[access-uk] Re: goodmans freeview box initial thoughts
- From: "tony sweeney" <deirton711@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:21:46 +0100
Hi Gary,
That sounds like a very worthwhile acquisition you've got there!
Great to know that that technology is working well and look forward to it
arriving over here in ROI in the not to distant future.
Enjoy!
Thanks,
Tony Sweeney
----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Robinson
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 10:28 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: goodmans freeview box initial thoughts
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 thoughts
>
>> Hi 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
>>
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