JP2002319101A - Video information transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording/reproducing device capable of surely managing provided information. SOLUTION: In a helical scanning type recording/reproducing device loaded on a rotary drum device and provided with a first head 4 for recording and/or reproducing, a second head 5 is installed separately from the first, and the second head 5 is disposed in a position for scanning a track where the first head 4 for recording/reproducing is located, and then scanning the track. The second head 5 records signals different from signals that the first head 4 records, or deletes tracks that the first head 4 reproduces. Therefore, the number of times of reproducing the provided information is surely regulated to once.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a VTR, and more particularly to a system for restricting the number of times a signal in a tape is reproduced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various information providing systems have been established to reflect a highly information-oriented society. For example, a dial Q2 using a telephone line is a typical example.

[0003] Here, when the information to be provided is content related to copyright, such as music or a movie, it is necessary to ensure the management of the provided information such as copying prohibition or the like. Is one of the important factors that determine In particular, in the case of information converted into a digital signal, the importance thereof is further increased because the signal deterioration due to copying is extremely small. As a known example of such a method of prohibiting copying of information, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-288582, a reproduction signal of a copy tape is mixed by mixing a pseudo signal for causing a malfunction of an automatic gain control system of a VTR. Is degraded.

On the other hand, in the United States and other countries where cable television lines have become widespread, an information supply system has been developed which uses this as a transfer means and supplies desired information, for example, video software, etc. using digital signals in response to a request from a user. Can be considered. Among the video software, particularly high-valued ones include new movies immediately after release, etc.
It is necessary to establish a method for limiting the number of times of reproduction. On the other hand, the above-mentioned known example does not correspond to such regulation of the number of times of reproduction.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to restrict the number of times of reproduction of provided information, and in particular, to restrict the number of times of reproduction of provided information to one. It is to provide a method.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention comprises at least one head for recording and / or reproducing and at least one other head. When one head scans a track and then another head scans at least a part of the track, the head outputs a signal different from the signal recorded on the track.

When one head scans a track and then another head scans at least a part of the track, a magnetic field is generated in the head so as to erase a signal recorded on the track. .

In a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording and / or reproducing in at least two modes, at least one head for recording and / or reproducing in a first mode, and recording and / or reproducing in a second mode. Or at least one other head for reproducing, when reproducing a signal recorded on the tape in the first mode, after reproducing the track in the first mode, the head in the second mode At least a portion of this track is scanned. At this time, the second mode head outputs a signal different from the signal recorded on the track.

When reproducing a signal recorded on a tape in the first mode, the head in the second mode reproduces at least a part of the track after reproducing the track in the first mode. Scan. At this time, a magnetic field is generated in the head in the second mode so as to erase the signal recorded on the track.

[0010]

Since information different from the reproduced information is recorded on the track or the reproduced information is erased, the signal reproduced once cannot be reproduced again.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of the heads on the rotary drum device 3. The figure shows a reproduction-only system or a recording / reproducing system, in which a first head 4 and a second head 5 record or reproduce signals in pairs. The head 4 and the head 5
It is mounted with a rotation phase of 180 °. 1 is a third head. The tape 8 is wound around the rotary drum device 3 by guides 15 and 16 and runs in the direction of arrow A in the figure. The rotating drum device 3 rotates in the direction of arrow B in the figure.

FIG. 2 is a view of the rotary drum device 3 as viewed from the side. The rotating drum device 3 includes a rotating drum 17 and a fixed drum 18. The head 4 is a head for performing recording and reproduction, and is attached to the head 5 (not shown in FIG. 2) at a rotation phase of 180 ° as shown in FIG. 1
Is the third head. The tape 8 includes guides 15, 1
As shown in the figure, the rotary drum 6 is wound obliquely by the rotary drum device 3 and travels in the direction of arrow A in the figure. With the rotation of the rotary drum 17, the head 4 and the head 1 move in the direction indicated by the arrow B in the figure.
Scans the tape 8 in the direction of.

FIG. 3 shows how the head gaps of the heads mounted on the rotary drum 17 have a height relationship in the rotation axis direction of the rotary drum 17. The head gap between the head 4 and the head 5 is the same height in the rotation axis direction of the rotating drum 17.
The upper end of the head gap of the head 1 coincides with or is located below the lower ends of the head gaps of the heads 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which a signal recorded on the tape 8 is reproduced by the heads 4 and 5. Here, the reproduction state is shown, but the heads 4 and 5 may be used for recording. The tape 8 runs in the direction of arrow A in the figure. First,
The head 4 scans the track 9 from the position indicated by H1 to the position indicated by H1 '. Simultaneously with or immediately before or after the head 4 reaches the position H1 'and detaches from the tape 8, the head 5 starts scanning the track 10 adjacent to the track 9 from the position indicated by H2 in the drawing. At the same time or immediately before or after the head 5 reaches the position H2 'and detaches from the tape 8, the head 4 is moved to the position H3 in FIG.
The scanning of the track 11 adjacent to the track 10 is started from the position shown in FIG.

The head 1 is, for example, the head 4 is the track 1
When the head 10 starts scanning from the position H3 and reaches the position H3 ″, the track 10 starts scanning from the position H2. At this time, the track 10 is scanned by the head 5 before the head 4 scans the track 11. When the head 1 scans the track 10, the track 1 is read.
When a magnetic field is generated to erase the signal of track 0, the track 1
The signal recorded as 0 is erased. Or head 1
When a signal different from the signal of the track 10 is superimposed and recorded on the track 10 when scanning the track 10, the signal of the track 10 becomes a signal different from that before the head 1 scans. Hereinafter, by repeating this, the signal recorded on the track after the signal is reproduced by scanning with the head 5 can be erased or cannot be reproduced. Further, if the gap width of the head 1 is widened below the width shown in FIG. 3 to be twice or more the gap width of the heads 4 and 5, the head 1 scans not only the head 5 but also the head 4. The signal recorded on the subsequent track can also be erased or cannot be reproduced. In the above example, the head 1 erases or rewrites all the signals on the track, but this is partially (for example, 30% or more, or 50% or more, and for example, 80% or more, preferably 90% or more). % Or more).

In this embodiment, a cassette tape and a video tape recorder are used as a recording medium and a recording device, respectively. These are, for example, discs and disc recorders, semiconductor memories and their input / output devices. Any recording medium and its recording / reproducing apparatus can be replaced. For example, in a disk recorder, as in the present embodiment, one head or a pickup is mounted, and another head is provided at a position following the head in the head moving direction at the time of reproduction, and the head after the preceding head scans. When a magnetic field that erases the track signal is generated when the head scans the track, the signal recorded on the track is erased. Alternatively, if a signal different from the track signal is recorded on the track in a superimposed manner, the track signal becomes a signal different from that before the head scans.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a system for providing video software, for example, VOD (Video OnDemand) and a conventional VOD system.
An example in which the present invention is applied to a TR system, for example, a compatible system with a VHS system will be described.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of an example to which the present invention is applied. This system has a basic configuration of a transmitting device 101 of a video software provider as a transmitting means, a general home helical scan video tape recorder 102 as a receiving means, and a cable television line 103 as a transferring means. Then, a cassette tape 104 as a recording medium of the first storage means is mounted on the video tape recorder 102 of a general household as a receiving means. Further, an IC memory 105 as a recording medium of a second storage means is attached to the case of the cassette tape 104, and a terminal portion thereof is connected to the video tape recorder 102 main body.

A request for video software from an ordinary household user to a provider is made using the telephone 106. That is, after dialing the provider, the user inputs the code number of the selected video software using the dial key. Then, the fee set according to the elapsed time from the start of the provision of the video software, the delivery time from the request to the completion of the provision (the higher the cost is, the more urgent it is) is replied, and input that this fee has been approved. Then the request is completed. In this case, the fee is charged at a later date by collecting the money by the patrol member or by debiting the bank account specified by the user. In the request method of this embodiment, since the telephone is used, the existing dial key can be effectively used for information input.

As another request method, the same cable television line 103 as the transfer means may be used, and a key of a video tape recorder main body or an attached remote controller may be used. In this method, one kind of line is used. Since both the request and the provision are performed, the line can be used efficiently.

On the other hand, the provider who receives the request determines whether or not the cassette tape 104 is mounted on the user's video tape recorder 102 using the cable television line, and the remaining tape records the requested video software. Determine whether it can be done. Video tape recorder 10
Whether or not the cassette tape 104 is mounted in 2 is detected by a push switch provided in the video tape recorder 102 and switched when the cassette tape 104 is mounted. In addition, the remaining tape can be recorded at the required speed by running the tape at a predetermined speed and detecting the number of rotations of the reel to determine whether or not the remaining tape capacity can be completely recorded. It is determined by comparing with the capacity. All information during this time is performed using the cable television line. Here, if any of them is non-conforming, the fact is notified using a telephone or a cable TV line, and the start of transmission is canceled until the non-conformity is resolved. In this way, the provision of information is ensured.

Then, if both are compatible, the transmission of the video software designated by the own transmission device is started as a digital signal using the cable television line. The signal at this time is normally sent for a predetermined short time from the start of transmission, that is, for 5 minutes in this embodiment, but after that, the signal has been scrambled. -A key code as a control signal for scrambling is indispensable. However, since the scramble processing has not been performed for the first 5 minutes, the user can freely reproduce the data later, thereby making it easy to check the recorded contents.

Then, the key code is sent together with the video signal of the video software. These video signals and key codes are stored in the user's tape recorder 1.
After being input to the recording circuit 107 in the cassette tape 02, the video signal is separated and recorded on the tape, and the key code is recorded on the IC memory 105 attached to the case of the cassette tape 104. At this time, an address signal is recorded on the tape at the start and end of the recording, facilitating later confirmation of the recording range. And tape recorder 1
02 can be set to be selectively rewound to the tape recording start position by the changeover switch in 02, and the user can immediately start reproduction from the beginning.

When the user plays the video software and watches it, the video signal is output from the tape, the key code is output from the IC memory, and both are input to the reproduction circuit 108, and both are input to the reproduction circuit 108. After the digital signal is converted into an analog signal by the descrambling process, the image is displayed on the display 109.

In FIG. 5, when a video signal is output from the reproduction circuit to the display, a pseudo signal for causing the automatic gain control system of the video tape recorder 102 to malfunction is mixed in the same manner as in the known example. A copy prevention process is performed to degrade the reproduction image quality of the copy tape, and there is no need to worry about copying at this connection.

In this embodiment, a cassette tape and a video tape recorder are used as a recording medium and a recording device, respectively. These are, for example, a disk and a disk recorder, a semiconductor memory and its input / output device, and the like. Any recording medium and its recording device can be replaced.

FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the heads on the rotary drum device 3. 4, 5 and 6, 7 are the first system V
This is a head that performs recording or reproduction of the OD system. V
In the OD system, the heads 4 and 5 and the heads 6 and 7 are arranged adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. The heads 4, 5 and the heads 6, 7 are mounted at a rotation phase of 180 °. Reference numerals 1 and 2 denote heads for recording or reproducing data in the VHS system, which is the second system. The head 1 and the head 2 record or reproduce signals in pairs. The head 1 and the head 2 are mounted at a rotation phase of 180 °. Tape 8 guide 1
It is wound around the rotary drum device 3 by 5 and 16, and runs in the direction of arrow A in the figure. The rotating drum device 3 rotates in the direction of arrow B in the figure.

FIG. 7 is a view of the rotary drum device 3 as seen from the side. The rotating drum device 3 includes a rotating drum 17 and a fixed drum 18. The heads 4, 5 are heads for recording and reproducing VOD, which is the first system, and are attached to the heads 6, 7 (not shown in FIG. 2) at a rotation phase of 180 ° as shown in FIG. I have. Reference numeral 1 denotes a head for recording / reproducing a VHS system, which is a second system, and is also attached to a head 2 (not shown in FIG. 2) at a rotation phase of 180 ° as shown in FIG. Tape 8
It is wound obliquely around the rotating drum device 3 by the guides 15 and 16 as shown in the figure, and travels in the direction of arrow A in the figure. With the rotation of the rotating drum 17, the heads 4, 5 and 1 scan the tape 8 in the direction of arrow B in the figure.

FIG. 8 shows how the head gaps of the heads mounted on the rotary drum 17 have a height relationship in the rotation axis direction of the rotary drum 17. The head gap between the head 4 and the head 5 and the head gap between the head 6 and the head 7 are in the height relationship shown in the drawing in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary drum 17, and the head 4 and the head 6, and the head 5 and the head 7 have the same height. ing. Head 1, 2
The upper end of the head gap of the heads 4 and 6 coincides with or is located below the lower end of the head gap of the heads 4 and 6.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the signals of the VOD system recorded on the tape 6 are reproduced by the heads 4, 5, 6, and 7. Although the reproduction state is shown here, the heads 4 and 5 and the heads 6 and 7 may be used for recording. The tape 8 runs in the direction of arrow A in the figure. First, the head 4 scans the track 9 from the position indicated by H1 to the position indicated by H1 '. At the same time, the head 5 scans the track 10 adjacent to the track 9 from the position indicated by H2 to the position indicated by H2 '. Simultaneously with or immediately before the heads 4 and 5 reach the positions H1 'and H2' and separate from the tape 8, or after that, the head 6 is adjacent to the track 10 from the position indicated by H3 in the figure. The scanning of the track 11 is started. At the same time, head 7
Scans the track 12 adjacent to the track 11 from the position indicated by H4 in the figure. At the same time or after the heads 6 and 7 reach the positions H3 'and H4', respectively, and separate from the tape 8, the heads 4 and 5 are moved to the positions indicated by H5 and H6 in the figure, respectively. From track 13 adjacent to track 12 and track 1
4 is started to be scanned, and thereafter, this is repeated to reproduce a signal. The reproduction of the signal of the VHS system is performed using the heads 1 and 2 in the same manner as in the method described in the first embodiment.

When recording / reproducing a VOD system, the VH
Recording and reproduction of signals of the S system are not performed naturally, but the heads 1 and 2 scan the tape 8. Head 1, 2
Are mounted at the positions shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, for example, the head 6 is on the track 11 and the head 7 is on the track 1
2 from the positions H3 and H4,
When the head 2 reaches the position 3 ", H4", the head 2 starts scanning the track 10 from the position H2. At this time, the track 5 is scanned by the head 5 before the heads 6 and 7 scan the tracks 11 and 12, and the reproduction of the signal is completed. When the head 2 scans the track 10, the track 1
When a magnetic field is generated to erase the signal of track 0, the track 1
The signal recorded as 0 is erased. Or head 2
When a signal different from the signal of the track 10 is superimposed and recorded on the track 10 when scanning the track 10, the signal of the track 10 becomes a signal different from that before the head 2 scans. The heads 4 and 5 are tracks 13 and 14
From the positions H5 and H6, respectively.
When the head 1 reaches the position of 5 ″ and H6 ″, the head 1 starts scanning the track 12 from the position of H4. Also at this time, the track 7 is scanned by the head 7 before the heads 4 and 5 scan the tracks 13 and 14, and the reproduction of the signal is completed. At this time, the signal of the track 12 is erased or rewritten as in the case of the head 2 described above. Hereinafter, by repeating this, the signal recorded on the track after the signal is reproduced by scanning with the heads 5 and 7 can be erased or cannot be reproduced. If the gap width of the heads 1 and 2 is widened below the width shown in FIG. 3 and is twice or more the gap width of the heads 4, 5, 6, and 7, the heads 1 Not only head 5,
The signal recorded on the track after the scanning by 7 can also be erased or cannot be reproduced. In the above example,
The heads 1 and 2 erase or rewrite all the signals on the track, but this may be a part (for example, 30% or more, or 50% or more, and for example, 80% or more, preferably 90% or more). .

As in the present embodiment, in a compatible system of two systems, when a signal recorded by a VOD system is reproduced and a signal recorded on a tape is simultaneously erased or made unreproducible, the signal is erased or erased. Since the rewriting is performed using the head of the VHS system, there is no need to mount a dedicated head, and the cost can be reduced.

In this embodiment, a cassette tape and a video tape recorder are used as a recording medium and a recording device, respectively. These are, for example, a disk and a disk recorder, a semiconductor memory and its input / output device. Any recording medium and its recording / reproducing apparatus can be replaced. For example, in the case of a disk recorder, as in the present embodiment, if the system is capable of recording and reproducing in two modes, the head or pickup in the first mode is mounted and the first mode in the head moving direction during reproduction is used. The head of the second mode is provided at a position following the head of the second mode. When the head of the second mode scans the track after the head of the preceding first mode scans, when a magnetic field that erases the signal of the track is generated, the signal recorded on the track is: Will be erased. Alternatively, if a signal different from the track signal is recorded on the track in a superimposed manner, the track signal becomes a signal different from that before the head scans.

[0036]

According to the present invention, the reproduction of the provided information can be restricted at one time, and the effect of ensuring the management of the provided information can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a head arrangement of a rotary drum device of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a rotary drum device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the height of the head of the rotary drum device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a recording track of a tape according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a head arrangement of a rotary drum device of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a rotary drum device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a height of a head of a rotary drum device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a recording track of a tape according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 ... head, 3 ... rotating drum device, 8 ... tape, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 ... truck, 17 ... rotating drum, 101 ... transmitting device, 102 ... Video tape recorder, 103: cable line, 105: IC cable, 107: recording circuit, 108: reproduction circuit.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 13, 2002 (2002.2.1
3)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Title of the Invention] Video information transmission method

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

1. A video information transmitting method for transmitting video information to a specific user who has contracted, wherein the video information is transmitted in a form that can be freely viewed by the user for a predetermined period from the start of transmission of the video information. Video information transmission method.

2. The video information transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the video information is scrambled and the scramble processing is canceled and transmitted during a period in which the user can freely view the video information.

3. The video information transmitting method according to claim 1, wherein said video information is paid video software.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of transmitting video information, and
The present invention relates to a method for restricting reproduction of information received .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0005]

The object of the invention is to try to resolve an object of the present invention, provides
To regulate the reproduction of information and to improve user convenience
To provide a transmission method .

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a video information transmitting method according to the present invention comprises a specific user who has contracted.
To be transmitted to the
During the fixed period, the above-mentioned
It was to so.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

When transmitting, the video information is scrambled.
During the period when the user can freely view
Canceled rumble processing and sent.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0036

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0036]

According to the present invention, reproduction of provided information is regulated.
And at the same time, the convenience of the user can be achieved.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/7826 H04N 5/782 Z 5/91 5/91 P (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Kano Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku, Hitachi, Ltd. Video Media Research Laboratories, Ltd. 292 Yoshida-cho, Totsuka-ku F-Term in Hitachi, Ltd. Visual Media Research Laboratories F-term (reference) JJ25

Claims (6)

[Claims] A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording a signal on a recording medium (8) and / or reproducing a signal recorded on the recording medium (8), wherein the signal is reproduced simultaneously with the reproduction of the signal. A recording / reproducing apparatus which records a signal different from the above on the recording medium. 2. A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording a signal on a recording medium (8) and / or reproducing a signal recorded on the recording medium (8). A recording / reproducing apparatus for erasing data. 3. A helical scan type recording / reproducing system comprising: a rotary drum device (3); and at least one first head (4) mounted on the rotary drum device (3) and performing recording and / or reproduction. In the apparatus, the rotary drum device (3) includes at least one second head (1) different from the head (4), and the first head (4) and the second head ( When recording and / or reproduction is performed, the tape (8) spirally wound around the rotary drum device (3) moves along the direction in which the tape (8) travels during recording and / or reproduction. The tape is mounted at a different position in a direction coinciding with the direction in which the position of the tape (8) increases in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary drum device (3) from the position where the light is emitted to the position where the light is emitted. (4) Of the track (9)
When the second head (1) scans at least a part of the track (9) after scanning, a signal different from the signal recorded on the track (9) is recorded on the track (7). The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 4. A helical scan type recording / reproducing system comprising: a rotary drum device (3); and at least one first head (4) mounted on the rotary drum device (3) and performing recording and / or reproduction. In the apparatus, the rotary drum device (3) includes the first head (4).
At least one other second head (1) is mounted, and the position of the first head (4) and the position of the second head (1) are set when performing recording and / or reproduction. The tape (8) spirally wound around the rotating drum device (3) moves from a position where the tape (8) is incident on the rotating drum device (3) to a position where the tape (8) exits along the traveling direction. ), The tape (8) is mounted at a different position in a direction coinciding with the direction in which the position of the tape (8) increases.
3. When the second head (1) scans at least a part of the track (9) after scanning, the signal recorded on the track (9) is erased. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1. 5. A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing recording and / or reproduction in at least two modes by said rotary drum device (3), wherein said rotary drum device (3) performs recording and / or reproduction in a first mode. Or at least a first set of heads (4) to regenerate,
(5) and at least a second set of heads (1) and (2) for recording and / or reproducing in the second mode, and the first set of heads (4) and (5) and the second set of heads. The position of the pair of heads (1) and (2) is determined by the fact that the tape (8) spirally wound around the rotary drum device (3) runs along the running direction when performing recording and / or reproduction. At a different position in a direction corresponding to a direction in which the position of the tape (8) increases in the rotation axis direction of the rotary drum device (3) from a position where the tape enters the rotary drum device (3) to a position where the tape (8) is emitted. When reproducing the signal recorded on the tape (8) in the first mode, after reproducing one track (9) having one of the first set of heads (4) and (5), The second set of heads (1) and (2) has fewer tracks (9). 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the signal is scanned and a signal different from a signal recorded on the track (9) is recorded on the track (9). 3. 6. A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing recording and / or reproduction in at least two modes by said rotary drum device (3), wherein said rotary drum device (3) records and / or reproduces in a first mode. Or at least a first set of heads (4) to regenerate,
(5) and at least a second set of heads (1) and (2) for recording and / or reproducing in the second mode, and the first set of heads (4) and (5) and the second set of heads. The position of the pair of heads (1) and (2) is determined by the fact that the tape (8) spirally wound around the rotary drum device (3) runs along the running direction when performing recording and / or reproduction. At a different position in the direction corresponding to the direction in which the position of the tape (8) increases in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary drum device (3) from the position where it enters the rotary drum device (3) to the position where it exits. When reproducing the signal recorded on the tape (8) in the first mode, after reproducing one track (9) having one of the first set of heads (4) and (5), The second set of heads (1) and (2) has fewer tracks (9). 3. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a part of the data is scanned to erase a signal recorded on the track (9).