Systems and methods for generating a real-time video program guide through video access of multiple channels

A method for generating a video program guide, comprising:

• receiving at a home communication terminal (HCT) an elementary stream broadcasted on a channel of a network broadcasting a plurality of channels, the elementary stream comprising a plurality of video frames;
• producing a video program guide, the video program guide comprising a composite presentation of at least two video frames of the elementary stream;
• and
• displaying the video program guide.

A system for generating a real-time video program guide through access of video content, comprising:

• a network that transmits content to a plurality of Home Communication Terminals (HCTs) over a plurality of channels;
• a content provider that broadcasts an elementary stream over a dedicated channel of the plurality of channels, the elementary stream comprising program data corresponding to a plurality of video frames;
• and
• an HCT of the plurality of HCTs, in communication with the content provider via the network,
• wherein the HCT receives the elementary stream broadcast by the content provider, wherein the HCT generates a video program guide display based upon at least some of the plurality of video frames, and wherein the plurality of video frames are associated with content received by the HCT over at least two channels of the plurality of channels.

A home communication terminal (HCT) enabling the generation of a real-time video program guide, viewable on a display, through access of video content, comprising:

• at least one tuner that receives over one channel a data stream broadcast by a content provider, the data stream comprising data corresponding to a plurality of videos associated with a plurality of television channels;
• a video program guide application enabling a subscriber to select multiple video frames of the plurality of videos to create a composite presentation;
• and
• an output port for transmitting the composite presentation to the display, such that the multiple video frames are simultaneously viewable on the display.

A method of providing a real-time video program guide, comprising:

• generating at least one elementary stream, the at least one elementary stream including audio representing audio associated with a plurality of programs;
• broadcasting the at least one elementary stream over a network;
• receiving the at least one elementary stream at a home communication terminal (HCT);
• and
• producing a real-time video program guide based upon the audio, such that the real-time video program guide may be accessed by a subscriber.

A method of providing a real-time video program guide, comprising:

• generating at least one elementary stream, the at least one elementary stream including data representing audio associated with a plurality of programs;
• broadcasting the at least one elementary stream over a network;
• receiving the at least one elementary stream at a home communication terminal (HCT);
• and
• producing a real-time video program guide based upon the data, such that the real-time video program guide may be accessed by a subscriber.