Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the selection of stored video programs (Si) in which, together with the video program (Si), their running time (tDi) and, if necessary, an information item (Ii) about the content, for example the genre, are stored and also a playback device (1) for video programs (Si). To take account of a specified time interval (?T) and optimally utilize said time duration (?T), provision is made, on the basis of the specified time duration (?T), for those video programs (Sn) to be automatically selected from the stored video programs (Si) whose running time (tDn), multiplied by any applicable compression factor (Cn), is shorter than or equal to the specified time duration (?T). As a result of the method according to the invention, all those video programs (Sn) are consequently offered whose duration with the applicable compression, if any, is within the specified time duration (?T).

Abstract: The invention relates a method and a device for the recording and reproduction of signals (S), in particular video signals, comprising insert features (W), in particular commercial insert features, with at least one storage device (5) for the signals (S) and the insert features (W) and at least one device (6) for the automatic recognition of the insert features (W), and furthermore with a storage device (7) for parameters which may be assigned to certain insert features (W), with a checking and control unit (8) for checking the parameters assigned to the recognized insert features (W), and with a device (9) for the automatic selective skipping of those recognized insert features (W) which are assigned certain parameters.