Apparatus and method for enabling rapid searching of helically recorded magnetic tape

摘要

Apparatus and method are disclosed for enabling rapid search of magnetic tape having information helically recorded thereon. A tape mark, consisting of an analog signal, is recorded on the magnetic tape as a physical location reference in a manner such that the mark can be detected at both normal playback speed and at faster search speeds. The recorded analog signal provides a highly reliable indication of record boundaries, including end of file, end of volume, end of directory, and the like.