Apparatus for recording and reproducing video signals at selectable different tape traveling speeds from a plurality of pairs of video heads

An apparatus which selectively records and reproduces video signals on and from a tape, with the recording being in parallel tracks disposed obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction of the tape in a long-time recording and reproducing mode or a short-time recording and reproducing mode, every field of the video signals being recorded and reproduced in each of said modes in a normal speed of picture motion, said apparatus comprising:

• a rotary member rotating at a predetermined speed;
• first and second pairs of video heads for recording and reproducing the video signals on and from the tape;
• said first and second pairs of video heads being mounted at different positions on a periphery of the rotary member, said mounting being such that the video heads of each of said pairs are disposed on diametrically opposite sides of the rotary member;
• means for selecting either the first pair or the second pair of video heads in conformance with a selection of either the long-time recording and reproducing mode or the short-time recording and reproducing mode respectively;
• and
• means for selectively driving the tape at a first speed or a second speed in conformance with the selection of the long-time or short-time recording and reproducing mode, said second speed being higher than said first speed,
• said first and second pairs of video heads having track widths for forming tracks contiguously and without gaps therebetween on said tape while it is traveling at said first or second speeds, the track width of the second pair of video heads being larger than the track width of the first pair of video heads.