Audio description on television explained
What is Audio Description on Television?
Ninety-six per cent of people with sight problems watch TV but seventy per cent of them have difficulties following programmes because of their sight loss. Audio description (AD) is an additional narration that fits between dialogue that describes what's happening on screen, including body language, facial expression, costume, scenery and action sequences. Audio description is as important to people with sight problems as subtitles are for people with hearing problems.
Digital Satellite Television (Sky)
Digital Satellite Television is received through a satellite dish connected to a set-top box. Sky's audio description, or "Narrative" service is available for any Sky set-top box user and is present on the same channels as Freeview, plus some of Sky's own movie, sports and travel channels.
To activate this service you will need to go into “services”, select “System Set-up” and then “Language and Subtitles”. Scroll to “Audio Description” and use the left and right arrow keys to turn description on. Scroll down to “Save new settings” and press “Select”.
You can also set up your TV so that you hear a short beep whenever you tune to a programme with audio description. To do this, follow the steps above until you are in the “Languages and Subtitles” menu, then scroll down to “Beep if Narrative present”. Now use the left or right arrow keys to switch this feature on or off. Scroll down to “Save New Settings” and press “Select”.
It is also possible to switch audio description on or off temporarily whilst watching a programme. To do this, press the “Help” key. A banner will appear with “Audio Description” and “Subtitles”. Highlight Audio Description using the up and down arrow keys, then use left of right arrow keys to switch on or off; press “Select” to continue viewing.
Another new feature recently introduced by Sky is that you can now set your system so that it highlights all programmes that are audio described in white on your onscreen TV Guide. To turn this feature on, follow the steps above until you are in Languages And Subtitles” menu, then scroll down to “Highlighted Programmes”. Use the right arrow key to select Audio Description, then scroll down to “Save New Settings” and press “Select”.
If you live outside the London area and want to receive audio description you will need to watch:
BBC1 on channel 974
ITV1 on channel 993
ITV2 on channel 118
Channel 4 on channel 994
Five on channel 105
BBC2 description is available on channel 989 if you live outside England.
Channel 744 for Sky Box Office Movies with audio description.
Sky also offers a no-subscription service called Freesat. For a one-off fee you get a Sky set-top box, a dish, installation and around 120 TV and 80 radio channels. For more information about Freesat call 0870 606 1111 or visit www.freesatfromsky.com.
To find out more about what Sky offers customers with sight problems – including statements in alternative formats and the monthly Sky magazine on CD - contact their Accessibility Helpline on 0870 566 3333 (Republic of Ireland: 1 800 509085). You can also call this number to find out which programmes are being audio described. Alternatively you can find this information by logging onto Sky's accessibility website at www.sky.com/accessibility/audiodescription, then click on "TV Guide".
Cable: Virgin Media (Formerly NTL or Telewest)
Depending on where you live you may be able to receive your digital TV via cable now provided by Virgin Media. This was previously the service provided by one of the two cable TV companies NTL or Telewest.
To make things easier for customers Viregin Media shows BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five on separate AD channels:
BBC 1 - channel 851
BBC 2 - channel 852
ITV1 - channel 853
C4 - channel 854
Five - channel 855
There are some regional variations, so not everyone will get AD on the same channels. However once Virgin Medi’s systems have been integrated (hopefully by the end of 2007) these variations will cease to exist and everyone will eventually be able to get AD on all channels. Below is the current situation regarding availablility of AD:
All Regions - Animal Planet, BBC Four, BBC ONE (AD), BBC Three, BBC TWO (AD), Bravo, Challenge, Channel 4 (AD), Discovery Channel, Discovery Home & Health, Discovery Realtime, Disney Channel, E4, Hallmark, History Channel, ITV1 (AD), Jetix, LIVINGtv, Men & Motors, MTV UK, Paramount Comedy, Playhouse Disney, Sci-Fi Channel, Sky One, Trouble, UKTV Documentary, UKTV Food, UKTV G2, UKTV Gold, UKTV History, UKTV Style, VH1.
Additional in Langley/Bromley only - BBC News 24, BBC ONE England, BBC ONE Wales, BBC TWO England, Boomerang plus 1, National Geographic, Nick Toons, Sky Travel, Sky Two, The Box.
Additional in Knowsley only - CBBC, Cbeebies, Discovery Civilisations, Discovery Science, Disney Channel plus 1, E4 plus 1, E! Entertainment, Five, Five (AD), ITV2, ITV3, Jetix plus 1, LIVINGtv plus 1, Nickelodeon, Paramount Comedy 2, Sky Sports News, TCM, UKTV Bright Ideas, UKTV Drama,
How to turn AD on with Virgin Media
To turn on audio description:
*Press "Home Key" typically a large button towards the front of the remote.
The home menu has 9 options numbered 1-9, and the number acts as a shortcut to navigating by arrow keys.
*Press 8 for "Settings"
Settings menu has 6 options again numbered for quick navigation.
*Press 4 to "Change Display and Audio Settings"
The Display and Audio menu is an unnumbered list of items on the left of the page, and scrollable settings on the right.
List is:
- TV display format
- V box colour output
- V box volume
- Subtitles when available
- Audio Description when available
- Reminders before programme
- Mini guide display time
- Alternative mini guide
- TV auto-detects V box (scart)
*Press down arrow 4 times
*Press left or right once
*Press OK button to store settings
How to turn on AD if you were a Telewest customer
Press TV Guide button on remote control
Press left arrow once
Press down arrow once to ‘Settings & Services’
Press OK button
Press up arrow once
Press right arrow once to ‘Display and Audio’
Press OK button
Press down arrow four times to ‘enable audio description’
Press right arrow once to turn ‘off’ to ‘on’
Press OK button to save
Press Back button twice to return to normal programmes
For more information, please contact Virgin Media on 0845 454 1111 (new customers) or 0845 840 7777 (existing customers wishing to upgrade). Alternatively visit their website at www.virginmedia.com.
Digital Terrestrial Television (Freeview)
Digital Terrestrial Television is received through an aerial and is available in eighty per cent of the UK. Programmes are available with audio described on each of the main TV channels, including BBC ONE, BBC TWO, BBC THREE, BBC FOUR, CBBC and CBeebies; ITV1 and ITV2; Channel 4 and Five; UK History, E4 and Sky Three Other TV channels available on Freeview include BBC News 24, ITV News, Sky News, Sky Sports News, FilmFour.
As well as TV, you can listen to over twenty radio stations via your Freeview set-top box, including BBC Radio One, Two, Three, Four, Five Live, Five Live Sports Extra, Asian Network, BBC Six Music, BBC7 and BBC World Service. Also available are a number of commercial stations such as Magic, TalkSport, Oneword, Q and Kerrang.
To receive Freeview, you need either an adapter for your TV (known as a set-top box), an integrated digital television or an adapter for your computer. However, there are only a few Freeview receiving products available that can receive the audio description.
Integrated Digital Televisions With Audio Description
An Integrated Digital Television (known as an IDTV) is a TV with a Freeview set-top box built-in, so instead of having a TV and a set-top box with two remote controls, everything is in one unit with just one remote control.
Panasonic
Panasonic has now launched a range of IDTVs that can deliver audio description. Below is the list of model numbers of Panasonic IDTVs with audio description. Models beginning TH are Plasma screens and models starting TX are LCD models; the first two digits indicate the screen size in inches.
TH-65PZ700B
TH-58PZ700B
TH-50PZ70B
TH-42PZ70B
TH-50PX700B
TH-42PX700B
TH-50PX70B
TH-42PX70B
TH-37PX70B
TH-50PX7B
TH-42PX7B
TH-37PX7B
TX-32LXD700
TX-32LXD70
TX-26LXD70
TX-32LMD70
TX-26LMD70
TX-32LXD7
TX-26LXD7
Sony
Sony is also launching a range of IDTVs that will be able to deliver audio description. These will start appearing in shops from June 2007; the list of model numbers below also has the month in brackets when each model is expected to be in shops.
KDL-26S3000U (June)
KDL-26S3010U (June)
KDL-32S3000U (June)
KDL-32S3010U (June)
KDL-40S3000U (June)
KDL-40S3010U (June)
KDL-32D3000U (June)
KDL-40D3000U (June)
KDL-46S3000U (June)
KDL-46S3010U (June)
KDL-46D3000U (June)
KDL-20S3000U (July)
KDL-20S3020U (July)
KDL-32T3000U (Sept)
KDL-40T3000U (Sept)
KDL-40HD1080 (Sept)
KDL-46T3000U (Sept)
KDL-46HD1080 (Sept)
Computer Adapter
Nebula Electronics has a computer adapter (both PCI and USB2.0 versions are available) called DigiTV for viewing television via your computer. It can be ordered directly from Nebula and costs under £100 including VAT and postage. For more information contact Nebula Electronics, telephone 01689 89 70 90. www.nebula-electronics.com
Other Devices
Portset Digital Media Centre is a stand-alone device for people who don’t mind not having a TV screen. It offers sound-only Freeview TV access with audio description; access to electronic programme guides; a daisy talking book player; and a recording function. Portset has also now launched an accessible Freeview Receiver with Personal Video Recorder. For more information about either of these products contact Portset, telephone 01489 893919 or send an email to admin@portset.co.uk.
Make sure you’re covered
Using your postcode, each of the companies listed above, or any reputable retailer, can advise you as to whether you live in a suitable location to receive Freeview. You can also find out which digital TV services are available in your area by doing the post code check on www.digitaluk.co.uk; you should ensure that you can get coverage in your area before buying any product.
Technical note: you may need an aerial upgrade if your current one is old or unsuitable and if your TV does not have a SCART input, you might need an RF modulator (example Programmable Universal Modulator from Maplin for £30).
Top-Up TV Anytime
This is a subscription service that gives you access to a further 20 digital TV channels. However you will need a Top-Up TV Anytime set-top box and this does not deliver audio description.
For more information contact Top-Up TV on 08700 543210 or visit www.topuptv.com.
Further information
If you’d like to be kept up-to-date on this ever-changing situation, or to be added to our audio description on television mailing list, please contact
Jill Whitehead
RNIB
105 Judd Street
London
W1CH 9NE
Telephone 020 7391 2398
Email us at broadcasting@rnib.org.uk