A technique for load balancing between first and second DVRs includes receiving a customer selection of content with respect to load balancing between the DVRs, and responsive to the customer selection and based at least in part on a storage size of one content, execute a load balancing algorithm to move at least some content from the first DVR to the second DVR. Responsive to the customer selection and based at least in part on a storage size of a future content, a DVR is selected to record the future content at a future recording time.

A technique for load balancing between first and second DVRs includes receiving a customer selection of content with respect to load balancing between the DVRs, and responsive to the customer selection and based at least in part on a storage size of one content, execute a load balancing algorithm to move at least some content from the first DVR to the second DVR. Responsive to the customer selection and based at least in part on a storage size of a future content, a DVR is selected to record the future content at a future recording time.

Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming across the communication channels in the bonded channel group based on the dependency of the video data.

Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming across the communication channels in the bonded channel group based on the dependency of the video data.

A digital media distribution device that includes an encoder, a decoder coupled to the encoder, and a transcoder coupled to the decoder. The encoder is configured to encode input data that is received by the digital media distribution device into a first data format. The decoder is configured to decode output data to be output by the digital media distribution device. The transcoder is configured to convert the encoded input data from the first data format into a second data format. The digital media distribution device is configured to be coupled to a computer network.

A digital media distribution device that includes an encoder, a decoder coupled to the encoder, and a transcoder coupled to the decoder. The encoder is configured to encode input data that is received by the digital media distribution device into a first data format. The decoder is configured to decode output data to be output by the digital media distribution device. The transcoder is configured to convert the encoded input data from the first data format into a second data format. The digital media distribution device is configured to be coupled to a computer network.

An analyzer resource monitors content access information indicating availability of different types of content available to multiple subscribers over a shared communication link. To facilitate selection of content by respective subscribers, the analyzer resource sorts the available content into different classes (genres) based on a respective subject matter of the corresponding available content. The analyzer resource produces a listing of the different classes (genres) of available content. Subscribers select and/or customize genre-based feeds to store content in a repository for later retrieval.

An analyzer resource monitors content access information indicating availability of different types of content available to multiple subscribers over a shared communication link. To facilitate selection of content by respective subscribers, the analyzer resource sorts the available content into different classes (genres) based on a respective subject matter of the corresponding available content. The analyzer resource produces a listing of the different classes (genres) of available content. Subscribers select and/or customize genre-based feeds to store content in a repository for later retrieval.

A procedure to broadcast digital multimedia contents to subscribers, where a first digital data transport stream broadcast to subscribers from a head end (12) via a first telecommunications network other than a telecommunications network based on an Internet IP protocol is received in a customer device (15); transmission from a first retransmission unit (153) of a lost packet petition message to a second retransmission unit (132) contained in a service application unit (13) connectable to the customer device (15) via a second telecommunications network (11) based on an Internet IP protocol; in response to the lost packet petition message from the first data transport stream, transmission of a second digital data stream that comprises at least one packet lost form the first digital data transport stream.

A procedure to broadcast digital multimedia contents to subscribers, where a first digital data transport stream broadcast to subscribers from a head end (12) via a first telecommunications network other than a telecommunications network based on an Internet IP protocol is received in a customer device (15); transmission from a first retransmission unit (153) of a lost packet petition message to a second retransmission unit (132) contained in a service application unit (13) connectable to the customer device (15) via a second telecommunications network (11) based on an Internet IP protocol; in response to the lost packet petition message from the first data transport stream, transmission of a second digital data stream that comprises at least one packet lost form the first digital data transport stream.