Abstract: There is disclosed a video playback device comprising: 1) a disk storage device for storing television programs received from an external source; 2) a first controller for receiving a first program recording command, wherein the first program recording command is operable to cause the first controller to store a first television program on the disk storage device during a first time slot; and 3) a second controller for determining if sufficient space is available on the disk storage device to store the first television program. The disk storage device, in response to a determination that sufficient space is not available on the disk storage device, identifies in an external communication network a second remote video playback device capable of recording the first television program and transmits a recording task request to the second remote video playback device. The recording task request causes the second remote video playback device to record the first television program during the first time slot.

Abstract: There is disclosed for use in a video playback device containing a disk storage device, an apparatus for retrieving from remote data servers in an external network supplemental data files related to a first television program stored on the disk storage device. The apparatus comprises: 1) a recording controller capable of recording on the disk storage device the first television program and link data associated with the first television program; and 2) an update controller capable of identifying the link data associated with the first television program, wherein the update controller is further capable of using the link data to access the supplemental data files on the remote data servers and to retrieve the supplemental data files.