Abstract: Substituting video on demand (VOD) content items for video content recorded onto a digital video recorder (DVR) or selected to be recorded onto a DVR is provided. Oftentimes, there is overlap between content that a user has recorded on his DVR or is selecting to record onto his DVR and video content that is available in a VOD library. When a user selects to record video content, selects to play recorded content, when a storage space reaches a predetermined capacity, or according to a predetermined time interval, a query may be performed to search for VOD content items that match recorded content or content selected to be recorded. If a match is found, the VOD content item may be substituted for the DVR recording. When a user selects to playback the content, the content may be streamed from the VOD library. Advertising may also be inserted.

Abstract: Social network friend-based recommendations are provided. Based on user consumption data provided by one or more service providers, a determination may be made as to which social network contacts a user has who may have preferences for video, music, and other media that are close to the user's. The determination of social network contacts who share a common interest and the user consumption data of those social network contacts may be utilized to infer recommendations for the user. Other functionalities may be provided, such as manual recommendations, placing emphasis on recommendations from particular friends, email notifications of content that a friend has consumed that the user has not, an option to view what a social network contact is viewing, providing a list of programs that the user and a social network contact have both seen, and providing advertisements based on consumption data, recommendations, and/or discovered areas of interest.

Abstract: Creating a virtual DVR from a synchronized local DVR and network DVR is provided. Oftentimes, video content recorded one a local DVR may be inaccessible for playback from an internet connected device. When a request to record a video content item is received, the request is synchronized between a local DVR and a network DVR. Accordingly, the video content item is recorded on both DVRs. If a playback request is received from a device in communication with the local DVR, the local DVR recording may be played from; and if an internet connected device is used for playback, the network DVR recording may be played. Further, the data and the metadata of the recorded content including bookmarks, viewing history, deletion requests, etc. may be synchronized. Appropriate advertising may also be inserted/replaced based on the time/location of viewing, the playback device, user profile data, etc.

Abstract: Social network friend-based recommendations are provided. Based on user consumption data provided by one or more service providers, a determination may be made as to which social network contacts a user has who may have preferences for video, music, and other media that are close to the user's. The determination of social network contacts who share a common interest and the user consumption data of those social network contacts may be utilized to infer recommendations for the user. Other functionalities may be provided, such as manual recommendations, placing emphasis on recommendations from particular friends, email notifications of content that a friend has consumed that the user has not, an option to view what a social network contact is viewing, providing a list of programs that the user and a social network contact have both seen, and providing advertisements based on consumption data, recommendations, and/or discovered areas of interest.

Abstract: Social network friend-based recommendations are provided. Based on user consumption data provided by one or more service providers, a determination may be made as to which social network contacts a user has who may have preferences for video, music, and other media that are close to the user's. The determination of social network contacts who share a common interest and the user consumption data of those social network contacts may be utilized to infer recommendations for the user. Other functionalities may be provided, such as manual recommendations, placing emphasis on recommendations from particular friends, email notifications of content that a friend has consumed that the user has not, an option to view what a social network contact is viewing, providing a list of programs that the user and a social network contact have both seen, and providing advertisements based on consumption data, recommendations, and/or discovered areas of interest.

Abstract: Synchronization of users between a CATV system and a disparate video distribution system is provided. A network account identifier tied to a household subscriber account may be linked to a plurality of users in the household. A strong authentication may only be required once (or at infrequent intervals) to initially validate credentials and authorize a requesting device. Subsequently, the device may be configured to retrieve accounts for all users in the household. Because the device is now known to the service provider, easy user-switching rules may be applied. Each user in a household may get his own personalized recommendations, use his own preferences, or tie to other individualized service personas. Any changes or updates in personalized information for a video user may be synchronized back to the originating system such that the next time the particular video user uses a CATV system device, any changes/updates may be reflected.

Abstract: Non-intrusive user identification to provide personalized media content is provided. Using one or more sensors, a user or a combination of users may be identified. If the user or combination of users is known, user information may be retrieved and rules may be applied for providing content personalized to the identified person or group of people. User behavior may be monitored and changes in the audience composition may be monitored so that personalized content may be adjusted accordingly.