[access-uk] Re: who got a Sky Talker?
- From: "Ian Robinson" <ian228@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:43:42 -0000
Hi Damon,
I'm using the regular Sky+ box, rather than the HD model.
The Planner (or list of recordings) does not talk. When the planner is
displayed, Sky Talker simply says "no audio assistance available, press Sky
to return to channel".
Pressing Select once will display the programme info, but this screen is not
announced either.
Pressing Select a second time plays the recording and Sky Talker announces
the recording's channel name, channel number and programme name.
So, as you say, if it is the wrong programme, I would press Back, and Sky
Talker would again say "no audio assistance available". Then I would cursor
down once, then press select twice to start the recording playing.
I agree that this is far from ideal. Given that Sky have complete control
over the software that runs on all Sky boxes it is hard to believe that this
is the best they could come up with. I don't think that the Sky Talker as
it is now can be said to make the Sky box truly accessible.
In fairness to Sky's Accessible Customer Services, they are very aware that
people want much more than the Sky Talker currently offers. Also, they
explained very clearly to me what the box would and would not do before I
bought it.
One last thought...
The speech on the box is terrible! Like most people on this list I've used
a variety of synthetic voices over the years and this one can be very
difficult to understand at times. When the programme info is read out it
often sounds as though words are being run together, even with the speed
reduced. Anyone with a hearing loss, or who isn't used to synthetic speech,
must find the Sky Talker very difficult to understand.
Let's hope the RNIB bring out either a Freeview or YouView recorder sometime
soon!
Regards.
Ian
-----Original Message-----
From: Damon Rose
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 5:44 PM
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: who got a Sky Talker?
Ian, so talk us through this.
You're talking about accessing the menu of programmes you've previously
recorded.
I gather that the menu itself doesn't talk at top level and you only find
out what the programme is if you hit the select key while hovvering over it
on the menu?
Meaning that if it's a programme you don't want to watch, you have to backup
out of the menu, arrow down one more time, then hit select again before
finding out the next programme on the list?
Is that right?
The ideal situation is to mirror the experience that sighted people have ...
Which is simply to arrow down thru a menu with it speaking each programme as
you land on it, choosing to click it if you want to watch it.
Are you using a sky+ HD box or a regular sky box?
Is anyone here using Sky + HD with sky talker? (I'm aware it won't play thru
the HDMI route but there are other ways, I gather.)
Thanks
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Ian Robinson
Sent: 16 December 2010 11:03
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: who got a Sky Talker?
Hi Damon,
I use the Sky Talker every day and it has 2 minor benefits.
1. I find it useful having the programme name announced as soon as a
recording starts to play. Previously, I would sometimes have to fast
forward through a few minutes of adverts to be sure I was playing the right
programme. That can make navigating the planner less frustrating.
2. With a recorded film, it is sometimes a couple of weeks before I get
around to watching it. Being able to here the programme info is useful to
remind me what the film is about.
I rarely watch anything on Sky as it is broadcast, so having the current
programme and channel announced doesn't really make any difference to me.
For the small benefit the Sky Talker offers, it is hard to justify the
price. On the other hand, I don't regret buying the box, just wish it could
do so much more.
Incidentally, I recently received a form from Sky allowing me to claim back
the VAT so should be getting around £10 credited to my next Sky statement.
Cheers.
Ian
From: Damon <mailto:damon.rose@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 3:45 PM
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] who got a Sky Talker?
Two months down the road I'm interested to know who got a Sky Talker and if
they use it often and find it useful.
It was talked down quite a bit because potential users were upset that it
was feature poor, but has it made a difference to the way you use Sky?
IT'd be really good to hear from you.
...Damon
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
** 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
Other related posts:
