1. A method for replacement of programs on a video recorder having a computer and a computer readable storage media, comprising: comparing, by a processor of the computer recorded programs in the computer readable storage media and a schedule of programs to be recorded to a plurality of global preferences and program specific preferences specifying preferred recording quality; for each recorded program whose quality does not match a global preference or program specific preference, examining, by the processor, a listing of future programs for alternate versions of the program which do match a global preference or program specific preference; if an alternate version of the program which does match a global preference or program specific preference exists, then scheduling, by the processor, an alternate version of the originally recorded program to be recorded; and when the alternate version of the program is recorded, deleting by the processor, the recorded program.