A video decoder system operates in different configurations to request and acquire information using one or more communication links and different communication protocols. A method for acquiring information requested by a User via a program guide selection involves retrieving access data from memory. The access data is retrieved in response to a User selection made from options shown on a displayed program guide. A data identifier is derived from program map data associating the data identifier and the User selection. Information is identified in an input signal in response to the access data using the identifier. The identified information is retrieved from the input signal to produce a retrieved information output and the retrieved information is formatted for display. The decoder may establish a Request communication link with a first device using the access data. In addition, the decoder may establish a communication link with another device using a communication protocol derived from an information database.