| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus is provided with a thin film magnetic head (20) with eight write units (21-28) positioned adjacent to each other in a transversal direction (y) to write data in parallel tracks on a magnetic tape (10). Switching means (70) are provided with a switch (SW) to switch from a normal mode to a combination mode. In the normal mode the switch (SW) is in a first position (D1) and the switching means (70) couple a first data signal (S1) to a first write unit (21), a second data signal (S2) to a second write unit (22) etc., so that in the normal mode eight tracks (T21-T28) are written on the tape (10), resulting in a first track density. In the combination mode the switch (SW) is in a second position (D2) and the switching means (70) couple the first data signal (S1) to the first and second write units (21 and 22), the second data signal (S2) to the third and fourth write unit (23 and 24), etc. Hence, in the combination mode, four tracks (T1-T4) are written on the tape (10), resulting in a second track density which is half the first track density. This second track density corresponds to the density of the write units of a magnetic head (2) of an apparatus (not shown) of an older generation.</p> |
