DIGITAL MAGNETIC RECORDING AND REPRODUCING METHOD

PURPOSE:To prevent the utilizing efficiency of a magnetic tape from lowering and the increase in recording density from being forced, due to the increase of redundant data and to attain recording and reproducing in plural modes. CONSTITUTION:After a video signal and an audio signal are digitized by A/D converter 2, 5 and synthesized by a synthesizer 7 after prescribed signal processings are performed respectively. Various mode signals corresponding to the system of the recorded video signal, the high efficiency coding system of the video signal and the system, etc., of the compressed and recorded audio signal are inputted from a mode input terminal 10. Corresponding to the mode signals, pilot signals different from each other are generated by a pilot signal generator 11 and multiplexed with the synthesis signal by a superimposer 9, and the multiplexed signal is recorded on a magnetic tape 16 by magnetic heads 13, 14.