Abstract: A lodging entertainment system provides a variety of products and services, including free television, pay-per-view movies, video games, guest services, and guest-selected recording of television programs for time-shifted viewing. Through the use of an interactive program guide, the guest may select programs being aired during the guest's stay at the hotel for later viewing, or may elect to record a television program while watching the same or another program.

Abstract: A lodging entertainment system provides a variety of products and services, including free television, pay-per-view movies, video games, guest services, and guest-selected recording of television programs for time-shifted viewing. Through the use of an interactive program guide, the guest may select programs being aired during the guest's stay at the hotel for later viewing, or may elect to record a television program while watching the same or another program. A property management system tracks charges associated with the use of the lodging entertainment system by the guest.

Abstract: A low battery detection system for detecting the battery voltage level in a remote control unit of a hotel entertainment system comprises a detection circuit imbedded within the remote control unit. Information regarding the battery voltage status is transmitted to a guest television terminal along with the infrared signal which turns the television on or off. A central computer polls each guest television terminal associated with an individual guest room to determine whether the battery in the remote control unit needs to be replaced. A system for generating a list of remote control units identified by guest room, which needs fresh batteries is also provided. In this manner, hotel personnel can detect and replace batteries in remote control units which are prone to impending battery failure without guest complaints. Further, the parameters which determine whether a battery needs to be replaced can be altered by the user of the system.