Importance

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Abstract

A video recording device includes the ability to record a video broadcast or video program while concurrently replaying a previously recorded video broadcast. This previously recorded video broadcast can be the same video broadcast that is recording or a different video broadcast. The record and playback operations are preferably triggered and controlled through a television on which the user can watch the playback of the recorded program. The viewer enters the data and commands for recording and playback preferably using a remote control device. Video programs are preferably recorded on a mass storage device. Preferably, the mass storage device is a hard disk drive coupled to the television through an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. Alternatively, any other appropriately configured memory device can be used to store the video programs. The television uses write commands to transmit to and record the program onto the mass storage device and read commands to retrieve previously recorded portions of a program to be replayed from the mass storage device. When playing back a previously recorded program or the recorded portions of a program which is still being recorded, the television will retrieve the packets of data from the mass storage device in sequence, using read commands to read from the appropriate locations where the appropriate packets have been stored. Each packet is then retrieved in sequence from the beginning of the program, even if the end portion of the program is still being recorded.

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First Claim