A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.

Techniques are described that allow DVR users to create program shortcuts to different types of media content from content providers. A program shortcut comprises a reference to another media content. A user may generate a shortcut so that the user may easily find and return to media content without performing a new search. In addition, techniques may be used to automatically generate program shortcuts for a user based at least in part to user-indicated preferences or actions. Shortcuts may be generated to media content that is related to a preferred genre or media type specified by a user. Shortcuts may also be generated to content that is determined to be similar to content that is often viewed or recorded by the user.

Techniques are described that allow DVR users to create program shortcuts to different types of media content from content providers. A program shortcut comprises a reference to another media content. A user may generate a shortcut so that the user may easily find and return to media content without performing a new search. In addition, techniques may be used to automatically generate program shortcuts for a user based at least in part to user-indicated preferences or actions. Shortcuts may be generated to media content that is related to a preferred genre or media type specified by a user. Shortcuts may also be generated to content that is determined to be similar to content that is often viewed or recorded by the user.

A receiving apparatus comprises a recorder of the received digital contents and commercial messages. Commercial message retrieved from the recorder is interposed into a digital content or between a pair of digital contents in accordance with the type of commercial message. Interposition of commercial message is controlled by internal information, such as history of actually displaying the same commercial message, or history of skipping the same commercial message. The receiving apparatus controls the repetition time of displaying the same commercial message, or decision whether or not actually displaying a specific commercial message, or the order of displaying commercial messages. Skip of commercial message is prevented unless display has been repeated over a minimum requirement, or user agrees with a compensation for the skip. Repetition of the same commercial message ceases with skip repeated over a limit. Notice of interposing commercial message or of compensation for skip is made in advance.

A receiving apparatus comprises a recorder of the received digital contents and commercial messages. Commercial message retrieved from the recorder is interposed into a digital content or between a pair of digital contents in accordance with the type of commercial message. Interposition of commercial message is controlled by internal information, such as history of actually displaying the same commercial message, or history of skipping the same commercial message. The receiving apparatus controls the repetition time of displaying the same commercial message, or decision whether or not actually displaying a specific commercial message, or the order of displaying commercial messages. Skip of commercial message is prevented unless display has been repeated over a minimum requirement, or user agrees with a compensation for the skip. Repetition of the same commercial message ceases with skip repeated over a limit. Notice of interposing commercial message or of compensation for skip is made in advance.

A method for indicating repeat occurrences of advertisements in media content may include one or more of the following. The method may include inserting a first descriptor element for a media content in a media presentation description (MPD) associated with the media content. The method may include inserting a second descriptor element for a repeat occurrence of the media content in the MPD. The second descriptor element may indicate that, during the repeat occurrence of the media content, the media content be presented from the beginning.

A method for indicating repeat occurrences of advertisements in media content may include one or more of the following. The method may include inserting a first descriptor element for a media content in a media presentation description (MPD) associated with the media content. The method may include inserting a second descriptor element for a repeat occurrence of the media content in the MPD. The second descriptor element may indicate that, during the repeat occurrence of the media content, the media content be presented from the beginning.

Systems, methods and devices are provided for managing media content storage priority and retention in a single- or multi-user environment. Indications of previous user activity are received regarding multiple portions of content stored via one or more storage devices. The previous user activity may include previous user deletion selections and/or previous user viewing selections of one or more of the multiple portions of content. A retention priority may be assigned to portions of media content based on the previous user activity. Responsive to receiving an indication of low available storage space on the one or more storage devices, a quantity of storage space on the one or more storage devices to make available is determined based on the previous user activity. Deletion of one or more portions of currently stored content is initiated based on the determined quantity of storage space to make available.

Systems, methods and devices are provided for managing media content storage priority and retention in a single- or multi-user environment. Indications of previous user activity are received regarding multiple portions of content stored via one or more storage devices. The previous user activity may include previous user deletion selections and/or previous user viewing selections of one or more of the multiple portions of content. A retention priority may be assigned to portions of media content based on the previous user activity. Responsive to receiving an indication of low available storage space on the one or more storage devices, a quantity of storage space on the one or more storage devices to make available is determined based on the previous user activity. Deletion of one or more portions of currently stored content is initiated based on the determined quantity of storage space to make available.

The present technology is for optimizing storage on a computing device. A media application on the computing device can allocate a minimum amount of storage on the computing device. The media application can further be configured to automatically download and store media items added to a media library of an account associated with the computing device. The combination of these features can put strain on computing devices with limited amounts of storage. Accordingly, the present technology can automatically delete media items in cache to allow media items to be automatically downloaded, or allow other uses of storage by other applications on the computing device, while also preserving the minimum amount of storage of media items on the computing device.