Magneto-resistive effect type magnetic head and magnetic tape apparatus

摘要

A magneto-resistive effect type magnetic head (12) has a head width Wh greater than the track width Wt of a magnetic tape (5), as measured in the width direction of the tape (5). The head (12) has a magneto-resistive effect element, which has a magnetism-detecting section arranged at the prescribed azimuth angle. A signal reproduced from the magnetic tape as the head (12) is moved while off-tracked in the widthwise direction Wh of the recording track T1. The signal has a specific characteristic that falls within a predetermined range for a reference value, provided that it has been generated from the magnetism the head (12) has detected over its effective width We.