In a video recorder having a fully rotatable drum over which a recording tape is advanced, lateral tape wander is controlled by the use of apparatus which provides edge guidance for the advancing tape while the tape is still on the rotating drum surface. The invention proposes the use of a rotatable drum having a groove which extends circumferentially around the outer drum surface. An edge guide member extends into the groove, providing tape edge guidance while permitting the drum to rotate freely.
A compliant tape guide in a tape cartridge loads edge of a tape with an optimum pressure and a minimum of vibration by a series of compliant spring arms which transmit a guiding load to the edge through a flexible metal foil. The metal foil contacts the tape over a specified arc length in which the tape is supported by a curved guide bearing.
