Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input.

Abstract: A method for providing media to a user via an interactive media services client device coupled to a programmable media services server device includes receiving user input requesting on-screen comments to be provided with a media presentation and providing the user with a media presentation along with comments related to the media presentation.

Abstract: In one embodiment the invention provides a method for outputting auxiliary information for use in playing back a video sequence, the method comprising obtaining a measure of usefulness of a particular picture for playing back the video sequence, wherein the measure of usefulness indicates a performance of playing back the video sequence if the particular picture is available in a decoded state at a time of playback versus the particular picture not being available in a decoded state at a time of playback; determining a position in a data stream that includes the video sequence; and storing the auxiliary information at the determined position in the data stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the characteristics of a device coupled to a client device are disclosed. A method, according to one embodiment, includes driving a display device with a first video output signal formatted according to a first video interface specification; responsive to driving the display device, soliciting user input based on information included in the first video output signal; determining a characteristic of the display device based on the user input; and driving the display device according to the determined characteristic.

Abstract: A master device interactively distributes a television signal to a remote device for remote display with low latency between a user input and a television signal change.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session.

Abstract: A network stream transmitter receives a transport stream having content packets and packets to be filtered out and is adapted to selectively encapsulate content packets into network frames.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session.

Abstract: A recordable media content archiving system in a subscriber network. The recordable media content archiving system comprises, among other elements, a memory for storing recordable media content characterizing information, a storage device for storing a plurality of portable mediums, and a processor configured with the memory to receive the recordable media content characterizing information into the memory, wherein the processor is further configured to provide a user interface for the recordable media content archiving system.

Abstract: Processing an MPEG elementary stream contained in multiple PID streams in a conditional access overlay environment. A multi-program transport stream contains numerous video and audio elementary streams. Critical packets in the elementary streams are encrypted with two different encryption schemes creating a stream having multiple PID values. The streams are then sent from the headend to individual set-top boxes. One encryption scheme can be decoded by the incumbent set-top box and the second encryption scheme can be decoded by the overlay set-top box. The overlay set-top box uses a dual filter system to filter and decode the PIDs for each video and audio stream of the desired program.

Abstract: An interfacing system enables an application client to interface with a device driver in a client device with persistent storage. In some preferred embodiments, the interfacing system includes a memory with logic and a processor configured with the logic to use the normal play time locations to reference media content instances of a buffer file stored in clusters of a hard disk. In some preferred embodiments, the processor is configured with the logic to designate one of the referenced media content instances of the buffer file as a permanent file.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for updating a temperature table for a disk subsystem in a client system using information provided by a server system. In one embodiment, among others, the client receives an update command from the server system. The update command comprises instructions to update the temperature table. The client updates the temperature table in the disk subsystem in accordance with the update command. The client selects one of the write current values in the temperature table based on a disk subsystem temperature, and writes data to the disk subsystem using the selected write current values.

Abstract: A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service.

Abstract: A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service.

Abstract: A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service.

Abstract: A method for providing television functionality includes defining a time period, associating a user preference with the time period, providing a first result in accordance with the user preference if a request for television functionality is received during the defined time period, and providing a second result if the request for the television functionality is received outside the defined time period.

Abstract: A method for providing television advertising includes receiving user input for selecting an advertising parameter and providing a user with an advertisement corresponding to the advertising parameter.