Method and apparatus for processing servo signals concurrently read from plural spaced-apart servo areas on a magnetic tape

In a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic head (27) simultaneously senses plural track lateral position indicators to generate a like plurality of independently generated sensed position error signals. The sensed position error signals are combined to provide an output position error signal (100) that drives a positioning system to position the magnetic head laterally of the length of the magnetic tape (21). The output position error signal represents an average of the position errors indicated by the sensed position error signals. Means monitor the quality of such error signal enables eliminating poor quality signals from the output position error signal for maintaining a quality servo control. Upon loading the magnetic tape (21) to a load point, the plural track position indicators are simultaneously sensed for centering the head to a predetermined track position. Then, an independent head position sensor (90) is calibrated to the load point track position indicators for use as a verification of validity of the output position error signal.