Video signal reproducing apparatus with circuit avoiding skew distortion when operated at abnormal speed and/or direction

An apparatus for reproducing video signals recorded in successive parallel tracks extending at an angle to the length of a record tape with horizontal synchronizing pulses of the video signals recorded in nearby tracks being offset from each other in the direction along said tracks, comprising:

• at least one reproducing head;
• means for moving each said head repeatedly across the tape in a scanning path which is substantially parallel to said direction along the tracks so long as the tape is transported lengthwise at a standard reproducing speed in a predetermined direction, each said head reproducing from one of said tracks adjacent to said scanning path during each traversal of the latter by the head with the tape being transported at said standard speed in said predetermined direction, said scanning path being at an angle to said direction along the tracks when the tape is transported in opposition to said predetermined direction or at a reproducing speed other than said standard speed so as to cause said head to move along, and reproduce said video signals from first one and then another of said nearby tracks in succession during each traversal of said scanning path;
• delay means for delaying the reproduced video signals by an amount corresponding to said offset of the horizontal synchronizing pulses recorded in said nearby tracks;
• switching means having first and second states alternately providing, as an output therefrom, the video signals reproduced by said head and the delayed video from said delay means;
• and
• control means operative to change-over said switching means upon movement of said head from one to another of said tracks in the course of a traversal of said scanning path.