Apparatus and method for discriminating recording mode

A recording mode discrimination apparatus, comprising:

• drive means for driving a recording medium like a magnetic tape in different running speeds corresponding to a plurality of modes;
• reproducing means for reproducing a plurality of different kinds of pilot signals, each kind of pilot signal being of a frequency unique to that kind of pilot signal and being used for generating a tracking error signal for use in performing tracking control when accessing said recording medium;
• and
• discrimination means for discriminating a recording mode based on the pattern of an output signal which is obtained when the drive means drives the recording medium in a first high speed reproducing mode, said first high speed reproducing mode being employed when a display mode of a liquid crystal display apparatus which can display an image reproduced from said recording medium is ON and corresponding to a fast feeding reproducing operation and a rewinding reproducing operation in which the reproduction speed is, respectively, an even number times the speed of the ordinary reproduction speed and a negative even number of times the speed of the ordinary reproduction speed, the discriminating of said recording mode being realized by outputting a predetermined one of said kinds of pilot signal during said first high speed reproducing mode for comparison with pilot signals reproduced from said recording medium, and for discriminating the recording mode based on the pattern of an output signal which is obtained when the drive means drives the recording medium in a second high speed reproducing mode, said second high speed reproducing mode being employed when the display mode of the liquid crystal display apparatus which can display an image reproduced from said recording medium is OFF and corresponding to a fast feeding reproducing operation and a rewinding reproducing operation in which the reproduction speed is, respectively, an odd number times the speed of the ordinary reproduction speed and a negative odd number of times the speed of the ordinary reproduction speed, the discriminating of said recording mode being realized by outputting said kinds of pilot signals in a rotating fashion according to a predetermined timing during said second high speed reproducing mode and comparing the outputted kinds of pilot signals with pilot signals reproduced from said recording medium.