Reproducing digital audio signals

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for reproducing digital audio data which have been recorded in oblique tracks on a magnetic tape in association with digital video data is provided, the audio data in each track having been assembled as blocks of audio data words for recording, and the audio data words having been shuffled in order over a predetermined distance greater than one block prior to recording. In the method, in a slow motion reproduction mode, the recorded audio data is reproduced at a speed lower than the normal reproducing speed, and on a first occasion that any given block of audio data words is reproduced in complete form, that block of audio data words is stored, and each stored block of audio data words is read out under control of a read clock signal the frequency of which is adjusted to correspond to the reproduction speed, whereby the audio data is reproduced with a change in pitch. In a fast motion reproduction mode fragments of the audio data are reproduced without a change in pitch.

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