The present invention is directed to a search engine for a video recorder. One embodiment of the present invention operates in an environment that includes one or more set-top boxes connected to or integrated within one or more output devices. The set-top boxes are used to transfer shows from a broadcast input source to one or more types of storage devices and to play back the shows from the storage devices to the output devices, either in a delayed-live fashion or at a later time of the user's choosing. The set-top box displays a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the user the ability to watch and/or record timeslot based programming, to order on-demand programming, and to playback previously recorded shows that reside on a local or remote storage device. A search engine is added to the GUI that lets the search for shows and receive results in an enhanced manner.

Systems and methods are described herein for presenting additional information related to an emergency alert. A media guidance application may detect that a new emergency alert has been received. The media guidance application may then perform a search of various content sources (e.g., program listings, the Internet, etc.) for content related to the emergency alert. The media guidance application may then present the search results in a contextual menu enabling the user to access content of the search results. The media guidance application may also provide more options, such as, recording or pausing media content that the user was in the process of consuming when the emergency alert was generated, and an option to the user not to bring up the contextual menu again if the same emergency alert is repeated.

Systems and methods are provided to record portions of media assets. User request is received to record a media asset together with a criterion for recording portions of that media asset. A content recognition algorithm is executed against segments of the media asset to determine a set of keywords associated with those segments. Separately a set of keywords associated with the criterion is generated. Sets of keywords are compared and segments that match the criterion are discovered. If it is determined that a first segment and third segment each match the criterion and a second segment does not, a delete indicator is added to the second segment and the third and first segments are compared. If those segments match the delete indicator is removed from the second segment.

A plurality of byte ranges forms a sample for content output from a player device, and includes at least one double-encrypted byte range. The plurality of byte ranges is stored in a secured memory, and the at least one double-encrypted byte range is partially decrypted to generate at least one decrypted singe-encrypted byte range. The plurality of byte ranges is stored in an unsecured memory using the at least one decrypted single-encrypted byte range in place of the at least one double-encrypted byte range.

Systems and methods for enhanced sports-related media content access and display are provided. A user may want a media asset to continue to be output while selecting another media asset. A system may display a first and second sport for selection by a user. Upon user selection of the first sport, first and second sub-categories are displayed. User selection of a first sub-category causes display of sporting events in the first sub-category.

Systems and methods for generating for display an interactive interface based on user history are provided. A first media asset and second media asset share a common attribute but are displayed with different display properties because the first media asset is included in the viewing history of the user while the second media asset is not. This display property may include moving the first media asset to a different portion of the guide.

In some implementations, a system may retrieve an electronic calendar associated with a user. The system may identify, based on the electronic calendar, a plurality of virtual sessions. The system may generate an electronic invitation to join an aggregated virtual session for the plurality of virtual sessions. The system may transmit the electronic invitation to a client device associated with the user. The system may receive, from the client device, a selection of the electronic invitation. The system may establish, based on the electronic invitation, the aggregated virtual session for the client device that enables the client device to connect to each of the plurality of virtual sessions associated with the aggregated virtual session.

Example embodiments provide systems and methods for crowdsourced skipping of media content portions. In an example method, a plurality of content tags are received from a plurality of media content devices over a communication network. Each of the plurality of content tags may designate a location within a media content item. The content tags are processed to generate aggregated content tags for the media content item. The aggregated content tags may designate one or more portions of the media content item for modified playback. The aggregated content tags for the media content item are transmitted over the communication network to a first media content device separate from the plurality of media content devices.

Embodiments of the present application provide a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display and a controller. The controller is configured to: while the display apparatus is working under a first signal source, present first content from the first signal source; in response to a selection of the video recording application, start a video recording process associated with the first content and monitor recording duration of the video recording process; generate a recording state control with foreground display permission while the display apparatus is connected with any signal source; in response to a source switch request, switch from the first signal source to a second signal source according to the source switch request, present second content from the second signal source, and control the video recording process to run in the background; and present the recording state control on a display interface with the second content.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for generating and updating manifests for content are described herein. An initial manifest for content may be sent to a media device. The initial manifest may facilitate the media device outputting a first plurality of segments of the content. A second plurality of segments of the content may become available for output at a later time. A current manifest may be sent to the media device. As another example, at least one manifest portion associated with the initial manifest may be sent to the media device. The current manifest and the at least one manifest portion may facilitate the media device outputting the second plurality of segments.