System and method for the exchange and storage of set-top box data

1. A method for updating viewing status between a set-top box and one or more social network websites, the method comprising:

setting user preferences for communicating a viewing status between the set-top box and one or more social network websites, wherein setting the user preferences include specifying a channel for viewing content associated with a particular contact;

determining media content viewed by a user utilizing the set-top box;

logging in to the one or more social network websites associated with the user using a set-top box identifier;

posting the viewing status of the user to the one or more social network websites based on the user preferences and the determined media content; and

automatically enabling a chat session with the particular contact in response to a user selection of the channel.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

reconciling the media content viewed by one or more contacts to media content available to the user through the set-top box.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

displaying an interactive link to the media content viewed by one or more contacts.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the user preferences indicate types of media content that generate the viewing status, and wherein the types include a category and a rating.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the user preferences specify one or more times of day for posting the viewing status.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining media content recorded by the user utilizing the set-top box; and

tweeting information associated with the recorded media content to the Twitter account associated with the user.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

archiving a history of media content viewed by the user; and

posting the history to one or more pages of the one or more social network websites.

8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising recording all user contact activities including a history of chats performed through the set-top box.

9. A set-top box comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are configured to:

set user preferences for communicating a viewing status between the set-top box and one or more social network websites, wherein setting the user preferences include specifying a channel for viewing content associated with a particular contact;

determine media content viewed by a user utilizing the set-top box;

log in to the one or more social network websites associated with the user using a set-top box identifier; and

post the viewing status of the user to the one or more social network websites based on the user preferences and the determined media content; and

automatically enabling a chat session with the particular contact in response to a user selection of the channel.

10. The set-top box according to claim 9 , wherein the set of instructions is further executed to:

display viewing information for one or more contacts, the viewing information including a link to the media content if available.

11. The set-top box according to claim 9 , wherein the set of instructions is further executed to:

prompt a user to chat with one or more contacts that are viewing media content simultaneously with the users.

12. The set-top box according to claim 10 , wherein the set of instructions is further executed to:

reconcile the media content viewed by the one or more contacts to media content available to the user through the set-top box.