Magnetic tape recording and reproducing apparatus having four heads and

Abstract

A recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing a data signal on and from a magnetic tape includes a rotary head drum, first and second magnetic heads, third and fourth magnetic heads, a data processor, a data signal decoder, and controller. The magnetic tape is wrapped around the rotary head drum slanted at a predetermined angle. The first and second magnetic heads are provided on the rotary head drum at positions apart from each other by a predetermined rotational angle and have a first azimuth angle. The third and fourth magnetic heads are provided on the rotary head drum at positions apart from each other by a predetermined rotational angle and have a second azimuth angle different from the first azimuth angle. The data processor adds address data to each recording unit of a data signal and outputs the data signal as a recording signal. The data signal decoder decodes the data signal from recorded signals reproduced by the first, second, third, and fourth magnetic heads based on the address data included in the recorded signal. The controller, upon the recording, supplies the recording signal to the first magnetic head and the second magnetic head alternately at each rotation of the rotary head drum to record the same on the magnetic tape and, upon the reproduction, supplies the recorded signals reproduced by the first, second, third, and fourth magnetic heads to the data signal decoding means.