Digital TV is now a reality for everyone in the UK and if you hadn't already discovered audio description (AD), now you can. AD is a free service that provides an additional commentary on what's happening on screen - body language, expressions and movements - to make the story clear through sound.
To get AD you need an AD-ready set-top box, integrated digital TV (IDTV) or access to Sky, Virgin or Freesat - not all set-top boxes or IDTVs can receive AD. Our website has a comprehensive guide to receiving audio description.
Set-top boxes
We sell two digital set-top boxes - both can receive AD and one uses talking technology.
The Smart Talk® Freeview digital box from Goodmans is a revolutionary TV set-top box that announces all on-screen information, including programme guides and menus, using synthetic speech.
It has been designed and developed in conjunction with RNIB to provide full access to Freeview digital TV and radio services for blind and partially sighted people. It costs £85.10 ex VAT (£102.12inc VAT) from our online shop.
As well as a fully talking electronic programme guide (EPG), it has talking menus which enable you to customise all settings. Menus and programme guides are also designed to be easy-to-see. You can increase and decrease the speech speed on the talking EPG and menus, and choose the level of detail you want read out when you're using the talking features. The EPG and menus also have large on-screen font sizes and a choice of three contrasting colours. You can also access programmes with audio description (AD).
The box comes with an ergonomic remote control that has raised and well-spaced buttons, and that speaks to confirm your choices when you press a button. It also has a dedicated button to stop the speech once you have the information you need.
The box is easy to set up with your existing TV using the supplied SCART cable.
We also sell the TVonics MDR-300 digital set-top box which costs £24.99/£29.99 from our online shop and connects to your existing analogue TV using either a SCART or aerial connection. It automatically tunes in all the TV channels and radio stations. Audio description can be turned on using the dedicated AD button on the remote control. Audio feedback is also available with a beep to indicate when a button has been pressed. With AD turned on, a double beep will indicate if a program has audio description.
This box also has an eight-day electronic program guide and timer function. It is supplied with a SCART cable, RF cable, remote control, two AAA batteries, power cable and IR (infra red) remote control extender.
With all set-top boxes, including these two, you should carry out a postcode check to make sure digital TV is broadcast in your area.
If you would like to share your experiences of a particular brand of set-top box or IDTV please do - email productreviews@rnib.org.uk
Remote controls
Remote controls can be overly complicated, so why not replace them with an easier one?
We sell the Sony TV remote control (£14.99/£17.99). This is a compact and easy-to-hold television remote control with contrasting function buttons which vary in size and colour.
The volume up and down buttons are large, blue and have white plus and minus symbols. The channel up and down buttons are also large, white, and have black plus and minus symbols.
It is compatible with most brands of television from Aiwa to Zanussi but its digital button operates Sony Freeview enabled televisions only. This remote only operates televisions and not Sky, Freeview or DVD players.
DVDs with audio description
Our website offers advice on finding DVDs with audio description, but you can also search 'by format' on Amazon for audio-described films.