Magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus

A magnetic tape recording/reproducing apparatus for recording input data which are inputted sequentially at a first data rate onto a magnetic recording tape in a recording mode and reproducing the recorded data in a reproduction mode, comprising:

• tape running means for running the magnetic recording tape from one position to another;
• recording and reproducing means for recording the input data onto the magnetic recording tape at a data rate and for reproducing the recorded data from the magnetic recording tape in the reproduction mode;
• data memory means, coupled to the recording and reproducing means, for temporarily storing therein the input data before being fed to the recording and reproducing means in the recording mode and for temporarily storing therein reproduced data from the recording and reproducing means in the reproducing mode;
• and
• control means for controlling the tape running means, the recording and reproducing means and the data memory means to cooperate such that, in the recording mode, (1) the input data are continuously written into the data memory means at the first data rate and (2) the written data are intermittently read out from the data memory means and intermittently recorded onto the magnetic recording tape by automatically repeating (2a) a recording operation in which the written data are read out from the data memory means at a second data rate which is higher than the first data rate and recorded onto the magnetic recording tape and (2b) a first waiting operation in which the written data are not read out from the data memory means and not recorded onto the magnetic recording tape, and such that, in the reproduction mode, (3) the recorded data are intermittently reproduced from the magnetic recording tape and intermittently written into the data memory means by automatically repeating (3a) a reproducing operation in which the recorded data are reproduced from the magnetic recording tape and written into the data memory means at the second data rate and (3b) a second waiting operation in which the recorded data are not reproduced from the magnetic recording tape and not written into the data memory means and (4) the written data are continuously read out from the data memory means at the first data rate.