A video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a magnetic tape (4) into which video signals are recorded, A preemphasis circuit (35) modifies the video signals prior to the recording into the magnetic tape (4), so as to increase magnitude of high-frequency components with respect to magnitude of low-frequency components. A record start or end identification signal is generated in response to a record start or end signal in an identification signal recording circuit (36) which memorizes this identification signal into a corresponding portion of the magnetic tape (4). A mute circuit (46) resets the preemphasis circuit (35) in response to the record start or end signal. There is further provided a deemphasis circuit (37) for modifying the video signals after reproduction from the magnetic tape (4) in a complementary manner with respect to the preemphasis circuit (35), so as to decrease magnitude of high-frequency components with respect to magnitude of low-frequency components. An identification signal detecting circuit (38) detects the record start or end identification signal from the magnetic tape (4) and generates an identification detecting signal. A mute circuit (49) resets the deemphasis circuit (37) in response to the identification detecting signal.