Optimizing data rates for video services to a subscriber

1. A method for optimizing data rates for video services to a subscriber, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an indication of whether incoming video signals to a set-top box corresponding to the subscriber are being recorded;

receiving an indication of whether video content corresponding to the video signals being recorded is being simultaneously viewed by the subscriber; and

reducing a data rate for storing the video content that is not simultaneously being viewed by the subscriber.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of reducing the data rate for storing the video content comprises reducing the data rate below a real-time data rate.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of reducing further comprises preserving a video resolution of the video content.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of giving priority to the incoming video signal to the set-top box over an incoming signal to a personal computer.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of giving priority to transmission of real-time services over transmission of non-real-time services.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving an indication of whether the incoming video signals to the set-top box corresponding to the subscriber are being recorded further comprises the step of receiving from the set-top box an indication of recording functionality corresponding to the set-top box.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving an indication of whether the incoming video signals to the set-top box corresponding to the subscriber are being recorded further comprises the step of receiving from the set-top box an indication of recording functionality corresponding to the set-top box and attributes of a display device in communication with the set-top box.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein responsive to receiving an indication that the video content is being simultaneously viewed, streaming the video content based on screen size of a display device in communication with the set-top box, type of video content, or a combination of both.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein responsive to receiving an indication that the video content is not being simultaneously viewed, providing the video content to the set-top box using only available excess bandwidth in a transmission line.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising determining, while providing the video content to the set-top box using the available excess bandwidth, whether a request for a higher priority session is requested.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the higher priority session includes a real-time viewing request of a different video signal.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising, responsive to a determination that there is the request for the higher priority session, decreasing the data rate for the video content.

13. A system for optimizing data rates for video services to a subscriber, said system comprising:

a server coupled to a set-top box over a digital subscriber link, the server configured to:

receive from the set-top box an indication of whether incoming video signals to the set-top box corresponding to the subscriber are being recorded and an indication of whether video content corresponding to the video signals being recorded is being simultaneously viewed by the subscriber, the server further configured to reduce a data rate for storing the video content that is not simultaneously being viewed by the subscriber.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the server is configured to reduce the data rate below a real-time data rate while preserving a video resolution of the video content.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the server is configured to give higher priority to transmissions to the set-top box than transmission to a computer co-located with the set-top box, and wherein the server is further configured to give higher priority to transmission of real-time services over transmission of non-real-time services.

16. The system of claim 13 , further comprising the set-top box, wherein the set-top box comprises logic configured to:

determine whether the incoming video signals to the set-top box are being recorded;

determine whether the video content corresponding to the video signals being recorded is being simultaneously viewed by the subscriber; and

provide the indications corresponding to the determinations.

17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the server is further configured to receive an indication from the set-top box of recording functionality corresponding to the set-top box, attributes of a display device in communication with the set-top box, or a combination of both.

18. The system of claim 13 , wherein responsive to receiving the indication that the video content is being simultaneously viewed, the server is further configured to stream the video content based on screen size of a display device in communication with the set-top box, type of video content, or a combination of both.

19. The system of claim 13 , wherein responsive to receiving an indication that the video content is not being simultaneously viewed, the server is further configured to provide the video content to the set-top box using only available excess bandwidth in the digital subscriber link.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the server is further configured to:

determine whether a request for a higher priority session is requested, the determination while providing the video content to the set-top box using the available excess bandwidth; and

decrease the data rate for the video content responsive to a determination that there is the request.