Time lapse VCR using ATF error data as a control signal

A tracking system for use in a video cassette recorder (VCR) which has an assemble mode for recording of still video images, comprising:

• a capstan rotated by a motor, said capstan driving a tape containing slant tracks with pilot signals recorded thereon;
• a servo loop means for controlling a speed of said motor and containing a frequency signal generator rotated by said motor;
• tape head means for reading said pilot signals from said tape and means for reproducing pilot signal components from the pilot signals, said tape head means having a lower edge;
• an ATF (automatic track finding) error measurement means for creating a plurality of n ATF error signals based on signals from a reference pilot signal generator and said reproduced pilot signal components for n tracks before switching to begin recording in the assemble mode, said ATF measurement means providing an assemble mode error signal to said servo loop derived from said plurality of n ATF error signals as a correcting signal for said lower edge of said head means;
• and
• means for carrying out recording tracking servo under control of said assemble mode error signal at first and second tracks after the n tracks corresponding to said n ATF error signals for recording still video image data in the assemble mode.