Method and apparatus with improved tracking control for recording a

Abstract

In a system for recording and reproducing digital signals on a magnetic tape by using a rotary head, in which signals are recorded as a series of slanted tracks without guard bands, a pilot signal that controls tracking alignment of a playback head is recorded at a particular position in a specific pilot signal record region, independent from the information signal record region. The pilot signal is arranged at first predetermined positions separated from the ends of the slanted tracks in the pilot signal record region on every other one of the slanted tracks and at second predetermined positions separated from the ends of the slanted tracks in the pilot signal record region on the alternate ones of the slanted tracks. An erase signal can also be recorded in the pilot signal record region such that a start position of the erase signal corresponds substantially to a center portion of the pilot signal on the adjacent track. When the recorded tracks are reproduced by a rotary playback head having a tracing width greater than the track width, the pilot signals from the adjacent tracks will be detected and compared in level, and the comparison output used to control the tracking alignment of the rotary playback head.