System and method for providing recording and playback of digital media content

A method of purchasing content broadcast by a content provider comprising:

• a selecting step where at least one category of content is selected for a user to preview from a plurality of content categories being broadcast over a plurality of channels by a content provider;
• a storing step where a device stores content and associated data from the at least one selected category of content in a volatile memory that is periodically updated during a broadcast by the content provider, the associated data allowing navigation among the stored content during playback;
• a flagging step where a user listens to or views specific content stored in the storing step and flags that specific content for purchase;
• a transferring step where the flagged content from the volatile memory used in the storing step is copied to a non-volatile memory;
• an acquiring step where the associated data stored in the non-volatile memory is used to acquire a version of the flagged content;
• a receiving step where at least one of the broadcast content provider and a content vendor provides the version of the flagged content to a user selected device based on the associated data for permanent storage;
• and
• a memory managing step where the non-volatile memory is managed by a user to store selected, plural tracks of content from the broadcast according to user preferences for time-shifted playback of the stored content, and to lock selected tracks from being erased or overwritten and allow a user more time to consider acquisition of the locked tracks for permanent storage.

A broadcast receiving device comprising:

• a receiver for receiving a plurality of channels of a plurality of categories of content that is broadcast by a content provider;
• a playback memory for temporarily storing at part of the broadcast to buffer live broadcast content as the user listens to the received broadcast and allow replay operations comprising pausing, rewinding and fast forwarding playback of the broadcast being received and skipping selected said segments in said stored broadcast during playback;
• a selector to select at least one category of content for a user to preview from the plurality of content categories being broadcast over a plurality of channels by said content provider;
• a preview memory wherein the device stores content and associated data from the at least one selected category of content in said preview memory and allows a user limited access to the content stored therein;
• an input device a user actuates to flag specific content for purchase when the user listens to or views specific content;
• a microprocessor that copies or transfers the data associated with the flagged content from the playback memory to the preview memory;
• wherein the associated data stored in the preview memory is user accessible so the user can acquire a version of the flagged content;
• and
• a permanent memory that stores the version of the flagged content and provides a user with unlimited access to it.

A method of purchasing content broadcast by a broadcast source comprising:

• a selecting step where content is selected by a user to preview from a broadcast over a plurality of channels by a content provider;
• a storing step where a device stores content and associated data from selected content in a first memory that is periodically updated;
• a flagging step where a user listens to or views specific content stored in the storing step and flags that specific content for acquisition;
• a transferring step where the device copies the data associated with the flagged content from the first memory used in the storing step to a second memory for semi-permanent storage and greater user access for time-shifted playback of the stored content than is provided via the first memory;
• an acquiring step where the associated data stored in said second memory location is used to acquire a high quality version of the flagged content;
• and
• a delivering step where at least one of a broadcast content provider and a content vendor delivers a high quality version of the flagged content to a user selected device for permanent storage and unlimited user access.