A tape recorder, wherein a plurality of magnets are mounted on the peripheral surface of a rotary disc supported on a magnetic tape takeup (feed) reel in order to measure the travelling distance of a magnetic tape; and when said magnets are brought to rest in such position as causes a lead switch to be operated at the cutoff of a main power source, then a transistor connected to one end of the lead switch is rendered nonconducting by its base resistor, thereby interrupting the input circuit of a counter-display section.

In the recorder disclosed, a recorder assembly includes playback and motor control circuits and a signal generating device generates a signal proportional to the amount of tape travel. A counter interprets the signal from the generating device and an electro-optical display arrangement with an indicator displays the value of the signal at the counter. A power source serves for energizing both the assembly and the electro-optical display equipment, while a connecting arrangement connects the electro-optical display equipment to the power source. A tape travel detection circuit detects tape travel in response to the signal generating device. A switching element controlled by the output of the tape travel circuit is located between the assembly and the connecting arrangement so as to maintain the output of the electro-optical display equipment whether or not the recorder assembly is energized.

A rotary recording medium reproducing apparatus comprises a holding mechanism for clamping and holding a lid plate and a rotary recording medium when a case having a jacket accommodating therein the rotary recording medium and the lid plate for closing the jacket is inserted into the reproducing apparatus through an inserting opening, where the lid plate and the rotary recording medium thus clamped and held are recovered within an empty jacket inserted through the inserting opening, a control mechanism for putting the reproducing apparatus in a state possible or not to insert the case or the jacket into the reproducing apparatus through the inserting opening, a detection circuit for detecting whether the rotary recording medium exists within the reproducing apparatus, a single load/eject switch, and a control circuit for controlling the control mechanism by use of a detection output of the detection circuit and an output of the load/eject switch, so that a state possible for inserting the case into the reproducing apparatus is obtained when the rotary recording medium does not exist within the reproducing apparatus, and a state possible for inserting the empty jacket into the reproducing apparatus is obtained when the rotary recording medium does exist within the reproducing apparatus in order to enable recovery of the rotary recording medium.

In a recording and reproducing apparatus, such as, a video tape recorder or VTR, which can be preset to establish a desired recording program, that is, to initiate and terminate successive recording intervals at predetermined times, the aggregate of the tape or other record medium needed for the recording of signals thereon in the preset recording intervals is compared with the amount or capacity of record medium available for recording and, in the event of a deficiency of the latter, a suitable alarm or indication is provided to avoid a failure to record desired signals. An alarm or indication is further provided if there is overlapping of the preset recording intervals, or if the apparatus is not in condition for recording, for example, by reason of the absence of a tape cassette or other record medium from the apparatus or the presence of a record medium which is already recorded with signals to be preserved.

A portion of a magnetic tape mounted on a pair of reels in a videocasette having an access opening is withdrawn from the cassette by finger means and constrained to travel along a fixed path when the reels are driven. Opposite the fixed path is a tape wiper in the form of two pairs of spaced reels, each carrying a wiping tape with each wiping tape wiping one of the surfaces of the magnetic tape. In addition there is provided means for polishing the active surface of the magnetic tape as well as photoelectric means for evaluating such surfaces for imperfections.