Playback apparatus for playing back video information recorded on

Abstract

There is disclosed an improvement in an apparatus of the helical scan type for playing back of information signals prerecorded on a magnetic tape along tracks inclined with respect to a running direction of a magnetic tape in a manner that tracks of common azimuth angle are formed every other track. The apparatus is characterized in that first and second head assemblies each comprise a pair of heads having azimuth angles different from each other and disposed adjacent to each other, are arranged displaceably in a direction vertical to a track scanning direction, respectively, and are displaced by a displacement element, the heads in the first head assembly respectively have azimuth angles common to azimuth angles of the heads in the second head assembly in such a manner that two common azimuth heads are angularly separated each other by 180 degrees on a rotary drum carrying the first and second head assemblies; and that when a recorded image signal on the magnetic tape is played back with the magnetic tape being wound onto the rotary drum over a predetermined angular range, the displacement element displacing the first and second head assemblies in accordance with a selected tape speed mode, causing each of the heads in the first and second head assemblies tracking to scan the tracks having azimuth angles common to azimuth angles of the heads.