Abstract: A universal remote control (100) is described, the universal remote control (100) including a configuration port (155) operative to receive a download of configuration information sent to a device (110), the configuration information defining a communication protocol for sending control information from the universal remote control (100) to the device (110), and a processor (148) operative to determine if the configuration has previously been downloaded to the universal remote control (100) and in response to a negative result of the determining configuration request a download of the configuration information from the device (110) to the universal remote control (100), and configure the universal remote control (100) in accordance with the received configuration information thereby configuring the universal remote control (100) to send control information to the device (110). Related methods and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a user to select programs in a personal video recorder environment, the method comprising enabling the user to select a program subject category, providing in response to user selection of a program subject category, for subsequent user selection, programs within said selected program subject category, at least one of selected and organized in accordance with past user viewing, and subsequently enabling the user to select among said programs. Related methods and apparatus are also described.