Magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus for color television signals using a frequency modulated subcarrier for the transmission of the color information

Claim 1

In a color television recording apparatus of the type that includes circuitry connecting to a magnetic recording device, the television signal to be recorded being a SECAM-type signal including luminance information extending over a first bandwidth and chrominance information extending over a second, and narrower, bandwidth contained within said first bandwidth, towards the upper end thereof, said first bandwidth encompassing an octave range exceeding the satisfactory recording capabilities of the recording device, the improvement which comprises: filtering means for separating said television signals into a first and a second portion, said first portion encompassing the lower frequency components of said television signal and said second portion encompassing the higher frequency components of said television Signal and including at least said chrominance information, said filtering means providing a predetermined frequency gap between said first and second portions, said gap having a bandwidth which is a significant fraction of said first bandwidth; means for frequency modulating said first portion about an auxiliary subcarrier having a frequency lying within said frequency gap; and adder circuitry for recombining said second portion and said frequency modulated first portion to provide an input signal for said recording device, the bandwidth of said recombined signal being less than said first bandwidth and encompassing a lesser octave range which falls within the satisfactory recording capabilities of said recording device, whereby said luminance information and said chrominance information are recorded.