An automatically configuring storage array includes media storage devices coupled
together within a network. Preferably, the network is an IEEE 1394-1995 serial
bus network. The media storage devices record and retrieve data transmitted within
the network. The media storage devices communicate to store and retrieve data over
multiple media storage devices. When a record or playback command is received by
a media storage device, the media storage devices send communications between themselves
to record or transmit the data. Control of operations is transferred between the
media storage devices to utilize the capacity of available media storage devices.
Preferably, data is recorded utilizing redundancy techniques. Object descriptors
are stored within recorded streams of data to facilitate search and retrieval of
recorded data. Preferably, the media storage devices accept control instructions
directly from devices. Alternatively, a control device provides a control interface
between the media storage devices and other devices.