[access-uk] Re: Audio description as standard on Sony TVs
- From: "Ian Macrae" <ian.macrae@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:54:34 +0100
Ray, Panasonic have it as standard too. And when digital switch-over
starts in Whitehaven in October, anyone in receipt of DLA will be
entitled to a free box which will have one-touch access to AD or
subtitles. If anyone has any concerns about either the kit or the
process, please feel free to email me privately as I have access to the
men who know about these things.
Ian.macrae@xxxxxxxxx
> _____________________________________________
> From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> On Behalf Of Ray's Home
> Sent: 21 August 2007 13:51
> To: VI-Genaccess@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Access-Uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [access-uk] Audio description as standard on Sony TVs
>
> I hope others feel this has a place on both Access-UK and Vi-gen,
> hence the cross posting. (There was a mention of a very cheap, or
> even free, Freeview Box to include A-D, but I've not heard more on
> that as yet.)
>
> This is taken from the E-Access Bulliten for August .
>
> site address http://www.headstar.com/
>
> Audio Description Included As Standard For Sony TVs.
>
> Sony has begun shipping its Bravia range of integrated digital TVs
> with audio description included as a standard function. The first of
> the
> new Bravia models were launched in June, and the company aims to
> equip the entire Bravia range with audio description by the end of
> September 2007.
>
> Earlier this year rival TV manufacturer Panasonic made a similar
> move, enabling consumers to access audio described broadcast content
> without buying extra equipment such as a set-top box. At present, the
> audio description facilities provided by both Sony and Panasonic are
> restricted to programme content only, and so do not include an
> accessible electronic programme guide.
>
> The move was welcomed by the RNIB. However, Jill Whitehead,
> RNIB Media and Culture Information Officer said that Sony could
> improve the accessibility of its remote control handset. "The
> Panasonic
> remote control is much better," she told E-Access Bulletin. Unlike
> Sony, the Panasonic system enables users to isolate the audio
> description stream, listening to it privately through headphones,
> which
> may be a bonus for households with sighted and vision impaired
> viewers.
>
> Although Sony's move is a welcome development, Whitehead was
> cautious about the impact on other manufacturers. "Audio description
> is still not seen as a desirable feature for the mass market. The
> manufacturers think of it as serving a minority audience," she said.
> RNIB has produced a downloadable guide to audio description that
> includes more details about the new Sony and Panasonic models:
> http://fastlink.headstar.com/rnibdigtv .
>
>
>
> From Ray
> I can be contacted off-list at:
> mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
>
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