JPH11224415A - Recording and reproducing device and rotary magnetic head device to be used in the same device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a long-duration recording by allowing a device to have a second mode in which a recording is performed with a second pitch having a specifice relation with the track pitch of a first mode in which a recording is performed with a first pitch and using recordings both in first and second modes at the time of a recording and reproduction to enable recordings and reproductions in standard and tripple modes. SOLUTION: A second track pitch is made smaller than that of a first track pitch and also is made larger than the one-third of the first track pitch. Three pairs of heads 4a, 4b for standard mode, heads 2c, 2d for tripple mode and heads 3a, 3b for recording and reproducing a voice signal are provided on a rotary drum 1 and the heads 2c, 2d for tripple mode are both used in a 5-fold recording and reproduction. In order to avoid crosstalk, it is needed that a track width is narrower than the width of the tripple of the recording track pitch and since a track width for tripple mode is made to be one-third of the recording track pitch, the recording and reproduction of less than the 9 times of a stadard recording time is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a helical scan type recording / reproducing apparatus such as a video tape recorder (hereinafter abbreviated as "VTR") and a rotary magnetic head apparatus used for the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the digitalization of television broadcasts, a large number of television programs have been broadcast. As the number of television programs increases,
The opportunity to record a program on a VTR has increased, and as a result, the consumption of magnetic tape has increased, and the demand for long-time recording on one magnetic tape (one cassette) has increased.

[0003] For long time recording,
As described in JP-A-27721, NTSC
In some systems, recording can be performed in a triple mode (a mode in which the time that can be used and recorded from the beginning to the end of one cassette can be recorded three times as long as the standard mode).

As described in JP-A-5-266443, in addition to a video head for a standard mode (SP mode) and a video head for a 3 × mode (EP mode), a video for a 6 × mode is also provided. Some heads can record six times as long as the standard mode by providing a head.

[0005]

A home VTR (for example, a VHS system VTR) is widespread in most homes.
When a home VTR is newly designed, it can be reproduced on a magnetic tape (a cassette recorded in the standard mode and a cassette recorded in the triple mode) recorded on the conventional VTR, that is, the conventional standard mode and It is desirable that the VTR be capable of recording and reproducing in the triple mode and capable of recording and reproducing for a long time beyond the triple mode.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a conventional standard mode and 3
An object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing recording / reproduction in a double mode, taking into account image quality, cost and usability, and capable of performing long-time recording suitable for the VHS system, and a rotary magnetic head device used for the same.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following (1) to (1).
It is characterized by any one of the constitutions 7). (1) A helical scan recording / reproducing apparatus including a rotary head device, wherein a first mode recorded at a first track pitch, a first mode smaller than the first track pitch, and A second mode in which recording is performed at a second track pitch substantially larger than one third of one track pitch, and the first mode and the second mode are recorded or reproduced during recording or reproduction. And the first
And a first rotating head having a track width substantially equal to or less than the track pitch of the first rotating head.

(2) The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the above (1) is provided with a reproducing scanning means for scanning the center of the track width substantially coincident with the center of the track pitch at the time of reproducing.

(3) The track width of the first rotary head according to (1) is substantially equal to the first track pitch.

(4) The track width is substantially 19.
33 μm.

(5) The recording / reproducing apparatus according to (1) has a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch larger than the first track pitch. One rotating head is shared by the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode.

(6) The rotary head device according to the above (1) is provided with a second rotary head used for recording or reproducing in the third mode near the first rotary head. .

(7) The track width of the first rotary head according to (1) is substantially one third of the third track pitch.

(8) The rotary head device according to the above (1) includes an audio head used for recording or reproducing audio information, and the track width of the audio head is substantially equal to the track width of the rotary head. It is not more than the width.

(9) The track width of the audio head described in (8) is substantially equal to or less than three times the second track pitch.

(10) The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the above (1) includes a track pitch changing means capable of changing the second track pitch.

(11) The recording / reproducing apparatus according to (1) has a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch larger than the first track pitch, and the second mode is provided.
The track pitch can be selectively changed by the track pitch changing means from a plurality of types of track pitches that substantially satisfy an integer fraction of the third track pitch.

(12) The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the above (1) controls the input means to which an external command is input, and the track pitch variable means in accordance with the command input to the input means. Control means.

(13) The input means according to (12) can receive information of a predetermined recording time so as to be recorded at a predetermined track pitch in the second mode, and the control means: When the remaining time recordable at the predetermined track pitch is shorter than the predetermined recording time, the remaining recordable time is set to the predetermined recording time or more, and is changed to the largest track pitch that can be set. The track pitch changing means is controlled as described above.

(14) A helical scan type recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein a first track recorded at a first track pitch is recorded.
And a second mode recorded at a second track pitch substantially one third of the first track pitch, and a second mode recorded at substantially one sixth or more of the first track pitch. And a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch substantially smaller than one-third, and the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode A rotating head that is also used during recording or reproduction, an audio head that is used when recording or reproducing audio information, and during reproduction, scanning is performed with the center of the track width of the head substantially coincident with the center of the track pitch. A reproducing scanning means, wherein the track width of the rotary head and the audio head is substantially 19.33 μm.
As described above, the configuration is substantially less than 29.01 μm.

(15) A helical scan type recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein a first track recorded at a first track pitch is recorded.
And a second mode recorded at a second track pitch substantially one third of the first track pitch, and a second mode recorded at substantially one fifth or more of the first track pitch. And a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch substantially smaller than one-third, and the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode A rotating head that is also used during recording or reproduction, an audio head that is used when recording or reproducing audio information, and during reproduction, scanning is performed with the center of the track width of the head substantially coincident with the center of the track pitch. A reproducing scanning means, wherein the track width of the rotary head and the audio head is substantially 19.33 μm.
As described above, the configuration is substantially set to be less than 34.8 μm.

(16) The recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention
This is an HS type VTR.

(17) A helical scan type recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus is a VHS type video tape recorder, and a first mode in which recording is performed at a track pitch of substantially 58 μm; A second mode in which recording is performed at a track pitch substantially one fifth of the track pitch.

The rotary magnetic head device according to the present invention is characterized by any one of the following constitutions (18) to (30). (18) A rotary magnetic head device used in a recording / reproducing apparatus having a plurality of modes having different track pitches at the time of recording, wherein the plurality of modes are recorded at a first track pitch. And a second mode recorded at a second track pitch smaller than the first track pitch and substantially larger than one third of the first track pitch. The first mode is provided with a first rotary head that is used in both the first mode and the second mode and has a track width substantially equal to or smaller than the first track pitch.

(19) The track width of the first rotary head according to (18) is substantially equal to the first track pitch.

(20) The track width is substantially 19.
33 μm.

(21) In the rotating magnetic head device according to (18), during recording or reproduction in a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch larger than the first track pitch, The first rotary head is also used.

(22) In the rotary magnetic head device according to the above (18), the third magnetic head device is provided near the first rotary head.
And a second rotary head used at the time of recording or reproduction in the mode.

(23) The track width of the first rotary head is substantially one third of the third track pitch.

(24) The rotary magnetic head device according to the above (18) is provided with an audio head used for recording or reproducing audio information, and the track width of the audio head is substantially equal to that of the first magnetic head. The track width should be smaller than the track width of the rotating head.

(25) The track width of the audio head is:
Substantially three times or less of the second track pitch.

(26) The second track pitch described in (18) can be changed.

(27) A rotary magnetic head device used in a helical scan type recording / reproducing device, wherein the recording / reproducing device records a first track pitch at a first track pitch.
And a second mode recorded at a second track pitch substantially one third of the first track pitch, and a second mode recorded at substantially one sixth or more of the first track pitch. And a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch substantially smaller than one third, and recording or recording in the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode. A rotating head that is also used during playback,
An audio head used for recording or reproducing audio information, wherein a track width of the rotary head and the audio head is substantially 19.33 μm or more and substantially less than 29.01 μm. And

(28) A rotary magnetic head device used in a helical scan type recording / reproducing device, wherein the recording / reproducing device records a first track pitch at a first track pitch.
And a second mode recorded at a second track pitch substantially one third of the first track pitch, and a second mode recorded at substantially one fifth or more of the first track pitch. And a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch substantially smaller than one-third, and the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode A rotary head that is also used during recording or reproduction, and an audio head that is used when recording or reproducing audio information, wherein the track width of the rotary head and the audio head is substantially 19.33 μm or more, and It is configured to be substantially less than 34.8 μm.

(29) The rotary magnetic head device according to the present invention is used for a VHS type recording / reproducing device.

(30) A rotary magnetic head device used for a VHS type VTR, which is provided with a rotary head used for recording at a track pitch of substantially 1/5 of 58 μm.

In the present specification, “substantially” is a value that is not exactly the same as the displayed value (for example, a value within the range of mass production error), but provides the same effect. In that case, it shall indicate that it is included.

According to the above configuration, the following operations are provided. That is, in the above (1) and (18),
By using the first rotary head in both the first mode and the second mode, it is possible to realize a VTR capable of recording for a long time while suppressing an increase in cost.

Also, in the above (2), the first
By scanning the center of the track width of the rotating head so that the center of the track to be reproduced substantially matches,
Neighboring tracks having the same azimuth angle (adjacent tracks next to one another) are less likely to be scanned. Thereby, the first
And the second mode with a narrow track pitch can be used for both recording and reproduction by the first rotary head.

In the above (3) and (19), by making the track width of the first rotary head equal to the first track pitch, crosstalk from an adjacent track can be suppressed. Head output can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to perform long-time recording with the dual-purpose head capable of suppressing an increase in cost while maintaining good reproduction image quality in the first mode.

In the above (4) and (20), in the case of a VHS video tape recorder, the track pitch in the triple mode is 19.33 μm. By setting the diameter to 33 μm, it is possible to suppress crosstalk from an adjacent track and to increase the head output. Therefore, long-time recording exceeding three times can be performed while maintaining the image quality of the triple mode.

In the above (5) and (21), the third mode is also used by the rotary head, so that it is possible to perform recording in three types of modes including the long-time recording mode while suppressing an increase in cost. become.

In the above (6) and (22), by providing a head dedicated to the third mode, recording and reproduction in the third mode can be satisfactorily realized. By providing a head dedicated to the standard mode and a head that also uses the triple mode and the long time mode, it is possible to perform long-time recording while keeping the image quality of the standard mode good while suppressing an increase in cost.

In the above (7) and (23), in the case of the VHS system VTR, the head is adjacent to each other during reproduction by setting the track width to one third of the so-called standard mode track pitch. Since the track can be scanned without covering the track, the image quality can be improved.

In the above (8) and (24), when audio information is recorded on a helical track, video information is recorded by a rotary head after recording the audio information.
By setting the track width of the audio head to be equal to or less than the track width of the rotary head, the track on which audio information is recorded can be completely overwritten by the rotary head.

In (9) and (25), the track width of the audio head is smaller than the track width of the rotary head. As described above, the track on which audio information is recorded is completely overlapped by the rotary head. I can write.

In the above (10), a desired recording mode can be selected depending on whether image quality is emphasized or recording time is emphasized.

Further, in the above (11), by setting the track pitch so as to satisfy an integer fraction of the third track pitch, the recording mode for long-time recording can be performed without complicating the structure of the control means. Can be changed.

In the above (12), an external command can be accepted, and the recording mode can be selected by the user inputting the command to the input means.

Further, in the above (13), by providing the track pitch changing means and the control means for controlling the same, when a desired program cannot be recorded in the recording mode inputted to the input means, the track pitch is narrow. By switching to the recording mode, you can record the desired program to the end.

In the above (14) and (27), the so-called standard mode, the triple mode, and the long-time mode of more than three times to six times can be used by a pair of heads, thereby suppressing an increase in cost. Long-term recording can be realized.

In the above (15) and (28), the standard mode, the triple mode, and the long-time mode up to five times can be shared by a pair of heads.

In the above (17) and (30), by providing a mode in which recording is performed at a track pitch which is 1/5 of the standard track pitch of the VHS system of 58 μm, the VHS system is most frequently used in VTRs. It is possible to record for 10 hours, which is a double-digit time on a 2-hour tape. Further, even in the case of compatible reproduction with another recording / reproducing device, good image quality can be obtained with little influence from adjacent tracks.

[0054]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, a basic configuration common to each embodiment described below will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rotating magnetic head device. On the rotating drum 1,
A first video head 2a and a second video head 2b having different azimuth angles are arranged at positions facing each other by 180 degrees. These heads rotate integrally with the rotating drum 1. FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. The magnetic tape 5 includes guide rollers 9a and 9b and fixed posts 10
a, and is helically wound around the rotating drum 1 and the fixed drum 8 in the direction of the magnetic tape moving direction 7 along the magnetic tape lower end guide step 8 a provided on the outer periphery of the fixed drum 8. To run. Video head 2
a and 2b rotate in the direction of head movement 6 to form recording tracks on the magnetic tape 5 oblique to the longitudinal direction of the tape.

FIG. 4 is a magnetic pattern diagram for explaining a long-time mode recording state according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, long-time mode recording tracks 13a and 13b are magnetically recorded on the magnetic tape 5 diagonally by a first video head 2a and a second video head 2b having different azimuth angles. Where Th is the track width of the video head,
The recording track pitch Txp is determined by the head rotation speed and the magnetic tape running speed. The slower the magnetic tape traveling speed, the longer the recording is made, and the smaller the recording track pitch Txp. When the track width Th of the video head is set wider than the recording track pitch Txp, a part of the recording track is overwritten as shown in FIG. When the magnetic tape moving direction and the head moving direction are set as shown in FIG. 4, the recording tracks are overwritten from the lower part to the upper part of the figure. The portion written later is recorded on a magnetic tape as a magnetic pattern.
Since the first video head 2a and the second video head 2b have different azimuth angles, the long-time mode recording track has the magnetic pattern shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, 11
Is a voice track and 12 is a running control track.

Here, recording is performed with the track pitch set to 1/3 or 1 / n so that the recording time is 3 times or n times the recording time in the standard mode of the reference track pitch. Are called 3 times recording and n times recording, respectively.
A mode for recording at triple magnification is referred to as a triple mode, and a mode for recording at n times is defined as n-times mode. Hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to a VHS type VTR, and triple recording and quintuple recording are shared by a pair of heads. As shown in FIG. 1, the standard mode head 4a,
In the rotary magnetic head device in which the rotating drum 1 is provided with three pairs of heads 4b, 3x mode heads 2c and 2d, and audio signal recording / reproducing heads 3a and 3b, the 3x mode heads 2c and 2d are 5 It is also used for double mode recording and reproduction.

In order to prevent crosstalk from adjacent tracks during reproduction, it is preferable that the track width of the head is narrow. In particular, for a low-frequency chrominance signal, the crosstalk is not sufficiently attenuated due to azimuth loss, so that it is necessary to narrow the track width. However, when the track width of the head is made smaller than the recording track pitch, the reproduction output decreases. In order to improve the image quality of triple recording,
The track width of the double mode heads 2c and 2d is set substantially equal to the track pitch of 19.33 μm recorded in the triple mode.

Now, consider a recording time during which recording and reproduction can be performed with such a head. Since every other recording track is recorded with the same azimuth, even if tracing over an adjacent track, the influence from the adjacent track is small due to azimuth loss. However, crosstalk between adjacent tracks of the same azimuth increases crosstalk, making reproduction difficult. As shown in FIG. 7, scanning is performed with the center of the track width of the head coincident with the center of the track pitch.
In the case of "center alignment"), the track width Th needs to be less than three times the recording track pitch Txp in order to avoid crosstalk from adjacent tracks. That is, Th <3 × Txp (1). The recording track pitch Tsp recorded in the standard mode is 58 μm, and the track width Th 19.33 μm of the triple mode head is one third thereof. That is, Tsp = 3 × Th (2), and from the expressions (1) and (2), Tsp> 9 × Txp. Therefore, when centering during playback, 1
With a track width of 9.33 μm, recording and reproduction less than 9 times the standard recording time are possible. As described above, by using a pair of heads for triple recording and long-time recording, VTR manufacturing costs can be suppressed, and in addition to the five-times recording of the present embodiment,
Long-time recording / reproduction of less than 9 times is possible.

As shown in FIG. 8, at the time of reproduction, when the lower end of the head is scanned in accordance with one end of the track pitch of the recorded track (hereinafter, referred to as "one-side alignment"), the track width of the head is read. If the track pitch is larger than one half of the above, tracing can be performed without affecting adjacent tracks. Therefore, in the case of a track width of 19.33 μm, if long-time recording is performed in a mode less than 6 times larger than half of the track pitch in the triple mode, regardless of the position of the head and the track pitch during reproduction, Recording and reproduction are possible.

When performing compatible reproduction with another VTR, the linearity accuracy of the magnetic pattern track must be considered. Generally, a slight bend is inevitable in a recorded magnetic pattern track, and a bend is inevitable in a track of a head scan during reproduction. As the recording track pitch becomes narrower as the recording time becomes longer,
These small bends cannot be ignored. That is, the reproduced signal is not reproduced correctly, noise is generated in the reproduced image, and the image quality may be significantly reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to simulate (simulate) a reproduction signal during long-time mode recording / reproduction with respect to the magnetic pattern track bend, estimate the reproduction quality, and verify how many times the length can be extended. Hereinafter, simulation of the reproduced signal will be described.

FIG. 11 is a magnetic pattern diagram when the magnetic pattern track for long-time mode recording shown in FIG. 4 has a bend. Long-time mode recording tracks 13a, 13b,
Tracks 13e and 13f have track bends. The center line of the actually recorded track is a bent track center line 15, and the center line of the track when there is no track bend error is an ideal track center line 16. The difference between the bent track center line 15 and the ideal track center line 16 is the amount of bending. When actually measuring the bending amount, it is possible to confirm the boundary between the recording tracks with a microscope. FIG.
Is the track bend amount 17. FIG. 12 shows FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a position of a head when reproducing one magnetic pattern track. In FIG. 11, the head moves from the lower right to the upper left, but in FIG. 12, the helical track is shown horizontally. When the track width of the first video head 2a is Th and the long-time mode recording track 13a having the same azimuth angle is reproduced, a reproduction signal is detected from the effective reproduction track 13 and the track width T of the first video head 2a is detected.
No reproduced signal is detected from the non-reproduced track portion 19 outside the area h. The non-reproducing track portion 19b of the long-time mode recording track 13b and the long-time mode recording track 1
No reproduced signal is detected from 3e because of the reverse azimuth angle.

Here, the maximum bending of the magnetic pattern track is 10 μm, and the maximum bending of the track of the head scan during compatible reproduction is 10 μm, and there is a total of 20 μm of track bending. Perform a simulation. In order to simplify the simulation, FIG. 13 shows a simulation in which the magnetic pattern track bend is 20 μm, the linearity of head scanning during compatible reproduction is replaced with 0 μm, and the track width Th of the reproduction head is 19 μm. 16 to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a magnetic pattern diagram in the case where a magnetic pattern track for long-time recording six times the standard mode time has a bend of 20 μm. Since recording is six times as long, the recording track pitch Txp is 9.67 μm. Since the track width Th of the reproducing head is 19 μm, when reproducing the long-time mode recording track 18a having the same azimuth angle,
A reproduction signal is detected from the effective reproduction track 18. As described above, the reproduction signal is not detected from the adjacent tracks 18b and 18c due to the reverse azimuth angle, whereas the signal is detected from the adjacent tracks due to the same azimuth angle. That is, the adjacent track section 19d which is a reproducing head scanning section of the adjacent track 18d, and the adjacent track section 19 which is a reproducing head scanning section of the adjacent track 18e.
e, a reproduced signal is detected.
Since the phase of the reproduced signal does not match with that of the reproduced signal detected from step 8, the signal becomes a noise signal.

FIG. 14 is an output envelope waveform diagram when the magnetic pattern track of FIG. 13 is reproduced. For the signal output 20a, the adjacent interference signal 20d detected from the adjacent track portion 19d and the adjacent track portion 19d are detected.
The adjacent adjacent interfering signal 20e detected from e becomes a noise signal and degrades reproduction image quality.

FIG. 15 is a magnetic pattern diagram in the case where a magnetic pattern track for long-time recording five times the standard mode time has a bend of 20 mμ. Since recording is performed five times as long, the recording track pitch Txp is 11.6 μm. FIG.
FIG. 16 is an output envelope waveform diagram when the magnetic pattern track of FIG. 15 is reproduced. For the signal output 23a,
Since the adjacent interference signal 23d detected from the adjacent track section 21d is small, the reproduced image quality is hardly deteriorated.

As described above, even when compatible reproduction is performed between VTRs having extremely large track bends, reproduction can be performed with good image quality up to five times recording.

Further, VH, which is most frequently used in the market,
The S tape can be recorded for two hours in the standard mode, and currently six hours can be recorded in the triple mode. When considering long-time recording exceeding 6 hours, it is considered that recording for 10 hours or more, which is a double-digit time, improves usability. On the other hand, the longer the recording, the narrower the track pitch, the lower the reproduction output, and the lower the reproduction quality.

From the above, the 5 × mode is suitable for recording for 10 hours or more, which is considered to be the minimum necessary for long-time recording with as good image quality as possible. It should be noted that not only the recording and reproducing apparatus of the VHS system but also a tape of 2 hours nominally used in many cases. For example, in a recording and reproducing apparatus such as a VTR of an 8 mm system, a 5 × mode is suitable as a long time mode exceeding 3 times. ing.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by using the head also in the triple mode, it is possible to suppress the cost increase and perform long-time recording less than nine times the standard mode. In addition, if the recording is limited to a long time of less than 6 times, recording and reproduction can be performed by the dual-purpose head regardless of the position of the head that scans the track. If it is an integral multiple of the standard mode, the 5-times mode is the longest recording. In addition, as long as recording is performed for a long time up to 5 times, even when performing compatible reproduction with another recording / reproducing apparatus, it is possible to record for 10 hours, which is a two-digit time on a nominal two-hour tape, with good image quality.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, except that the standard mode recording, the triple mode recording, and the long-time mode recording exceeding three times are all performed by a pair of heads. Are different.

In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the recording multiple that can be shared by a pair of heads is less than 9 times when the heads are reproduced at the center. Hereinafter, the reason will be described.

FIG. 6 is a magnetic pattern diagram magnetically recorded in the standard mode. As shown in FIG. 2, the standard mode recording and reproduction and the long mode recording and reproduction are performed by the first and second heads 2.
When a and b are used together, the track width Th must be set so as not to straddle adjacent tracks during long-time mode reproduction. Therefore, the track width Th of the video head is set to be narrower than the standard mode recording track pitch Tsp. As shown in FIG. 6, in the standard mode, a non-recording portion occurs on the magnetic tape, but the signal can be normally reproduced. Even if the track width Th of the video head is reduced to about one-third of the standard mode recording track pitch Tsp, there is little deterioration in reproduced image quality and it can be put to practical use. That is, Tsp = 3 × Th (3) can be set.

In the case of reproduction with center alignment as shown in FIG. 7, the track width Th of the video head may be less than three times the recording track pitch Txp as described in the first embodiment. That is, Th <3 × Txp (4) Tsp <9 × Txp according to the equations (3) and (4).
The first and second heads 2a and 2b can be used for both recording and reproduction in the standard mode and recording and reproduction in a mode less than 9 times. As a result, it is possible to perform long-time recording while significantly suppressing an increase in cost.

As in the first embodiment, recording and reproduction are possible if the reproduction is performed one-sided, as long as it is less than six times. Also, up to five times, even in the case of compatible reproduction, long-time recording with good image quality and high marketability is possible.

In a VHS VTR equipped with audio signal recording / reproducing heads 3a and 3b as shown in FIG. 9, after an audio signal is recorded on a helical track,
The audio signal must be completely overwritten on the video head after the audio signal has been recorded. In the embodiment, the track width of the audio signal recording / reproducing heads 3a, 3b is set to be equal to or less than the track width dimension of the first and second video heads 2a, 2b, and complete overwriting is completed.

More specifically, the recording track pitch in the triple mode of the VHS system is 19.33 μm, and in the recording in the 6 × mode, the recording track pitch is 9.67 μm. When the head is centered and reproduced, the track width Th of the video head may be less than three times the recording track pitch Txp, so that Th <3 × 9.67 μm, and the track width of the video head is less than 29.01 μm. I just need.
Accordingly, the track width of the first and second video heads 2a and 2b is not less than 19.33 μm and less than 29.01 μm, and the track width of the audio signal recording and reproducing heads 3a and 3b is 19.3.
The length is set to 3 μm or more and less than 29.01 μm.

In the quintuple mode, the track width of the first and second video heads 2a and 2b and the track width of the audio signal recording / reproducing heads 3a and 3b are 19.33 μm or more and less than 34.8 μm, which is even better. Recording and reproduction with high image quality are possible.

In the case of reproducing one side as shown in FIG. 8, the track width Th of the video head may be less than twice the recording track pitch Txp. Therefore, when performing a long time up to 5 times, the first and second video heads 2
a, 2b track width of 19.33 μm or more and 23.2 μm
Less than

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The third embodiment is a recording / reproducing apparatus using the rotary magnetic head device described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and enables a user to perform recording at a desired recording multiple. It is.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Magnetic tape 5
Is held between a capstan 24 and a pinch roller 25, and the capstan 24 is driven by a tape driving unit 27. As described in the first embodiment, the head width 1
When a long time recording mode is also used by a 9.33 μm triple mode head and reproduction is performed by centering, a mode less than 9 times is possible. A desired recording multiple such as 4 times or 5 times is input to the input unit 28 by the user and supplied to the control unit 29. The mode is switched to the input mode by the control means 29, and the tape driving means 27 and the signal recording / reproducing means 30 are controlled. The signal recording / reproducing means 30 selects a head corresponding to the input mode, the magnetic tape 5 is run at a predetermined speed by the tape driving means 27, and recording is performed in the input recording mode. Thus, the user can perform recording at a desired recording multiple according to the case where the image quality is prioritized or the case where the recording time is prioritized.

In this embodiment, the recording multiple to be input is set to an integral multiple from the viewpoint of simplifying the control configuration.
Is not necessarily limited to an integral multiple of the standard mode.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The fourth embodiment is a recording / reproducing apparatus using the rotary magnetic head device described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and is similar to a so-called just recording that enables a desired program to be recorded to the end. The function is realized. In the just recording in the present embodiment, when the recording is performed at the recording multiple specified by the user, the remaining tape capacity is insufficient, and when the reserved program cannot be completely recorded, the specified multiple can be recorded to the last. To change the recording multiple to the highest image quality, and record from the beginning to the end of the program at the changed recording multiple.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. A rotation speed detection unit 31 for detecting the rotation speeds of the supply reel 26a and the take-up reel 26b is provided. The start time and end time of the program whose recording is to be reserved and the recording multiple are input to the input unit 28, and the control unit 29 Supplied. The supply reel 26a or the take-up reel 26
The rotation speed of b is detected, and the detection result is supplied to the control means 29. In the control means 29, the remaining time which can be recorded by the recording multiple supplied from the input means 28 with the remaining amount of tape obtained from the reel rotation speed and the recording time obtained from the recording time supplied from the input means 28 are used. Be compared. If the remaining time is not enough, a recording multiple required for recording to the end without deteriorating the image quality is calculated and transmitted to the tape driving unit 27. The magnetic tape 5 is run at a predetermined speed by the tape driving means 27, and recording is performed in a required recording mode.

Thus, it is possible to perform recording in a constant recording mode from the start to the end of recording. When the recording mode is switched in the middle, there is a problem that only the image quality is lost at the time of switching. However, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform just recording in a state where only the image quality remains.

[0086] The input means 28 may receive a reservation not only by the start time and the end time but also by a program code number or the like. In the case of digital broadcasting in which the program-related information is sent together with the broadcast program, the program may be input to the input unit 28 by selecting the title of the program displayed on the screen by the receiving device. Further, the recording time is not limited to the case where the reservation is made in advance, and the recording time may be input when the recording is to be started.

In the third and fourth embodiments, the analog recording in which the recording time changes by changing the track pitch has been described. However, in digital recording, for example, in a VTR of the digital VHS system, the compression ratio is changed. This also changes the recording time. In such digital recording, provision of variable control means for changing the compression ratio enables recording or just recording according to the user's preference. In this case, the change of the track pitch and the change of the compression ratio may be used together, and the recording for a long time can be further promoted.

Incidentally, in order to reduce the cost, a VTR which also serves as a head as described in the first or fourth embodiment is used.
However, in order to realize long-time recording with high image quality, as shown in FIG.
a and 14b may be provided.

Further, in the VHS system VTR, by adding a long time mode more than three times longer, a state where the recording positions of the horizontal synchronizing signals in adjacent tracks are aligned and aligned, so-called “H arrangement” is shifted. In particular, it is conceivable that inconveniences such as skew may occur in special reproduction modes such as the still mode and the search mode. However, such a case can be dealt with by a circuit configuration that selectively uses a delay line for delaying by a predetermined time as necessary during reproduction.

The embodiments described above may be combined arbitrarily, and all combinations are within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0091]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording for a long time is obtained.

When the triple mode and the long time mode are used by a pair of heads, a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording for a long time while suppressing an increase in cost can be obtained.

When a long-time mode dedicated head is provided, long-time recording with good image quality can be realized.

When a plurality of long-time modes are provided, a recording / reproducing apparatus which is easy for the user to use can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a rotary magnetic head device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a helical scan type VTR according to the present invention.
Plan view of a rotary magnetic head device used for

FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a magnetic pattern diagram illustrating a long-time mode recording state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a magnetic pattern diagram of long-time mode recording magnetically recorded on a magnetic tape.

FIG. 6 is a magnetic pattern diagram magnetically recorded in a standard mode.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a position of a head when reproducing a magnetic pattern for long-time mode recording with the center aligned.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a position of a head when reproducing a magnetic pattern for long-time mode recording by one side alignment;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the positional relationship of a head on a rotating drum on which an audio signal recording / reproducing head according to another embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a rotary magnetic head device provided with a dedicated head for a long time according to another embodiment of the present invention;

11 is a magnetic pattern diagram when the magnetic pattern track of long-time mode recording shown in FIG. 4 has a bend;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a position of a head when reproducing the magnetic pattern track of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a magnetic pattern diagram in the case where a magnetic pattern track having a long recording time of 6 times the standard mode time has a bend of 20 mμ.

14 is an output envelope waveform chart when the magnetic pattern track of FIG. 13 is reproduced.

FIG. 15 is a magnetic pattern diagram in the case where a magnetic pattern track for long-time recording of five times the standard mode time has a bend of 20 mμ.

16 is an output envelope waveform diagram when the magnetic pattern track of FIG. 15 is reproduced.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a recording / reproducing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rotary drum 2a, 2b ... 1st and 2nd video head 2c, 2d ... 3x mode head 2g ... Magnetic gap 3a, 3b ... Audio signal recording / reproducing head 4a, 4b ... Standard mode head 5 ... Magnetic Tape 6: Head moving direction 7: Magnetic tape moving direction 8: Fixed drum 8a: Magnetic tape lower end guide step 9a, 9b: Guide roller 10a, 10b: Fixed post 11: Audio track 12: Travel control track 13a, 13b: Length Time mode recording tracks 13c, 13d: Standard mode recording tracks 14a, 14b: Long-time mode dedicated head 15: Curved track center line 16: Ideal track center line 17: Track bending amount 18: Effective reproduction track 18a: Reproduction track 18b: Adjacent Track 18c: adjacent track 18d: adjacent track 18 ... adjacent adjacent track 19 ... non-reproducing track section 19b ... non-reproducing track section 19d ... adjacent adjacent track section 19e ... adjacent adjacent track section 20a ... signal output 20d ... adjacent adjacent interfering signal 20e ... adjacent adjacent interfering signal 21 ... effective reproducing track 21a ... Reproduced track 21b ... Adjacent track 21c ... Adjacent track 21d ... Adjacent adjacent track 22e ... Adjacent adjacent track section 23a ... Signal output 23d ... Adjacent adjacent interference signal 24 ... Capstan 25 ... Pinch roller 26a ... Supply reel 26b ... take-up reel 27 ... tape driving means 28 ... input means 29 ... control means 30 ... signal recording and reproducing means 31 ... rotation speed detecting means 100 ... double azimuth head 200 ... double azimuth head

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. A helical scan type recording / reproducing apparatus provided with a rotary head device, comprising: a first mode recorded at a first track pitch; a first mode smaller than the first track pitch; A second mode in which recording is performed at a second track pitch that is greater than one third of one track pitch. In recording or reproducing, the first mode and the second mode are used. And having a track width equal to or less than the first track pitch.
A recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a rotary head as described above. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a reproducing / scanning unit for performing a scan with the center of the track width coincident with the center of a track pitch during reproduction. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the track width is equal to the first track pitch. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said track width is 19.33 μm. 5. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch larger than the first track pitch. 6. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first rotary head is also used during recording or reproduction in said third mode. 7. The rotary head device according to claim 5, further comprising a second rotary head used for recording or reproducing in the third mode, in the vicinity of the first rotary head. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1. 8. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the track width of the first rotary head is set to one third of the third track pitch. 9. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotary head device includes an audio head used for recording or reproducing audio information. 10. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a track width of the audio head is smaller than a track width of the first rotary head. 11. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a track width of said audio head is three times or less of said second track pitch. 12. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a track pitch varying means capable of changing the second track pitch. 13. A third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch larger than the first track pitch, wherein the second track pitch is adjusted by the track pitch varying means. 13. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus can be selectively changed from a plurality of types of track pitches that satisfy an integer fraction of the pitch. 14. An electronic apparatus comprising: input means for receiving an external command; and control means for controlling the track pitch varying means in accordance with the command input to the input means. 14. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13. 15. The input means can receive information on a predetermined recording time so as to be recorded at a predetermined track pitch in the second mode, and the control means records at a predetermined track pitch. When the possible remaining time is less than the predetermined recording time,
15. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the recordable remaining time is set to be equal to or longer than the predetermined recording time, and the track pitch changing means is controlled so as to change to a largest track pitch among settable ones. apparatus. 16. A helical scan recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a first mode in which recording is performed at a first track pitch, and a recording in a second track pitch that is one third of the first track pitch. And a third mode which is not less than one sixth and less than one third of the first track pitch.
A third mode in which recording is performed at a track pitch of: a rotary head that is also used during recording or reproduction in the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode; An audio head used at the time of recording or reproduction of information; and a reproduction scanning means for scanning the head so that the center of the track width coincides with the center of the track pitch at the time of reproduction. Track width is
A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that the thickness is not less than 19.33 μm and less than 29.01 μm. 17. A helical scan recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a first mode in which recording is performed at a first track pitch, and a recording in a second track pitch that is one third of the first track pitch. And a third mode that is equal to or more than one fifth and less than one third of the first track pitch.
A third mode in which recording is performed at a track pitch of: a rotary head that is also used during recording or reproduction in the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode; An audio head used at the time of recording or reproduction of information; and a reproduction scanning means for scanning the head so that the center of the track width coincides with the center of the track pitch at the time of reproduction. Track width is
A recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that the thickness is not less than 19.33 μm and less than 34.8 μm. 18. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording / reproducing apparatus is a VHS video tape recorder. 19. A helical scan type recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein said recording / reproducing apparatus is a VHS type video tape recorder, wherein: a first mode in which recording is performed at a track pitch of 58 μm; And a second mode in which recording is performed at a track pitch of: 20. A rotary magnetic head device used in a recording / reproducing apparatus having a plurality of modes having different track pitches at the time of recording, wherein the plurality of modes are a first mode recorded at a first track pitch. And a second mode in which recording is performed at a second track pitch smaller than the first track pitch and larger than one third of the first track pitch. And a second rotary mode, comprising a first rotary head having a track width equal to or less than the first track pitch. 21. The rotating magnetic head device according to claim 20, wherein the track width is equal to the first track pitch. 22. The rotating magnetic head device according to claim 21, wherein said track width is 19.33 μm. 23. The rotating magnetic head device according to claim 20, further comprising a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch larger than the first track pitch. 24. The rotary magnetic head device according to claim 23, wherein said first rotary head is also used during recording or reproduction in said third mode. 25. The rotating magnetic head according to claim 23, further comprising a second rotating head used for recording or reproducing in the third mode, near the first rotating head. apparatus. 26. The track width of the first rotary head is:
24. The rotary magnetic head device according to claim 23, wherein the third track pitch is set to one third of the third track pitch. 27. An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising an audio head used for recording or reproducing audio information.
3. The rotary magnetic head device according to claim 1. 28. The rotating magnetic head device according to claim 27, wherein a track width of the audio head is smaller than a track width of the first rotating head. 29. The rotating magnetic head device according to claim 27, wherein a track width of the audio head is three times or less of the second track pitch. 30. The rotating magnetic head device according to claim 20, wherein said second track pitch is changeable. 31. A rotary magnetic head device used in a helical scan type recording / reproducing device, wherein said recording / reproducing device comprises: a first mode in which recording is performed at a first track pitch; A second mode in which recording is performed at a second track pitch that is one third of the first track pitch, and a third mode in which the recording is performed at a third track pitch that is at least one sixth and less than one third of the first track pitch. A rotary head which is also used when recording or reproducing in the first mode, the second mode and the third mode, and when recording or reproducing audio information. And a track width of the rotary head and the voice head,
A rotating magnetic head device having a diameter of not less than 19.33 μm and less than 29.01 μm. 32. A rotary magnetic head device used in a helical scan type recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the recording / reproducing apparatus comprises: a first mode in which recording is performed at a first track pitch; A second mode in which recording is performed at a second track pitch that is one third of the above, and a third mode in which recording is performed at a third track pitch that is at least one fifth and less than one third of the first track pitch. A rotary head which is also used when recording or reproducing in the first mode, the second mode and the third mode, and when recording or reproducing audio information. And a track width of the rotary head and the voice head,
A rotating magnetic head device having a diameter of 19.33 μm or more and less than 34.8 μm. 33. The rotating magnetic head device according to claim 20, wherein said recording / reproducing device is a VHS type recording / reproducing device. 34. A rotating magnetic head device used for a VHS video tape recorder, comprising a rotating head used for recording at a track pitch of 1/5 of 58 μm. Magnetic head device.