A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. .[.At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc..]. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.

Systems and methods are provided reducing storage space occupied by a media asset by adjusting quality levels of the media asset downward over time. This may be accomplished by a media guidance application that store, at a given time, the media asset in a first format having a first quality level. The media guidance application retrieves, from a database, a data entry corresponding to the media asset and determines, based on the data entry, a threshold period of time for storing the media asset in the first format. The media guidance application detects whether the threshold period of time since the given time has passed and responds by altering a first portion of the media asset from the first format having the first quality level to a second format having a second quality level that is inferior to the first quality level.

A system and method for controlling media devices over telecommunication networks is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the system and method utilize cellular telecommunication networks. The present system and method allows a user to control and, in some instances, unify a multitude of devices over the telecommunication network. Through telecommunication networks, such as cellular networks, media and entertainment can be shared between multiple devices.

Embodiments are directed towards providing fast setup of a storage device communicatively coupled to a television receiver. During initial setup of the storage device, an initial portion of the storage device is partitioned to provide accessibility for the television receiver to store content. However, the initial partition is only a subset of the maximum storage capacity of the storage device, which results in a second remainder portion of the storage device that is inaccessible for the television receiver to store audiovisual content. In response to a triggering event, the television receiver initiates a full partition process to partition the remainder of the storage device that was previously inaccessible for storing content. Once partitioned, the television receiver can then utilize the remainder portion of the storage device for storing long-term recorded content. The television receiver also converts the initial partition into a buffer that is used to temporarily store content.

As an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information terminal comprising: an input/output part for performing input and output with respect to an image storage device for storing image information captured by an imaging terminal; a storage part for associating and storing image identification information for identifying the image information, summary image information that includes less information than the image information, and device identification information for identifying the image storage device; and a display part; wherein the device identification information stored in the storage part is displayed by the display part, the summary image information that is associated with device identification information selected from the device identification information displayed by the display part is displayed by the display part, and the image information associated with the summary image information selected from the summary image information displayed by the display part is displayed by the display part.

Systems and methods are provided reducing storage space occupied by a media asset by adjusting quality levels of the media asset downward over time. This may be accomplished by a media guidance application that store, at a given time, the media asset in a first format having a first quality level. The media guidance application retrieves, from a database, a data entry corresponding to the media asset and determines, based on the data entry, a threshold period of time for storing the media asset in the first format. The media guidance application detects whether the threshold period of time since the given time has passed and responds by altering a first portion of the media asset from the first format having the first quality level to a second format having a second quality level that is inferior to the first quality level.

Embodiments are directed towards providing fast setup of a storage device communicatively coupled to a television receiver. During initial setup of the storage device, an initial portion of the storage device is partitioned to provide accessibility for the television receiver to store content. However, the initial partition is only a subset of the maximum storage capacity of the storage device, which results in a second remainder portion of the storage device that is inaccessible for the television receiver to store audiovisual content. In response to a triggering event, the television receiver initiates a full partition process to partition the remainder of the storage device that was previously inaccessible for storing content. Once partitioned, the television receiver can then utilize the remainder portion of the storage device for storing long-term recorded content. The television receiver also converts the initial partition into a buffer that is used to temporarily store content.

A media content presentation system extends other devices' capability of sharing media content via a presentation device. A computing device, if coupled to a plug-in device of the media content presentation system, can present media content via the presentation device. The computing device provides the media content to the plug-in device via a proprietary communication channel established by the plug-in device. The plug-in device then passes the media content to the display device for presentation. The display device receives user input and provides the user input to the computing device for adjustment of the media content according to the user input.

A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a display, a communication interface comprising circuitry, a storage configured to store combined information on contents available from a plurality of input sources, and a processor configured to control the communication interface to receive an external input signal from the plurality of input sources, display, through the display, recommendation information on a content available through a first input source from among the plurality of input sources based on a viewing history of a user and the combined information stored in the storage, the viewing history of the user is a viewing history related to an external input signal provided through a second input source from among the plurality of input sources.

A function upgrade device, a display apparatus, and a method for controlling a display apparatus are provided. The function upgrade device may include a function unit configured to perform a function in conjunction with the display apparatus, a storage configured to store user information and an application related to the function unit, an interface configured to connect the function upgrade device to the display apparatus and enable the function upgrade device to communicate with the display apparatus, and a controller configured to, when the display apparatus is connected to the function upgrade device through the interface, control the function unit to operate in conjunction with the display apparatus based on the user information and the application stored in the storage.