Magnetic recording and reproducing device with improved track servo

Abstract

A magnetic recording and reproducing device with an automatic tracking control function which can record and reproduce signals by means of a rotary head incorporating plural heads of different azimuth. The device performs tracking control by detecting, based on a timing of a synchronizing signal of a track, crosstalks of pilot signals obtained from adjacent tracks and comparing the crosstalks to use the difference as a tracking error signal. A form of the synchronizing signal is different alternately in a series of tracks of the same azimuth. The device comprises a designation element and a detection element for the synchronizing signal form. A designated form of the synchronizing signal is inverted each time a head has scanned two tracks and, if a designated form and a detected form of the synchronizing signal coincides with each other, a tracking error is detected and a tracking control is implemented whereas, if the designated form and the detected form of the synchronizing signal do not coincide with each other, the designation is changed without implementing the tracking control so that the designated form and the detected form are immediately brought into coincidence whereby the tracking control can be immediately applied.