System and method for tuning channels using a central point of control

A computer program product for implementing in an entertainment system that includes a central device coupled to a plurality of electronics devices, wherein the central device manages the operation of the electronics devices, a computer program product for implementing a method for tuning signals carrying programming that correspond to channels selected by a user, the computer program product comprising:

• a computer-readable medium carrying computer executable instructions for performing the method, wherein the method comprises steps for:
• using electronic programming guide data stored at the central device to determine whether the signal is scrambled or non-scrambled, wherein both the scrambled and the non-scrambled signals have to be tuned before being displayed;
• if the signal is determined from the electronic programming guide data to be scrambled, performing the steps for:
• routing the scrambled signal from the central device to the descrambler;
• and
• using the descrambler to descrambler and tune to one or more channels of the scrambled signal for display on the display device;
• and
• if the signal is determined from the electronic programming guide to be non-scrambled, performing the step for:
• using an internal tuner that is located at the central device to tune to one or more channels of the non-scrambled signal for display on the display device, and such that the non-scrambled signal can be displayed.

A tuning system for use in an entertainment system that includes a plurality of consumer electronics devices coupled to a central device, wherein the central device manages the operation of the consumer electronics devices, and wherein all signals received by the entertainment system pass through the central device, the tuning system comprising:

• a first tuner that is located at the central device, wherein the first tuner tunes signals to one or more channels carrying programming that is non-scrambled, wherein the non-scrambled signal must be tuned prior to being displayed;
• a second tuner at a descrambling device, wherein the descrambling device is one of the plurality of consumer electronics devices coupled to the central device, wherein the central device routes the scrambled signal to the descrambling device, and wherein the second tuner tunes signals to one or more channels carrying programming that is scrambled;
• and
• an electronic programming guide stored at the central device, wherein the electronic programming guide includes data specifying whether a signal carrying programming is scrambled or non-scrambled and wherein the tuning system uses the electronic programming guide to determine whether the signal carrying programming is scrambled or non-scrambled.