Program guide in a digital video system

本发明涉及根据包括在打包信号中的辅助信息从打包信号中获得节目的装置和方法。打包信号包括多个节目信号和与之相关的辅助信息。上述装置包括标识来自打包信号的辅助信息的标识装置，辅助信息包括用于标识和获得特定的导引信息的主导引信息和用于获得与多个节目信号相关的节目信息的特定的导引信息。可以利用从辅助信息得到的标识符信息获得节目信号。上述装置包括根据辅助信息从打包信号获得一个被选择节目的获得装置。 Apparatus and method for acquiring a program from a packetized signal in response to ancillary information included in the packetized signal. The packetized signal includes a plurality of program signals and ancillary information associated with the plurality of program signals. The apparatus includes means for identifying the ancillary information from the packetized signal, the ancillary information including master guide information for use in identifying and acquiring special guide information, and special guide information for use in acquiring program information associated with the plurality of program signals. The program signals may be acquired using identifier information that may be derived from the ancillary information. The apparatus includes means responsive to the ancillary information for acquiring a selected program from the packetized signal.