Method and apparatus for recording and/or reproducing color video signal

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first pair of tracks constituted by the first and second tracks is formed by the first and second heads having gaps of mutually different azimuth angles, and a second pair of tracks subsequent to the first pair of tracks is formed by third and fourth heads having gaps of azimuth angles which mutually differ and are different from the azimuth angles of the gaps of the first and second heads.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first track has a width which is greater than a width of the second track.

Claim 5

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high-frequency signal is a multiplexed signal made up of a time reference signal and said added signal, said time reference signal being a reference for compensating a relative time difference between the signals which are reproduced from the first and second tracks.

Claim 6

A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said time reference signal is a burst signal which is time-division-multiplexed with the high-frequency component of the color video signal, with a predetermined period.

Claim 7

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high-frequency signal is a multiplexed signal made up of modulated signals and said added signal, said modulated signals being obtained by modulating audio signals of one or a plurality of channels.

Claim 8

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frequency division multiplexed signal has a frequency spectrum identical to a frequency spectrum of a frequency division multiplexed signal which is recorded in an existing helical scan type VTR, and said pairs of tracks are formed with a track pitch identical to a track pitch of tracks which are formed in the existing helical scan type VTR.

Claim 9

A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein a first pair of tracks constituted by the first and second tracks is formed by the first and second heads having gaps of mutually different azimuth angles, a second pair of tracks subsequent to the first pair of tracks is formed by third and fourth heads having gaps of azimuth angles which mutually differ and are different from the azimuth angles of the gaps of the first and second heads, said existing helical scan type VTR is of a type which alternately records frequency modulated audio signals on audio tracks by use of a third pair of heads and alternately records the frequency division multiplexed signal over the audio tracks on tracks by use of a fourth pair of heads, the azimuth angle of the gap of said first head which forms the first track is the same as an azimuth angle of a gap of one of said fourth pair of heads, the azimuth angle of the gap of said second head which forms the second track is the same as an azimuth angle of a gap of one of said third pair of heads which forms the audio track adjacent to the track formed by said one of the fourth pair of heads, and said first head leads the second head by an extremely short distance in a rotation direction of the heads and is mounted at a position which is lower than a position of the second head by a distance which is shorter than one track pitch.

Claim 10

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high-frequency bias signal has a frequency which is four times a chrominance subcarrier frequency f S of the carrier chrominance signal.

Claim 11

A color video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: first circuit means for frequency-modulating a luminance signal which is separated from a color video signal so as to produce a frequency modulated luminance signal; second circuit means for frequency-converting a carrier chrominance signal which is separated from the color video signal into a band which is lower than a band of the frequency modulated luminance signal so as to produce a frequency converted carrier chrominance signal; frequency division multiplexing means for frequency-division-multiplexing the output frequency modulated luminance signal of said first circuit means and the output frequency converted carrier chrominance signal of said second circuit means so as to obtain a frequency division multiplexed signal; first recording and reproducing means for recording the output frequency division multiplexed signal of said frequency division multiplexing means on a first track on a magnetic tape by supplying the frequency division multiplexed signal to one of a first pair of heads among a plurality of pairs of heads during a recording mode, said heads constituting a pair being arranged close to each other, and for reproducing the frequency division multiplexed signal from the first track during a reproducing mode; separating means for separating a high-frequency component of the color video signal from the color video signal; high-frequency signal generating means for generating a high-frequency signal including at least an added signal which is made up of the high-frequency component and a high-frequency bias signal; second recording and reproducing means for recording the output high-frequency signal of said high-frequency signal generating means on a second track by supplying the high-frequency signal to the other of said first pair of heads during the recording mode, said second track being formed simultaneously with the formation of said first track and being formed at a position on the magnetic tape that is different from a position of said first track, and for reproducing the high-frequency signal from the second track during the reproducing mode; separating and demodulating means for separating a reproduced frequency modulated luminance signal from the frequency division multiplexed signal which is reproduced from the first track by said first recording and reproducing means, and for demodulating the reproduced frequency modulated luminance signal so as to produce a reproduced luminance signal; high-frequency component obtaining means for obtaining a reproduced high-frequency component from the high-frequency signal which is reproduced from the second track by said second recording and reproducing means so as to produce a reproduced high-frequency component; delay means for matching the timing of the output reproduced high-frequency component of said high-frequency component obtaining means and a synchronizing signal within the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means, by use of a time reference signal within the high-frequency signal which is reproduced from the second track and the synchronizing signal within the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means; and mixing means for mixing an output reproduced high-frequency component of said delay means and the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means, so as to produce a reproduced color video signal.

Claim 12

A color video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: first circuit means for frequency-modulating a luminance signal which is separated from a color video signal so as to produce a frequency modulated luminance signal; second circuit means for frequency-converting a carrier chrominance signal which is separated from the color video signal into a band which is lower than a band of the frequency modulated luminance signal so as to produce a frequency converted carrier chrominance signal; frequency division multiplexing means for frequency-division-multiplexing the output frequency modulated luminance signal of said first circuit means and the output frequency converted carrier chrominance signal of said second circuit means so as to obtain a frequency division multiplexed signal; first recording and reproducing means for recording the output frequency division multiplexed signal of said frequency division multiplexing means on a first track on a magnetic tape by supplying the frequency division multiplexed signal to one of a first pair of heads among a plurality of pairs of heads during a recording mode, said heads constituting a pair being arranged close to each other, and for reproducing the frequency division multiplexed signal from the first track during a reproducing mode; separating means for separating a high-frequency component of the color video signal from the color video signal; high-frequency signal generating means for generating a high-frequency signal including at least an added signal which is made up of the high-frequency component and a high-frequency bias signal; second recording and reproducing means for recording the output high-frequency signal of said high-frequency signal generating means on a second track by supplying the high-frequency signal to the other of said first pair of heads during the recording mode, said second track being formed simultaneously with the formation of said first track and being formed at a position on the magnetic tape that is different from a position of said first track, and for reproducing the high-frequency signal from the second track during the reproducing mode; separating and demodulating means for separating a reproduced frequency modulated luminance signal from the frequency division multiplexed signal which is reproduced from the first track by said first recording and reproducing means, and for demodulating the reproduced frequency modulated luminance signal so as to produce a reproduced luminance signal; high-frequency component obtaining means for obtaining a reproduced high-frequency component from the high-frequency signal which is reproduced from the second track by said second recording and reproducing means so as to produce a reproduced high-frequency component; delay means for matching the timing of the output reproduced high-frequency component of said high-frequency component obtaining means and a synchronizing signal within the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means, by use of a time reference signal within the high-frequency signal which is reproduced from the second track and the synchronizing signal within the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means; and mixing means for mixing an output reproduced high-frequency component of said delay means and the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means, so as to produce a reproduced color video signal.

Claim 13

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which said frequency division multiplexed signal has a frequency spectrum identical to a frequency spectrum of a frequency division multiplexed signal which is recorded in an existing helical scan type VTR, and the pairs of tracks constituted by said first and second tracks are formed with a track pitch identical to a track pitch of tracks which are formed in the existing helical scan type VTR.

Claim 14

A color video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: first circuit means for frequency-modulating a luminance signal which is separated from a PAL or SECAM system color video signal so as to produce a frequency modulated luminance signal; second circuit means for frequency-converting a carrier chrominance signal which is separated from the color video signal into a band which is lower than a band of the frequency modulated luminance signal so as to produce a frequency converted carrier chrominance signal; frequency division multiplexing means for frequency-division-multiplexing the output frequency modulated luminance signal of said first circuit means and the output frequency converted carrier chrominance signal of said second circuit means so as to obtain a frequency division multiplexed signal; first recording and reproducing means for recording the output frequency division multiplexed signal of said frequency division multiplexing means on a first track on a magnetic tape by supplying the frequency division multiplexed signal to one of a first pair of heads among a plurality of pairs of heads during a recording mode, said heads constituting a pair being arranged close to each other, and for reproducing the frequency division multiplexed signal from the first track during a reproducing mode; separating means for separating a high-frequency component of the color video signal from the color video signal; high-frequency signal generating means for generating a high-frequency signal including at least an added signal which is made up of the high-frequency component and a high-frequency bias signal; second recording and reproducing means for recording the output high-frequency signal of said high-frequency signal generating means on a second track by supplying the high-frequency signal to the other of said first pair of heads during the recording mcde, said second track being formed simultaneously with the formation of said first track and being formed at a positicn on the magnetic tape that is different from a position of said first track, and for reproducing the high-frequency signal from the second track during the reproducing mode; separating and demodulating means for separating a reproduced frequency modulated luminance signal from the frequency division multiplexed signal which is reproduced from the first track by said first recording and reproducing means, and for demodulating the reproduced frequency modulated luminance signal so as to produce a reproduced luminance signal; high-frequency component obtaining means for obtaining a reproduced high-frequency component from the high-frequency signal which is reproduced from the second track by said second recording and reproducing means so as to produce a reproduced high-frequency component; delay means for matching the timing of the output reproduced high-frequency component of said high-frequency component obtaining means and a synchronizing signal within the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means, by use of a time reference signal within the high-frequency signal which is reproduced from the second track and the synchronizing signal within the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means; first mixing means for mixing an output reproduced high-frequency component of said delay means and the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means, so as to produce a reproduced color video signal; and correcting means at least supplied with the output reproduced color video signal of said first mixing means or with a carrier chrominance signal which is reproduced from the first track, for carrying out a time base correction so as to produce a reproduced color video signal having a corrected time base.

Claim 15

A color video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: first circuit means for frequency-modulating a luminance signal which is separated from a PAL or SECAM system color video signal so as to produce a frequency modulated luminance signal; second circuit means for frequency-converting a carrier chrominance signal which is separated from the color video signal into a band which is lower than a band of the frequency modulated luminance signal so as to produce a frequency converted carrier chrominance signal; frequency division multiplexing means for frequency-division-multiplexing the output frequency modulated luminance signal of said first circuit means and the output frequency converted carrier chrominance signal of said second circuit means so as to obtain a frequency division multiplexed signal; first recording and reproducing means for recording the output frequency division multiplexed signal of said frequency division multiplexing means on a first track on a magnetic tape by supplying the frequency division multiplexed signal to one of a first pair of heads among a plurality of pairs of heads during a recording mode, said heads constituting a pair being arranged close to each other, and for reproducing the frequency division multiplexed signal from the first track during a reproducing mode; separating means for separating a high-frequency component of the color video signal from the color video signal; high-frequency signal generating means for generating a high-frequency signal including at least an added signal which is made up of the high-frequency component and a high-frequency bias signal; second recording and reproducing means for recording the output high-frequency signal of said high-frequency signal generating means on a second track by supplying the high-frequency signal to the other of said first pair of heads during the recording mcde, said second track being formed simultaneously with the formation of said first track and being formed at a positicn on the magnetic tape that is different from a position of said first track, and for reproducing the high-frequency signal from the second track during the reproducing mode; separating and demodulating means for separating a reproduced frequency modulated luminance signal from the frequency division multiplexed signal which is reproduced from the first track by said first recording and reproducing means, and for demodulating the reproduced frequency modulated luminance signal so as to produce a reproduced luminance signal; high-frequency component obtaining means for obtaining a reproduced high-frequency component from the high-frequency signal which is reproduced from the second track by said second recording and reproducing means so as to produce a reproduced high-frequency component; delay means for matching the timing of the output reproduced high-frequency component of said high-frequency component obtaining means and a synchronizing signal within the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means, by use of a time reference signal within the high-frequency signal which is reproduced from the second track and the synchronizing signal within the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means; first mixing means for mixing an output reproduced high-frequency component of said delay means and the output reproduced luminance signal of said separating and demodulating means, so as to produce a reproduced color video signal; and correcting means at least supplied with the output reproduced color video signal of said first mixing means or with a carrier chrominance signal which is reproduced from the first track, for carrying out a time base correction so as to produce a reproduced color video signal having a corrected time base.

Claim 16

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said correcting means comprises a time base corrector which is only supplied with the output reproduced color video signal of said first mixing means, and said time base corrector eliminates a time base deviation in the output reproduced color video signal of said first mixing means so as to produce the reproduced color video signal having the corrected time base.

Claim 17

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said correcting means comprises first means for obtaining a reproduced carrier chrominance signal by separating a reproduced frequency converted carrier chrominance signal from the time division multiplexed signal which is reproduced from the first track, converting the reproduced frequency converted carrier chrominance signal back into the original band to obtain a reproduced carrier chrominance signal, and eliminating a time base deviation in the reproduced carrier chrominance signal, filter circuit means for separating a reproduced luminance signal from the output reproduced color video signal of said first mixing means, and second mixing means for mixing the output reproduced carrier chrominance signal of said first means and the output reproduced luminance signal of said filter circuit means so as to produce the reproduced color video signal having the corrected time base.

Claim 18

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which a first pair of tracks constituted by the first and second tracks is formed by first and second heads which constitute said first pair of heads and have gaps of mutually different azimuth angles, and a second pair of tracks subsequent to the first pair of tracks is formed by third and fourth heads which constitute a second pair and have gaps of azimuth angles which mutually differ and are different from the azimuth angles of the gaps of the first and second heads.

Claim 19

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the first track has a width which is greater than a width of the second track.

Claim 20

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said high-frequency signal is a multiplexed signal made up of a time reference signal and said added signal, said time reference signal being a reference for correcting a relative time difference between the signals which are reproduced from the first and second tracks.

Claim 21

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 17 in which said time reference signal is a burst signal which is time-division-multiplexed with the high-frequency component of the color video signal, with a predetermined period.

Claim 22

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said high-frequency signal generating means comprises first circuit means for generating modulated signals which are obtained by modulating audio signals of one or a plurality of channels, and second circuit means for mixing the output modulated signals of said first circuit means and said added signal.

Claim 23

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said frequency division multiplexed signal has a frequency spectrum identical to a frequency spectrum of a frequency division multiplexed signal which is recorded in an existing helical scan type VTR, and said pairs of tracks are formed with a track pitch identical to a track pitch of tracks which are formed in the existing helical scan type VTR.

Claim 24

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 20 in which a first pair of tracks constituted by the first and second tracks is formed by first and second heads having gaps of mutually different azimuth angles, a second pair of tracks subsequent to the first pair of tracks is formed by third and fourth heads having gaps of azimuth angles which mutually differ and are different from the azimuth angles of the gaps of the first and second heads, said existing helical scan type VTR is of a type which alternately records frequency modulated audio signals on audio tracks by use of a third pair of heads and alternately records the frequency division multiplexed signal over the audio tracks on tracks by use of a fourth pair of heads, the azimuth angle of the gap of said first head which forms the first track is the same as an azimuth angle of a gap of one of said fourth pair of heads, the azimuth angle of the gap of said second head which forms the second track is the same as an azimuth angle of a gap of one of said third pair of heads which forms the audio track adjacent to the track formed by said one of the fourth pair of heads, and said first head leads the second head by an extremely short distance in a rotation direction of the heads and is mounted at a position which is lower than a position of the second head by a distance which is shorter than one track pitch.

Claim 25

A recording and reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said high-frequency bias signal has a frequency which is four times a chrominance subcarrier frequency f S of the carrier chrominance signal.