Dual video recording/reproducing apparatus includes a video playback unit, a video recording unit having recording circuitry for recording a video output signal from the video playback unit, as well reproducing circuitry for reproducing a video signal, and a sub-picture signal former responsive to a video signal supplied thereto for providing a sub-picture signal adapted to be displayed as a sub-picture insert of a main picture. A switch couples either the video output from the video playback unit or the video output from the reproducing circuitry included in the video recording unit to the sub-picture signal former. The video signal which is not coupled to the sub-picture signal former constitutes the main picture signal; and the sub-picture and main picture signals are combined to form a display signal which, when displayed, produces a main picture and a sub-picture insert. A common housing contains the video playback and video recording units, the sub-picture signal former, the switch and the sub-picture/main picture signal combining circuit.