Patent ID: 8584193

Claim:
A method, comprising: transcoding audio-visual information supplied by a television in a high definition multimedia interface standard format received via a high definition multimedia interface port in a portable set top box device to a first format compatible with a first external device, wherein the first format compatible with the first external device is determined dynamically; storing the first format of the transcoded audio-visual information in a memory of the portable set top box device; generating a first transcoded signal from the first format of the transcoded audiovisual information for storage of the audio visual information on the first external device; determining if the first external device has a capacity to trickle charge batteries of the portable set top box device; trickle charging batteries of the set top box device using power supplied by the television via the high definition multimedia interface port responsive to a determination that the first external device has the capacity to trickle charge; providing the first transcoded signal to the first external device responsive to the portable set top box being coupled with the first external device via a network interface in the portable set top box; transcoding the audio-visual information to a second format compatible with a second external device; storing the second format of the transcoded audio-visual information in the memory of the portable set top box; generating a second transcoded signal from the second format of the transcoded audio-visual information for storage of the audio visual information on the second external device, wherein the second format compatible with the second external device is determined dynamically; determining if the second external device has a capacity to trickle charge batteries of the portable set top box device; trickle charging batteries of the set top box device using power supplied by the television via the high definition multimedia interface port responsive to a determination that the second external device has the capacity to trickle charge; providing the second transcoded signal to the second external device responsive to the portable set top box being coupled with the second external device via the network interface in the portable set top box; coupling the portable set top box with a power outlet; receiving data at the portable set top box via the power outlet; and enabling the portable set top box to be utilized as an end user device for voice communications.