Systems and methods provided herein for intelligently distinguishing between different versions of a media asset and selectively storing those requested media assets that differ from versions that were previously stored in some pre-defined characteristics. These systems and methods, upon identifying a version of the requested media asset was previously stored, determine a characteristic of the requested media asset. These systems and methods compare the characteristic of the requested media asset with a corresponding characteristic of the version of the requested media asset that was previously stored to determine a difference between the two versions. The systems and methods then determine whether the difference in characteristic renders the requested media asset preferable over the previously stored version. Upon determining that the requested media asset is preferable over the previously stored version, the systems and methods store the requested media asset.

Systems and methods provided herein for intelligently distinguishing between different versions of a media asset and selectively storing those requested media assets that differ from versions that were previously stored in some pre-defined characteristics. These systems and methods, upon identifying a version of the requested media asset was previously stored, determine a characteristic of the requested media asset. These systems and methods compare the characteristic of the requested media asset with a corresponding characteristic of the version of the requested media asset that was previously stored to determine a difference between the two versions. The systems and methods then determine whether the difference in characteristic renders the requested media asset preferable over the previously stored version. Upon determining that the requested media asset is preferable over the previously stored version, the systems and methods store the requested media asset.

The present principles of the embodiments generally relate to an apparatus and a method for downloading of media content. In one exemplary embodiment, a mechanism for downloading multiple media assets in the form of a batch download is dependent on a profile of user which takes into account of media content consumption habits or behavior of a user. The mechanism can be used, for example, to efficiently download multiple episodes of a show such as, e.g., a television series.

The present principles of the embodiments generally relate to an apparatus and a method for downloading of media content. In one exemplary embodiment, a mechanism for downloading multiple media assets in the form of a batch download is dependent on a profile of user which takes into account of media content consumption habits or behavior of a user. The mechanism can be used, for example, to efficiently download multiple episodes of a show such as, e.g., a television series.

Methods and systems are described for storing content. One or more sections of the stored content may be subdivided into user-specific portions and common portions. The user-specific portions may be stored in user-specific storage associated with corresponding accounts of a plurality of user accounts. The common portions may be stored in common storage associated with the plurality of user accounts. User accounts may request access to the stored content. One or more caching criteria may be used to determine whether to cache any common portions of the stored content. Requests for the content may be processed using the common portions stored in the cache storage.

Systems, devices, and process described facilitate use of a first user device communicatively coupled to a local area network (LAN) The first user device may include a first hardware processor configured to execute first, non-transient, computer instructions for facilitating a first seamless DVR engine configured to identify a first content. A second user device is also coupled to the LAN. The second user device may include a second hardware processor configured to execute second, non-transient, computer instructions for facilitating a second seamless DVR configured to identify a second content. Each of the seamless DVR engines may be configured to generate a common universal directory identifying the first content and the second content as being available for use by each of the first user device and the second user device. User devices may independently populate the common universal directory. The universal directory may identify a distinct status for the content.

A method for offloading a data segment includes receiving a probe request from a user device to offload the data segment, where the probe request includes a segment identification. The method further includes sending a probe response to the user device, where the probe response includes an approval or decline of an action to be executed by the user device, the action being one of an upload or a request to retry offloading the data segment at a later time. The method further includes sending a challenge to the user device.

Methods of operating a communications system comprise, in one example, inserting advertising in a program stream by a receiving device based, at least in part, on an encrypted segmentation message embedded in the program steam. The at least one segmentation message defines an expanse of the program stream to receive the advertising. At least one embedded decoy message is included in the program stream, as well. In one example the receiving device, which may be a set-top terminal, for example, is coupled to a display device, such as a television, at a user location. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location is also disclosed, comprising programming the receiving device to record a program and recording the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message in a program stream. Systems are disclosed, as well.

Methods of operating a communications system comprise, in one example, inserting advertising in a program stream by a receiving device based, at least in part, on an encrypted segmentation message embedded in the program steam. The at least one segmentation message defines an expanse of the program stream to receive the advertising. At least one embedded decoy message is included in the program stream, as well. In one example the receiving device, which may be a set-top terminal, for example, is coupled to a display device, such as a television, at a user location. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location is also disclosed, comprising programming the receiving device to record a program and recording the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message in a program stream. Systems are disclosed, as well.

Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for managing quality level of video transmission and storage. In a particular embodiment, a method provides receiving a video at a received quality level in a video storage system and determining a characteristic of the video. The method further provides determining whether the characteristic satisfies a criteria and, if the characteristic satisfies the criteria, storing the video at a quality level associated with the criteria.