JP2871154B2 - Tracking control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tracking control device for a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a tracking control method for a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus (VTR), a method using a control signal (CTL signal) is generally used. In this method, at the time of recording, a video signal is recorded on a magnetic tape as a group of discontinuous recording tracks by a rotating magnetic head, and at this time, a CTL signal for tracking control is recorded in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. At the time of reproduction, the reproduction C is performed so that the rotating magnetic head scans on the recording track on-track.
This is a method for controlling the phase between the TL signal and the reference signal.

[0003] VTRs, especially broadcast VTRs, have not only a recording / reproducing function but also various other functions, one of which is an insert editing function. This function is an editing method in which a part of the already recorded video signal is replaced with a new video signal. Tracking control during insert editing is the same as during playback. That is, by performing the phase control between the reproduced CTL signal and the reference signal, the recording head can scan the already recorded track on-track. Then, when a recording current is supplied to the rotary magnetic head at the insertion start point (IN point) and the recording current is stopped at the insertion end point (OUT point), the continuity between the already recorded track and the newly recorded track is maintained. Can be maintained, and a part of the already recorded video signal can be replaced with a new video signal.

A conventional tracking control method at the time of insert editing uses a normal tracking control method using a CTL signal.

[0005]

The conventional tracking control method using the CTL signal is effective for a device in which a recording track is recorded and reproduced linearly, but is not used in an actual device having a track bend. However, the conventional control method alone is not sufficient. The recording track should originally be recorded linearly on the magnetic tape, but in practice, it is recorded with a track curvature inherent to the device due to the mechanical accuracy of the tape traveling system. For this reason, when performing insert editing on a tape recorded by a certain device by another device, it is necessary to perform tracking control in consideration of track bending between the two devices. This consideration is particularly important when performing insert editing on a device having a format in which the track width of a recording track is small.

[0006] The effect of track bending will now be described. FIG. 16 shows an ideal recording track. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording head, which scans in the direction of arrow 2. The magnetic tape is transported in the direction of arrow 3. T1
T6 indicates a recording track. In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of the helical scan system, the recording track is actually recorded with a slant in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape, but in this example, the recording track is described as being recorded at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape. An ideal recording track is recorded linearly as shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a recording track having a track bend. T7 to T12 are recording tracks and have a track bend in a period indicated by 4.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing recording tracks when insert editing is performed by a conventional method. In the figure,
T7 and T8 and T11 and T12 are the recording tracks shown in FIG. When insert editing is performed on such a recording track by another apparatus having a different curve, a recording track pattern as shown in FIG. 18 is obtained. Insert-edited recording track is T13,
This is T14, and the curvature of the recording track is a curvature of the track unique to the editing apparatus. As can be seen from the drawing, the regular track width 5 is reduced to the track width indicated by 6 as a result of insert editing with a device having a different track bend. Note that the area indicated by 7 is the unerased portion of the already recorded track.

As is apparent from FIG. 18, in the insert editing which does not consider the track bend, the effective track width is reduced by twice the track bend shown by the worst eight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a tracking control device which performs a tracking control in consideration of a track bend to minimize a decrease in an effective track width due to the track bend.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a tracking control device according to the present invention comprises a track bending detecting means for detecting a track bending amount from an output signal of a reproducing head, and a maximum of the detected track bending. Average value calculating means for calculating an average value between the value and the minimum value; position information detecting means for outputting position information of a position indicating a track bending amount substantially equal to the average value; And a tracking control means for performing tracking control based on the command signal.

[0012]

According to the present invention, since the tracking control is performed so that the reproduction output at the average position of the track bend is maximized by the above configuration, even if the insert editing is performed between apparatuses having different track bends, the effective track can be obtained. The width reduction can be kept within the range of track bending.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing embodiments of the present invention, the basic concept of the present invention will be described first.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the center value of the track bend. FIG. 14A is a diagram showing the overlap of tracks at an edit point (IN point or OUT point) when insert editing is performed by the conventional tracking control method.
FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the overlap of tracks when the tracking control according to the present invention is performed.

In FIG. 14A, 9, 10, 11
Is the track bending of the deck A, and 9, 10, and 12 are the track bending of the deck B. Each track bend has the amount indicated by 13 and 14, but at the edit point, the total value of each track bend contributes to a reduction in track width. On the other hand, when the tracking control method according to the present invention is used, the tracking control is performed so that the average value of the maximum value and the minimum value of the track bending, that is, the point indicated by 15, is overlapped. For this reason, the amount contributing to the reduction of the track width falls within the larger track curve of the deck A or the deck B.

FIG. 15 shows a tape pattern when insert editing is performed using the tracking control according to the present invention. In the figure, T7, T8 and T11, T12
Are recording tracks before insert editing, and T15, T
Reference numeral 16 denotes a recording track on which insert editing has been performed. FIG.
A new recording track is formed shifted leftward in the drawing as compared with the tape pattern shown in FIG. This shift amount corresponds to half of the track bend. 16 and 17 are recording heads. In the conventional tracking control, the recording head performs tracking at a position indicated by 16.
The recording head in the tracking control according to the present invention has 17
Tracking at the position indicated by. In order to track at the position indicated by 17, half the track bend,
That is, it is only necessary to perform control to maximize the reproduction output at the point indicated by 18. By performing such tracking control, the remaining track width becomes the amount indicated by 19. This value 19 is a value larger than the track width 6 shown in FIG.

If the tracking control according to the present invention is performed,
The track width indicated by T8 decreases from the normal value to the value indicated by 20. What is important, however, is how to increase the minimum value of the reduced track width. This concept is particularly important for digital VTRs that record digital signals directly on magnetic tape. Because, in the digital VTR, if a reproduction output of a certain value or more is obtained,
This is because the video signal can be completely restored, and if it is less than a certain value, it cannot be output as a video signal. Therefore, it is important to increase the minimum value even if the track width is slightly sacrificed as in T8. In addition, 21 and 22 are the remaining unerased tracks already recorded.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a tracking control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numerals 30 and 31 denote recording and reproducing heads.
These two heads are installed close to each other and scan the magnetic tape almost simultaneously. Such a pair of heads (hereinafter, referred to as a pair head) is often used when handling a large amount of information such as a digital VTR. 180
In a helical scan type VTR wound by degrees, a pair of paired heads is used (not shown). 3
Reference numerals 2 and 33 denote changeover switches for switching each head between the reproducing side P and the recording side R. At the time of recording, after the video signal is processed by the recording signal processing circuit 35, the recording amplifier 34,
The data is recorded on the magnetic tape via the switches 32 and 33 and the heads 30 and 31.

At the time of reproduction, a reproduction signal is input to a reproduction amplifier 36 and amplified. 37 is a reproduction signal processing circuit,
The signal reproduced from the magnetic tape is converted into a normal video signal and output. 38 is a track bending detecting means;
The relative track bending between the tape and the playback deck recorded by the method described later is detected. Reference numeral 39 denotes an average value calculating means for calculating an average value from the maximum value and the minimum value of the track bending. Numeral 40 denotes position information detecting means for detecting a head scanning position near the average value of the track bending. 41
Is an envelope maximum value detecting means for maximizing the reproduction output at the head scanning position. The output 44 of the position information detecting means 40 and the reproduction envelope signal 45 are input to the envelope maximum value detecting means 41.

As a method of detecting the maximum value of the reproduction output, there is, for example, a method commonly called wobbling. In this method, the reproducing head is forcibly moved in the width direction of the recording track, and the increase or decrease of the reproduction output at that time is observed. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relative positional relationship between a recording track and a scanning head. In the figure, 50 is a recording track and 51 is a reproducing head. The reproducing head scans in the direction of arrow 52. Now, when the recording head 51 is forcibly changed in the direction of the arrow 53 from the position shown in the figure, the reproduction output decreases. The envelope maximum value detecting means 41 compares the level of the reproduced output before the head is changed with the level of the reproduced output after the change, and if the reproduced output after the change is reduced, the next reproduction is performed. Forcibly change the head in the reverse direction. Then, at this time, if the reproduction output increases, it is forcibly changed next in the same direction. By repeating this operation, the reproducing head performs on-track reproduction and scanning on the recording track. As a position for comparing the level of the reproducing head, if the reproducing output is sampled at a specific scanning position where the head scans one track, the maximum envelope value is detected so that the reproducing output at this sampling position becomes maximum. The means 41 will operate. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 46 denotes a command signal for forcibly changing the head position, which is a command signal including a change direction and a change amount.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 42 denotes tracking control means. This tracking control means is, for example, a normal control device using a capstan motor. The phase control of the capstan motor for transferring the magnetic tape is performed during reproduction or insert editing so that the relationship between the reference signal and the reproduced CTL signal becomes a constant target value.
This target value changes according to the value of the above-mentioned command signal 46, and changes the relative positional relationship between the head and the recording track. Eventually, tracking control is performed so that the reproduction output at the sampling position indicated by the position information detecting means 40 becomes maximum.

Next, the details of the track bending detecting means 38 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relative positional relationship between a recording track and a pair head. In FIG.
Numeral 0 denotes a pair head composed of heads 68 and 69 having different azimuth angles, and scans in the direction of arrow 65. 6
Reference numerals 3 and 64 denote recording tracks recorded by the pair head. Reference numerals 66 and 67 denote recording positions of specific signals.
A plurality of specific signals are recorded on a track. The specific signal is, for example, a horizontal synchronization signal in an analog VTR,
In a digital VTR, it is a sync signal added to each signal block.

The pair head 60 shows a state where it is on-track on a recording track. Reference numerals 61 and 62 denote pair heads, respectively, showing a state in which they are mistracked on the right and left sides with respect to the recording track, respectively. When a head having such a relative positional relationship reproduces and scans a recording track, even if the signal is recorded at the same time, the reproduced time is different. For example, at the scanning position of the pair head 60, the time at which the specific signals 66 and 67 are reproduced by the heads 68 and 69 is equal, and at the head scanning position of the pair head 61, the time at which the specific signal 67 is reproduced by the head 73 is the specific signal 66 Is reproduced later than the time at which the data is reproduced by the head 72. At the head scanning position of the pair head 62, the time at which the specific signal 67 is reproduced by the head 77 is earlier than the time at which the specific signal 66 is reproduced by the head 76. Therefore, by examining the reproduction time difference of the specific signal reproduced by each head constituting the pair head, the track shift amount can be known. The AC component of the track shift amount is equal to the track bending.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the track shift amount and the reproduction time difference of each specific signal reproduced by each head constituting the pair head. The horizontal axis shows the track deviation amount, and the vertical axis shows the reproduction time difference. The position indicated by 0 is the on-track position. The relationship between the track deviation and the reproduction time difference is represented by reference numeral 80.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of the track bending detecting means 38. As shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 81 denotes a specific signal separating means, which is a means for separating and extracting only the specific signal from the reproduction signals 83 and 84 supplied from the reproduction amplifier 36. Reference numeral 82 denotes a reproduction time difference detecting means for measuring the time between each specific signal reproduced from each head by counting clock signals. Note that the specific configuration of the reproduction time difference detecting means is described in
Since it is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8 (Kokai) No. 8, detailed description is omitted here.

Next, the average value calculating means 39 and the position information detecting means 40 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Note that each unit in 43 surrounded by a broken line can be configured by using a microcomputer. Therefore, in this embodiment, a method using a microcomputer will be described as an example.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the timer interrupt and the track bend. In the figure, (c) is a head switching signal (H · SW signal) that is phase-synchronized with the rotating drum and is equal to one rotation cycle of the rotating drum.
(D) shows a timer interrupt of the microcomputer.
The timer interrupt is in phase with the H.SW signal.
(E) is an output signal of the track bending detecting means 38. The maximum value of the track bending is the bending at the position indicated by 90, and the minimum value is the bending at the position indicated by 91. Therefore, the average value of the track bend is the bend at the position indicated by 92. The output of the average value calculating means 39 outputs the amount of bending at the position indicated by 92. Also, the output of the position information detecting means 40 outputs the position of the timer interrupt t9.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the interrupt processing of the H.SW signal. This interrupt processing is performed when a rising edge or a falling edge of the H.SW signal is input to the microcomputer. In the following flowcharts, the names of the RAMs are indicated by symbols with parentheses. Numeral 93 indicates the start of interrupt processing of the H.SW signal. 94 is a process for setting the value of (CT) to zero. 95, zero is set to (LMAX), and (LMIN) and (DM
This is a process of storing a hexadecimal FF value in (IN). Although details of each RAM will be described later, each process of 94 and 95 is a process of substituting the value of the initial value. 96 is H ・ SW
This is the process of terminating the signal interrupt process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process. In the figure, reference numeral 97 denotes a symbol indicating the start of timer interrupt processing. Reference numeral 98 denotes a process for incrementing (CT). Since (CT) is cleared at each edge of the H.SW signal and is incremented at each timer interrupt, the subscripts 1, 2,... Of t1, t2,. Equivalent to the value. 99 is (L ((C
T))) is a process of storing the amount of bend. (L ((C
T))) is a RAM set for each value of (CT),
For example, when the value of (CT) is 3, the RA of (L (3))
The bending amount is stored in M. That is, each bend amount for each timer interrupt is represented by (CT) as a variable (L ((C
T))). Reference numeral 100 denotes a process for detecting the maximum value and the minimum value, the details of which will be described later. Reference numeral 101 denotes a process for determining whether or not the value stored in (CT) is smaller than a predetermined numerical value N. If the value is smaller, the process 104 is executed; otherwise, the process 102 is executed. In this example, since the number of timer interrupt processes between each edge of the H.SW signal is set to 10, N = 10. Reference numeral 102 denotes an average value calculating means, and a RAM for storing the average value, and the maximum value (LMAX) of the amount of bending is stored in (AVE).
最小 of the value of the difference between と and the minimum value (LMIN) is stored. Reference numeral 103 denotes a position information detection process, the details of which will be described later. Reference numeral 104 denotes processing for ending the timer interrupt processing.

FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart of the processing 100 for the maximum value and the minimum value. In the figure, reference numeral 105 denotes a symbol for starting this processing. Reference numeral 106 denotes processing for determining whether the value of (LMAX) is smaller than the value of (L ((CT))). In (LMAX), when each edge of the H.SW signal is input, a value of zero is stored in the above-described process 95, so that (LMAX) is (LMAX) in the first timer interrupt process.
((CT))) is larger. Therefore, at the time of the first timer interrupt processing, the processing of 107 is performed. 107 is a process of storing the value of (L ((CT))) in (LMAX). In the second and subsequent timer interrupt processes, the value of (LMAX) is updated when the amount of bending at that time is larger than the value already stored in (LMAX). 108 indicates that the value of (LMIN) is (L
((CT))) is a process of determining whether or not the value is larger than the value of ((CT))). If it is larger, the process of step 109 is executed; otherwise, the process proceeds to the next process. 109 is (LMIN) and (L
((CT))) is stored, and (LMI
N) stores the minimum value of the amount of bending. By performing the above processes, (LMAX) and (LMI)
N) stores the maximum value and the minimum value of the amount of bending. This value is continuously updated until it is initialized in the above-described process 95.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the position information detecting process. In the figure, reference numeral 110 denotes a symbol for starting this processing. 111 is a process for incrementing (J). 112 is (L) from the average value (AVE) of the bend.
The absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting the value of ((J))) is (DEF
((J))). (DEF
((J))) stores the absolute value of the difference between each bending amount and the average value at the time of each timer interrupt. (DEF
The minimum value of ((J))) is the value closest to the average value. 113 indicates that the value of (DMIN) is (DEF ((J)))
This is a process of determining whether or not the value is larger than the value of. If it is larger, the process 114 is executed, and if it is smaller, the process 116 is executed. 114 sets the value of (DEF ((J))) to (DMI
N). Reference numeral 115 denotes a RAM for storing position information, and a process for storing the value of (J) in (TN). By performing the processing of 113, 114, and 115,
(TN) stores the subscript of the timer interrupt processing closest to the average value, that is, the position information. 1
16 is a process for determining whether or not the value of (J) is larger than the fixed value N. In this example, N is 10. When the value of (J) is larger than N, the value of (J) is cleared in the process of 117. If not, the process 111 is performed. 1
By the determination processing in step 16, it is possible to detect the bend amount closest to the average value and its position from the bend amounts detected by each timer interrupt.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, when the recording head and the reproducing head are different, the tracking control is performed in consideration of the track bending.

Since the recording head requires a large saturation magnetic flux density, it is necessary to supply a large amount of recording current. On the other hand, the reproducing head needs to efficiently reproduce the weak magnetic flux. Therefore, it is necessary to optimally design the gap length and material of each head. Also, a VTR for broadcasting has a function of transferring a tape at a speed different from the tape speed at the time of recording and performing noiseless special reproduction. In order to realize such a function, it is necessary to mount the reproducing head on an electromechanical transducer composed of a piezoelectric element or the like, and to displace the reproducing head in the width direction of the recording track during special reproduction. However, such an electromechanical transducer has a problem that it is difficult to maintain a mechanical absolute height, so that it is difficult to use it as a recording head. For this reason, a recording head and a reproducing head are generally provided separately in a broadcast VTR.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a head arrangement. In the figure, reference numeral 120 denotes a rotating drum. 121,122
And 123 and 124 are pair heads for recording.
Reference numerals 125 and 126 and 127 and 128 denote respective pair heads for reproduction. 129 and 130 are electromechanical transducers. The recording head is fixedly mounted on the rotating drum, and the reproducing head is mounted on the electromechanical transducer and can be displaced in the width direction of the recording track.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a tracking control device showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, blocks with the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same elements. 1
Reference numerals 25 and 126 are read-only heads, which are mounted on the electromechanical transducer 129. 36 is a reproduction amplifier, 3
Reference numeral 7 denotes a reproduction signal processing circuit, 38 denotes a track bending detecting unit, 39 denotes an average value calculating unit, and 40 denotes a position information detecting unit. These units perform the operations described above.

Reference numerals 121 and 122 denote recording heads, which are heads capable of simple reproduction. Here, the simple reproduction means that the S / N required for a high-quality video signal or a signal of a sufficiently high frequency cannot be obtained, but a sufficient signal for detecting a reproduction signal level corresponding to a track shift. Say that you can take out. Such a reproduction signal is sufficiently possible even in a head designed to be optimal for recording. 131 and 132 are changeover switches for switching the connection of each head between the recording side R and the reproducing side P. 34 is a recording amplifier, and 35 is a recording signal processing circuit. These recording circuits perform the operations described above. Reference numeral 133 denotes a simple reproduction amplifier, which amplifies the above-mentioned reproduction signal. 41 and 42 are the envelope maximum value detection means and the tracking control means already described.

At the time of insert editing, track bending information is detected from the reproducing heads 125 and 126. Since each reproducing head is mounted on the electromechanical transducer 129, the mechanical height positions of the recording heads 121 and 122 do not always match, but the AC component of the track bending is equal to that of the recording head. Therefore, the average value calculation means 3
9. The sampling position to be on-tracked can be obtained by the position information detecting means 40. On the other hand, the switches 131 and 132 are connected in the direction of the reproducing side P and input to the envelope maximum value detecting means 41 via the simple reproducing amplifier 133. The envelope maximum value detection means 41 outputs a command signal 46 to the tracking control means 42 so that the reproduction output at the position of the position information sampling position information 44 becomes maximum. At the insert editing start point, the switches 131 and 132 are connected in the recording-side R direction. By performing such tracking control, it is possible to perform insert editing in consideration of track bending even in a VTR in which a recording head and a reproducing head are different.

If the tracking control in consideration of the track bend is applied also at the time of normal reproduction, the same effect as at the time of insert editing can be obtained. This method will be described below.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a tracking control device showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure,
Reference numerals 125 and 126 denote read heads, which are mounted on the electromechanical transducer 129. 36 is a reproduction amplifier, 37 is a reproduction signal processing circuit, 39 is an average value calculating means, 40 is a position information detecting means, and 41 is an envelope maximum value detecting means, which performs the same operation as each block of the same code as described above.
Reference numeral 140 denotes a drive circuit for the electromechanical transducer, which drives the electromechanical transducer 129 in response to the command signal 46 from the envelope maximum value detecting means 41. That is, the tracking positions of the reproduction heads 125 and 126 are controlled so that the reproduction output at the sampling position specified by the position information detecting means 40 is maximized.

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, when the tracking control device of the present invention is used, when insert editing is performed between different VTRs, a decrease in track width due to relative track bending between the two VTRs is minimized. This has the effect of contributing to alleviating the mechanical accuracy and realizing a narrow track format.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tracking control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a relative positional relationship between a recording track and a scanning head in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a relative positional relationship between a recording track and a pair head in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a track shift amount and a reproduction time difference of a specific signal in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a track bend detecting means in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a relationship between a timer interrupt and a track bend in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an H.SW signal interrupt process in the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a timer interrupt process in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a process 10 of a maximum value and a minimum value in the embodiment.
0 detailed flowchart

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of position information detection processing in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a head arrangement in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a tracking control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a tracking control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a center value of a track bend for explaining a basic concept of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a tape pattern diagram when insert editing is performed using tracking control according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a tape pattern diagram showing a conventional ideal recording track.

FIG. 17 is a tape pattern diagram showing a recording track having a conventional track bend.

FIG. 18 is a tape pattern diagram showing recording tracks when insert editing is performed by a conventional method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 16, 17 Head 9 Center value of track bending 13, 14 Track bending amount 30, 31 Recording / reproducing head 38 Track bending detecting means 39 Average value calculating means 40 Position information detecting means 41 Envelope maximum value detecting means 42 Tracking control means 51 Reproducing head 60, 61, 62 Pair head 63, 64 Recording track 66, 67 Specific signal 129, 130 Electromechanical transducer 140 Driving circuit of electromechanical transducer T1 to T14 Recording track

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A track bend detecting means for detecting a track bend amount from an output signal of a reproducing head, an average value calculating means for obtaining an average value of a maximum value and a minimum value of the detected track bends, and an average value of the average value Position information detecting means for outputting position information of a position indicating a track bending amount substantially equal to the above, an envelope maximum value detecting means for outputting a command signal so as to maximize the output signal of the reproducing head at this position, and this command signal And a tracking control means for performing tracking control based on the tracking control device. 2. A recording apparatus comprising a reproducing head and a recording / reproducing head.
Track bend detecting means for detecting the amount of track bend from the output signal of the reproduction head; average value calculating means for obtaining an average value of the maximum and minimum values of the detected track bend; and a track substantially equal to the average value Position information detecting means for outputting position information of a position indicating the amount of bending, envelope maximum value detecting means for outputting a command signal so that the output signal of the recording / reproducing head at this position is maximized, and based on the command signal. A tracking control device, comprising: tracking control means for performing tracking control. 3. The track bend detecting means comprises a specific signal separating means for separating a specific signal from a signal reproduced by a pair head having a different azimuth angle, and a reproducing time difference detecting means for detecting a reproducing time difference of the specific signal. The tracking control device according to claim 1, wherein the tracking control is performed.