PURPOSE: To eliminate the need for the frequent manual changeover of a switch means when a camera image and an external input image are sequentially recorded by using a switch means to prevent the input of an image pickup video signal to a recording section only when an external input signal is received.

CONSTITUTION: While a recording section is operated and an image pickup video signal is received and recorded by a recording section, when an external input signal is received, the switching state of a switch 13 is selected automatically to prevent the input of the image pickup video signal to the recording section and the external input signal is recorded by the recording section. That is, a comparator circuit 12 compares the level of a horizontal synchronizing signal with the level of the video signal caused in a signal line 15 in the generating timing of the horizontal synchronizing signal from a synchronizing signal generating circuit 10, and when the external input signal is received, it is discriminated that the levels of the both are not identical and a switch control circuit 11 at the post stage receiving the comparison result gives a switching control signal to select the switch 13 from a closed state into an open state to the switch 13 and the switch 13 is open to block the passing of the image pickup video signal.