On-screen electronic resources guide

A method for providing an on-screen electronic resource guide (ERG) in an audio/visual display device having plural peripheral devices connected thereto over an interface, wherein each peripheral device has an active mode and an inactive mode, and wherein at least one of the peripheral devices has an electronic programming guide associated therewith;

• comprising:
• generating an ERG display for displaying information about available programs;
• wherein the programs are taken from the group of programs consisting of broadcast television;
• cable television;
• direct satellite broadcast;
• video cassette recorders;
• digital video discs;
• CD-ROMs and computer-based programs including internet transmissions multimedia programs streaming video and audio programs;
• to the audio/visual display device from said peripheral devices when such devices are in their active mode, wherein any EPGs are incorporated into the EPG, and
• controlling a peripheral device from the ERG display;
• and
• indicating an active peripheral by displaying at least one presence row on the ERG display and displaying any EPG associated with the peripheral which is displayed when the presence row for the peripheral is selected.