Patent GB-871239-A (GB)
Title: Television apparatus
Inventor: MARSDEN BERNARD
IPC: G11B27/024
Filed: 1958-11-19
Abstract: 871,239. Automatic phase control systems. ASSOCIATED TELEVISION Ltd. Nov. 13, 1959 [Nov. 19, 1958], No. 37214/58. Class 40(5) [Also in Group XL(b)] Television apparatus 1, such as a magnetic tape recorder, for reproducing a composite video and synchronizing waveform from a record is associated with a synchronizing pulse generator 3 which functions to produce synchronizing pulses both when the recorder is reproducing a signal and not reproducing a signal, means being provided when the recorder is reproducing a signal to synchronize the synchronizing pulse generator with the synchronizing pulses in the reproduced signal. The invention provides a programme source from which synchronizing pulses are always available. Other apparatus may therefore be brought into synchronism prior to the start of the recorder to allow a subsequent smooth change-over when the recorder is started. To permit the signal from the apparatus to be identified when the recorder is not operating, there is provided a cue signal generator 6 (for example of the type described in Specification 871,238) controlled by generator 3. The output signals are derived through a stabilizing amplifier 2 which functions to suppress the synchronizing pulses in the signal from the recorder and to replace them by the synchronizing pulses from generator 3. Synchronism between generator 3 and the synchronizing pulses in the signal from the recorder is effected by known means which is not shown. In starting up the apparatus, the recorder is first caused to run in synchronism with generator 3 by means of an automatic phase control system 13. This receives the field drive pulses from generator 3 over lead 4 and the field synchronizing pulses from the recorder, which are extracted by a synchronizing separator circuit 7, and compares them in a bridge discriminator 10 to control a reactance valve 11 associated with an oscillator 12 which supplies a locking signal to the recorder. System 13 is effective to establish synchronism such that fields are more or less in phase but hunting causes variation about exact line-by-line synchronism. The two synchronizing signals are also compared in a further circuit 5 in which they are caused to appear in opposite phase on the grids of double-triode 16. The valve produces an A.C. output until during the process of hunting the two signals come into exact line synchronism. At this instant a relay RA, which is controlled from the output of valve 16 through a rectifier 17 and D.C. amplifier 18, operates. At contact RA3 the known means (not shown) to synchronize generator 3 with the reproduced synchronizing is brought into operation, at contact RA2 the video component of the reproduced signal is allowed to pass to the output, and at contact RA1 the controlling signal for control system 13 is transferred from generator 3 to the local mains supply. This last switching operation is necessary to break the closed loop whereby generator 3 would tend to synchronize to itself via the recorder. When the recorder is switched off, a contact 19 is arranged to release relay RA before the actual stopping of the recorder. This causes the synchronizing pulse generator 3 to desynchronize and establish independent operation before cessation of the synchronizing information from the recorder. A similar action takes place through the release of relay RA in the event of a break down of the recorder.