Managing time shift buffers

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input.

1 . A method for determining a size of a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations, the method comprising: 
 receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB; and    modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying step includes assigning additional storage capacity to the TSB.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying step includes removing storage capacity from the TSB.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 managing a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is not substantially different from the storage capacity identified by user input.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 managing the TSB such that it does not contain an amount of data that substantially exceeds the storage capacity identified by the user input.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the TSB corresponds to a portion of a hard disk.  
     
     
         7 . A digital home communication terminal (DHCT) comprising: 
 a time-shift buffer (TSB); and    a processor that is programmed to modify a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by a user input.    
     
     
         8 . The DHCT of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is further programmed to: 
 manage a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is not substantially different from the storage capacity identified by user input.    
     
     
         9 . The DHCT of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is further programmed to: 
 manage the TSB such that it does not contain an amount of data that substantially exceeds the storage capacity identified by the user input.    
     
     
         10 . The DHCT of  claim 7 , wherein the TSB corresponds to a portion of a hard disk.  
     
     
         11 . A method for determining a size of a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations, the method comprising: 
 receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB;    modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that is substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input;    assigning additional storage capacity to the TSB; and    managing the TSB such that it does not contain an amount of data that substantially exceeds the storage capacity identified by the user input,    wherein the TSB corresponds to a portion of a hard disk.