Patent ID: 8068716

Claim:
A system for facilitating a recording of audio/visual (A/V) data, the system comprising: an A/V input source configured to provide the A/V data; a portable media player having a repository; and a recording apparatus located in a unit separate from the portable media player, coupled between the A/V input source and the portable media player, and configured to convert the A/V data from the A/V input source into converted A/V data having a format compatible with the portable media player and to store the converted A/V data directly in the repository of the portable media player without storing the converted A/V data in intermediate storage, said recording apparatus comprising an input module configured to receive the A/V data from the A/V input source and to generate received A/V data, a converter module configured to convert the received A/V data into the converted A/V data, an output module configured to transfer the converted A/V data directly to the repository of the portable media player, a configuration module coupled to the input module, the converter module and the output module, and coupled to receive recording parameters from the portable media player and to configure the input module, the converter module and the output module according to the recording parameters so as to automatically generate the converted A/V data in the format compatible with the portable media player, and a user interface module coupled to the input module, the converter module and the output module, and configured to receive commands from a user, said user interface module including a single button, wherein upon power-up the recording apparatus is configured to automatically detect a format and nature of the A/V data from the A/V input source and a type of the portable media player, and to initiate the recording of the A/V data, including reception of the A/V data from the A/V input source, conversion of the A/V data by the converter module, and transfer of the converted A/V data from the output module to the portable media player, in response to the user interface module detecting a first press of the button and to stop the recording of the A/V data and automatically update a play list in the portable media player in response to a second press of the button, in each instance without any other input from the user.