Audio Description on TV - ABC TV on iView
Information about Where to get ABC
iview?http://iview.abc.net.au/support/where-to-get-iview
The ABC has today (Tuesday 14 April 2015) launched a trial of audio description
on its online catch-up TV service iview. The trial will last 15 months, during
which 14 hours of audio described programs will be added to iview each week.
The audio description is initially available on iPads and iPhones only, and
people will need to download the latest version of the iview app to receive it.
The trial will be extended to desktop PCs in mid-May, Android devices in June,
and to HbbTV enabled TVs (which are connected to the internet) in July.
The programs to have audio description during the first week of the trial
include the new British drama Poldark, the Redfern Now telemovie, New Tricks,
Tattoo Tales and the children’s program Bubble Bath Bay.
To locate audio described programs, go to iview, click on ‘Programs A-Z’ and
then the tab for ‘Audio Described’ programs. When you select one of them, you
will be given the option to ‘Play with AD’. There is also an FAQ page in the
‘Support’ section, an instructional video on YouTube (link is external) and a
help line to call: 02 8333 3248 (this is a message bank, but the ABC has
promised that people who leave a message will receive a call back).
On completion of the trial, the ABC will report to the government on the
delivery of audio description online, and how people access it.
http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/latest_news/news/abc-launches-trial-of-audio-description-on-iview
Audio Description on iview - FAQs
ABOUTWhat is Audio Description?Audio description (AD) is an additional verbal
narration that describes visual elements shown on screen during pauses in
dialogue. AD commentary describes elements such as scenes, settings, actions
and costumes
Why is Audio Description important?Audio Description can be useful for people
with vision-impairment and people with learning and physical disabilities, to
enhance their understanding of what is happening on screen.
How long will Audio Description be available for?Audio Description will be
available on a selection of programs on iview for a trial period of 15 months,
starting in April 2015.
ACCESSHow can I access audio described programs?A full list of AD programs in
iview can be found in the Programs A-Z index. Select a program in this list and
you will find a "Play with AD" button on the episode page. This will allow you
to watch the program with an audio described track.Through the iView website
and apps, an "AD" icon is displayed where programs are Audio Described.
What platforms will Audio Description be available on?AD content will be
available on the following platforms:Desktop and laptop devicesiOS smart phones
and tabletsAndroid smart phones and tabletsHbbTV enabled connected TVsAudio
Description will not be available on the ABC KIDS iview app.
Do I need any special technology to use Audio Description?No, special
technology is not required, however you will need to install the latest version
of the iview app from either the App Store or Google Play, depending on your
device.To access AD, download the latest version of the iview app and select
the "Play with AD" button, where shown.
CONTENTWhy aren't all of iview's programs available as audio described
programs?Audio Description is useful for genres such as drama and comedy, where
comprehension of the story line can be improved through additional description
of the visual elements on screen.Audio Description is not available for live
events, where production times do not allow for the creation of separate audio
tracks, or news programs where very little of the program is not already
described as part of the regular narration.
Does this mean I can no longer access the same programs without Audio
Description?You can still access all of your favourite programs on iview
without Audio Description, but AD trial period, you will have the option of
playing programs with or without Audio Description.
Where can I find a list of all Audio Described content on iview?A full list of
all AD content can be found on the Programs A-Z page on iview.
DATA USAGEWill Audio Description affect my data usage?Playing a program with
Audio Description will not alter internet data usage. For more information on
the internet download limits with iview, please visit our FAQs & Help page
http://iview.abc.net.au/support/faqs
SUPPORTWhere do I go if I have an issue with iview and the audio described
content?If you have any issues with iview and audio described programs, please
<Contact Us> ((link to contact page) You can find out more information about
the Audio Description trial here at <http://iview.abc.net.au/ad>
Where do I go have if I have more questions about Audio Description
generally?If you still have questions or need assistance accessing AD on iview,
please call the iview AD Helpline on 02 8333 3248. Please note, this phone line
is a message bank service. Please record your name, contact details, and a
brief description of your query, and an ABC staff member will return your call
as soon as possible. For general enquiries and technical assistance with iview,
please visit the iview FAQs or submit a query via the iview Contact Form<link
to page>. These avenues enable the iview team to diagnose and respond to your
query in the fastest and most helpful way.
Week 1 programming highlightsEpisodes will be available from the following
television series:Poldark - a drama series from the BBC set in the 18th
century, with Ross Poldark returning to Cornwall after having been wounded
during the American War of Independence. After spending three years away, he
returns to find his father has died, his sweetheart Elizabeth about the marry
his cousin and his family estate in ruins.
Redfern Now Telemovie - revisits characters from the first two seasons and
follows the case of a rapist who attacks two Indigenous women and how the
community responds. Starring Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair, Rarriwuy Hick,
Anthony Hayes.
New Tricks - drama series about a police unit made up of retired detectives and
a long-suffering boss, investigating unsolved crimes.
Tattoo Tales - an observational documentary that captures the day-to-day antics
and artistry inside a busy tattoo studio on Sydney's Bondi Beach. This series
reveals unique, entertaining and often poignant insights into why so many
Australians get inked.
Bubble Bath Bay - a preschool animated series. Sail away to a world of fun and
adventure with Sydney the sailboat and Zip the water taxi as they learn to ride
the waves with their friends in bustling Bubble Bath Bay.
