Patent attributes
A recording system uses electronic program guide information to resolve conflicts between programs that have been selected by a viewer for recording. The recording system allows the viewer to select conflicting (i.e., coinciding) programs for recording, while communicating to the viewer that a conflict exists. Conflicts can be automatically resolved in response to a dynamic change to the recording system, such as an increase in the number of tuners available for recording. Conflicts can also be automatically resolved as senior conflicting programs are taken off the broadcast schedule or are deselected by the viewer. A junior program that conflicts with a senior repeating program can be scheduled for recording by removing from the recording schedule only those instances of the senior repeating program that actually conflict with the junior program, while keeping non-conflicting showings of the repeating program on the schedule. The recording system can also search the electronic program guide for alternate showings of a selected episode of a conflicting program, such that the conflict can be resolved if a non-conflicting showing of the episode is found.
