Patent ID: 7010218

Claim:
A digital magnetic recording apparatus, comprising: an analog-to-digital converter for converting an input audio signal into digital data; a formatter for formatting the input audio signal in an appropriate size to be stored in respective recording sectors of a magnetic tape selected from among a first plurality of sectors of the magnetic tape; a recording selection unit having an input for receiving the input audio signal, and having outputs connected to respective inputs of said analog-to-digital converter and said formatter for selectively transmitting the input audio signal to one of said input of said formatter and said input of said analog-to-digital converter in dependence upon a type of the input audio signal; and a control unit for controlling a head to record second output data from said analog-to-digital converter on a second plurality of sectors of the magnetic tape and to record first output data from said formatter on the first plurality of sectors of the magnetic tape, said first and second pluralities of sectors being distinguishable.