Patent ID: 8054968

Claim:
An apparatus for recording and playing a digital signal, comprising: a receiver for receiving an encrypted digital signal comprising a satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) signal, the SDARS signal comprising streaming content data and program associated data (PAD) that is synchronized with said streaming content data, said PAD being embedded in said SDARS signal prior to said signal being received and operable to identify a change from a first broadcast segment to a second broadcast segment based on a change in the PAD associated with the streaming content data; a buffer connected to said receiver for storing at least part of said digital signal as it is being received; a recorder connected to said receiver for recording onto a first recording medium said encrypted digital signal in response to a user request only if a beginning of said second broadcast segment, identified by a change in the PAD of said stored digital signal, is in said buffer; a player for playing said first recording medium and connected to a card reader; and a card having a predetermined value for insertion into said card reader; wherein when said card is inserted into said card reader, said card reader verifies that said predetermined value is at least a selected minimum value and authorizes said player to decipher said encrypted digital signal from said first recording medium and to record said deciphered signal onto one of said first recording medium and a second recording medium.