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.

An embodiment of the invention provides a method including accessing a portal pursuant to instructions from a digital media device and identifying the digital media device to the portal to enable the portal to obtain a security code. Information having the security code is received; and, it is confirmed that the security code corresponds to a security key stored in the digital media device. The information is provided to a secure application environment in the digital media device if the security code corresponds to the security key. A copy of the security key is sent to a clearinghouse; and, the security code is received from the clearinghouse. The security code is sent to a provider of the information if the information satisfies a predetermined criteria.

The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for detecting motion and persons. In one aspect, a method is performed at a smart home system that includes a video camera, a server system, and a client device. The video camera captures video and audio, and wirelessly communicates, via the server system, the captured data to the client device. The server system: (1) receives and stores the captured data from the video camera; (2) determines whether an event has occurred, including detected motion; (3) in accordance with a determination that the event has occurred, identifies video and audio corresponding to the event; and (4) classifies the event. The client device receives information indicative of the identified events, displays a user interface for reviewing the video and audio stored by the remote server system, and displays the at least one classification for the event.

Processes, systems and devices are described to enhance the television or other media viewing experience based upon excitement data that is associated with the program. Excitement data can be used to identify the most exciting portions of media programs, therefore allowing for improved identification of programs or portions of programs for viewing, streaming, recording or other purposes.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a video file processing method, including: receiving a splitting instruction of a video file; determining splitting nodes corresponding to the splitting instruction; splitting the video file to multiple sub-video files using the splitting nodes; and storing the multiple sub-video files. Embodiments of the present disclosure may further provide a video file processing device. With the embodiments of the present disclosure, the video file may be segmentally displayed, which may optimize management of the video file.

Various embodiments for creating media clips are disclosed. In one example, a method is performed by a server for managing the creation and distribution of media clips, where the server associates a content capture device with an event, the content capture device for recording at least a portion of the event, receives a tag notification from a content tagging device via a network interface, generates a media clip creation command to the content capture device via the network interface, sends the media clip creation command to the content capture device, and receives a media clip created by the content capture device in response to receiving the media clip creation command.

A mobile terminal has a communication processing unit that transmits, to a video display apparatus for displaying a broadcasted video content, a request for setting a viewing schedule of the video content. A storage unit stores a starting time of the video content for which the setting of the viewing schedule has been requested; and an information provision unit provides information to a user of the mobile terminal. A control unit determines whether the video display apparatus is existent around the mobile terminal. At a first predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit notifies the user of the first predetermined time. If the video display apparatus is not existent around the mobile terminal at a second predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit then notifies the user that it is the second predetermined time before the starting time.

Systems and methods for recording programs using a user's equipment and a network recording device are provided. An interactive television application may determine whether the user's equipment has sufficient resources (e.g., tuners or space) to record a program selected for recording. If the interactive television application determines that the user's equipment does not have sufficient resources, the interactive television application may select, automatically or in response to a user instruction, the program for recording with a network recording device. In some embodiments, the user may have to pay for the use of the network recording device, or may be required to purchase a given tier level of service. The interactive television application may play back programs from the network recording device as VOD offerings, or may direct the network recording device to transfer recorded programs to the user's equipment when it has sufficient resources.

Systems and methods for virtual interactions are described. One or more users can view or listen to media, react to the media and share such media experience virtually with others. The media experience can take place synchronously, asynchronously or both.

Example embodiments provide systems and methods for replacing recorded media content. In an example method, at least one media content source is searched for a media content item recorded to storage of a first media content device. Based on the media content item being found at a first media content source of the at least one media content source, a recording of the media content item to storage of a second media content device is scheduled based on the media content item being recordable from the first media content source at the second media content device. Based on the media content item not being recordable from the first media content source at the second media device, the availability of the media content item is indicated to the second media content device.