a video signal reproducing apparatus for reproducing a video signal from a recording medium includes a rotary head arranged to periodically trace the recording medium and reproduce the recorded video signal , a memory arranged to receive the video signal reproduced by the rotary head , memory control circuitry for controlling writing into and reading from the memory , a rotation controller for controlling rotation of the rotary head ; and mode setting circuitry for setting the apparatus into one of a plurality of modes including first and second still picture reproduction modes . in both modes , stored signals are repetitively read from the memory with reading address resetting occurring in the course thereof . in the first mode , which involves short term reproduction , the rotary head is caused to rotate and the resetting is dependent of detection of phase detection of the rotary head . in the second mode , which involves long term reproduction , rotation of the rotary head is discontinued and resetting is attained without dependence on phase detection .