Multi-device distributed digital video recording systems and methods

A multi-device distributed digital video recording system, comprising:

• a plurality of networked digital video recorders;
• a requesting digital video recorder (DVR) capable of broadcasting a request to said plurality of networked DVRs seeking resources of a dormant DVR;
• at least one dormant DVR in the plurality of networked DVRs capable of receiving the request and for providing a response to said requesting DVR indicating availability of resources
• wherein:
• said requesting DVR selects a granting DVR from the at least one dormant DVR with available resources;
• a session is established between said requesting DVR and said granting DVR;
• and
• resources of said granting DVR are made available for use by said requesting DVR,
• wherein resources of said granting DVR are made available for use by said requesting DVR by:
• requesting by the requesting DVR that said granting DVR tune to a particular channel and record designated content from said particular channel to store said designated content at said granting DVR for use by said requesting DVR;
• and
• when the granting DVR does not have access to the particular channel,
• receiving an indication that the granting DVR does not have access to the particular channel;
• and
• requesting access to the particular channel by the requesting DVR on behalf of the granting DVR, whereby designated content from said particular channel is recorded by the granting DVR.

A digital video recorder (DVR) for use in a multi-device distributed digital video recording system, comprising:

• at least one tuner;
• at least one storage device;
• a processor enabled for at least one of:
• (a) broadcasting a request to a plurality of networked DVRs seeking resources of at least one dormant DVR;
• receiving a response to the request from the at least one dormant DVR indicating availability of resources;
• selecting a granting DVR from the at least one dormant DVR with available resources;
• establishing a session with said granting DVR;
• and
• utilizing resources of said granting DVR;
• and
• (b) receiving a broadcast request from a requesting DVR seeking available resources;
• responding to said requesting DVR regarding availability of resources;
• if resources are available and if selected by said requesting DVR, establishing a session with said requesting DVR;
• and
• providing resources for use by said requesting DVR,
• wherein resources of said granting DVR are made available for use by said requesting DVR by:
• requesting by the requesting DVR that said granting DVR tune to a particular channel and record designated content from said particular channel to store said designated content at said granting DVR for use by said requesting DVR;
• and
• when the granting DVR does not have access to the particular channel,
• receiving an indication that the granting DVR does not have access to the particular channel;
• and
• requesting access to the particular channel by the requesting DVR on behalf of the granting DVR, whereby designated content from said particular channel is recorded by the granting DVR.