Recording/reproducing method of magnetic tape

Abstract

In a recording/reproducing method of a magnetic tape in a tracking servo system, a recording density of each data track is increased while inhibiting occurrence of a recording/reproducing error caused by a size change of a magnetic tape in the width direction. Data tracks are each set to have a smaller track width stepwise as closer to servo tracks (T-toT-etc.) in the width direction of a magnetic tape. With such a setting, the width of the data tracks (A-T-to A-T-etc.) closest to the servo tracks (T-toT-) can be minimized, thereby enabling a significant increase in number of the data tracks. Further, even when the size of the magnetic tapechanges in the width direction due to a change in external environment such as a temperature or moisture, to lead to large displacement of the data tracks (A-T-to A-T-) distant from the servo tracks (T-toT-), the data head (A) can be readily aligned to face the data tracks (A-T-to A-T-) in the reproduction by an increased portion of the width size of the data tracks (A-T-to A-T-), and it is thereby possible to ensure reading of data signals from the data tracks (A-T-to A-T-) so as to improve reproduction accuracy.