Abstract: A DVD player/recorder incorporates a hard drive mass memory device for temporarily storing program content and metadata, includes a network interface for connecting to content and metadata providers, as well as other resources and other computers, via the Internet, a television interface for connecting to a conventional television set which reproduces content from the DVD player, and also connects the DVD player to a set top box which provides a connection to a cable or satellite provider which forms a further source of programming and metadata. The DVD player can retrieve and play content, and permit the navigation of content, specified on a metadata playlist file.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for editing the content of a broadcast programming signal to provide a proprietary program signal that has been tailored to the preferences of an individual monitoring the broadcast programming signal. Accordingly, the systems and methods of the invention offer computer-integrated television monitoring.

Abstract: A system for replaying a sales presentation television program using a video on demand (VOD) or digital video recording (DVR) system. Metadata is created that subdivides the original broadcast into segments, and associates descriptive information with each segment. Playlists that specify an ordered subsequence of the sequence may be selected and used to present a variety of expanded or condensed versions of the sales presentation program originally broadcast to a viewer. Navigation controls including segment and subsegment lists, specially formatted screen displays, and special functions under the control of a user-operated remote control, facilitate the interactive selection and control of the presentation.

Abstract: A system for selecting, erasing or reproducing program recordings using marking and descriptive data which is transmitted to a client location from a remote processing location. A database of identification signals specifying the characteristics of a known programming is maintained at a remote processing location. In a first embodiment, selected identification signals are downloaded from the database to the client location and are used by a processor at the client location to identify desired programming within a locally stored collection of previously received broadcast programming signals.