Patent ID: 7929244

Claim:
A magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus that selectively loads a first tape cassette accommodating a first magnetic tape or a second tape cassette accommodating a second magnetic tape having a width greater than a width of the first tape, the magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus comprising: a rotating drum unit that includes a lower stationary drum on whose peripheral surface a lead is formed and an upper rotating drum including a rotating head; and a loading mechanism that, if the first tape cassette is loaded, pulls the first magnetic tape out of the first tape cassette and winds the first magnetic tape onto the rotating drum unit through a first winding angle so as to form a first tape path and, if the second tape cassette is loaded, pulls the second magnetic tape out of the second tape cassette and winds the second magnetic tape onto the rotating drum unit through a second winding angle greater than the first winding angle so as to form a second tape path; wherein the lead formed on the peripheral surface of the stationary drum is a single lead having a first lead portion and a second lead portion with different lead angles.