting and recording via the rotary magnetic head the segmented video signals and the index signals such that the segmented video signals in each frame and the index signals are recorded in video signal recording areas and index areas, respectively, of each of a set of continuous oblique tracks, characterised in that said index signal generating means generates a same user time code repeatedly so that the same user time code is recorded in the index signal recording area of each of at least three continuous adjacent oblique tracks selected from among the set of continuous oblique tracks and so that the index signal recording area of at least one oblique track selected from among the set of continuous oblique tracks fails to have a user time code recorded therein. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the index area of each oblique track has a plurality of small areas, and wherein said index signal generating means (21) generates the same user time code repeatedly so that the same user time coded is recorded in each of the plurality of small areas in the index area having the same user time coded recorded therein. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the index signal generating means (21) includes a means (13) for generating a leader code, and a synthesizing means (20) for synthesizing the time code and the leader code, and wherein the index signal generating means generates as the index signal a signal containing an output signal of the synthesizing means so that the leader code is recorded in the index area of each of said at least three continuous adjacent oblique tracks havinq the same user time code recorded therein. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the index signal generating means (21) generates the index signals so that the index signals contain an absolute time code indicating a position on the magnetic tape, and wherein the index signal generating means (21) generates a same absolute time code repeatedly so that the same absolute time code is recorded in the index signal recording area of each of at least three continuous adjacent oblique tracks selected from among the set of continuous oblique tracks. An apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the index area of each oblique track has a plurality of small areas, and wherein said index signal generating means (21) generates the same absolute time code repeatedly so that the same absolute time coded is recorded in each of the plurality of small areas in the index area of each said at least three continuous adjacent oblique tracks having the same absolute time code recorded therein. An apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the index signal generating means (21) includes a means (13) for generating a leader code, and a synthesizing means (20) for synthesizing the absolute time code and the leader code and for synthesizing the user time code and the leader code, and wherein the index signal generating means generates as the index signal a signal containing an output signal of the synthesizing means so that the leader code is recorded in the index area of each of said at least three continuous adjacent oblique tracks having the same absolute time code recorded therein.

Inventors: GOTOU MAKOTO, ISAKA HARUO, NAKAMURA AKIHIKO, GOTOU, MAKOTO, ISAKA, HARUO, NAKAMURA, AKIHIKO
Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC IND CO LTD, MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G11B27
IPC codes: G11B27, H04N5