Systems and methods for recording a signal received by a home
entertainment system that includes multiple consumer electronics devices
interconnected to a central electronics device in a hub and spoke
configuration. The configuration allows all signals in the home
entertainment system to be accessible by the central electronics device.
Accordingly, the central electronics device can process, route, or
otherwise respond to any signal. By way of example, any signal can be
routed to a recording system, where it can be recorded. The signal is
coupled with information from an electronic programming guide that
details specific programming. An automatic determination is made as to
whether or not there exists enough free space on a recording medium to
record a specific program. Upon recording the program on the recording
medium, an index is updated on the recording medium from the electronic
programming guide information and from the location of the program on the
recording medium. By selecting the program from the index, the recorded
program can be automatically located on the recording medium.