A computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a remote communication device and at a server system, information that indicates a unique identifier for a physical item that corresponds to media content, the identifier differing from identifiers for other physical items that correspond to the same content; associating the received information with an account of a first user of a hosted internet service; and subsequently providing, by the hosted internet service, content that matches the content that corresponds to the physical item, based on a determination that the received information authorizes the first user to obtain the content provided by the hosted internet service.

A tape library apparatus includes a tape drive, a robot unit, and a second processor. The tape drive includes a first access mechanism and a first processor. The first access mechanism is configured to read position information from a non-contact type memory within a tape cartridge. The position information indicates a position of data recorded in a magnetic tape within the tape cartridge. The first processor is configured to perform positioning for the data. The robot unit includes a robot arm and a second access mechanism configured to access the non-contact type memory. The robot arm is configured to store the tape cartridge in the robot unit, and move the tape cartridge to the tape drive. The second processor is configured to control the second access mechanism to read the position information from the non-contact type memory, and store the position information in a non-volatile memory.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to position a magnetic tape volume to a position corresponding to an end of a last data set stored to the magnetic tape volume, and read an existing tape volume access block (TVAB) from the magnetic tape volume in response to a determination that the existing TVAB is stored to the magnetic tape volume. The logic is also configured to write one or more data sets to the magnetic tape volume subsequent to reading the existing TVAB in response to the determination that the existing TVAB is stored to the magnetic tape volume, determine metadata corresponding to the one or more written data sets, and update the existing TVAB with the metadata corresponding to the one or more written data sets to produce an updated TVAB.

A system, a removable memory device and a method for fruition of multimedia contents are provided, wherein the user can instantly mark a multimedia content as favourite by pressing a button while that content is in reproduction. The archive containing the favourite multimedia contents, along with non-favourite contents, is updated immediately, so that said archive, which is stored in a removable memory device, can be moved from one reproduction apparatus to another. One variant of the invention allows also older-generation reproduction apparatuses, which cannot handle playlists and metadata, to reproduce favourite multimedia contents while excluding those that have not been marked as such.

A system, a removable memory device and a method for fruition of multimedia contents are provided, wherein the user can instantly mark a multimedia content as favourite by pressing a button while that content is in reproduction. The archive containing the favourite multimedia contents, along with non-favourite contents, is updated immediately, so that said archive, which is stored in a removable memory device, can be moved from one reproduction apparatus to another. One variant of the invention allows also older-generation reproduction apparatuses, which cannot handle playlists and metadata, to reproduce favourite multimedia contents while excluding those that have not been marked as such.

A video replay system which allows for the playback of video files from a buffer in random access memory and from disk to minimize the delay between capturing and replaying a desired video portion. In one embodiment, a portion of RAM is allocated to provide a buffer for holding video files in memory before the files are written to a hard drive or other non-volatile storage. An index of key frames is also stored in the buffer. The computer system executes software that is responsive to an operator's commands to read the video files and index and playback desired video portions in a variety of modes and speeds, including slow motion, reverse, fast-forward, and slow or fast reverse.

A communication system includes a terminal having a first storage section for storing a number of pieces of content information, a second storage section for storing a number of pieces of the content information, a storage control section for placing a content ID stored in the second storage section into purchase information for each terminal and stored in the second storage section, an access control section for controlling access to the content information corresponding to the content ID stored in the second storage section, and an accounting setting section for setting an amount of a fee to be imposed on the terminal in response to the purchase information.

A signal processing apparatus capable of easily linking video data of a DVCR connected by an i-Link or the like and utilizing the same in a desired format is disclosed. Streaming data such as video data is defined, managed, and controlled in usage by an optional-media link tag linked to a gpoi tag defining a specific position in a position information file. The optional-media link can describe the five attributes of a format attribute for designating a connected apparatus and format information thereof, id attribute for further specifying the target in the connected apparatus designated by the format attribute, an in attribute and out attribute for designating a reproduction start position and ending position of the designated data, and a repeat attribute for designating a number of times of reproduction.

A computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a remote communication device and at a server system, information that indicates a unique identifier for a physical item that corresponds to media content, the identifier differing from identifiers for other physical items that correspond to the same content; associating the received information with an account of a first user of a hosted internet service; and subsequently providing, by the hosted internet service, content that matches the content that corresponds to the physical item, based on a determination that the received information authorizes the first user to obtain the content provided by the hosted internet service.

Electronic Guide produces give the user the ability to videotape selected programs. Once a program has successfully been taped a message is displayed, reminding the viewer that they have taped it. (E.g. You taped Xxxxx; have you watched it yet?) Information comprising information that shows are taped, the particular shows taped and viewer profiles allow advertisements targeted to the viewer who typically records a given type of programming to be presented. In an embodiment the display of the reminders is made conditional upon acceptance of advertising (for example, based on a piece of data transmitted along with other data related to that show), and can be sold to the broadcasters who transmitted the show. This information is marketed as a peculiarly well-targeted ad for the show, causing it to continue to produce value for the broadcaster after the broadcast is complete. Broadcasters, in turn, may offer the reminders to major advertisers as they sell commercial air time during the show, as a premium feature of the air time. The advertisement may be sent over channels comprising the video blanking interval, the Internet or on another channel.