PURPOSE: To enable to obtain excellent reproduced picture, by providing the circuit forming the signal to be given to the video signal reproduced for the timing position before than that for the vertical synchronizing signal obtained from reproducing and separation from the recorded video signal.

CONSTITUTION: The rotary head 9 providing the rotary heads 8a and 8b opposingly each other is directly coupled with the DC motor 10. Taking l1 and l2 as the scanning locus length for one field's share of the head at recording and reproduction, the tape is wound and reproduced on the rotary head drum so that the total range of the length l1 can be included within the length l2. Further, the artificial vertical synchronizing signal is formed and outputted with the signal forming circuit 39 to give it to the video signal reproduced for the timing position before than that of the vertical synchronizing signal obtained from the recorded video signal with reproduction and separation. Thus, excellent reproduced picture can be obtained.