Parallel Television Based Media Recording

Abstract

A control device that interacts with a television system. The control device may receive a user input identifying a video selection. At least one module of the control device may display video information corresponding to the video selection. The control device may cause display of the video information on a television system. The control device may respond to a second user input identifying a storage selection by triggering storage of the video information in a storage unit corresponding to the storage selection. The control device may also receive a third user input identifying a replay request for other video information that may be selected from a plurality of stored videos. The control device may direct display of the other video information on the television system and/or on a display of the control device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A home entertainment system that receives a plurality of television channels and a channel guide, the home entertainment system comprising:
 a television comprising a first screen that displays a first one of the plurality of television channels, the television receiving the first one of the plurality of television channels over a first network; and   a remote control device comprising a second screen that selectively displays the channel guide and a second one of the plurality of television channels, the remote control device receiving the second one of the plurality of television channels over a second network;   the remote control device adapted to direct delivery of a third one of the plurality of television channels to a storage system.   
     
     
         2 . The home entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device adapted to direct delivery of the third one of the plurality of television channels to the storage system over the first network. 
     
     
         3 . The home entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device adapted to direct delivery of the third one of the plurality of television channels to the storage system over the first network. 
     
     
         4 . The home entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device adapted to direct delivery of the third one of the plurality of television channels to the storage system over the first network. 
     
     
         5 . The home entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device further comprises a user input interface that is adapted to receive:
 a storage system selection that identifies the storage system; and   a channel selection that identifies the third one of the plurality of television channels.   
     
     
         6 . The home entertainment system of  claim 5 , wherein the remote control device is further adapted to direct delivery of the third one of the plurality of television channels from the storage system to the first screen of the television for display. 
     
     
         7 . The home entertainment system of  claim 6 , wherein the user input interface of the remote control device is further adapted to:
 receive a user input identifying replay; and   direct the delivery of the third one of the plurality of television channels from the storage system to the first screen of the television based on the user input.   
     
     
         8 . The home entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device further directs delivery of the stored third one of the plurality of television channels from the storage system to the second screen of the remote control device for display. 
     
     
         9 . The home entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the television is located at a first premises, and the remote control device is located at a second premises. 
     
     
         10 . A control device that interacts with a media source, the control device comprising:
 a video display;   a communication interface;   a user input interface adapted to receive a storage selection and a media selection, the media selection identifying a media element that comprises a video portion and an audio portion; and   at least one module adapted to:
 retrieve via the communication interface the media element from the media source; 
 direct display of the video portion of the media element on the video display over a first network; and 
 send a control signal via the communication interface that directs delivery of the media element to a storage system that corresponds to the storage selection over a second network. 
   
     
     
         11 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the at least one module is adapted to receive media guide information via the communication interface, the media guide information identifying a plurality of media elements available with the media source; and   the media selection is based on the media guide information.   
     
     
         12 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the at least one module is adapted to receive repository guide information via the communication interface, the repository guide information identifying a plurality of storage systems; and   the storage selection is based on the repository guide information.   
     
     
         13 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein the control device further comprises the storage system. 
     
     
         14 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein the control device is located at a first premises, and the storage system is located at a second premises. 
     
     
         15 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one module is further adapted to send a second control signal directing delivery of the media element from the storage system to the control device. 
     
     
         16 . A portable control device for interacting with a television located at a first premises, the television comprising a first screen, and a video source located at a second premises, the control device comprising:
 a communication interface;   a second screen;   at least one module adapted to receive video guide information through the communication interface and direct display of the received video guide information on the second screen; and   a user input interface adapted to receive selection of first video information and second video information based on the displayed video guide information;   wherein the at least one module is further adapted to:
 send a first control signal triggering delivery of the first video information from the video source to the first screen of the television for display over a first network; and 
 send a second control signal directing delivery of the second video information from the video source to a storage system over a second network. 
   
     
     
         17 . The control device of  claim 16 , wherein the storage system is located at a third premises. 
     
     
         18 . The control device of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one module is adapted to receive the second video information through the communication interface and direct display of the second video information on the second screen. 
     
     
         19 . The control device of  claim 18 , wherein the communication interface is adapted to receive the video guide information and the second video information via set top box circuitry. 
     
     
         20 . The control device of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the user input interface is further adapted to receive a user input identifying replay of the second video information on at least one of the first screen of the television and the second screen of the control device; and   the at least one module is further adapted to direct replay of the second video information based on the user input.