Apparatus for recording data in parallel tracks

Abstract

A recording apparatus includes a thin film magnetic head ( ) with eight write units ( ) positioned adjacent to each other in a transversal direction (y) to write data in parallel tracks on a magnetic tape ( ). Switching arrangement has a switch (SW) to switch from a normal mode to a combination mode. In the normal mode the switch is in a first position (D ) and the switching arrangement ( ) couple a first data signal (S ) to a first write unit ( ), a second data signal (S ) to a second write unit ( ) etc., so that in the normal mode eight tracks (T -T ) are written on the tape resulting in a first track density. In the combination mode the switch is in a second position (D ) and the switching arrangement couples the first data signal (S ) to the first and second write units ( and ), the second data signal (S ) to the third and fourth write units ( and ) etc. Hence, in the combination mode, four tracks (T -T ) are written on the tape resulting in a second track density which is half the first track density. This second track density corresonds to the density of the write units of a magnetic head ( ) of an apparatus (not shown) of an older generation.