Abstract: A method and a system for managing and utilizing personalized media preferences. The method includes establishing a plurality of user preferences, the preferences specifying at least one media type and at least one preferred programming content. The method also includes storing the user preferences on a portable storage device, and reading the stored plurality of user preferences, wherein the preferences affect the programming content played by the media player, wherein the programming content is a multimedia content.

Abstract: A server for satisfying user requests for programming information pertaining to digital media. The server includes a communication facility for communicating with a plurality of users over a network, a plurality of receivers for receiving digital media content and its related metadata, an interface for receiving a user request for programming information pertaining to the digital media, an authentication mechanism between the user, a user authorized device, and a user profile on the server, a processor for interpreting the user request for digital media, a creator for creating instructions and for defining a graphical interface, a display mechanism for displaying the graphical interface, and a module for receiving client device capabilities for adapting displaying format of electronic program guides.