Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) organizes and presents programming information to the viewer and allows for creation of queries to facilitate both simple and complex searches of the programming information. The EPG is configured to automatically identify programs that a viewer is likely to prefer. The EPG collects viewing preferences of a viewer and, using these preferences; automatically develops queries for identifying programs that the viewer is likely to watch. The EPG also enables multiple viewers to merge their individual queries into one composite query or to run queries in background to periodically check for programs and notify the viewer when a program is identified. Queries are saved in an EPG database in a hierarchic structure with directories and sub-directories to make it easy for a viewer for organizing and retrieval. Also the EPG creates queries for a channel, network name or program using a 10-key keypad. The EPG is configured to interpret the data as representing all possible choices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards reducing hard disk drive (HDD) activity by reducing the activity of an internal time shift buffer (TSB). The HDD may be included in a digital host communications terminal (DHCT). The TSB can switch between buffering a high definition quality to a standard definition quality of a streaming program. Additionally, the TSB can be disabled to prevent buffering of the streaming program. The reduced buffering of the TSB is determined by several factors including the temperature of the HDD, the health of the HDD, a set-up menu including TSB options, and/or whether there is a high definition television connected to the DHCT.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method for reproducing contents information in an interactive optical disc device and a method for providing contents information in a contents provider server. The interactive optical disc device is connected with the contents provider server via the Internet to receive a variety of contents information provided from the contents provider server. When the sending of the contents information from the contents provider server to the interactive optical disc device is suspended or delayed due to a network connection loss on the Internet or an insufficient storage capacity of a buffer memory in the interactive optical disc device, contents information re-sent from the contents provider server and a data stream read from an interactive DVD are re-synchronized and reproduced. Therefore, a user of the interactive optical disc device can normally watch more various contents information.