Still video device that records/reproduces a plurality of identical signals

Claim 1

A still video device for reproducing an image signal recorded on a recording medium which can be reproduced both in a first mode and in a second mode, said first mode being such that one image signal corresponding to a still image is recorded on one track of said recording medium through one head of at least two heads, said second mode being such that at least two identical image signals corresponding to a single still image are recorded on at least two tracks of said recording medium at substantially the same time through said at least two heads that are separated by a predetermined distance, said still video device comprising: means for reproducing at least two image signals recorded on said at least two tracks of said recording medium at substantially the same time; means for adding said at least two image signals reproduced by said reproducing means together to obtain a combined signal; and means for determining whether said at least two image signals differ based upon an envelope detected output of said combined signal, indicating that said at least two image signals added together to obtain said combined signal are recorded in said first mode, or whether said at least two image signals are identical, indicating that said at least two image signals added together to obtain said combined signal are recorded in said second mode.