US3686433A

US3686433A - Transducer system adaptable for audio or video recording or reproduction

Info

Publication number: US3686433A
Application number: US831352A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marvin Camras
Original assignee: IIT Research Institute
Current assignee: IIT Research Institute
Priority date: 1965-05-17
Filing date: 1969-06-09
Publication date: 1972-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-22

Abstract

A magnetic transducer system for selective audio or video operation with movable guides for shifting the tape path between audio, video, and rewind positions, or with fixed guides defining both an audio and video tape path, the audio tape path being clear of the video head, for example. A video transducer with a receptacle removably receiving and providing external energization for a battery powered audio transducer unit. An audio/video cartridge transducer arrangement for selective operation with audio and video cartridges of different configuration, preferably using a common capstan element.

Description

United States Patent Camras [451 Aug. 22, 1972 154] TRANSDUCERSYSTEM ADAPT ABLE [56]. References Cited FOR AUDIO 0R VIDEORECORDING UNlTED STATES PATENTS OR REPRODUCTION 2,916,728 12/1959 Gllson ..179/100.2 [72] Invent: Cam'as, Glencoe, 3,026,369 3/1962 Lohmann et a] ..178/6.6. [73] Assignee: IIT Research Institute, chigago, []l 3,1 10,764 1 1/ 1963 Barry ..179/100.2 22 d, 9 1969 3,410,470 12/1968 Metzner ..179/100.2 1e June 3,482,038 2/1969 Warren ..l79/ 100.2 [21] Appl. No.1 831,352 3,470,327 9/1969 Reed ..179/100.2 CA

Related Application Data Primary Examiner-Bemard Konick [60] Continuation-in-part of Ser. N0. 456,192, May Attorney-Hill, Sherman, M n Gross & Simpson 17, 1965, Pat. No. 3,449,528, and a continuation-in-part of Ser. N0. 813,359, Feb. 7, 1969, ABSTRACT 7, which Is a dmslon of A magnetic transducer system for selective audio or :2 g g May 1965 video operation with movable guides for shifting the tape path between audio, video, and rewind positions, or with fixed guides defining both an audio and video [52] US. Cl ..l78/6.6 A, p p the audio p p being clear of the video 51] in. en. ...;.ci1b'1's/6o, cn 1521"] 12365465178 Eff;g ;fgijg ij a xgjgggfigsggg [58] Field of Search 179/1002 Z, 100.2 CA,

100.2 C, 179/1002 CR, 100.2 MD;

4 178/6.6 A, 100.2 MI,100.2 CA

gization for a battery powered audio transducer unit. An audio/video cartridge transducer arrangement for selective operation with audio and video cartridgesof different configuration, preferably using a common capstan element.

1 1 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures TRANSDUCER SYSTEM ADAPT ABLE FOR AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDING OR REPRODUCTION CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 456,192 filed May 17, 1965 and issuing as US. Pat. No. 3,449,528 on June 10, 1969. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 813,359 filed Feb. 7, 1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,595,584, which in turn is a division of said application Ser. No. 456,192.

The disclosure of said copending applications Ser. No. 456,192 and Ser. No. 813,359 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMlVIARY OF THE INVENTION The present application relates to audio/video transducing systems and to electric circuitry therefor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact and economical audio/video transducer system.

Another object is to provide an audio/video transducer system wherein during audio operation, the record medium travels clear of the video transducer head to avoid detrimental efiects thereon during audio operation.

Another and further object is to provide a video transducer device having a flexible system for transducing audio records independently of the video transducer head.

Still another and further object is to provide a compact and efficient audio/video transducer device for transducing both audio and video record cartridges.

A further object is to provide a transducer device in accordance with the foregoing object which is capable of playing audio cartridges of different configuration within the video cartridge receiving region of the device.

A still further object is to provide an audio/video transducer system capable of efficient utilization of common components, such as common drive and electric circuit components.

Yet a further object is to provide a universal audio transducing machine capable of transducing reel to reel and cartridge type record configurations.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a playback amplifier circuit for selective amplification of reproduced audio and video signals; and/or to provide playback stabilizing circuitry for more stable reproduction especially of video signals from a simple tape deck (wherein tape motion is subject to substantial flutter).

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of shiftable tape guides for selectively defining audio, video and rewind record paths, the audio path being clear of the video head, for example, and the rewind path being clear of both the audio and video heads, for example.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of common fixed record guides threadable at different sides thereof for audio and video transducing operation with the audio path being clear of the video head and/or the video path being clear of the audio head.

Another feature resides in an audio/video transducer device with a video record cartridge receptacle also accommodating one of more smaller size audio record cartridges.

Still another feature resides in an audio/video trans ducer system wherein a battery powered audio unit is detachably connected with the transducer device to receive external power therefrom and/or to utilize the power amplifier and loudspeaker of the transducer device.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic partial plan view illustrating an audio/video transducing system utilizing shiftable record medium guides, with the guides being shown in an intermediate or rewind position;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the shiftable guides in a video transducing position;

FIG. 3 is partial side elevational view of a record medium guide for the system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic electric circuit diagram for the transducer system of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 shows a detailed electric circuit in conformity with the diagram of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a further portion of the electric circuit of FIG. 5 which functions to compensate for flutter conditions during video transducing operation of the circuit;

FIG. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view show ing a video transducing device with a receptacle for removably receiving an audio transducing unit;

FIG. 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic end elevational view of the device of FIG. 7 and illustrating certain details of the audio transducer receptacle;

. FIG. 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic partial plan view of an audio/video transducer device utilizing fixed guides, and showing the guides threaded for video transducing operation;

FIG. 10 is a partial diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the fixed guides threaded for audio transducing operation;

FIG. 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view showing an audio/video cartridge transducing machine with a video cartridge diagrammatically indicated in the cartridge receiving region; and

FIG. 12 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view of the machine of FIG. 11, but showing two different types of audio record cartridges both assembled in the cartridge receiving region of the machine for simultaneous or selective operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an audio/video transducer system 10 including an audio transducer head 11 and a video transducer 12 forming parts of a transducer head assembly 13 for selective scanning cooperation with a magnetic record medium 14 which may be driven in the direction of arrow (FIG. 2) by means of a suitable drive arrangement including a capstan drive element 16 and a capstan pressure roller 17. By way of example,

heads

11 and 12 may be carried on a common mounting member 20, which may be vertically movable so that the head assembly 13 may be indexed to selectively scan successive channels on the record medium by means of a manually operated knob indicated at 21.

In the illustrated arrangement, the tape passes about a fixed guide 23, and then passes about a series of jointly movable tape guide elements 31-38 carried on a shiftable frame member 40 which is shown as being movable in respective opposite directions from the position shown in FIG. 1 about a pivot 41. The frame member 40 thus has three positions of adjustment a neutral position N as illustrated in FIG. 1, an audio transducing position A with the frame member 40 engaging a stop 43, and a video transducing position V as indicated in FIG. 3 with the frame member 40 engaging stop 44.

For actuating the frame member 40 between the respective positions, a manual control knob 46 is provided which is pivotal at 47, the knob 46 having a pivotal connection with a link 48 which in turn is pivotally connected with an extension 40a of frame member 40. A spring pressed ball detent is indicated at 50 for cooperating with sockets 51-53 of the extension 40a for retaining the frame member 40 in the selected position. I

In the audio transducing position, the tape record medium 14 may move in the longitudinaldirection indicated by arrow 15 in sliding contact with the confronting longitudinally spaced poles of audio head 11, while moving in spaced relation to the poles of the video head 12. In the neutral position shown in FIG. 1, the record medium may be rewound ontoa supply reel (not shown) at relatively high speed, or may be moved at relatively high speed in the direction of arrow 15 and wound onto a takeup reel (not shown).

Each of the tape guide elements 31-38 may be of identical configuration and may have the configuration of the guide element 31 which is shown in detail in FIG. 3. While the record medium 14 has a common tape path relative to the guides 31-38 in each position of adjustment, the tape paths during audio and video operation have a different location relative to the

heads

11 and 12. Thus, the path of the record medium 14 shown in FIG. 2 may be termed a video transducing record path, while in the other extreme position of adjustment of the frame member 40, the record path may be termed an audio transducing record path.

Referring to FIG. 1, a supply region is indicated at 60 and a takeup region is indicated at 61, such regions, being suitable for mounting a supply reel and a takeup reel, for example, in a conventional manner. By way of example, the capstan drive element 16 may be driven by means of a motor 98 as shown in the eighth figure of the copending application Ser. No. 456,192. (Reference numerals shown in parenthesis herein refer to the reference numerals of the copending application Ser. No. 456,192, and not to the reference numerals of the present drawings.) The switching means of this eighth figure is controlled by the selector knob 46, FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the motor 98 is energized with a relatively high frequency electric current during video transducing mode, but is energized with a relatively lower frequency electric current during audio transducing mode, the motor being deenergized in the neutral (N) position of selector 46. Further, by way of example, the capstan 16 may be provided with a relatively massive flywheel 96 which is an integral part of the capstan 16 and is secured to an output shaft 97 of the motor 98. Actuation of selector 46 serves to shift an audio linkage 390 to place components such as 392, 395 in the position shown in the eighth figure of the copending application. In this condition, the inertia of the auxiliary flywheel 392 is such as to provide stable movement of the record medium at the audio transducing speed. Shifting of the selector 46 to the neutral position shown in FIG. 1 causes the flywheel assembly 392, 395 to pivot about the axis 398 and out of driven relation to the capstan flywheel 96 against the action of the tension spring 393. In the audio transducing mode, switch contact 386 which is actuated to closed condition by moving selector-46 to the audio transducing position A, adds a capacitor 401 in parallel with the capacitor 402 so as to provide the proper phase shift for the relatively low output from the low frequency oscillator component 405 which drives the motor 98 at the audio speed. The reversing switch 384 is operated to engage the lower junction points (as viewed in the eighth figure) to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor 98 in the audio mode or in the video mode. By way of example, the audio transducing speed of the record medium 14 may be 3% or 7% inches per second, while the video transducing speed of the record medium may be 60 inches per second, or 30 inches per second.

The motor 117 may be utilized to index the head assembly 20 automatically in the same manner as described in the copending application, and the disclosure of the copending application is incorporated herein by reference in this respect with the understanding that there may be two pairs of vertical guide rails such as and 81 to engage and guide each side of each of the

heads

11 and 12, and with the understanding that the

heads

11 and 12 need not be disengaged from the record medium 14 during head indexing movements.

As a further alternative, the audio/video system of the twelfth figure of the copending applications may utilized to drive the capstan 16 which would then correspond to the capstan 212a integral with flywheel 212 on the shaft of the high speed capstan motor 187. In this event, the linkage 'would be suitably coupled to the selector 46 so as to provide for engagement of idler wheel portion 210 in the audio A position of selector 46. This is indicated by motor-shift lever 48a coupled to linkage 48 in FIG. 2 by pin 48b on the linkage 48.

FIG. 4 illustrates an electric circuit arrangement for the embodiments of FIG. 1-3 wherein the ring configuration of the audio and video heads 11 and 12 has been diagrammatically indicated, the record medium 14 travelling successively across the poles of the heads at the scanning regions 11a and 12a which may be formed by means of a non-magnetic gap in the magnetic circuits of the heads. Because of the relatively long wavelengths recorded in the record medium during audio transducing, the length dimension of gap 11a may be relatively great in comparison to the dimension of the video scanning gap 12a. The larger gapped audio transducer head 11 has more turns on its winding and exhibits substantially greater playback voltage under these circumstances than would be the case if the video head 12 were also used for transducing of audio recorded signals. Further, during audio transducing operation, an audio grade magnetic tape may be utilized, even though such grade of record medium would not be desirable during a video transducing operation, because some grades of audio tape are abrasive enough to injurethe video head. Since the video head 12 does not engage the tape during audio transducing operation, it is protected from undesirable abrasion.

The audio head 11 is shown as being provided with an audio transducing winding 71 having the optimum number of turns for the audio transducing operation, while the video transducer head 12 is provided with a highimpedance winding 72 having a relatively large number of turns and a low impedance winding 73- having a relatively lower number of turns. By way of example, the

windings

72 and 73 may be connected in series relation with respect to the input to the amplifier component 75 during playback operation, while the video signal and bias circuits component 76 is essentially connected only with the winding 73 during video recording operation, a resistor 77 being shown permanently connected across the high impedance winding 72 to damp any resonance effects.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, it is contemplated that the selector switch

arms

81 and 82 are mechanically coupled for actuation by the selector 46, the

arms

81 and 82 being shown in the position corresponding to the position of the selector 46 in FIG. 2, i.e., the video transducing mode. Record/playback selector arms 83-85 are shown in the record R position. For conditioning the circuit for video playback, the selector arms 83-85 would be placed in their lower playback positions P. For video mode, component 76 is shown as receiving a video signal from a television tuner or a television camera device which may transmit a conventional television broadcast signal to input line 90. In this case, component 76 may include a conventional television broadcast receiver. Various television camera and signal processing arrangements are disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 545,050 filed Apr. 25, 1966, now US. Pat. No. 3,484,546, and the disclosure of this copending application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and particularly for the purpose of illustrating suitable signal processing and camera circuitry which may be substituted in FIG. 4. During video playback mode, the output from the

video head windings

72 and 73 is supplied via shielded conductor 91 to the input of the playback amplifier component 75, whose output is supplied via conductor 93 to an input of the component 76. The component 76 thus also includes suitable playback circuitry, for example such as found at the bottom of FIG. 5 or in my copending application Ser. No. 545,050, so that the reproduced video signal may be displayed at the video display unit 95 which is coupled with the component 76 via suitable conductors such as indicated at 96. Resistor 97 and capacitor 98 provide an equalizing network during video recording operation corresponding to R00 and Co, FIG. 5.

During audio operation, input signals may be supplied, for example to input line 101 of audio signal and bias circuits component 102 from a broadcast receiver or the like. Alternatively, input may be taken from a microphone 103 via an input line 104. The output audio and bias current is supplied via capacitor 106 and resistor 107 forming an equalizing network and via selector arm 83 to audio winding 71. Hum bucking loop 110 provides relatively negligible impedance at the audio or video frequencies. During audio playback operation, the reproduced signal is supplied via shielded cable 91 to the input of playback amplifier component 75, and the output of component 75 is supplied via a capacitor 112 to an audio jack 113 and to a resistance 114 across the input of audio power amplifier 115. The output of amplifier 115 is shown driving a loudspeaker 116. y

In accordance with the concepts of the present in.- vention, the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4 may be supplied in a modular form, so that a purchaser could initially acquire only the components such as 11, 75, 102, 103,

115 and 116 necessary for audio recording operation. At a later date, specifically video components such as head 12, and the processing circuits such as 76 and 95 could be added to the equipment to adapt it to selective audio/video operation.

Other signal processing arrangements which are adaptable to the circuitry of FIG. 4 are found in my copending application Ser. No. 393,282 filed Aug. 31, 1964, now US. Pat. No. 3,506,780 and the disclosure of this application is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Referring to FIG. 5, which is a preferred electric circuit in accordance with FIG. 4, corresponding reference numerals have been applied to similar parts in the diagram of FIG. 4 and in the detailed electric circuit of FIG. 5. Reference numeral 120 has been applied to the conductor leading to the audio head 11, FIG. 4,

and to the corresponding conductor extending from the audio A terminal at the upper left in FIG. 5 to indicate the correlation of the two views. FIG. 5 illustrates

additional selector arms

121 and 122 which are also preferably mechanically coupled with the selector 46 so as to be shiftable therewith between the video position V," the neutral position N and the audio position A in accordance with the corresponding position of the selector 46. Record-playback selector arms 125-129 are shown in FIG. 5 having upper record positions R and lower playback positions P. These selector arms 125-129 may be coupled to a common manual actuator with selector arms 83-85 so as to be all jointly movable between the record and playback positions.

The circuit of FIG. 5 is generally comparable to the circuits of my copending application Ser. No. 649,256, now US. Pat. No. 3,596,008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for the purpose of providing a clear understanding of the circuitry of FIG. 5 and also for the purpose of illustrating alternative, but not preferred, video/audio circuits which may be utilized as the component 75, FIG. 4 and -as illustrating additional signal processing circuits which may be utilized for component 76, FIG. 4. Most of the circuit elements in FIG. 5 have been given reference characters comparable to those of the first responds to conductor 65 of the copending application Ser. No. 649,256.

Components 201-216 of FIG. 6 are also similar to circuit elements of the circuit of the first figure of thecopending application Ser. No; 649,256, so that the function of these elements in compensating for flutter in the reproduced signal during playback operation will be apparent.

Earlier versions of the circuits of FIGS. 5 and 6 are found in my copending applications Ser. No. 401,832 filed Oct. 6, 1964, now US. Pat. No. 3,495,046, and Ser. No. 528,934, and the disclosures of these applications are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference and particularly for the purpose of illustrating alternative signal processing circuits for use as

components

75 and 76, FIG. 4.

The preferred values for the circuit elements of FIGS. 5 and 6 are listed in the following table:

TABLE I (FIGS. 5 and 6) Value of Circuit Element Component of Component of Present Figs. First Figure of Present Circuit (Serial 5 and 6 Serial 649, 256 649, 256)+ Resistor Resistor Resistance Value (Ohms) Inductor Inductor Inductance Value 148 (32") 100 microhenries to 316 microhenries L4 50 microhenries Capacitor Capacitor Capacitance Value 202 (41) micromicrofarads 203 (42) 51 micromicrofarads 204 (43) 51 micromicrofarads 208 (44* 390 micromicrofarads 210 470 micromicrofarads 21 1 (45" 390 micromicrofarads 212 .01 microfarad 216 (46) 470 micromicrofarads Where a single value is given, that value applies to both circuits.

-H- The value in parenthesis is the old value for the circuit of Serial No. 649,256. New component added to 141.30 Chassis Value of component changed from that of the 141.30 Chassis.

Resistor Resistor Resistance Value (Ohms) R26 (81) 10,000 (22,000)

Inductor Inductor Inductance Value L (90) 55 (100) microhenries Capacitor Capacitor Capacitance Value C19 (91) 0.1 'microfarad C20 (92) .002 microfarad C21 (93) .47 microfarad C22 (94) (39 0) micromicrofarads 141 39 micromicrofarads Diodes D3 (98) and D4 (99) Type IN3064 (T IN463A) Resistor Resistor Resistance Value (Ohms) R0 1 ,800 R00 12 1) 4,700 R20 (122) 27,000 R21 (123) 27,000 R22 124) 2.7 R23 (125) 2.7 R24 (126) 100 R25 (127) 10 R1 (1-R1) 2,200,000 R2 (1-R2) 120,000 R3 (1-R3) 2,200 R4 (1-R4) 18,000 R5 (l-RS 1,000,000 R7 (1-R7) 1000 (560) R8 (1-R8) 220 (470) R9 (1-R9) 10,000 R10 (1-R10) 8,200 (2,700) R11 (1-R11) 120 (150) R11A (1-R11A) 56 (150) R13 (1-R13) 270 (120) R13A (1-Rl3A) 47 (22) R15 (1R15) 1500 (680) R18 (1-R18) 220 R18A (1-R18A) 22 R19 (l-R19) 560 (470) Inductor Inductor Inductance Value (1-L1) 10 microhenries L3' (l-L3) 3.9 (5.5) microhenries L2 (130) 24 microhenries Capacitor Capacitor Capacitance Value Co (131) 300 micromicrofarads C12 (133) 500 (820)micromicrofarads C13 (134) 50 micromicrofarads C14 (135) 50 micromicrofarads C 15 (136) .05 microfarad C16 (137) 8 micromicrpfara is to 30 micromicrofarads C18 138) 1,000 microfarads C17 (139) 1,000 microfarads C 1 (1-C1) 20 microfarads C2 (l-C2) 20 microfarads C3 (1-C3) .005 (.01) microfarad C4 (1-C4) 0.1 (.07) microfarad C4A (l-C4A) .003'.microfarad C5 (1-C5) 20 microfarads C6 (1-C6) .0085 (.01) microfarad C8 (1-C8) .002 microfarad C10 (1-C10) .001 005) microfarad C1 1 (1-C1 1) .47 microfarad Transistor Transistor Type 01 l-Q 2N4250 Q2 (1-Q2) 2N3860 Q3 (1-Q3) 2N 3 860 O4 (1-Q4) 2N3860 O5 40,407 06 (151) 40407 Diodes D1 and D2 A13A2 Transformer primary (152) 14 turns No. 18.

A.W.G. center tapped, 1% inch diameter by 1 inch long Secondary 153 24 turns No. 30 A.W.G. coupled to primary winding Hum balancing loop 110 161 1 inch diameter loop with one or more turns depending on location with respect to hum fields HEAD PARAMETERS Winding 72 has 150 turns of No. 44 A.W.G. with an inductance of 1,600 microhenries.

Winding 73 has 50 turns of No. 40 A.W.G. with an inductance of 180 microhenries.

The head gap is about microinches long.

Connections are series aiding for winding 72 and 73 during playback.

Recording current is about 1 to 2 milliamperes peak to peak for the signal, and about 200 milliamperes bias current peak to peak at 6.5 megacycles per second.

Tape speed is 120, 60, or 30 inches per second.

A tape with an extra smooth surface, either of audio or of instrumentation grade is preferred.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is indicated a reel to reel tape transducer machine having a supply spindle 251, and takeup spindle 252, a tape guide 253, a video transducer head arrangement 255, a capstan drive element 256, a capstan pressure roller 257, and a pushbutton control arrangement 259. The tape transport mechanism 250 may be identical to that illustrated in the tenth figure of my copending application Ser. No. 649,256, and the description of this figure is incorporated herein by reference. The drive for the capstan drive element 256 may correspond to the drive arrangernent of the eighth or twelfth figures of my copending application Ser. No. 456,192, and the showing and description of these arrangements is incorpo'rated herein by reference. The head cleaning arrangements and bulk demagnetizing arrangements of said application Ser. No. 456,192 are also incorporated herein with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8. The electronic circuitry with respect to the transducer head of the mechanism 250 may also correspond with that illustrated in the twelfth figure of said application Ser. No. 456,192, for example, and the audio circuit 192 may connect with the relatively large high quality loudspeaker diagrammatically indicated at 260 in FIGS. 7 and 8. This circuitry of Ser. No. 456,192 is incorporated herein by reference. A supply reel is indicated at 262 and a takeup reel at 263, with a length of tape indicated at 265 threaded along the common path which is applicable both during audio and video transducing operation in accordance with the teachings of the prior application Ser. No. 456,192.

As a further embodiment, the transport mechanism 250 may conform with the reversible tape transport shown in the eighth figure of my copending application Ser. No. 401,832 filed Oct. 6, 1964, and the entire disclosure of this copending application is incorporated herein by reference and particularly to illustrate alternative features of the transport mechanism 250.

The machine 250 is provided with a receptacle 270 for receiving a commercially available battery powered cassette type tape record/reproducer unit such as indicated at 271. This unit includes a manual control button 272, a record safety button 273 and a battery condition indicator 274. Further, the unit 271 includes a pivotal cover 275 which may be opened to load and remove the cassette type two reel cartridge. This type of unit also includes a relatively small loudspeaker as indicated at 276, and receptacle means such as indicated at 277 so that the unit can be connected with an external loudspeaker and external power and the like. The transducer device 250 is provided with corresponding plug means as indicated at 278 which automatically engages into the receptacle means 277 as the transducer unit 271 is loaded in the direction of arrow 280 into the receptacle 270. Thus, when the unit 271 is in operative position within the receptacle 270, the transducer head of the unit 271 automatically connected with the audio power circuit 192 of the pending application Ser. No. 456,192 and loudspeaker 260, FIGS. 7 and 8, during recording mode, and is automatically connected to receive proper signal current from an external microphone, not shown, via the audio circuit 192 of the pending application. Alternatively the recording electronics of 271 may be used, preferably powered from the main unit 250. A finger operated latch is indicated at 284 which is reciprocal in the direction of arrow 285 in response to manual pressure on the finger piece 286 and in response to pressure by means of the compression spring 287 which urges the latch to the retaining position shown in FIG. 8. The movement of the member 284 is limited by means of a fixed pin 288 riding in a slot 289 of the member. Any comparable automatic latching, and manually operated release means may be provided for releasibly retaining the unit 271 within the receptacle 270.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, a reel to reel machine is illustrated which may, for example, conform with any of the alternatives described with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8. Similarly, any of the features described herein with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 may also be applied with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 9 is illustrated a supply spindle 301, a takeup spindle 302, a supply reel 303, a takeup reel 304, a length of magnetic tape record medium at 305, and fixed tape guides at 311-316 which may, for example, be identical in configuration to the guide indicated at 31 in FIG. 3. Further the mechanism of FIGS. 9 and 10 includes a capstan drive element 320 and a capstan pressure roller 321 which is mounted on a crank arm 322 for pivotal movement about a pivot point 323 against the action of a tension spring 324.

In this embodiment, a magnetic head assembly 330 includes an audio transducer head 331 and a video transducer head 332 which may be indexed in the vertical direction on a common mounting member 333 as was described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. As shown in FIG. 9, during video operation, the video transducing tape path as indicated at 340 extends at the outer side of

guides

312 and 313 and at the inner side of

guides

314 and 315 so that the video transducing tape path is clear of the audio transducer head 331, but is in sliding engagement with the confronting poles of the video transducer head 332, the heads and circuitry conforming with the description already given with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. As shown in FIG. 10, during audio transducing mode, the audio transducing path extends as indicated at 341 at the inner side of

guides

312 and 313 and at the outer side of

guides

314 and 315 so that the tape 305 has its magnetizable surface in sliding engagement with the confronting poles of the audio transducer head 331 while extending clear of and out of contact with the poles of the video transducer 332. In this embodiment as well as in the preceding embodiment, the tape guides such as 312-315 and the capstan pressure roller 321 may be automatically retracted in a neutral position to facilitate threading, or a rapid traverse movement of the record medium from reel to reel.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, a felt pad 350 is mounted on a stationary panel (not shown) so as to be in sliding engagement with the magnetizable surface of the tape 305 in either audio or video threading condition thereof. This felt pad may serve to dampen vibrations of the tape record medium and/or clean or lubricate the magnetizable surface, and may have any of the characteristics described for the damping pad indicated at 922 in the eighth figure of my copending application Ser. No. 401,832, reference being made particularly to pages 65 and 94 of said pending application which are incorporated herein by reference. The pad 350 may also have the characteristics of the pad 1012 indicated in the tenth figure of my pending application Ser. No. 649,256, and the description thereof at pages 47 and 48 of such pending application is incorporated herein by reference. The tape record medium 305 when moving at video transducing speeds such as 60 inches per second is subject to relatively high frequency vibration such as at 100 cycles or more per second in free spans thereof, and it is found that the pad 350 when acting at such a free span adjacent the transducer head assembly 330 is effective in substantially damping vibration at the

heads

331 and 332. The pad is of a soft springy material capable of being substantially deflected as a result of normal tape tension. When the pad is to perform a lubricating action, it should be porous and impregnated with the lubricating substance. Thus preferably, if lines are drawn tangent to the tape engaging surfaces of the

guides

313 and 314 for the video path and the audio path, the pad 350 will extend somewhat beyond such intersection point so as to be depressed by tape tension during video or audio transducing operation. Of course, the pad 350 cam be positioned so as to engage the tape only during video operation, or only during audio operation, or different pads could be provided cooperating with the respective paths.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an audio/video cartridge transducer machine 400 including a stop push button control 401, an audio selector button means 402, a video selector button 403, a record safety button 404, a head channel position indicator 405, an unload button 406, a forward (upward) head indexing control button 407, and a backward (downward) head indexing button 408. Actuation of the unload button 406 retracts all of the tape engaging elements 411-417 so as to enable convenient loading of a video cartridge such as indicated at 420, or audio cartridges such as indicated at 421 and 422. After loading of the video cartridge 420, depressing of the video selector button 403 actuates the

elements

413, 414 and 415 to the tape engaging positions shown in FIG. 11 to condition the transducer mechanism for video operation, and also actuates a latch (not shown) for locking the cartridge while in operation. In this mode of operation, capstan drive

elements

424 and 425 are driven at relatively high speed so as to move the tape in the direction of the arrow 426, the tape unwinding from about a rotatable hub 427 within the magazine. 420, and being wound onto the outer convolution of the coil of magnetic tape indicated diagrammatically at 429. It will be understood that the video cartridge 420 is indicated in diagram matic form in FIG. 11, and it may be considered that a top cover plate of the cartridge 420 has been removed so as to expose to view the endless tape configuration and the internal guide pins such as indicated at 431 and 432 which are within the interior of the cartridge 420. By way of example tape record medium 434 may be driven at a video transducing speed of the order of 60 or 30 inches per second.

As in known prior art arrangements, the head assembly 435 may be successively indexed to successive adjacent channels for example in a downward direction in response to a conductive strip at a suitable point on the magnetic tape 434, for example which might be sensed by means of the contact arrangement 411 (which in this event would be in sliding contact with the non-magnetic face of the magnetic tape 434). Alternatively, the head indexing arrangement indicated in the fourteenth and fifteenth figures of my copending application Ser. No. 401,832 may be utilized, and the description at pages 57-63a and at and 91 thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

To remove the video cartridge 420 from the receiving region of mechanism 400 occupied, unload button 406 is depressed, retracting 413-415 away from the cartridge 420 and unlatching the cartridge, after which the video cartridge may be pivoted upwardly relative to the receptacle member 440 to clear the record medium 434 of the elements 41 1-417 and 424, 425. Thereafter, the cartridge 470 may be moved in the direction of arrow 441 so as to remove the edge 420a of the cartridge 420 from the receiving aperture 440a of receptacle member 440. The video cartridge receiving region is generally indicated by the reference numeral 445 in FIG. 12 and in this embodiment will be understood to essentially include the region accommodating the endless loop audio cartridge 421 or the two reel type tape cassette cartridge 422. The controls 401-408 of FIG. 11 have been omitted in FIG. 12 and conventional tape guides for an endless loop cartridge have been omitted for simplicity in FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 12 illustrates the case where the endless tape cartridge button 402a of audio selector means 402 has been depressed so as to advance switch contact element 411 and playback head 412 into operative relation to the endless tape record medium indicated at 450. This type of cartridge is of conventional configuration and is loaded in the direction of arrow 451 through a guide band 452 which may be spring urged into the cartridge receiving condition shown in FIG. 12, while being depressed into a suitable recess in the bottom wall 445a of region 445 when the video cartridge 420 is pivoted downwardly into the operating position shown in FIG. 11. The latching means for retaining the cartridge 421 may be carried by the bracket 452 or may take any of the forms illustrated in my copending applications Ser. No. 793,352, now US. Pat. No. 3,617,065, and Ser. No. 806,347, filed respectively Jan. 23, 1969 and Mar. 10, 1969, and the disclosures of each of these pending applications is incorporated herein by reference. It will be noted that the record medium 450 engages the opposite side of the capstan 424 from the side engaged by the video record medium 434, the tape 450 being backed by means of a pressure roller 455 whichis a permanent part of the cartridge 421.

The head 412 may be indexed between successive sets of channels in the conventional manner in response to a conductive strip on the magnetizable side of the tape record medium 450. All of the

heads

412, 416, 417 and 435 may, however, be actuated jointly in the respective opposite indexing directions by successively depressing the indexing button 407 or 408 for manual selection of the channel on the record medium at any desired point in the operating cycle.

The video cartridge receiving region 445 may also be provided with a vertically retractible cassette retaining member 460 having a recess 460a for receiving the back edge of the cassette 422 which then is pivoted into the operating position shown in FIG. 12 in a similar way to the video cartridge 420. Suitable guide pins carried retractibly by the bottom wall 445a may be spring urged into an upper position for assisting in the positioning of the cartridge 422 as in the conventional commercial mechanism. One of the guide pins is indicated at 462 in FIG. 12 extending into an aperture of the cartridge 422 in the conventional manner. The video cartridge 420 may either have apertures to accommodate the pins 461 or may serve to depress the pins along with the receiving member 460, all of which would then be spring urged to the upper position in which they are illustrated in FIG. 12. When the button 4021; of the audio selector means 402 is depressed,

elements

411 and 412 are retracted, and elements 415-417 are advanced to their conventional tape engaging positions. To unload either of the

audio cartridges

421 or 422, the unload button 406 may be actuated (after depressing of the stop button 401 since the unload button is inoperative when the machine is running.) For the case of

capstan elements

424 and 425 which are driven in one direction only, it will be observed that the video tape 434 is driven from left to right and in the direction of arrow 426, while the record medium 450 is also driven from left to right as viewed in FIG. 12. The record medium of the cartridge 422 would be driven from right to left. By way of example, tape record medium 450 may travel at an audio transducing speed of 3.75

inches per second, while the record medium of cassette cartridge 422 may travel at an audio transducing speed of 1.875 inches per second. The changes in capstan driving speed and direction may be accomplished in the manners described in the eighth or twelfth figures of my copending application Ser. No. 456,192, or a mechanical shift along stepped pulleys or the like may be utilized. As a further alternative, electric motor drives may be utilized with switching from two pole operation to four pole operation where a common audio drive motor is provided for

capstans

424 and 425.

Any one or two of the three modes of operation illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be omitted.

In each of the embodiments either the heads may shift relative to the tape or cartridge, or the tape or cartridge may be shifted by means of movable tape guides or the like.

In FIG. 6 the R C circuits 209-210, 212-213, and 215-216 have been found to be especially advantageous in stabilizing the picture when fluctuations are present in the tape speed. These have time-constants of 18, 470 and 4.7 microseconds respectively. The circuits have been found to transmit a much greater corrective signal to the horizontal circuits of the picture display enabling it to follow the fluctuations in drive speed. The conventional circuits which it replaced could not give this correction, and became unstable and inoperative when attempts were made to modify them to increase their transmission of the corrective signal.

Correction of frequency modulation of the horizontal scan at rates from 4 Hz to 1,000 Hz is increased greatly without undue instability by using the circuit of FIG. 6. This circuit has been found applicable to the sync section of most TV chassises as for example the Zenith l4L30, the RCA CTC l6Xl-I, and the Motorola TS-589. In some cases it is advantageous to have resistor 215 equal 3,300 ohms (1.5 microsecond timeconstant with 216); and in some cases capacitor 210 was omitted. In FIG. 6, where the horizontal sync rate supplied at input 201 varies due to drive fluctuations of the type present in a video transducer mechanism, the control circuit shown in FIG. 6 supplies a control voltage to the grid of tube V10A; this control circuit includes a parallel resistance 213 and capacitance 212 feeding into a series circuit to ground including resistance 215 and capacitance 216, the control voltage being developed across the series circuit including resistance 215 and capacitor 216. As described at application page 11 of said copending application Ser. No. 649,256, the input capacitor, identified herein by reference numeral 202, may be connected with the plate (pin 8) of tube (V8) of the Zenith commercial broadcast television receiver chassis No; 14L30. The tube (V8) performs the functions of automatic gain control and sync clipping. The tube V10A in said chassis is formed by one half of a type 6KD8 tube. The preferred values for the components of FIG. 6 are given in table I (at application page 12 hereof), from which it will be observed that present FIG. 6 differs from the first figure of Ser. No. 649,256 primarily in the substitution of the parallel resistance-capacitance circuits 209, 210; and 212, 213, for the components between conductors (72) and (73) in said first figure.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, by way of example, the loudspeaker 260 is indicated as being selectively connected with audio unit 271 via receptacle 277, plug 278, cable 480, audio power amplifier and rectifier circuits component 481, and conductors 482. Power is shown as being supplied to the audio unit from conventional power cord 484 via conductors 485, the rectifier stages of component 481 and separate conductors of cable 480.

C,,,, R and C modify the gain and frequency response of the amplifier in FIG. 5 so that in the audio position of 121 and 122 a flat response is obtained over the audio range without overloading of the circuits.

I claim as my invention:

1 A A magnetic transducer system comprising a video magnetic transducer head operable for reproducing video signals, and disposed for selective scanning cooperation with a magnetic tape record medium moving along a video transducing record path, and an audio magnetic transducer head arranged for selective scanning cooperation with a magnetic tape record medium moving along an audio transducing record path, said audio magnetic transducer head having substantially different transducing characteristics than the video magnetic transducer head so as to'exhibit substantially different characteristics in transducing an audio signal including substantially greater output in transducing an audio signal than would be the case if the video magnetic transducer head were so used,

transducer electric circuit for selective actuation to activate said video magnetic transducer head in a video transducing mode for transducing of video signals, and for selective actuation to activate said audio magnetic transducer head in an audio transducing mode for the transducing of audio signal information,

' tape path shifting means engageable with a magnetic tape record medium and operable for shifting the magnetic tape record medium selectively to said audio transducing record path-during audio transducing mode and guiding the magnetic tape record medium to extend clear of coupling relation with said video magnetic transducer head and in operative coupling relation with said audio magnetic transducer head, and operable for shifting the magnetic tape record medium to said video transducing record path during video transducing mode and for guiding the magnetic tape record medium in operative coupling relation with the video magnetic transducer head,

magnetic tape transport means for driving the magnetic tape record medium along the video transducing record path in said video transducing mode and for driving the magnetic tape record medium along the audiortransducing record path in said audio transducing mode, and selector connected with said transducing electric circuit means and with said tape path shifting means for selective manual actuation between an audio transducing condition and a video transducing condition, and being operable in response to manual actuation to said audio transducing condition to actuate said transducer electric circuit means to said audio transducing mode and to actuate said tape path shifting means to guide a magnetic tape record medium along said audio transducing record path for operative coupling with the audio magnetic transducer head but clear of coupling with said video magnetic transducer head, and being operable in response to manual actuation to said video transducing condition to actuate said transducer electric circuit means to said video transducing mode and to shift said tape path shifting means to said video transducing condition for guiding a magnetic tape record medium along said video transducing record path and in operative coupling relation with said video magnetic transducer head.

2. A transducer system for transducing alternatively,

either video intelligence together with related audio intelligence, or audio intelligence alone, comprising first transducer head means operable for transducing video intelligence together with related audio intelligence while in scanning relationship with a magnetic tape record medium moving at a video transducing speed,

second transducer head means operable for transducing audio intelligence alone while in scanning relationship with a magnetic tape record medium moving at an audio transducing speed which is substantially slower than said video transducing speed, said second transducer head means having a substantially different construction than said first transducer head means so as to be adapted to transducing audio intelligence at said substantially slower audio transducing speed,

common tape guide means operable alternatively, either for guiding a magnetic tape record medium moving at said video transducing speed in scanning relationship with said first transducer head means, or for guiding a magnetic tape record medium moving at said substantially slower audio transducing speed in scanning relationship with said second transducer head means, and

tape drive means operable alternatively, either for moving a magnetic tape record medium along andunder the guidance of said common tape guide means and in scanning relationship with-said first transducer head means at said video transducing speed, or for moving a magnetic tape record medium along and under the guidance of said common tape guide means and in scanning relationship with said second transducer head means at said substantially slower audio transducing speed.

3. A transducer system comprising a transport mechanism having means for selectively accommodating a video record medium cartridge of one configuration and an audio record medium cartridge of a different configuration, at a common record transport region of said mechanism,

a longitudinal scan video magnetic transducer head mounted on said transport mechanism at said common record transport region and disposed along a video record medium path for scanning engagement with a record medium of the video record medium cartridge during a video transducing operation, and

an audio transducer head mounted on said transport mechanism at said common record transport region and disposed generally along said video record medium path and spaced from said longitudinal, scan video magnetic transducer head, said audio transducer head being maintained clear of the video record medium during video transducing operation,

said common record transport region having means for driving a record medium in a video record medium cartridge at a relatively higher video transducing speed and for driving a record medium in an audio record medium cartridge at a relatively lower audio transducing speed, and

said transport mechanism having a common drive element engageable with a record medium of a video record medium cartridge to move the record medium at the video transducing speed along said video record medium path, and engageable with the record medium of an audio record medium cartridge to move the same at a different audio transducing speed in comparison to said video transducing speed.

4. A transducer system according to claim 3 with the record medium of the video record medium cartridge extending on one side of the capstan drive element and with the record medium of an audio record medium cartridge extending on an opposite side of the capstan path extending between said stations and in operal tive relation to the video transducer head,

said guide means further defining a second audio record medium path extending between said stations along a path of different configuration and physically spaced from the video transducer head and in operative relation to said audio transducer head,

the threading of a record medium on said guide means between said stations being alternatively along the first path while avoiding portions of the second path, or along the second path which excludes the portion of .the first path at the video transducer head so that the second path is of different configuration from the first path at the region of said video transducer head.

6. A transducer system according to claim with said guide means comprising common record medium guide elements having first surfaces defining the first video record medium path and having different second surfaces opposite said first surfaces defining the second audio record medium path, and a record medium being selectively threadable along said guide elements and over said first surfaces and over said second surfaces respectively so as to extend along the first or second path.

7. A magnetic transducer system comprising a longitudinal scan video magnetic transducer head operable for reproducing video signals, and disposed for selective longitudinal scanning cooperation with a given channel of a magnetic tape record medium moving longitudinally along a video transducing record path, and a longitudinal scan audio magnetic transducer head arranged for selective longitudinal scanning cooperation with a channel of a magnetic tape record medium moving longitudinally along an audio transducing record path, said audio magnetic transducer head having a greater number of playback winding turns than the video magnetic transducer head so as to exhibit substantially greater playback voltage in reproducing an audio signal than would be the case if the video magnetic transducer head were so used,

transducer electric circuit means for selective actuation to activate said video magnetic transducer head in a video transducing mode for reproduction of a recorded video signal scanned by said video magnetic transducer head, and for selective actuation to activate said audio magnetic transducer head in an audio transducing mode for the reproduction of recorded audio signal information as scanned by said audio magnetic transducer head,

means for guiding a magnetic tape record medium along said audio transducing record path during audio transducing mode with the magnetic tape record medium extending clear of contact with said video magnetic transducer head and in sliding contact with said audio magnetic transducer head, and for guiding a magnetic tape record medium along the video transducing record path during video transducing mode in sliding contact with the video magnetic transducer head, with the video magnetic transducer head scanning along a channel on the magnetic tape record medium in the same direction as and parallel to the scanning direction of the audio magnetic transducer head during audio transducing mode,

magnetic tape transport means for driving the magnetic tape record medium along the video transducing record path in said video transducing mode and for driving the magnetic tape record medium along the audio transducing record path in said audio transducing mode, and

control means for selectively actuation said transducer electric circuit means to said video transducing mode and to said audio transducing mode, and being operable in video transducing mode to operate said tape transport means to drive the tape record medium at a relatively higher speed and being operable in said audio transducing mode to operate said tape transport means to drive the tape record medium at a relatively lower speed substantially lower than said relatively higher speed.

8. A transducer system according to claim 7 with said video transducing record path and said audio transducing record path extending along a substantially common record medium path relative to said record medium guiding means, the common record medium path extending past said video magnetic transducer head and said audio magnetic transducer head, and means providing three relative positions between said heads and said common record medium path, one with said video head only in operative relation to the record medium path, one with said audio head only in operative relation with said common record medium path, and one with both said video transducer head and said audio transducer head substantially clear of said common record medium path.

9. A transducer system according to claim 7 with said guiding means comprising a pair of first guide elements adjacent the video transducer head and a pair of second guide elements adjacent the audio transducer head, the video transducing record path extending on the side of the first guide elements toward the video transducer head and on the side of the second guide elements away from the audio transducer head, and the audio transducing record path extending on the side of the first guide elements away from the video transducer head and on the side of the second guide elements toward the audio transducer head, the pair of first guide elements guiding the record medium in scanning cooperation with the video transducer head during video transducing mode and the second guide elements guiding the record medium in scanning cooperation with the audio transducer head during audio transducing mode.

10. A transducer system according to claim 7 further comprising a shiftable frame having record medium guides and shiftable to a first position with said guides defining a video transducing record path extending in 20 when the transducer electric circuit is actuated to video transducing mode and for shifting the frame to said second position when the transducer electric circuit means is actuated to audio transducing mode.

Claims

1. A magnetic transducer system comprising a video magnetic transducer head operable for reproducing video signals, and disposed for selective scanning cooperation with a magnetic tape record medium moving along a video transducing record path, and an audio magnetic transducer head arranged for selective scanning cooperation with a magnetic tape record medium moving along an audio transducing record path, said audio magnetic transducer head having substantially different transducing characteristics than the video magnetic transducer head so as to exhibit substantially different characteristics in transducing an audio signal including substantially greater output in transducing an audio signal than would be the case if the video magnetic transducer head were so used, transducer electric circuit for selective actuation to activate said video magnetic transducer head in a video transducing mode for transducing of video signals, and for selective actuation to activate said audio magnetic transducer head in an audio transducing mode for the transducing of audio signal information, tape path shifting means engageable with a magnetic tape record medium and operable for shifting the magnetic tape record medium selectively to said audio transducing record path during audio transducing mode and guiding the magnetic tape record medium to extend clear of coupling relation with said video magnetic transducer head and in operative coupling relation with said audio magnetic transducer head, and operable for shifting the magnetic tape record medium to said video transducing record path during video transducing mode and for guiding the magnetic tape record medium in operative coupling relation with the video magnetic transducer head, magnetic tape transport means for driving the magnetic tape record medium along the video transducing record path in said video transducing mode and for driving the magnetic tape record medium along the audio transducing record path in said audio transducing mode, and a selector connected with said transducing electric circuit means and with said tape path shifting means for selective manual actuation between an audio transducing condition and a video transducing condition, and being operable in response to manual actuation to said audio transducing condition to actuate said transducer electric circuit means to said audio transducing mode and to actuate said tape path shifting means to guide a magnetic tape record medium along said audio transducing record path for operative coupling with the audio magnetic transducer head but clear of coupling with said video magnetic transducer head, and being operable in response to manual actuation to said video transducing condition to actuate said transducer electric circuit means to said video transducing mode aNd to shift said tape path shifting means to said video transducing condition for guiding a magnetic tape record medium along said video transducing record path and in operative coupling relation with said video magnetic transducer head.

2. A transducer system for transducing alternatively, either video intelligence together with related audio intelligence, or audio intelligence alone, comprising first transducer head means operable for transducing video intelligence together with related audio intelligence while in scanning relationship with a magnetic tape record medium moving at a video transducing speed, second transducer head means operable for transducing audio intelligence alone while in scanning relationship with a magnetic tape record medium moving at an audio transducing speed which is substantially slower than said video transducing speed, said second transducer head means having a substantially different construction than said first transducer head means so as to be adapted to transducing audio intelligence at said substantially slower audio transducing speed, common tape guide means operable alternatively, either for guiding a magnetic tape record medium moving at said video transducing speed in scanning relationship with said first transducer head means, or for guiding a magnetic tape record medium moving at said substantially slower audio transducing speed in scanning relationship with said second transducer head means, and tape drive means operable alternatively, either for moving a magnetic tape record medium along and under the guidance of said common tape guide means and in scanning relationship with said first transducer head means at said video transducing speed, or for moving a magnetic tape record medium along and under the guidance of said common tape guide means and in scanning relationship with said second transducer head means at said substantially slower audio transducing speed.

3. A transducer system comprising a transport mechanism having means for selectively accommodating a video record medium cartridge of one configuration and an audio record medium cartridge of a different configuration, at a common record transport region of said mechanism, a longitudinal scan video magnetic transducer head mounted on said transport mechanism at said common record transport region and disposed along a video record medium path for scanning engagement with a record medium of the video record medium cartridge during a video transducing operation, and an audio transducer head mounted on said transport mechanism at said common record transport region and disposed generally along said video record medium path and spaced from said longitudinal scan video magnetic transducer head, said audio transducer head being maintained clear of the video record medium during video transducing operation, said common record transport region having means for driving a record medium in a video record medium cartridge at a relatively higher video transducing speed and for driving a record medium in an audio record medium cartridge at a relatively lower audio transducing speed, and said transport mechanism having a common capstan drive element engageable with a record medium of a video record medium cartridge to move the record medium at the video transducing speed along said video record medium path, and engageable with the record medium of an audio record medium cartridge to move the same at a different audio transducing speed in comparison to said video transducing speed.

4. A transducer system according to claim 3 with the record medium of the video record medium cartridge extending on one side of the capstan drive element and with the record medium of an audio record medium cartridge extending on an opposite side of the capstan drive element when operatively associated with said transport mechanism.

5. A transducer system comprising a record medium supply station, a record medium takeup station, a video transducer head and an aUdio transducer head, and guide means defining a first video record medium path extending between said stations and in operative relation to the video transducer head, said guide means further defining a second audio record medium path extending between said stations along a path of different configuration and physically spaced from the video transducer head and in operative relation to said audio transducer head, the threading of a record medium on said guide means between said stations being alternatively along the first path while avoiding portions of the second path, or along the second path which excludes the portion of the first path at the video transducer head so that the second path is of different configuration from the first path at the region of said video transducer head.

6. A transducer system according to claim 5 with said guide means comprising common record medium guide elements having first surfaces defining the first video record medium path and having different second surfaces opposite said first surfaces defining the second audio record medium path, and a record medium being selectively threadable along said guide elements and over said first surfaces and over said second surfaces respectively so as to extend along the first or second path.

7. A magnetic transducer system comprising a longitudinal scan video magnetic transducer head operable for reproducing video signals, and disposed for selective longitudinal scanning cooperation with a given channel of a magnetic tape record medium moving longitudinally along a video transducing record path, and a longitudinal scan audio magnetic transducer head arranged for selective longitudinal scanning cooperation with a channel of a magnetic tape record medium moving longitudinally along an audio transducing record path, said audio magnetic transducer head having a greater number of playback winding turns than the video magnetic transducer head so as to exhibit substantially greater playback voltage in reproducing an audio signal than would be the case if the video magnetic transducer head were so used, transducer electric circuit means for selective actuation to activate said video magnetic transducer head in a video transducing mode for reproduction of a recorded video signal scanned by said video magnetic transducer head, and for selective actuation to activate said audio magnetic transducer head in an audio transducing mode for the reproduction of recorded audio signal information as scanned by said audio magnetic transducer head, means for guiding a magnetic tape record medium along said audio transducing record path during audio transducing mode with the magnetic tape record medium extending clear of contact with said video magnetic transducer head and in sliding contact with said audio magnetic transducer head, and for guiding a magnetic tape record medium along the video transducing record path during video transducing mode in sliding contact with the video magnetic transducer head, with the video magnetic transducer head scanning along a channel on the magnetic tape record medium in the same direction as and parallel to the scanning direction of the audio magnetic transducer head during audio transducing mode, magnetic tape transport means for driving the magnetic tape record medium along the video transducing record path in said video transducing mode and for driving the magnetic tape record medium along the audio transducing record path in said audio transducing mode, and control means for selectively actuation said transducer electric circuit means to said video transducing mode and to said audio transducing mode, and being operable in video transducing mode to operate said tape transport means to drive the tape record medium at a relatively higher speed and being operable in said audio transducing mode to operate said tape transport means to drive the tape record medium at a relatively lower speed substantially lower than said relatively higher speed.

10. A transducer system according to claim 7 further comprising a shiftable frame having record medium guides and shiftable to a first position with said guides defining a video transducing record path extending in operative relation to the video transducer head and clear of the audio transducer head and shiftable to a second position defining the audio transducing path.

11. A transducer system according to claim 10 with said control means comprising a control coupled with said frame for shifting the frame to said first position when the transducer electric circuit is actuated to video transducing mode and for shifting the frame to said second position when the transducer electric circuit means is actuated to audio transducing mode.