A multiple magnetic tape duplicating apparatus is provided for simultaneously recording information from a master tape on a plurality of slave tapes, which comprises a playback assembly for alternately transporting a master tape, preferably having at least two tracks in a forward and reverse direction, including a pair of transducer heads adapted to pick-up recorded information from one track of said master during forward operation and from the other track during reverse operation; and a pair of multiple recording slave banks for duplicating said recorded information on a plurality of slave tapes. The slave banks include an individual recording station for each slave tape and are arranged such that all of the slave tapes of one bank are simultaneously recorded in the forward direction of the master tape, and all of the slave tapes of the other bank are simultaneously recorded in the reverse direction of the master tape to maintain continuous multiple duplication in both master tape directions.
In a magnetic tape recording system having a single master tape player and a plurality of slave recording devices each including at least one rotary magnetic head for repeatedly scanning a respective magnetic recording tape, and each receiving, from the single master tape player, a signal to be recorded along with an external sync or reference signal; each of the slave recording devices is provided with a respective time base adjusting memory in which the signal to be recorded is written in synchronism .with the external reference signal, and from which the signal to be recorded is read-out in synchronism with a reference pulse generated in timed relation to a predetermined rotational position of the respective rotary magnetic head. Further, a drum servo is provided in each of the slave recording devices for controlling the rotation of the respective rotary magnetic head in accordance with the relation of the respective reference pulse in respect to the external reference signal from the single master player, whereby the several slave recording devices are operated in substantial synchronism with each other and alignment errors in the patterns of slant record tracks on the several magnetic tapes can be prevented.
A method of and apparatus for recording information from a master medium onto a slave medium. Analog information on a master medium is reproduced and converted into digital information. The digital information is stored in a digital storage device. The digital information stored in the digital storage device is recovered from the digital storage device and converted from digital information into analog information. The analog information is applied to a recording device for recording the analog information onto a slave medium. Information is recorded in the digital storage device at the same rate as it is recorded on the master medium. Information is recovered from the digital storage device at a faster rate than it is recorded on the master medium and the information is recorded on a slave medium by the recording device at a faster rate than it is recorded on the master medium. Thus, less time is required for recording information on a slave medium than is required for recording information on the master medium to reduce the duplication time.
A data recording and reproducing apparatus promotes error-free and speedy exchange of data between separate recording media. When desired primary data is to be recorded on a master recording medium, secondary data is added to the primary data in order to detect and correct data errors. The primary and secondary data are recorded on the master recording medium in a plurality of series which differ in recording sequence from each other. The primary data is reproduced from the master recording medium together with the secondary data for the different series at the same time, regardless of their recording sequences. The reproduced primary data is allowed for error check and correction based on the secondary data and is recorded in the slave recording medium.
A conventional video recorder has a top plate 2 mounting a tape supply spool 22 and tape take-up spool 22a upon a common shaft 19. A recording assembly 6 has a conventional video recording drum and combines with a master cassette holder 4 to complete a cassette recording station. A roller system guides the tape from the supply spool 22 through the recording station to the tape-up spool 22a. Stepper motors 3 provide rim drive to the the spools 22 and 22a and vacuum troughs 8 and 9 and associated photoelectric devices provide for speed control of the tape transport functions as a whole to ensure that tape is conveyed at a uniform speed without slack.
A video tape duplicator for duplicating a video signal simultaneously on a plurality of video tapes at high speed. The duplicator includes a source for providing a high frequency video signal and a record head for simultaneously recording the high frequency video signal on a plurality of duplicate magnetic tapes. The record head rotates at a speed which is related to the frequency of the high frequency signal so that the duplicate tape may be played back at normal head and tape speeds.
