XML conditioning for new devices attached to the network

A method of recognizing a device format preference for excerpted electronic program guide information of a device on an IHDN network, the method comprising the steps

• connecting the device to the network that has an XML data repository;
• sending an XSL stylesheet request for excerpted EPG information, including a device format preference from the device over the IHDN network to an XSLT engine in communication with the XML data repository;
• and
• utilizing the device format preference from the XML data repository on the network, so that the network can recognize the device.

A system for recognizing a data format preference of a device, the system comprising

• a network that includes a data repository;
• the device connected to the network, wherein the device has a data format preference;
• a data packet containing a request for specific information that includes the device format preference, wherein the data packet is prepared by the device and transmitted over the network to the data repository of the network;
• the data repository stores the device format preference, so that the network can recognize the device.