PURPOSE: To improve the interchangeability of recording and reproducing, by executing the tracking control by a level of an RF signal reproduced by a rotary head, and a signal showing the phase, contained in a reproduced video signal.

CONSTITUTION: An envelope of an RF signal reproduced from video heads 10a and 10b is detected by an envelope detecting circuit 11, is applied to a differential amplifying circuit 13, and on the other hand, a video signal is demodulated by an FM demodulating circuit 15, and after that, a horizontal synchronizing signal is separated by a synchronization separating circuit 16, and is applied to one input of a phase comparing circuit 17. A horizontal synchronizing signal from a quartz oscillating circuit 28 and a counter 29 is applied to the other input of the phase comparing circuit 17, and whether a reproduced horizontal synchronizing signal leads or lags the reference phase is discriminated. A polarity reversing circuit 14 switches to reverse amplification or non-reverse amplification in accordance with a level of a control signal, therefore, its output signal is reduced to a tracking error signal, it is added to an output of a speed error detecting circuit 18 by an adding circuit 19, is applied to a motor driving circuit 20, and drives and controls a capstan motor 6.