But they have to include new hardware in their boxes, a speech synth chip like the one RNIB have developed. It may only cost pence to buy the chip but the cost escalates when scaled up in a mass manufacturing process. Firstly, software needs to be created. Then it has to be designed into the circuit, soldered to the motherboard which will take extra time, extra man hours and extra money. I'm not an expert on this but when Sky and Virgin produce literally millions of boxes (there are 10 million sky subscribers now) these little things really ramp the price up and hence cut their profit margins. As a result, either the cost needs to be passed on to the customer like Ryan Air did with their 50p wheelchair tax on all tickets, or sky have to take the financial hit which they're unlikely to want to do unless forced by legislation. A million twenty pences equals two hundred thousand pounds. In short, why would Sky want to pay almost a quarter of a million quid on a million box production run when they're probably not even sure how many blind people watch TV> I wonder how many blind people have made themselves known to their special customer services team. Sky can measure this. Oh look, it's Damon banging on about legislation again. Still interested to hear from John Godbur and interested to know how much the RNIB talking chipset might cost manufacturers of set top boxes. ...Damon -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of william lomas Sent: 28 July 2010 16:08 To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [access-uk] Re: The New Talking Set-top Box I don't think so no. I think it is down to people like sky, virgin etc. to make their services talk but I believe they can use the technology chip developed to amke their products talk why they take so long as we are forced to use digital now is pathetic On Jul 28, 2010, at 3:59 PM, tony sweeney wrote: Will, Does it have anything to do at all with settop box manufacturers? Have they any role in this at all? Ta, Tony ----- Original Message ----- From: william lomas <mailto:lomaswilliam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 3:52 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: The New Talking Set-top Box no it is up to sky and the others to get onw ith incorporating the technology On Jul 28, 2010, at 3:35 PM, tony sweeney wrote: Yes Jackie, Steady as she goes, certainly! Looking forward to reading up on all that blurb. Surely if it works withFreeview then is it only a matter of time before it will work on other platforms. I have free to air satellite on both tellies with Technomate and Strong settop boxes. Thanks, Tony ----- Original Message ----- From: Jackie Cairns <mailto:jackie.cairnsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:57 AM Subject: [access-uk] Re: The New Talking Set-top Box Hi Tony Go to the RNIB online shop www.rnib.org.uk/shop There is a lot of information about it floating around at the moment. My criticism is that it should be a recordable unit. Being a bit cynical sometimes, it's a way of encouraging you to purchase this device, then tempt you with the recordable version when it will inevitably hit the shelf later on. So, with that in mind, I'm going to hang on for a little while at least. Kind Regards, Jackie Cairns J&M Work-Ability jandm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.work-ability.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of tony sweeney Sent: 28 July 2010 01:18 To: access-uk Subject: [access-uk] The New Talking Set-top Box Hi Folk, I'm living outside the UK in Southern Ireland but would be glad to know of any links that you can give me to readd up about that new arrived Talking Set-top box? It may be of benefit over here in time that technology. Any replies gratefully appreciated. Best, Tony Sweeney ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3031 - Release Date: 07/27/10 07:09:00 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq http://www.bbc.co.uk/ This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of the BBC unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it and notify the sender immediately. Please note that the BBC monitors e-mails sent or received. Further communication will signify your consent to this. ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq