Abstract: The invention relates to delivering a program to an individual business or residence. In one embodiment, a process for receiving a program by a user location that is sent from a content distributor is described. In one step, a first portion of the program is received and stored at the user location. A user request for the program is detected after storage of the first portion. A second portion of the program is received in response to the detecting the user request.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for providing a stored program to a user for playback is disclosed. In one step, a program selection is received from the user. The stored program corresponding to the program selection is requested. The stored program is provided to the user whereby viewing may occur. It is determined if the user is authorized to view the stored program after the stored program is provided to the user whereby the user may view the stored program before authorization is determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for receiving a program by a user location is disclosed. The program is sent from a content provider. In one step, at least a first segment of each of a first number of programs sent from the content provider before any user request for any of the first number of programs is recorded. The user request for one of the first number of programs is detected. At least a second segment of each of a second number of programs sent from the content provider is also recorded if the user request is not detected before a stagger period expires. The one of the first number of programs is recorded if the user request is detected before the stagger period expires.

Abstract: The invention relates to delivering a program to an individual business or residence. In one embodiment, a process for distributing a program sent by a content distributor to a user location is described. A command from the content distributor is received and processed that requests storage of the program at the user location. The user location receives the program and stores the program. The storing is performed in response to at least the processing of the command. A user action related to the program is detected after storage of the program.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, each of which is configured to be played for a user under the user's control. At least one of the first set of programs has a counterpart in the second set of programs. A notification signal is transmitted to distinguish at least one of the second set of programs on the server from programs not on the server.

Abstract: The invention relates to delivering a program to an individual business or residence. In one embodiment, a process for pre-storing a portion of a program distributed on a plurality of distribution conduits and in a linear schedule with staggered start times is described. A first start time of the program is determined for a first distribution conduit, and a second start time of the program is determined for a second distribution conduit. A stagger time between the first start time and the second start time is also determined. A segment of the program equal in length to the stagger time is stored.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for distributing programming. A first set of program segments is transmitted according to a schedule of programming. A second set of program segments is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of program segments having a counterpart in the second set of program segments. User authorizations to program segments on the server are maintained. Such user authorizations may include a record of the number of times a user has previously been given program control over a particular program segment from the server and a limit on the number of times the user is authorized to have program control over the particular program segment from the server. A request from the user for program control over the particular program segment is detected and a determination is made whether to grant program control over that program segment in accordance with the user authorizations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for distributing programming. A first set of program segments is transmitted according to a schedule of programming. A second set of program segments is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of program segments having a counterpart in the second set of program segments. A database is maintained that records user authorizations to program segments on the server. A request from a user for program control of a particular program segment is detected and a determination is made whether to grant program control to the user.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for customizing a video service in a content distribution system is disclosed. In one step, preference information entered by a user of the content distribution system is received and influences a profile for that user. Interaction of the user with the video service is observed to influence the profile. The video service is customized based, at least in part, on the profile. A program guide is generated and customized according to the profile. The profile is modified to remove older interaction information.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for customizing a video service in a content distribution system is disclosed. In one step, preference information entered by a user of the content distribution system is received and influences a profile for that user. Interaction of the user with the video service is observed to influence the profile. The video service is customized based, at least in part, on the profile. A program guide is generated and customized according to the profile. The profile is modified to remove older interaction information.