| abstract |
An electronic programme guide (EPG) comprises means for outputting a selection of available audio/visual content to a user within a display area, plural user selectable indicia, each corresponding to a content item characteristic, and means for filtering the content items displayed according to user selection, thereby displaying only content items which match the selected (filtering) characteristic. Also independently claimed is an audio/visual (A/V) user access system with means for content storing, scheduled broadcasting, downloading stored content, streaming and receiving content on a scheduled basis. Further independent claims relate to A/V user access systems, having content storage, with: means for assigning a user access operation to a content item, altering this access operation dependent on content characteristic; (automatic) selection of an additional, further content item for transmission to a user; or restricted access according to a guidance flag. Further independent claims relate to a system enabling A/V content transmission along with metadata, and an A/V user access system with means for ordering download of a series of related content items. Finally, an EPG that lists content available on multiple channels, adapted to display programme information such that it only obscures certain content items, is claimed. |