Abstract: Various arrangements for presenting an electronic programming guide are detailed. An indication of a first television channel for tuning may be received by a television receiver. The first television channel may be transmitted as part of a first transponder stream. Based on an inadequate downlink signal being received for the first television channel, it may be determined that the first television channel cannot be received and output. A plurality of unavailable television channels may be identified due to the plurality of unavailable television channels being transmitted as part of the first transponder stream. An electronic programming guide may be output to a display device that indicates the plurality of unavailable television channels and the first television channel are each unavailable.

Abstract: An indication of user interest of a program of a particular television channel may be identified based on user interaction with a programming guide that displays first content. A selectable icon positioned in association with a descriptor that identifies the particular television channel may be generated in response to identifying the indication of user interest and for display within the programming guide. An interactive pane that identifies at least one particular program that is stored within an omnibus channel file containing a plurality of programs broadcast consecutively on the particular television channel over a predefined period of time may be generated in response to user selection of the selectable icon for display within the programming guide.

Abstract: Various arrangements for presenting an electronic programming guide are detailed. An indication of a first television channel for tuning may be received by a television receiver. The first television channel may be transmitted as part of a first transponder stream. Based on an inadequate downlink signal being received for the first television channel, it may be determined that the first television channel cannot be received and output. A plurality of unavailable television channels may be identified due to the plurality of unavailable television channels being transmitted as part of the first transponder stream. An electronic programming guide may be output to a display device that indicates the plurality of unavailable television channels and the first television channel are each unavailable.

Abstract: A method for recording multiple pieces of content with a single tuner. A content delivery network can include multiple channels organized into bands with several channels per band. These bands can be transmitted on an up-link such as to a satellite. The bands can be relayed to receivers at the end user locations. The end user receivers can tune to one, two, or some other fraction of the total number of transmitted bands. When a user selects a program to view and/or record, a tuner of the receiver tunes to the band that includes the channel that includes the program. The method prompts the user regarding the other channels that form the set of channels on that band, and solicits input for recording one or more concurrent programs of the band, which can all be recorded on the single receiving tuner.

Abstract: Various arrangements for television channel tuning are presented. Receiving equipment may receive an indication of a first television channel for tuning. The receiving equipment may determine the first television channel is not available. A second television channel that carries the same content as the first television channel may be identified. The second television channel may be available for tuning. The receiving equipment may tune to the second television channel.

Abstract: The present invention allows the user to correctly record every episode of a recurring program by updating the timing of the record for the instances of the recurring program. In addition, the present invention allows the user to record multiple episodes of a television program shown on one or more channels, regardless of when these episodes will play. The present invention also ensures that identical episodes are not recorded.

Abstract: An indication of user interest of a program of a particular television channel may be identified based on user interaction with a programming guide that displays first content. A selectable icon positioned in association with a descriptor that identifies the particular television channel may be generated in response to identifying the indication of user interest and for display within the programming guide. An interactive pane that identifies at least one particular program that is stored within an omnibus channel file containing a plurality of programs broadcast consecutively on the particular television channel over a predefined period of time may be generated in response to user selection of the selectable icon for display within the programming guide.

Abstract: A method for recording multiple pieces of content with a single tuner. A content delivery network can include multiple channels organized into bands with several channels per band. These bands can be transmitted on an up-link such as to a satellite. The bands can be relayed to receivers at the end user locations. The end user receivers can tune to one, two, or some other fraction of the total number of transmitted bands. When a user selects a program to view and/or record, a tuner of the receiver tunes to the band that includes the channel that includes the program. The method prompts the user regarding the other channels that form the set of channels on that band, and solicits input for recording one or more concurrent programs of the band, which can all be recorded on the single receiving tuner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved digital recording and presentation of broadcast information is disclosed. Received broadcast data, which may include video, audio, private, or other data, relating to one or more particular content programs, is presented from an input section to a buffer and recorded directly onto a storage device without any intelligent parsing, such as indexing, and without any manipulation by intermediate hardware or software functions. Upon normal presentation, statistics may be generated to determine the ideal number of frames to skip, the number of bytes to seek, and the size of data files to read from the storage device during time-shifted presentation. Algorithms and processes are provided to dynamically optimize time-shifted presentation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved digital recording and presentation of broadcast information is disclosed. Received broadcast data, which may include video, audio, private, or other data, relating to one or more particular content programs, is presented from an input section to a buffer and recorded directly onto a storage device without any intelligent parsing, such as indexing, and without any manipulation by intermediate hardware or software functions. Upon normal presentation, statistics are generated to determine the ideal number of frames to skip, the number of bytes to seek, and the size of data files to read from storage during time-shifted presentation. Algorithms and processes are provided to dynamically optimize time-shifted presentation. In this way, data may be captured to the storage device more efficiently and economically, and the time-shifted presentation operations can easily be performed in a smoother, more nuanced manner with the application of appropriate probabilistic algorithms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for managing the display of a targeted advertisement. In one embodiment an advancing functionality is inhibited or modified in connection with the display of a stored video or other stored content. In inhibiting or modifying an advancing function a user is forced or otherwise encouraged to watch a directed advertisement. The present invention may include status or indicator information which enables the particular functionality in connection with the targeted advertisement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved digital recording and presentation of broadcast information is disclosed. Received broadcast data, which may include video, audio, private, or other data, relating to one or more particular content programs, is presented from an input section to a buffer and recorded directly onto a storage device without any intelligent parsing, such as indexing, and without any manipulation by intermediate hardware or software functions. Upon normal presentation, statistics are generated to determine the ideal number of frames to skip, the number of bytes to seek, and the size of data files to read from storage during time-shifted presentation. Algorithms and processes are provided to dynamically optimize time-shifted presentation. In this way, data may be captured to the storage device more efficiently and economically, and the time-shifted presentation operations can easily be performed in a smoother, more nuanced manner with the application of appropriate probabilistic algorithms.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatuses are disclosed that allow a television converter device to determine when a channel selector in the device is inactive.

Abstract: The present invention allows the user to correctly record every episode of a recurring program by updating the timing of the record for the instances of the recurring program. In addition, the present invention allows the user to record multiple episodes of a television program shown on one or more channels, regardless of when these episodes will play. The present invention also ensures that identical episodes are not recorded.