Method for controlling a plurality of phase-lock loops from a common frequency control

In a method of reading signals from a record member, wherein a plurality of tracks on the record member are substantially simultaneously synchronized for producing a like plurality of readback signals to be detected, the steps of:

• supplying a plurality of phase lock loops each having a frequency determining portion and a frequency-phase control portion being operative with a respective one of said like plurality of readback signals for timing the detection thereof;
• generating a clock signal in each of said phase lock loops for timing detection of each respective one of the plurality of readback signals to be detected and respectively phase and frequency comparing the generated clock signals with respective ones of the readback signals for generating a phase error signal respectively for changing the phase and frequency of the generated clock signals to be slaved to the respective-readback signals,
• AC coupling each of said frequency determining portions to a common frequency-determining electrical-capacitance means for generating an averaged phase error and frequency signal at said electrical-capacitance means and for supplying the averaged phase error and frequency signal to all of the frequency determining portions such that all of the phase lock loops generated said clock signals, respectively, at a same frequency;
• and
• detecting the data carried in the readback signals by comparing the readback signals with the clock signals, respectively, and separately indicating the data in the respective readback signals.