A system for receiving and presenting broadcast programming has a television receiver connected to a set-top box having an internal hard disc on which selected programs may be recorded. As the internal hard disc has a finite capacity it can become full, particularly if the viewer wishes to retain a library of recordings. The system provides for the automatic transfer of programs stored on the internal hard disc to external hard drives. The viewer is enabled to set the criteria for such archiving using the remote control unit and on-screen menu options. Content with the largest size, the earliest recorded content, or the content viewed less frequently, may be automatically archived. The set-top box is also enabled to collate information identifying the externally stored content and to store that on the internal hard drive together with information as to the location of the stored content. This enables a viewer to retrieve the transferred content.

A method of scanning content comprises receiving an input signal indicating that content being displayed is to be scanned, sensing a duration of the received input signal, and scanning the content at a rate based at least in part on the sensed duration of the received input.

A method of scanning content comprises receiving an input signal indicating that content being displayed is to be scanned, sensing a duration of the received input signal, and scanning the content at a rate based at least in part on the sensed duration of the received input.

A low-cost portable digital video player receives proprietary compressed data from a source such as a personal video recorder (PVR), and displays the data on an integral display. A rewritable non-volatile memory of the player stores the data and a media decoder of the player transforms and decompresses the data. According to one embodiment the decoder transforms the data to a non-proprietary format, prior to storing the data. According to a second embodiment, the memory stores the data in the proprietary format, and decoder transforms and decompresses the data in response to an instruction from a user input device, and transfers the decoded data to a display. A cradle for the player provides communications to the PVR, a power supply and optionally further storage capacity.

A low-cost portable digital video player receives proprietary compressed data from a source such as a personal video recorder (PVR), and displays the data on an integral display. A rewritable non-volatile memory of the player stores the data and a media decoder of the player transforms and decompresses the data. According to one embodiment the decoder transforms the data to a non-proprietary format, prior to storing the data. According to a second embodiment, the memory stores the data in the proprietary format, and decoder transforms and decompresses the data in response to an instruction from a user input device, and transfers the decoded data to a display. A cradle for the player provides communications to the PVR, a power supply and optionally further storage capacity.

In one embodiment, a method that provides tier information corresponding to a picture, the tier information provided in an adaptation field of a transport packet, the transport packet comprising a first byte of a header of a packetized elementary stream (PES) containing the picture; and provides the first transport packet.

In one embodiment, a method that provides tier information corresponding to a picture, the tier information provided in an adaptation field of a transport packet, the transport packet comprising a first byte of a header of a packetized elementary stream (PES) containing the picture; and provides the first transport packet.

A multimedia visual progress indication system that provides a cache bar that is overlaid onto the program material or displayed on a dedicated display. A cache bar indicates the length of a recording session or the length of stored program material and expands to the right when material is being recorded. Index and/or bookmark indicators are displayed next to the cache bar. A position indicator moves within the cache bar and tells the user visually where his current position is within the program material. Numeric time or counter mark of the current position is displayed in the vicinity of the cache bar. The trick play bar and its associated components are displayed for a predetermined time period.

A method of performing time-shift function and television receiver having a tuner and a personal video recorder for storing broadcast programs of at least one channel enables a broadcast program of a currently tuned channel to be continuously and efficiently stored to enable time-shifting, regardless of an interruption by switching channels or changing input sources or even in the case of an inadvertent power-off condition. The method includes steps of setting a time-shift lock function; storing in the personal video recorder the broadcast program of a first channel that is currently viewed; storing in the personal video recorder the broadcast program of a second channel and the broadcast program of the first channel, if the currently viewed first channel is switched to the second channel; and supplying power only to the tuner and the personal video recorder, if a power-off condition occurs, wherein the supply of power to the tuner and the personal video recorder causes a continuous storing of the broadcast programs of the first and second channels in the personal video recorder.

A method of sharing recording capability on a network, the network having a server supporting at least a recording DVR and a receiving DVR, the recording and receiving DVRs being in different households, the method comprising: (a) determining that the receiving DVR is unable to record the content at a certain time; and (b) identifying that the recording DVR is able to provide the receiving DVR with a recording of the content; (c) recording the content on the recording DVR at the certain time; and (d) transmitting the content from the recording DVR to the receiving DVR after the certain time.