[access-uk] Re: Portset.
- From: "Wendy Sharpe" <w.sharpe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 11:32:34 -0000
Sue
As far as I am concerned, the only drawback to this item is its price, so I
was very pleased to get mine second-hand on a recycling list.
You get a very good CD instruction manual with it, so you will soon get used
to the layout of the buttons, which are in three groups and differently
shaped. In the left-hand group there are buttons for selecting television,
radio, teletext, DAISY player, system menu, etc. The system menu lets you
change various settings such as the volume of system announcements and audio
description. You can also re-tune the set if you need to. It is a good
idea to re-tune occasionally, as digital broadcasts come and go, and
sometimes change channels.
The middle group of buttons is like a telephone keypad. With it you can
select channels, for example, press 1 for BBC1, 2 for BBC2, etc. The number
keys are round, but the star and hash keys are square. When you are tuned
to a channel, you can use these square keys to tell you what programme you
are currently listening to (left square key) and the next programme on that
channel (right square key).
The right-hand group has a set of cursor keys which are shaped like arrows.
These take you up and down in the system menu, up, down, left and right
through the 7 day programme guide. There are also square buttons for moving
up and down through channels, selecting a channel (top right key), and a
favourites key where you can quickly go through the channels you often
listen to and select the one you want.
I haven't covered all the keys, but the manual goes through everything
clearly. There are two speakers, a volume knob and a power on/off button.
You can also use headphones. There is a slot for the CD player and a little
slot you can use to eject the CD if it refuses to come out.
I haven't used the DAISY/CD player much, and I don't think it offers the
same flexibility as the Plextor or Victor models talking book users have. I
also don't know whether Portset have now made this a DVD player as well.
This was certainly something they were hoping to do, as well as adding a
remote control.
The sound quality is excellent, and audio description comes in automatically
if a programme has it. The system announcements also tell you whether a
programme has audio description. Of course, depending on where you live and
the quality of your aerial, sound quality and choice of channels varies. I
haven't bothered with the teletext feature, as I prefer to get all my
information online via my computer.
At the price I paid I am very pleased with the set, and while I find huge
amounts of TV output not to my taste, it is nice to have more viewing and
listening choice. ITV3 AND BBC4 have become favourites, as ITV3 has plenty
of drama such as P D James and Poirot, and BBC4 has some very interesting
documentaries.
If you can afford the price I am sure you will find this a very good buy,
but do check whether you have a digital aerial, otherwise reception might be
poor, but that would apply whatever equipment you chose to buy. I hope all
this is helpful, and do ask if you want to know anything more.
Wendy
_____
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
sue morgan
Sent: 02 December 2007 00:35
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Portset.
Hi list.
I've been reading about the Portset Accessible Freeview Receiver and I'm
quite interested in it. I'm wondering if anyone on this list has one, or
knows anything about them. I've listened to the audio demo on the Portset
website and it seems very accessible.
Any feedback would be grate as I'd love to have an accessible freeview
receiver.
Sue.
e-mail sue@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
mobile 07968825286
msn sue@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
skype suemorgan1006
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