Bidirectional magnetic recording and reproducing device with an axially adjustable head

A magnetic recording and reproducing device wherein tilted tracks formed by a rotary head are respectively divided into pluralities of areas and wherein signals are recorded in or reproduced from a first train of areas by moving a magnetic tape in a first direction and signals are recorded in or reproduced from a second train of areas by moving said magnetic tape in a second direction opposite to said first direction, characterized in that, said device comprising:

• a rotary head comprising a rotary drum and a record/reproduce head and an erase head mounted on a circumferential surface of said drum;
• means for adjusting an axial position of at least one of said record/reproduce and erase heads along the axial direction of said rotary drum;
• and
• means for controlling said adjusting means to move said adjusted head to a first axial position where signals are recorded or reproduced in a first train of areas during movement of said tape in a first direction and to move said adjusted head to a second axial position where signals are recorded or reproduced in a second train of areas during movement of said tape in a direction opposite said first position.