Method and apparatus for performing a set up operation for a video system

1. A method for performing a setup of a video system to select the operational settings associated with the video system, comprising the steps of:

providing an on-screen display for allowing a user to select an operational setting;

if a remote computing device has not stored the on-screen display, transmitting the on-screen display to the remote computing device through a data communications network in response to a user request entered at the remote computing device;

receiving setup data from the remote computing device through the data communications network in response to user entries on the remote computing device in response to the on-screen display;

adjusting an associated operational setting in the video system in response to the received setup data; and

storing the received setup data within a memory of the video system.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data communications network is an IEEE 1394 compliant network.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the providing step comprises providing on-screen displays that are substantially identical to displays that are provided on the video system in response to user operation of a remote control device whereby the user can select the operation settings on the remote computing device using substantially the same on-screen displays as those provided on the video system.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the operational setting comprises a parental control setting, a picture quality setting or an audio quality setting.

5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

detecting a connection of the remote computing device to the video system through an IEEE 1394 compliant network.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting on-screen displays that are substantially identical to displays generated on the video system in response to user operation of a remote control device whereby the user can select the operational settings on the remote computing device using substantially the same on-screen displays as those generated on the video system.

7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the operational setting comprises a parental control setting, a picture quality setting or an audio quality setting.

8. A video system, comprising:

a non-volatile memory for storing on-screen displays and setup data;

a signal connector adapted to be coupled to data communications network;

an interface coupled to the signal connector for transmitting on-screen displays to a remote computing device if the remote computing device has not stored the on-screen displays, and receiving setup data from the remote computing device, the setup data representing at least one user selected operational setting of the video system; and

a control unit coupled to the interface and the non-volatile memory, the control unit controlling an operating condition of the video system in response to setup data received from the remote computing device through the data communications network.

9. The video system ( 40 ) of claim 8 , wherein

the control unit transmits the on-screen displays to the remote computing device via the data communications network in response to a user request entered at the remote computing device, the on-screen displays being substantially identical to the on-screen displays generated on a display associated with the video system in response to user operation of a remote control device.

10. The video system of claim 8 , wherein

the control unit determines, upon initial connection of the remote computing device to the video system, whether the remote computing system has stored therein on-screen displays for allowing a user to select operational settings of the video system.

11. The video system of claim 8 , wherein

the operational setting comprises one of parental controls, picture quality controls, and audio quality controls.

12. The video system of claim 8 , wherein

setup data is received from the remote computing device through an IEEE-1394 compliant network.