JP2000298807A - Information signal recording/reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record and reproduce information that may have somewhat higher error rate in higher density and large capacity to enable recording and reproducing operation of data that is required to have higher reliability by varying the recording track width on a magnetic tape depending on the error rate required at least for the data to be recorded. SOLUTION: The tracks of different azimuth angles are alternately formed with a pair of wide magnetic heads Hwa, Hwb and even number sets of narrow magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2, Hnb1, Hnb2 provided on a rotating drum RD. The computer data that is required to have lower error rate is recorded in the wide track pattern formed on a magnetic tape with wide magnetic heads Hwa, Hwb and video data having higher error rate that is required to have high density and large capacity is recorded in the narrow track pattern formed on the magnetic tape with narrow magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2, Hnb1, Hnb2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing multimedia data including video / audio data, computer data / character data, and more particularly to information requiring a high error rate. The present invention relates to an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus which realizes signal recording / reproducing and information signal recording / reproducing which requires a low error rate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional information signal recording / reproducing apparatus, a predetermined processing is performed as a signal processing at the time of recording / reproducing. Therefore, for example, a disk-shaped recording medium is rotationally driven at a constant angular velocity. The recording density with respect to the recording medium is constant except for a recording density difference between the inner and outer peripheries of the disk in a disk device that performs signal recording and reproduction.

As an example of a conventional information signal recording / reproducing apparatus, a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus in which a magnetic tape is used as a recording medium and a diagonal recording track is formed on the magnetic tape by a magnetic head provided on a rotating drum. Exists.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the arrangement of a rotating drum RD of a conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus and magnetic heads Hwa and Hwb provided on the rotating drum RD.

The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.
This is an example of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information signals at a low error rate such as computer data and the like, in which magnetic heads Hwa and Hwb having a wide head track width are mounted on a rotating drum RD.

FIG. 20 shows a rotary drum R shown in FIG.
7 shows an example of an oblique recording track pattern tpw formed on a magnetic tape T by a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus provided with D and magnetic heads Hwa and Hwb. Since these recording track patterns tpw are for data requiring a low error rate such as computer data, the track width is set wide. When the track width is set to be wide as described above, the recording density naturally decreases, so that the recording capacity of the magnetic tape T decreases.

The lower linear track pattern in FIG. 20 is a control track CTL for a tape transfer servo. In the control track CTL, a control pulse ctp is recorded with two tracks (two oblique recording tracks) as a cycle.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the arrangement of a rotating drum RD of another conventional magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus and magnetic heads Hna and Hnb provided on the rotating drum RD.

Another magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 21 is an example of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing an information signal such as a video signal at a high error rate, and has a narrow head track width. , Hnb is the rotating drum RD
Mounted on top.

FIG. 22 shows the rotary drum R shown in FIG.
7 shows an example of an oblique recording track pattern tpn formed on a magnetic tape T by a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus provided with D and magnetic heads Hna and Hnb. Since these recording track patterns tpn are for data such as video signals which may have a relatively high error rate, the track width is set to be narrow. When the track width is set to be narrow in this way, the recording density increases, and the recording capacity of the magnetic tape T increases, but on the other hand, the reliability of the data decreases.

The lower linear track pattern in FIG. 22 is a control track CTL for a tape transfer servo. In the control track CTL, a control pulse ctp is recorded with two tracks (two oblique recording tracks) as a cycle.

Further, the recording track pattern tpw of FIG. 20 having the configuration of FIG. 19 and the recording track pattern tpn of FIG. 22 having the configuration of FIG. 21 cannot be formed at the same time (both data are recorded at the same time). You can't do that).

Therefore, for example, when aiming for a low error rate, a specification having a wide track width (specification in FIG. 20)
Must be recorded. On the other hand, in the case of adopting such a wide track width specification and, for example, recording video data which may have a relatively high error rate, the track width of the video data should be increased more than necessary. As a result, the recording capacity of the magnetic tape is reduced, and the recording time of the video data is shortened.

[0014]

By the way, in recent years, information signals capable of high-density, large-capacity recording and reproduction corresponding to multimedia data including video / audio data, computer data, character data, and the like have been recently developed. The development of a recording / reproducing device is in progress. In particular, the amount of information of video data has been increased due to higher image quality, and it has been desired to realize high-density and large-capacity recording and reproduction.

However, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to secure the S / N of a signal due to the shortening of the recording wavelength due to the increase in density. For this reason, it has become difficult to realize a low error rate. Here, for example, in the case of video data, since the redundancy is generally high, the error rate may be higher than that of computer data, so that there is little problem. However, in the case of computer data, for example, a very small bit error causes a big problem. Becomes

On the other hand, in recent years, an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus capable of simultaneously recording and reproducing information which may have a high error rate, such as video data, and data which must have a low error rate, such as computer data, has been desired. It is rare.

Therefore, in an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing multimedia data including video / audio data, computer data / character data, etc., for example, a large amount of high-quality video data is It is required to realize the contradictory fact that data that can be recorded and that requires high reliability such as computer data can be stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. For example, it is possible to record and reproduce information which may have a slightly higher error rate, such as high-quality video data, with high density and large capacity. It is another object of the present invention to provide an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording and reproducing data requiring high reliability such as computer data.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a magnetic head provided on a rotating drum;
An information signal recording / reproducing apparatus for scanning on a magnetic tape has a track width varying means for varying a recording track width on the magnetic tape according to at least an error rate required for data to be recorded.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the track width varying means includes a plurality of magnetic heads having different head track widths.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the track width varying means is disposed 180 degrees opposite to the rotating drum to solve the above-mentioned problem. A plurality of sets of magnetic heads having a wide head track width, and at least one set of magnetic heads having a narrow head track width arranged 180 degrees opposite to each other on the rotating drum, and The pairs are odd.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the track width changing means is arranged on the rotating drum so as to face 180 degrees. The magnetic head includes a pair of magnetic heads having a wide head track width, and an even number of magnetic heads having a narrow head track width arranged on the rotating drum so as to face each other by 180 degrees.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus uses a double azimuth head as the magnetic head having a narrow head track width in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, wherein data requiring a low error rate and data allowing a high error rate are used alone or mixed. The magnetic head having a wide head track width is used for the data supplied with the low error rate, and the magnetic head having a narrow head track width is used for the data where the high error rate is allowed. use.

That is, according to the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, there is provided means for changing the recording track width in accordance with the error rate required for the digital data to be recorded. As described above, data having a relatively high error rate may be recorded at a high density by narrow track recording, and data having a low error rate, such as computer data, may be recorded at a wide track width. N is to be improved.

According to the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, these data can be mixed on a recording medium.
Achieve efficient recording. Simultaneous recording and reproduction of these data are realized.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a rotary drum RD of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is applied, and magnetic heads Hwa, Hwb provided on the rotary drum RD. , Hna1, Hna2, H
The example of arrangement of nb1 and Hnb2 is shown. Note that the arrow in FIG. 1 indicates the rotation direction of the rotating drum RD.

In this embodiment, the magnetic head Hwa
Is a head having an azimuth angle a having a wide head track width, and the magnetic head Hwb is a head having an azimuth angle b having a wide head track width. Also, the magnetic heads Hna1, Hna
na2 is a head having an azimuth angle a with a narrow head track width, and the magnets Hnb1 and Hnb2 are heads having an azimuth angle b with a narrow head track width. The azimuth angles a and b are set to be opposite to each other.

Here, in the first embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the head track widths of the magnetic heads Hwa and Hwb are changed to the magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2, Hnb1,
For example, it is set to twice (2W) the head track width W of Hnb2. The rotary drum RD of each of these magnetic heads
The mounting height is set so that the center of the gap G of each magnetic head is the same height.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, along the outer periphery of the rotary drum RD, the angle between the mounting positions of the magnetic heads having a narrow head track width, that is, the magnetic head Hnb1
Between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hna1 and the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hna1,
The angle between the head mounting position of No. 2 and the head mounting position of Hnb2 is 45 degrees as shown in the following formulas.

360 ° / (2 [double head track width] × 2
[Number of wide heads] +1 [double head track width] × 4 [number of narrow heads] = 360/8 = 45 ° On the other hand, as shown in FIG. The angle between the head and the mounting position of the magnetic head having a narrow head track width, that is, for example, the angle between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hwa and the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hnb1;
The angle between the head attachment position of the magnetic head Hwb and the head attachment position of the magnetic head Hna1, the head attachment position of the magnetic head Hwb, and the magnetic head Hna
2 and the angle between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hwa and the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hnb2 are respectively 67.5 degrees as in the following equation.

(360 ° −45 ° × 2) /4=67.5° FIG. 3 shows the rotation of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment to which the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is applied. Drum RD and magnetic heads Hwa, Hwb, Hna1, Hna2, Hnb1, Hn provided on the rotating drum RD
The arrangement example of b2 is shown. Note that the arrow in FIG. 2 indicates the rotation direction of the rotating drum RD.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the magnetic head Hwa is a head having a wide azimuth angle a with a large head track width, and the magnetic head Hwb is a head with a azimuth angle a with a wide head track width. The head has a wide azimuth angle b. The magnetic heads Hna1 and Hna2 are heads having an azimuth angle a with a narrow head track width, and the magnetic heads Hnb1 and Hnb2 are heads having an azimuth angle b with a narrow head track width.

Further, in the second embodiment, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the head track width of the magnetic heads Hwa, Hwb is equal to the magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2, Hnb1,
For example, it is twice (2W) the head track width W of Hnb2. However, in the second embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), the mounting height of each magnetic head on the rotating drum RD is such that the lower end surface of each magnetic head is at the same height.

In the case of the second embodiment, FIG.
Along the outer circumference of the rotary drum RD, the angle between the mounting positions of the magnetic heads having a narrow head track width, that is, the angle between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hnb1 and the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hna1, and Similarly, the angle between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hna2 and the head mounting position of the Hnb2 is:
Each is 45 degrees.

On the other hand, in the case of the second embodiment, a magnetic head having a wide head track width and a magnetic head having a narrow head track width are attached along the outer periphery of the rotary drum RD as shown in FIG. There are two types of angles, 90 degrees and 45 degrees. That is, for example, the magnetic head Hw
The angle between the head mounting position a and the head mounting of the magnetic head Hnb1 is 90 degrees.
The angle between the head mounting position of wb and the head mounting of the magnetic head Hna1 is 45 degrees, the angle between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hwb and the head mounting of the magnetic head Hna2 is 90 degrees, and the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hna is The angle between the magnetic head Hnb2 and the mounting of the magnetic head Hnb2 is 45 degrees.

The mounting angles and heights of the magnetic heads Hwa and Hwb having a wide head track width are different between the first embodiment and the second embodiment, but they are formed on a magnetic tape. The recorded track patterns are the same.

Here, if the winding angle of the magnetic tape around the rotary drum RD is, for example, 180 ° + α, scanning (that is, recording and reproduction) by three magnetic heads on the magnetic tape is performed at the same time. Can be higher.

That is, Hwa → Hnb1 → Hna1 →
If recording is performed sequentially in the order of Hwb → Hna2 → Hnb2 → Hwa →..., A wide one-track pattern tpw is formed on the magnetic tape T as shown in FIG.
And a two-track pattern tpn having a small width is sequentially recorded. In this case, the azimuth angles of the adjacent tracks are also a → b → a → b →..., So that good azimuth recording can be realized.

The lower linear track pattern in FIG. 5 is a control track CTL for a tape transfer servo. In the control track CTL, a control pulse ctp is recorded with a cycle of two tracks of the wide track pattern tpw.
At the time of reproduction, the interval between the control pulses ctp can be determined based on the count number of the FG pulse of the capstan motor, so that the recorded track patterns tpw and tpn can be automatically determined.

As described above, according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, a pair of wide magnetic heads (Hwa, Hw
b) and an even set of narrow magnetic heads (Hna1, Hna2,
Hnb1, Hnb2), tracks having different azimuth angles are alternately formed on the magnetic tape T, and a wide track pattern tpw formed on the magnetic tape T by the wide magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb).
High reliability of computer data, etc. (low error rate)
Records the data required by a narrow magnetic head (Hna
1, Hna2, Hnb1, Hnb2), by recording data required for high-density, large-capacity recording even if the error rate of video data is high, on a narrow track pattern tpn formed on the magnetic tape T. For example, video
Simultaneously and efficiently recording multimedia data including audio data, computer data, character data, etc., that is, high-quality video data can be recorded in large quantities, and high reliability such as computer data is required. It also makes it possible to achieve the contradiction of enabling the storage of data to be performed.

Here, in consideration of the actual use state of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of the first and second embodiments of the present invention, it is always compared with low error rate data (data requiring high reliability). High error rate (standard data)
Are not always recorded at the same time. That is, there is a case where data of a low error rate (data requiring high reliability) is continuously recorded, and a case where data of a relatively high error rate (standard data) is continuously recorded.

The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatuses of the first and second embodiments of the present invention can easily cope with these.

That is, in the head configuration according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the pair of magnetic heads arranged at positions 180 degrees opposite each other on the rotary drum RD have the same head track width and the same azimuth The angles are different, and if recording and reproduction are performed using this pair of magnetic heads, recording with only the wide track pattern tpw and recording with only the narrow track tpn can be realized.

FIG. 6 shows a pair of wide magnetic heads (Hw
a, Hwb) shows a track pattern recorded on the magnetic tape T. The track pattern tpw shown in FIG.
According to the method, recording and reproduction at a low error rate can be performed satisfactorily and efficiently.

The lower linear track pattern in FIG. 6 is a control track CTL for a tape transfer servo. In this control track CTL, a control pulse ctp is recorded with a cycle of two tracks of the track pattern tpw. Therefore, at the time of reproduction, the interval of the control pulse ctp can be determined based on the count number of the FG pulse of the capstan motor, so that the recorded track pattern can be automatically determined.

FIG. 7 shows a narrow magnetic head pair (for example, Hna1 and Hnb2, or Hnb1 and Hnb).
The track pattern tpn recorded on the magnetic tape T using a2) is shown. The track pattern tpn of FIG.
According to this method, large-capacity recording and reproduction of data that does not require a low error rate can be satisfactorily and efficiently performed.

The lower linear track pattern in FIG. 7 is a control track CTL for a tape transfer servo. In this control track CTL, a control pulse ctp is recorded with a cycle of two tracks of the track pattern tpn. Therefore, at the time of reproduction, the interval of the control pulse ctp can be determined based on the count number of the FG pulse of the capstan motor, so that the recorded track pattern can be automatically determined.

In addition, assuming that the example shown in FIG. 7 is 1, the example shown in FIG. 6 is 2 and the example shown in FIG.

When multimedia data including video / audio data, computer data / character data, etc. is recorded simultaneously, the largest data amount of each data is considered to be video data. is there. It is assumed that the data amount of the video data included in the multimedia data is 2/3 of the whole.

Here, if it is sufficient that the data error is inconspicuous on the screen, the error rate at that time may be about 1E-5 (10 minus the fifth power). That is, the magnetic tape T at this time
The upper track width can be narrow.

However, a narrow magnetic head (Hna1, Hna1,
Hnb2, Hnb1, Hnb2) and the amount of data recordable by the wide magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb) are 2: 1.
(2 for the narrow head and 1 for the wide head)
On the other hand, since the data amount of the video data included in the multimedia data is about 2/3 of the whole, the magnetic recording and reproducing devices of the first and second embodiments efficiently record the multimedia data simultaneously. Can not do it.

Therefore, in the third embodiment of the present invention,
By using the rotating drum RD and the magnetic head as shown in FIG. 8, the data amount of the video data is reduced to 2/3 of the whole.
It enables simultaneous recording of multimedia data.

That is, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic heads Hwa, Hwb having a wide head track width and the magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2, Hna3, Hna4, Hna4 having a narrow head track width are provided on the rotary drum RD.
b1, Hnb2, Hnb3, and Hnb4 are arranged. Note that the arrow in FIG. 1 indicates the rotation direction of the rotating drum RD.

In this embodiment, the magnetic head Hwa
Is a head having an azimuth angle a having a wide head track width, and the magnetic head Hwb is a head having an azimuth angle b having a wide head track width. Also, the magnetic heads Hna1, Hna
Na2, Hna3, and Hna4 are heads having an azimuth angle a with a narrow head track width, and magnetic heads Hnb1 and Hnb.
2, Hnb3 and Hnb4 are heads having an azimuth angle b with a narrow head track width.

Further, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the head track width of the magnetic heads Hwa, Hwb is changed to the magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2, Hna3, Hna.
For example, the head track width W of each of na4, Hnb1, Hnb2, Hnb3, and Hnb4 is twice (2W). The mounting height of each magnetic head on the rotating drum RD is such that the center of the gap G of each magnetic head is at the same height.

Further, in the third embodiment, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the angle between the mounting positions of the magnetic heads having a narrow head track width along the outer periphery of the rotary drum RD, that is, the magnetic heads Hnb1, Hna1, Hnb
2, Hna2, Hna3, Hnb3, Hna4, Hnb
The angle formed by each head mounting position of No. 4 is 3
It is 0 degrees.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, along the outer periphery of the rotary drum RD, an angle formed between the magnetic head having a wide head track width and the magnetic head having a narrow head track width, that is, for example, the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hwa Between the magnetic head Hnb1 and the head mounting position, the angle between the magnetic head Hwb head mounting position and the magnetic head Hna2 head mounting position, the magnetic head Hwb head mounting position and the magnetic head Hna3 head mounting position Angle with, and
Head mounting position of magnetic head Hwa and magnetic head H
The angles formed by the head mounting position of nb4 are 45 degrees.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention which enables simultaneous recording of multimedia data in which the data amount of video data occupies 2/3 of the whole, as in the third embodiment. The rotating drum RD of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment and the magnetic heads Hwa, Hwb, Hna1, Hna2, Hna provided on the rotating drum RD.
3, Hna4, Hnb1, Hnb2, Hnb3, Hnb
4 shows an example of arrangement. Note that the arrow in FIG. 10 indicates the rotation direction of the rotating drum RD.

In the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the magnetic head Hwa is a head having a wide azimuth angle a with a wide head track width, and the magnetic head Hwb is a head having a wide azimuth angle. The head has a wide azimuth angle b. The magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2, Hna
Reference numerals na3 and Hna4 denote heads having an azimuth angle a with a narrow head track width, and magnetic heads Hnb1, Hnb2, and Hnb.
3 and Hnb4 are heads having an azimuth angle b with a narrow head track width. Further, the head track widths of the magnetic heads Hwa, Hwb are the same as those of the magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2, Hna.
na3, Hna4, Hnb1, Hnb2, Hnb3, H
For example, it is twice (2W) the head track width W of nb4.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the mounting height of each magnetic head on the rotary drum RD is such that the lower end face of each magnetic head is at the same height.

Further, in the case of the fourth embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the angle between the mounting positions of the magnetic heads having a narrow head track width along the outer periphery of the rotary drum RD, that is, the magnetic heads Hnb1, Hna1, Hnb
2, Hna2, Hna3, Hnb3, Hna4, Hnb
The angle formed by each head mounting position of No. 4 is 3
It is 0 degrees.

On the other hand, in the case of the fourth embodiment, a magnetic head having a wide head track width and a magnetic head having a narrow head track width are attached along the outer periphery of the rotary drum RD as shown in FIG. The angles are 60 degrees and 30
There are two types of degrees. That is, for example, the magnetic head H
The angle between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hna2 and the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hnb1 is 60 degrees, and the angle between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hwb and the head mounting of the magnetic head Hna2 is 30 degrees.
The angle between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hna3 and the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hna3 is 60 degrees, and the angle between the head mounting position of the magnetic head Hwa and the head mounting of the magnetic head Hnb4 is 30 degrees.

Although the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment have different mounting angles and heights of the magnetic heads Hwa and Hwb having a wide head track width, they are formed on a magnetic tape. The recorded track patterns are the same.

Here, in these third and fourth embodiments, if the winding angle of the magnetic tape around the rotary drum RD is, for example, 180 ° + α, scanning on the magnetic tape by five magnetic heads simultaneously (ie, Recording and reproduction), and the transfer rate can be increased.

That is, Hwa → Hnb1 → Hna1 →
Hnb2 → Hna2 → Hwb → Hna3 → Hnb3 →→
If recording is performed sequentially in the order of Hna4 → Hnb4 → Hwa →..., A wide one-track pattern tpw and a narrow four-track pattern tpn are formed on the magnetic tape T as shown in FIG. Are sequentially recorded. In this case, the azimuth angles of the adjacent tracks are also a → b → a → b →..., So that good azimuth recording can be realized.

The lower linear track pattern shown in FIG. 12 is a control track CTL for a tape transfer servo. In the control track CTL, a control pulse ctp is recorded with two tracks of the wide track pattern tpw as a cycle. Therefore, at the time of reproduction, the control pulse ctp
Can be determined from the count number of the FG pulse of the capstan motor, whereby the recorded track patterns tpw and tpn can be automatically determined.

As described above, according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, a pair of wide magnetic heads (Hwa, Hw
b) and an even set of narrow magnetic heads (Hna1, Hna2,
Hna3, Hna4, Hnb1, Hnb2, Hnb3
Hnb4), tracks having different azimuth angles are alternately formed on the magnetic tape T, and computer data is added to a wide track pattern tpw formed on the magnetic tape T by the wide magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb). And other data requiring high reliability (low error rate), etc., are recorded in the narrow magnetic heads (Hna1, Hna).
2, Hna3, Hna4, Hnb1, Hnb2, Hnb
(3, Hnb4), data required for high-density, large-capacity recording even if the error rate of video data or the like occupying 2/3 of the entire data amount in a narrow track pattern tpn formed on the magnetic tape T is high. By recording multimedia data including, for example, video / audio data, computer data, character data, etc. simultaneously and efficiently, that is, a large amount of high-quality video data can be recorded, and This makes it possible to realize the contradictory fact that data such as data requiring high reliability can be stored.

Here, also in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatuses according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, like the first and second embodiments described above, the actual use state is taken into consideration. However, data with a low error rate (data requiring high reliability) and data with a relatively high error rate (standard data) are not always recorded simultaneously. That is, there is a case where data of a low error rate (data requiring high reliability) is continuously recorded, and a case where data of a relatively high error rate (standard data) is continuously recorded.

The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatuses according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention can easily cope with these.

That is, in the head configuration according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, the pair of magnetic heads arranged at positions 180 degrees opposite each other on the rotary drum RD have the same head track width and the same azimuth The angles are different, and if recording and reproduction are performed using this pair of magnetic heads, recording with only the wide track pattern tpw and recording with only the narrow track tpn can be realized.

In the third and fourth embodiments,
The track pattern recorded on the magnetic tape T using the wide pair of magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb) is the same as the track pattern shown in FIG. Therefore, if a track pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape T using a wide pair of magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb) in the third and fourth embodiments, recording / reproducing at a low error rate can be performed well and efficiently. It can be performed.

In the third and fourth embodiments, a narrow magnetic head pair (Hna1, Hnb3, Hnb) is used.
nb1 and Hna3, Hnb2 and Hna4, Hna2 and H
The track pattern tpn recorded on the magnetic tape T using nb4) is the same track pattern as in FIG. 7 described above. Therefore, in the third and fourth embodiments, the narrow magnetic head pair (Hna1, Hnb3, Hnb1) is used.
And Hna3, Hnb2 and Hna4, Hna2 and Hnb
If a track pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape T by using the method 4), large-capacity recording and reproduction of data that does not require a low error rate can be performed well and efficiently.

Further, in the third and fourth embodiments, the magnetic head pair (Hna1 and Hnb3,
Hnb1 and Hna3, Hnb2 and Hna4, and Hna2 and Hnb4), when a track pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape T and the tape feed speed of the magnetic tape T is 1, the pair of wide magnetic heads (Hwa, Hw
In the case where a track pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape T using only b), the tape feed speed is 2, and FIG.
When the track pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape T by using both the wide magnetic head and the narrow magnetic head as shown in 2, the tape feed speed is 6.

FIG. 13 shows a rotary drum RD of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and magnetic heads Hwa, Hw provided on the rotary drum RD.
The arrangement example of b, Hna1, Hna2, Hnb1, and Hnb2 is shown. The arrow in FIG. 13 indicates the rotation direction of the rotating drum RD.

Also in the fifth embodiment, as in the above-described embodiments, the magnetic head Hwa is a head having an azimuth angle a with a wide head track width, and the magnetic head Hwb is an azimuth angle with a wide head track width. This is a head having a corner b. The magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2 are heads having an azimuth angle a with a narrow head track width, and the magnetic heads Hnb1 and Hnb2 are heads having an azimuth angle b with a narrow head track width.

Further, in the fifth embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 14, the head track widths of the magnetic heads Hwa and Hwb are the same as those of the magnetic heads Hna1, Hna2 and Hn.
For example, twice (2) of the head track width W of b1 and Hnb2.
W).

In the case of the fifth embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic heads Hna1 and Hnb1 are double azimuth heads.
Hnb2 is also a double azimuth head.

As shown in FIG. 14, the mounting height of each of these magnetic heads on the degree of rotation RD is as shown in FIG.
The center of the gap G of Hwb, the centers of the magnetic heads Hna1, Hnb1, which are double azimuth heads, and the magnetic heads Hna2, H, which are also double azimuth heads
The height is set to be the same as the center of nb2.

Here, in the fifth embodiment,
If the winding angle of the magnetic tape around the rotary drum RD is, for example, 180 ° + α, scanning (that is, recording and reproduction) by three magnetic heads on the magnetic tape is performed at the same time, and the transfer rate can be increased. .

That is, Hwa → Hnb1 → Hna1 →
Hnb2 → Hwb → Hna2 → Hnb2 → Hwa →
If the recording is performed one after another in the order of the head scanning, a wide one-track pattern tpw and a narrow two-track pattern tpn are sequentially recorded on the magnetic tape T as in FIG. . Also in this case, the azimuth angles of the adjacent tracks are a → b → a → b →..., So that good azimuth recording can be realized.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, one set of wide magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb) and even sets of narrow magnetic heads (Hna1, Hna2, Hnb).
1, Hnb2), tracks having different azimuth angles are alternately formed on the magnetic tape T,
Magnetic tape T by wide magnetic head (Hwa, Hwb)
Data requiring high reliability (low error rate) such as computer data is recorded on a wide track pattern tpw formed thereon, and the narrow magnetic heads (Hna1, Hna) are recorded.
na2, Hnb1, Hnb2), by recording data required for high-density and large-capacity recording even if the error rate of video data or the like is high, on a narrow track pattern tpn formed on the magnetic tape T by, for example, Simultaneously and efficiently recording multimedia data including video / audio data, computer data, character data, etc., that is, a large amount of high-quality video data can be recorded,
Moreover, it is possible to realize the contradictory fact that data requiring high reliability such as computer data can be stored.

Here, also in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as in the case of the above-described first to fourth embodiments, considering the actual use state,
It is not always the case that data having a low error rate (data requiring high reliability) and data having a relatively high error rate (standard data) are always recorded simultaneously. That is, there is a case where data of a low error rate (data requiring high reliability) is continuously recorded, and a case where data of a relatively high error rate (standard data) is continuously recorded.

The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention can easily cope with these.

That is, in the head configuration according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a pair of magnetic heads arranged at positions 180 ° opposite each other on the rotating drum RD have the same head track width and different azimuth angles. If recording and reproduction are performed using this pair of magnetic heads, recording using only the wide track pattern tpw and recording using only the narrow track tpn can be realized.

In the fifth embodiment, the track pattern recorded on the magnetic tape T using a wide pair of magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb) is the same as the track pattern shown in FIG. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, a pair of wide magnetic heads (Hwa, Hw
If a track pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape T by using the method b), recording and reproduction at a low error rate can be performed satisfactorily and efficiently.

In the fifth embodiment, a pair of narrow azimuth heads (Hna1, Hnb2, Hn
The track pattern tpn recorded on the magnetic tape T using nb1 and Hna2) becomes a track pattern as shown in FIG. Note that each narrow track pattern tpn shown in FIG. 15 is the same track pattern as in FIG. 7 described above. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, a pair of narrow double azimuth heads (Hna1 and Hnb
2. If a track pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape T using Hnb1 and Hna2), large-capacity recording and reproduction of data that does not require a low error rate can be performed well and efficiently. Further, according to the fifth embodiment, a pair of double azimuth heads (Hna1, Hnb1, Hn
a2 and Hnb2), two track patterns tpn can be recorded and reproduced at the same time, so that the data transfer rate is doubled when recording only the narrow track pattern tpn as compared with the above-described embodiments. can do.

However, in the case of the fifth embodiment, the pitch of the control pulse of the control track CTL when the track pattern tpw is formed on the magnetic tape T using a wide pair of magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb). And a pair of narrow double azimuth heads (Hna1
And Hnb2, and Hnb1 and Hna2), the pitch of the control pulse of the control track CTL when the track pattern tpw is formed on the magnetic tape T becomes the same. Therefore, the track is obtained only by counting the FG pulse of the capstan motor. The pattern cannot be determined.

Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, the control pulse of the control track CTL when the track pattern tpw is formed on the magnetic tape T using a pair of wide magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb), Pair of double azimuth heads (Hna1 and Hnb2, H
nb1 and Hna2), the recording is performed by changing the duty ratio of the control pulse ctp on the control track CTL when the track pattern tpw is formed on the magnetic tape T. That is, for example, a pulse similar to that of FIG. 6 described above is recorded as a control pulse of the control track CTL when the track pattern tpw is formed on the magnetic tape T using a wide pair of magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb). In this case, a pair of narrow double azimuth heads (Hna1 and Hna1)
When a track pattern tpw is formed on the magnetic tape T using nb2, Hnb1, and Hna2), the control pulse ctp on the control track CTL is changed to a pulse as shown in FIG. 15 (the pulse ctp in FIG.
(The duty ratio of the pulse ctp is different.)

Thus, during reproduction, if the duty ratio of the control pulse ctp is measured, the recorded track patterns tpw and tpn can be automatically determined.

In the case of the fifth embodiment, a pair of narrow double azimuth heads (Hna1 and Hnb2,
Assuming that the tape feed speed of the magnetic tape T when recording a track pattern on the magnetic tape T using only Hnb1 and Hna2) is 1, a pair of wide magnetic heads (H
wa, Hwb), the tape feed speed when recording a track pattern on the magnetic tape T is 1,
In addition, when a track pattern is recorded on the magnetic tape T using both a wide magnetic head and a narrow double azimuth head, the tape feed speed is 2.

In addition, in the fifth embodiment,
For example, when the transfer rate may be low, it is possible to record one track at a time by using a pair of magnetic heads Hna1 and Hnb2.

As described above, in each of the embodiments of the present invention, a pair of magnetic heads (Hwa, Hw) having a wide head track width are positioned at 180 ° opposite positions on the rotating drum RD.
b) and a pair of magnetic heads having a narrow head track width (Hna in FIGS.
1 and Hnb1, Hna2 and Hnb2, H in FIGS.
na1 and Hnb3, Hnb1 and Hna3, Hna2 and H
nb4, Hnb2, and Hnb4) are arranged so as to form an odd-numbered group in total, thereby realizing efficient azimuth recording. For example, multimedia data including video / audio data, computer data / character data, etc., can be simultaneously transmitted. Efficient recording, that is, the contradiction that a large amount of high-quality video data can be recorded, and data that requires high reliability such as computer data can be stored can be realized. .

In each embodiment of the present invention, one set of magnetic heads having a wide head track width (Hwa, Hw
Although the example described in b) has been described, a plurality of sets of heads having a wide head track width may be provided in order to increase the transfer rate of recording at a low error rate.

Further, in each embodiment of the present invention, two types of head track widths, that is, a wide head track width and a narrow head track width, are taken as examples. However, the head track width is not limited to these two types. It is also possible to use multiple head track widths. If a plurality of types of head track widths are used as described above, a plurality of types of error rates required for digital data can be set.
Depending on the error rate required for digital data,
It is possible to switch the track width more finely,
The recording capacity of the magnetic tape can be effectively used, and recording / reproducing can be performed according to data reliability.

Next, FIG. 16 shows a schematic configuration of a signal processing system of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
In the example of FIG. 16, an example of the arrangement in the case of the above-described first embodiment is given as an example of the rotating drum and the magnetic head.

In the signal processing system shown in FIG. 16, an input terminal IN1 is an input section for inputting data (hereinafter referred to as high reliability data) such as the above-mentioned computer data which requires a low error rate. The output terminal OUT1 is an output unit to which the high reliability data is output.

The input terminal IN2 is an input section to which data (hereinafter referred to as standard data) which may have a relatively high error rate, such as video data, is input, and the output terminal OUT2 is the standard data. Is an output unit from which is output.

Further, the input terminal IN3 is an input section for inputting data (standard data) which may have a relatively high error rate, for example, video data, and the output terminal OUT3 outputs the standard data. Output unit.

The digital signal processing circuits 1, 2, and 3 have the same configuration, and encode, interleave, and modulate digital data supplied via the corresponding input terminals IN1, IN2, and IN3 during signal recording. Is a circuit for performing signal processing such as demodulation, de-interleaving, and decoding on the reproduction signals supplied from the corresponding recording / reproduction circuits 4, 5, and 6 at the time of signal reproduction, and restoring the signals. . The specific configuration of the digital signal processing circuits 1, 2, 3 will be described later.

The recording / reproducing circuits 4, 5, and 6 have the same configuration, and amplify the signals supplied from the corresponding digital signal processing circuits 1, 2, and 3 at the time of signal recording to amplify the magnetic head on the rotary drum RD. (Hwa, Hwb,
Hna1, Hnb1, Hna2, Hnb2),
Further, at the time of signal reproduction, the magnetic heads (Hwa, Hwb, Hna1, Hnb1, Hna2, Hna) on the rotating drum RD are used.
nb2) is a circuit for amplifying the reproduction signal supplied from the magnetic tape, further performing processing such as waveform equalization, and sending the processed signal to the corresponding digital signal processing circuits 1, 2, and 3. The specific configuration of the recording and reproducing circuits 4, 5, and 6 will be described later.

The signal selection control circuit 7 comprises a recording / reproducing circuit 4,
This is a circuit for generating a 2-bit control signal for controlling the switching of operations 5 and 6 between signal recording and signal reproduction. That is, the signal selection control circuit 7 in the case of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, as described in each of the above-described embodiments, uses the track pattern corresponding to the error rate required for the digital data to be recorded / reproduced. A control signal for selecting a magnetic head to be actually used is generated so that a track pattern to be recorded / reproduced is a wide track pattern tpw or a narrow track pattern tpn is recorded on the magnetic tape T.

The connection between the magnetic heads on the rotary drum RD and the recording / reproducing circuits 4, 5, 6 is made via a rotary transformer, but these are not shown in the example of FIG. .

Next, a specific configuration of each of the digital signal processing circuits 1, 2, 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 17, terminal 11 is supplied with digital data from the corresponding input terminal IN in FIG. This digital data is sent to the code generation circuit 21.

The code generation circuit 21 codes the digital data and adds an error correction code. The code data from the code generation circuit 21 is transmitted to the interleave circuit 2
Sent to 2.

The interleave circuit 22 interleaves the code data supplied from the code generation circuit 21.
The signal after the interleaving is applied to the digital modulation circuit 23.
Sent to

The digital modulation circuit 23 modulates the interleaved signal into a signal suitable for recording on a magnetic tape. This modulated signal is sent from the terminal 12 to the corresponding recording / reproducing circuit in FIG.

A terminal 14 is supplied with a reproduction signal from the corresponding recording / reproducing circuit shown in FIG. This reproduced signal is sent to the digital demodulation circuit 24.

The digital demodulation circuit 24 performs demodulation corresponding to the modulation processing in the digital modulation circuit 23, and performs the demodulation processing on the reproduction signal from the recording / reproduction circuit. The reproduction data obtained by the demodulation processing in the digital demodulation circuit 24 is sent to a de-interleave circuit 25.

The de-interleave circuit 25 performs de-interleave processing corresponding to the interleave processing in the interleave circuit 22.
The interleaving process is performed, and the reproduction data from the digital demodulation circuit 24 is subjected to a de-interleaving process. Code data obtained by the de-interleave processing in the de-interleave circuit 25 is sent to the error correction circuit 26.

The error correction circuit 26 performs an error correction process using the error correction code added to the supplied code data, performs a decoding process corresponding to the encoding in the code generation circuit 21, and Restore data. The restored digital data is supplied from terminal 13 to FIG.
To the corresponding output terminal OUT.

Next, a specific configuration of the recording / reproducing circuits 4, 5, and 6 in FIG. 16 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 18, a terminal 31 is supplied with a modulation signal from the corresponding digital signal processing circuit of FIG. This modulated signal is sent to the recording amplifier 41.

The recording amplifier 41 sends out a recording signal (recording current) obtained by amplifying the modulation signal supplied from the digital signal processing circuit to the recording / reproduction switching circuits 42 and 43.

The terminal 34 is supplied with a 2-bit control signal from the signal selection control circuit 7 in FIG. This control signal is sent to the recording / reproduction switching circuits 42 and 43.

The recording / reproducing switching circuits 42 and 43 switch between recording operation and reproducing operation based on a 2-bit control signal from the signal selection control circuit 7 in FIG. In, the recording signal from the recording amplifier 41 is switched and output to any corresponding magnetic head on the rotating drum RD. The recording / reproduction switching circuits 42, 4
The recording signal switched and selected in step 3 is sent to the magnetic head via terminals 35 and 36.

On the other hand, the recording / reproducing switching circuit 4 during signal reproduction
Reference numerals 2 and 43 represent terminals 35 and 36 reproduced from the magnetic head.
The reproduction signal supplied through the reproduction amplifiers 44 and 45
Is switched and output.

The reproduction amplifiers 44 and 45 amplify the supplied reproduction signal and send it to the switching circuit 47.

The switching circuit 47 selects one of the reproduction signals from the reproduction amplifiers 44 and 45 based on the control signal supplied from the signal selection control circuit 7 of FIG. Send to 46.

The equalizing circuit 46 equalizes the waveform of the reproduced signal. The reproduced signal after the waveform equalization is sent to the corresponding digital signal processing circuit of FIG.

Finally, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments described as examples, and various changes may be made according to the design and the like within a range not departing from the technical idea of the present invention. Of course, it is possible.

[0124]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for changing a track width on a magnetic tape according to at least an error rate required for data to be recorded. By having
For example, information that may have a slightly higher error rate, such as high-quality video data, can be recorded / reproduced with high density and large capacity. Recording and reproduction are also possible.

In the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the track width varying means has a plurality of magnetic heads having different head track widths, the track width on the magnetic tape can be varied. I can do it.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the track width changing means includes at least one set of magnetic heads having a wide track width which are arranged 180 degrees opposite to each other on the rotating drum. And at least one set of magnetic heads having a narrow head track width arranged 180 degrees opposite to each other on the rotating drum, and all of the sets of magnetic heads are odd-numbered sets. Information that may have a slightly higher error rate, such as video data of high quality,
Recording and reproduction can be performed with a large capacity, and data that requires high reliability such as computer data can be recorded and reproduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the track width varying means includes a pair of magnetic heads having a wide track width arranged 180 degrees opposite to each other on the rotating drum; By providing an even number of sets of magnetic heads having a narrow track width arranged 180 degrees opposite to each other on a rotating drum, information that may have a slightly higher error rate such as high-quality video data can be obtained. It is possible to record and reproduce with high density and large capacity, and it is also possible to record and reproduce data requiring high reliability such as computer data.

The information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention uses a double azimuth head as a magnetic head having a narrow head track width, so that an error rate slightly increases, for example, as in high-quality video data. It is possible to record / reproduce high-density information with high density and large capacity, and it is also possible to record / reproduce data requiring high reliability, such as computer data, etc. When recording / reproducing only the width, two heads can be used simultaneously, so that the transfer rate can be increased.

In the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the data requiring a low error rate and the data allowing a high error rate are supplied singly or in combination, and the data signal requiring a low error rate is supplied. By using a magnetic head with a wide head track width for the data to be recorded and using a magnetic head with a narrow head track width for the data where a high error rate is allowed It is possible to record and reproduce information that may have a slightly higher error rate with high density and large capacity, and also to record and reproduce data that requires high reliability such as computer data.

That is, according to the information signal recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, high-density, large-capacity recording and high-reliability recording with a low error rate can be realized, and these signals can be recorded / reproduced simultaneously. . Further, according to the present invention, since the track pitch does not increase more than necessary, the recording density can be increased, and therefore, it is suitable for recording multimedia information. Further, according to the present invention, when simultaneously recording high-reliability data requiring a low error rate and standard data allowing a high error rate, recording can be performed simultaneously using, for example, three magnetic heads. , The transfer rate can be increased. Further, according to the present invention, by performing azimuth recording with a minimum head configuration, recording and reproduction with a multi-track width can be efficiently realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram used to explain an example of the arrangement of a rotating drum used in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a magnetic head disposed on the rotating drum.

FIG. 2 is a diagram used to describe an arrangement angle and an arrangement height of a magnetic head on a rotating drum in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram used to describe an example of the arrangement of a rotating drum used in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a magnetic head disposed on the rotating drum.

FIG. 4 is a diagram used to describe an arrangement angle and an arrangement height of a magnetic head on a rotating drum in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram used to describe a case where a wide track pattern and a narrow track pattern are mixedly recorded on a magnetic tape in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatuses according to the first, second, and fifth embodiments of the present invention; It is.

FIG. 6 is a diagram used for describing a case where only a wide track pattern is recorded on a magnetic tape in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatuses according to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention. is there.

FIG. 7 is a diagram used to describe a case where only a narrow track pattern is recorded on a magnetic tape in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatuses according to the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram used to describe an example of the arrangement of a rotating drum used in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a magnetic head disposed on the rotating drum.

FIG. 9 is a diagram used to describe an arrangement angle and an arrangement height of a magnetic head on a rotating drum in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram used to explain an example of the arrangement of a rotating drum used in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and a magnetic head disposed on the rotating drum.

FIG. 11 is a diagram used to describe an arrangement angle and an arrangement height of a magnetic head on a rotating drum in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram used to explain a case where a wide track pattern and a narrow track pattern are mixedly recorded on a magnetic tape in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatuses according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram used to describe an example of the arrangement of a rotating drum used in a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and a magnetic head disposed on the rotating drum.

FIG. 14 is a diagram used to explain an arrangement angle and an arrangement height of a magnetic head on a rotating drum in a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram used to explain a case where only a narrow track pattern is recorded on a magnetic tape in the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a signal processing system of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a digital signal processing circuit of a signal processing system of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a recording / reproducing circuit of a signal processing system of the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram used to explain an example of arrangement of a rotary drum used in a conventional magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus and a magnetic head having a wide head track disposed on the rotary drum.

FIG. 20 is a diagram used to describe a case where a wide track pattern is recorded on a magnetic tape in a conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 21 is a diagram used to explain an example of arrangement of a rotating drum used in a conventional magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus and a magnetic head having a narrow head track width disposed on the rotating drum.

FIG. 22 is a diagram used to describe a case where a narrow track pattern is recorded on a magnetic tape in a conventional magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3, digital signal processing circuit, 4, 5, 6 recording / reproducing circuit, 7 signal selection control circuit, 21 code generation circuit, 22 interleave circuit, 23 digital modulation circuit, 24 digital demodulation circuit , 25 ... de-interleave circuit, 26 ... error correction circuit, 41 ... recording amplifier,
42, 43: recording / reproducing switching circuit, 44, 45: reproducing amplifier, 46: equalizing circuit, 47: switching circuit, RD: rotating drum, Hwa, Hwb: wide magnetic head, Hna1, H
na2, Hna3, Hna4, Hnb1, Hnb2, H
nb3, Hnb4 ... narrow magnetic head

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An information signal recording / reproducing apparatus which scans a magnetic tape by a magnetic head provided on a rotating drum, wherein recording on the magnetic tape is performed at least according to an error rate required for data to be recorded. An information signal recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a track width varying means for varying a track width. 2. An information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said track width varying means has a plurality of magnetic heads having different head track widths. 3. The magnetic head according to claim 1, wherein the track width changing means includes at least one pair of magnetic heads having a wide head track width, which are disposed on the rotary drum so as to face each other by 180 degrees.
3. The information signal recording according to claim 2, further comprising at least one set of magnetic heads having a narrow head track width arranged at an angle of 80 degrees, and wherein all the sets of magnetic heads are odd-numbered sets. Playback device. 4. A track width varying means comprising: a set of magnetic heads having a wide head track width arranged 180 degrees opposite to each other on the rotary drum;
3. The information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an even number of sets of magnetic heads having a narrow track width arranged so as to face each other. 5. The information signal recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic head having a narrow head track width is a double azimuth head. 6. A magnetic head having a wide head track width for data requiring a low error rate and data requiring a high error rate are supplied singly or in combination. 6. The magnetic head according to claim 3, wherein a magnetic head having a narrow head track width is used for data for which the high error rate is allowed. Information signal recording / reproducing device.