METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING GUIDES AND USING RECORDING INFORMATION IN DETERMINING PROGRAM TO COMMUNICATIONS CHANNEL MAPPINGS

摘要

A user recovers and records multiple programs communicated simultaneously using a communications channel, e.g., QAM communications channel. The simultaneous communication may be by communicating, e.g., an MPEG-2 transport stream including data corresponding to multiple programs through a corresponding to QAM communications channel. Thus a user device, e.g., a set top box, is able to receive and record programs corresponding to multiple simultaneously broadcast programs using a single tuner. This allows a device to receive and record or display more programs at any given time, than the number of QAM tuners and/or receivers in the user device. Novel user interface features which facilitate a user's ability to identify and record multiple programs corresponding to a QAM channel are also described. Methods and apparatus for determining program to communication channel mappings based on user program recordation information are also described.

主权项

1. A method of operating a system used for recording and playback of programs, the method comprising:
displaying a list of available programs; and including in said displayed list a first group indicator indicating a group of programs available for simultaneous recording, said first group of programs corresponding to a first QAM communications channel; and including in said displayed list a second group indicator indicating a second group of programs available for simultaneous recording, said second group of programs corresponding to a second QAM communications channel.