Method and system for synchronizing the movement of plural recording

Abstract

A method and system are provided for synchronizing the movement of a first recording medium by a first transport mechanism including a capstan with the movement of a second recording medium by a second transport mechanism also including a capstan, each of the first and second recording media having addressable recording frames identified by frame signals and addresses recorded thereon. The first and second recording media are rewound from respective predetermined addressable frames identified as T.sub.AO and T.sub.BO, respectively. The first recording medium is advanced from its rewound position toward frame T.sub.AO at a fixed speed, e.g., a normal tape advance speed, in a capstan servo-locked condition, and the second recording medium is advanced from its rewound position toward frame T.sub.BO at a selective speed greater than, equal to or less than the fixed speed. Addresses T.sub.A and T.sub.B of the first and second recording media, respectively, are played back as the recording media are advanced. The address differential T.sub.A -T.sub.B is compared with the fixed address differential T.sub.AO -T.sub.BO, or the address differential T.sub.A - T.sub.AO is compared to the address differential T.sub.B -T.sub.BO, so as to advance the second recording medium at a speed corresponding to this comparison. When the respective address differentials are equal, that is, when T.sub.A -T.sub.B =T.sub.AO -T.sub.BO, or when T.sub.A -T.sub.AO =T.sub.B -T.sub.BO, the second recording medium is advanced at a servo-controlled fixed speed, provided that this address differential remains equal for a predetermined number of successive address playback operations.