Abstract: A method for modifying a play list in an audio and/or video apparatus is proposed. This methods notably comprises the steps of: displaying available tracks in a first area, displaying the current play list in a second are, determining a track to be considered depending on a first user action, indicating the track to be considered by highlighting it in the first area, upon a second user action, removing, if existing, the last occurrence of the track to be considered in the play list displayed in the second area.

Abstract: A television apparatus according to the principles of the invention supports two or more display windows but accepts channel changing control signals for changing channels in all windows only from one set of keys from a remote control. The television apparatus includes at least two tuners with respective windows and a processor for receiving control signals for instructing the two tuners to change channels. When the processor receives a first control signal, the processor displays and selects a first window for future channel changing. If the first window has been displayed when the first control signal is received, the processor selects a window no currently selected for channel changing. Advantageously, no additional key in the remote is used to share the same set of channel changing keys among multiple windows supported by the television apparatus.

Abstract: A television set includes a processor, memory, a number of video inputs and corresponding cable detectors for detecting the presence of a device coupled to a video input. The processor executes a set-up program stored in the memory. In particular, when the processor detects the presence of a device coupled to a particular video input, via one of the cable detectors, the processor, in response thereto, prompts a user to select one of a number of device labels to associate with the detected device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for modifying the display area of a display device. The invention recognizes whether a region of said display area is occupied by an object, and adjusts the rendering of an on screen display object in an alternative region or removes said occupied region when the display area is rendered on a display device.

Abstract: A television signal receiver provides visual feedback in response to the receipt of a direct entry digit for a television channel change that indicates the channel number being entered by the user and the television signal tuning device or tuner thereof to which the entered television channel number pertains, particularly with respect to a tuner of the television signal receiver and one or more auxiliary television signal tuners. The various auxiliary television signal tuners are preferably, but not necessarily, with respect to separate components, such as a satellite receiver and a cable set-top box. Upon receipt of a direct entry television channel, television channel tuning may, by default, be performed on the tuner associated with the previously (i.e. last) tuned channel. Default tuning may be selectable by the user. The visual feedback may be in the form of an information banner.

Abstract: A recorder, method, device, and interpretation apparatus for executing code commands. The invention is a device which functions in response to code commands comprising: means to execute a function in response to a code command having a format for the device; and means to execute the function in response to a code command having a format for a different device. The invention is also a recorder comprising means to execute a first type of recorder function corresponding to a second type of recorder commands. In another aspect, the invention is a method of controlling a recorder comprising: receiving a second type of recorder command; mapping the second type of recorder command into a corresponding first type of recorder function; and executing the corresponding first type of recorder function. In yet another aspect, the invention is an interpretation apparatus for receiving a second type of recorder command and outputting a corresponding first type of recorder.

Abstract: A method for modifying a play list in an audio and/or video apparatus is proposed. This methods notably comprises the steps of: displaying available tracks in a first area, displaying the current play list in a second are, determining a track to be considered depending on a first user action, indicating the track to be considered by highlighting it in the first area, upon a second user action, removing, if existing, the last occurrence of the track to be considered in the play list displayed in the second area.

Abstract: An digital recording apparatus and a method for controlling a digital recording apparatus for allowing a user to quickly and easily determine a number of available programs stored on the recording apparatus. The present invention provides an initial on screen display in response to the receipt of a power ON command, placing the apparatus in a powered state, wherein the initial on screen display provides an indication of the number of available video programs stored on the apparatus. Alternatively, the initial on screen display may provide the number of video programs stored since the apparatus was last in the ON state, or the number of video programs stored since the user last accessed a full listing of stored programs.

Abstract: A digital recording apparatus and a method for controlling a digital recording apparatus that provides for allowing the user to easily determine the available recording time that remains on a memory of the apparatus in response to a record command. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of detecting a first user input representing a command to start recording, and enabling display of a first screen message responsive to the first user input, where the first screen message indicates a remaining recording time available on a memory of the apparatus. The command to start recording is a command that does not specify a total recording time, for example, by the user actuating a RECORD key on a remote control device associated with the apparatus. The present invention also automatically provides another screen message that allows the user to delete data from the memory if it is determined that insufficient available recording time remains on the memory.

Abstract: A method for controlling recording in a digital recording apparatus enables users to create improved video recordings and also conserves memory space of the recording apparatus. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of detecting a first user input during recording representing a command to stop recording, enabling display of a first predetermined message responsive to the first user input, receiving a second user input representing a response to the first predetermined message, and controlling the digital video recording apparatus to generate a single program recording and a single program listing for the single program recording in response to the second user input.