Apparatus for changing the velocity of transport of a tape to a selected velocity in accordance with a system reference timing signal identifying periodically occurring intervals comprises means for controlling the velocity of transport of the tape responsive to a velocity change command signal to cause the tape transport velocity to be changed at a rate for a velocity change interval that results in a displacement of the tape at the end of said velocity change interval proportional to the product of the velocity change and the velocity change interval as adjusted for any residual displacement of the reproduce head at the end of the velocity change interval. In order to maintain synchronous control track lock the apparatus includes means for comparing the field identification information included in video information reproduced from the tape with corresponding reference field identification information identifying distinct reference field intervals of a recurring sequence of a plurality of distinct reference field intervals and generating a match signal when the compared field identification information identify a coincidence of a distinct field interval of video information reproduced from the tape and a corresponding distinct reference field interval occurring in the sequence of distinct reference field intervals; means for driving the capstan to a velocity corresponding to the normal velocity of transport of the tape in response to the generation of said match signal; means for comparing the phase of the capstan with the phase of a stable reference signal and generation an error signal indicative of the difference between the compared phases; and means responsive to the error signal for adjusting the drive of the capstan to eliminate the phase difference.