Personal video recorder functionality for placeshifting systems

A method executable by a placeshifting device to allow a user to record media programs from locations that are physically remote from a source of the media programs, the method comprising:

• receiving first instructions from a remote device via a network at the placeshifting device, wherein the first instructions identify a media program to be recorded;
• when the identified media program is scheduled to play, directing a media recording device to receive and store the identified media program;
• and
• in response to subsequent instructions from the remote device via the network, to transmit the stored media program to the remote device via the network.

A method executable by a device, the method comprising:

• receiving a user input that indicates a particular media program to be recorded at a later time;
• responsive to the first user input, providing a first instruction to a placeshifting device via a network to thereby direct the placeshifting device to record the particular media program;
• after the later time has passed, receiving a second user input directing that the particular media program be presented for playback;
• responsive to the second user input, providing a second instruction to the placeshifting device via the network to thereby direct the placeshifting device to provide the particular media program for playback;
• receiving a video stream containing the particular media program from the placeshifting device via the network;
• and
• outputting the media stream for playback to the user.