A communication apparatus configured to transmit data to an apparatus, the communication apparatus including: a storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to the apparatus; a communicator configured to communicate data with the apparatus; a detector configured to detect whether the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected; an editor configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit the management information based on the selection without regard to the connection of the communication apparatus and the apparatus; and a controller configured to control transfer of the selected data stored in the communication apparatus to the apparatus via the communicator based on the management information edited by the editor when the detector detects that the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected, wherein the controller is configured to compare the management information edited by the editor with management information of data stored in the apparatus, determine the size of the selected data in the communication apparatus, and transmit data in the communication apparatus based on result of the comparison and the determination.

An apparatus and method for providing information in conjunction with media content, including a receiver, wherein the receiver receives at least one of a transmission of media content and a broadcast of media content, wherein the media content includes at least one of broadcast media content and entertainment media content, and further wherein the receiver receives information regarding the media content, a processor for processing at least one of the received media content and the received information regarding the media content, a display device for visually displaying the information regarding the media content, and/or a speaker device for audibly announcing the information regarding the media content.

A portable apparatus includes a first connector, a memory, and first circuitry. The first connector automatically receives a plurality of content data from a computer. The memory stores the plurality of content data. The first circuitry performs a mutual authentication process with the computer via the first connector, and plays back the plurality of content data. The computer includes second circuitry and a second connector. The first circuitry stores the plurality of content data to a storage medium, and provides a graphical user interface to receive an input identifying a list of the plurality of content data stored in said storage medium that are to be automatically transferred to the portable apparatus. The second connector is configured to transfer the plurality of content data stored in the storage medium to the portable apparatus.

An automatic playback overshoot correction system predicts the position in the program material where the user expects to be when the user stops the fast forward progression of the program material. The system determines the position where the program material was stopped and transitions to the new mode that the user selected, starting at the stopped position with an overshoot correction factor subtracted from it. The system uses a prediction method to correctly place the user within the program upon transition out of fast forward mode and determines if the speed of the fast forward mode and then automatically subtracts a time multiple to the frame where the transition was detected and positions the user at the correct frame. The time multiple is fine tuned if the user is consistently correcting after the fast forward mode stops.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing computer program instructions that cause a computer to implement a method of exchanging content. The method includes connecting to an information processing apparatus, and transferring a ID of the computer to the information processing apparatus when a connection to the information processing apparatus is detected. The method further includes storing content and data related to the content transmitted from the information processing apparatus, transferring the data corresponding to the content stored in the computer, and reproducing the stored content. The content is automatically transferred to the computer when the computer is judged to be a predetermined device.

A distributed database management system provides a central database resident on a server that contains database objects. Objects, e.g., program guide data, to be replicated are gathered together into distribution packages called slices, that are transmitted to client devices. A slice is a subset of the central database which is relevant to clients within a specific domain, such as a geographic region, or under the footprint of a satellite transmitter. The viewer selects television programs and Web content from displayed sections of the program guide data which are recorded to a storage device. The program guide data are used to determine when to start and end recordings. Client devices periodically connect to the server using a phone line and upload information of interest which is combined with information uploaded from other client devices for statistical, operational, or viewing models.

A communication apparatus configured to transmit data to an apparatus, the communication apparatus including: a storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to the apparatus; a communicator configured to communicate data with the apparatus; a detector configured to detect whether the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected; an editor configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit the management information based on the selection without regard to the connection of the communication apparatus and the apparatus; and a controller configured to control transfer of the selected data stored in the communication apparatus to the apparatus via the communicator based on the management information edited by the editor when the detector detects that the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected, wherein the controller is configured to compare the management information edited by the editor with management information of data stored in the apparatus, determine the size of the selected data in the communication apparatus, and transmit data in the communication apparatus based on result of the comparison and the determination.

A data recording apparatus including: a data reading device configured to read data from a first recording medium and configured to store data and first management data for managing the data by file; a data recording device configured to record data on a second recording medium; a management data producing device configured to produce second management data for managing data recorded on the second recording medium based on the first management data of the first recording medium on which the data recorded on the second recording medium has been recorded; a data determining device configured to determine data unrecorded on the second recording medium by comparing the first management data read by the data reading device from the first recording medium with the second management data recorded on the second recording medium; a control device configured to read the data determined by the data determining device from the first recording medium and cause the recording device to record the read data onto the second recording medium; and a display device configured to display the recording status of data, managed by the first management data read by the reading device from the first recording medium, on the second recording medium, wherein the recording status includes one of recording of data complete, recording of data in progress, and recording of data yet to begin.

Audiovisual reproduction system comprising a central unit managing a sound control circuit, and a telecommunications modem connected to a distribution network controlled by a host server, through a multitask operating system created around a tools and services library, characterized in that the operating system comprises a function that adjusts the sound control circuit to couple volumes in the various areas in which the loudspeakers in the audiovisual reproduction system are used, this function being accessible through a management mode of the multitask operating system, the coupling maintaining the ratios between the various volumes in each area when the volume in one area is modified.

An apparatus and method for providing information in conjunction with media content, including a receiver, wherein the receiver receives at least one of a transmission of media content and a broadcast of media content, wherein the media content includes at least one of broadcast media content and entertainment media content, and further wherein the receiver receives information regarding the media content, a processor for processing at least one of the received media content and the received information regarding the media content, a display device for visually displaying the information regarding the media content, and/or a speaker device for audibly announcing the information regarding the media content.