I too received my Goodmans talking set top box over the weekend and now that I have had chance to have arun through the facilities can answer a few of the initial questions raised by listers.
If you want stereo audio output then you will need a scart to phono scart adaptor, mine cost about £2. It's just a scart plug with 3 phono sockets on it (the third is for video composite signal).
Updates.The set top box receives updates, both new channel info and OS updates over the air. This is as with most of the newer Freeview devices, this is part of the Freeview standard. Its meant to be transparent to the end user, but of course only works if your receiver is on or on standby during the download slot for the manufacturer/device. I believe these update slots are quite long but it would probably be a good idea if RNIB ever issue an upgrade to let us all know in advance.
Performance.The EPG is very simple to use, pretty much like navigating in Windows Explorer in grid or list layout. cursor left or right and the EPG gives a brief summary of the programme occupying that time slot on that channel, cursor down and you get the programme thats on the next channel at the same time etc. Hit the information button and, so far as I can tell you get a description that pretty much corresponds to whats in the RNIB braille TV Guide for that programme.
you can set up a favourite channel list to make channel hopping quicker, its a bit tedious though to set up and I am sure that a quicker way could have been found.
I was surprised how much of the technical menus are also available with speech, most of which won't interest most people, though there is one which gives performance data on the received channel, strength etc which might be useful in some instances if you are having aerial issues.
The TTS speech is not bad, it is by no means perfect and does seem to stumble on some ocaisions, but for the price it is a very good attempt and I am sure RNIB will try to improve its performance with the benefit of experience.
I have managed to crash the speech a couple of times, invariably when trying to skip through the EPG or menus too fast. However it seems pretty resilient and easily recovers, I haven't had to switch off or indulge in obscure key sequences to get it on again (unlike some mobile phone crashes!).
Overall I think this product represents reasonable value for money when you compare it with the cost of speech enabling say a mobile phone or a PC and I wonderhow much it would be costing if it were being supplied by one of our access technology suppliers across the Atlantic?
----- Original Message ----- From: "Carol Pearson" <carol.pearson29@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 4:32 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: goodmans freeview box initial thoughts
Usuf, That was a very good description, thanks.I was a little puzzled by your comment about setting up a reminder for Sharpe, because you didn't mention how this could be accomplished; or perhaps you were meaning that you had set up your own reminder now that you could find easily the station etc you wanted. Perhaps you could elaborate on this for me.Thanks! -- Carol carol.pearson29@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx On Twitter: http://twitter.com/songbird49a ---- Original Message ---- From: "Yusuf" <yusufaosman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: "access-uk" <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 11:53 AM Subject: [access-uk] goodmans freeview box initial thoughtsHi all, I received my box yesterday and these are a few initial thoughts on it. 1. Setting up was relatively easy I got everything connected within 10 minutes despite the mistake in the manual which listed the connections on the rear of the device from left to right when they are actually right to left. 2. The set top box is roughly the size of a video cassette and has a nicer feel than the Net Jem box, which I thought felt rather flimsy. 3. There is no on/off button on the set top box. I realise this is a standard feature with modern technology but I dislike it. I do not like leaving devices on standby. 4. Once everything is connected and the box is turned on from the remote, the box scans for TV and radio channels and gives audio feedback about progress. Once that is complete BBC1 is played and the speech reports the channel number, the name of the channel and what program is on, and whether it includes audiodescription and signing. 5. You can then use the number keys (located from the second row downwards), or the up and down channel changer (located beneath the number keys and to the right), to change channels. Each channel is reported with its number, program etc. 6. The EPG (electronic program guide) is fantastic and much better than having to connect to the internet as I had to do with my Net Jem. 7. The voice is generally good, however I have noticed it sometimes breaks up, I'm not sure if this is something to do with the signal strength of the channel concerned. 8. It is possible to adjust the speed of the speech, but only by 3 settings. 9. You can independently change the volume of the speech, audiodescription, TV, button beeps and on/off beep. You do this from the menu. Generally I like the Free view box, I've already setup a reminder for Sharpe, which is on tonight, something I couldn't do with the Net Jem. There are a few things that I would like and hope that the manufacturer will be able and willing to take on board. For example It would be good to be able to customise what is spoken EG I'm not interested if a program is being signed. I'd also like to be able to turn off all announcements when you turn to a particular channel but to keep speech on for when you press the info key, menu, et. I was slightly surprised not to find a update option in the menu and wonder how software updates will be handled. I had forgotten that the headphones socket works in mono and it took me a while to figure out why I was only getting sound out of one speaker when I connected the headphones socket through my amp. If you have a setup similar to mine you will need to invest in a Skart to Phono adaptor. One major disappointment is that there doesn't appear to be any access to text features, EG the red button. I've noticed that the BBC are more often now using the Red button to make different commentary options available. We don't currently have access to this and I can't really explain why given that there is access to the EPG and next program facilities. One final comment, I didn't receive my Braille or CD instructions with the set top box and had to go to the RNIB site to download the word file. I received the instructions I ordered a day late. If there's anything that anyone particularly wants to know feel free to ask and I'll try to answer. Yusuf ** 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** 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
** 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
