Equipment for audio description

The equipment that you need to receive audio description largely depends on the equipment you already have.

Digital TV

To get audio described TV programmes, you will need digital television. You get digital TV via Freeview, satellite or cable. This is either built into your television or it is a set top box connected to your television.

If you have satellite or cable then you definitely have AD, you just need to enable it. If you have Freeview then you probably have AD that you can enable.

Your first step is to work out what kind of digital television you have, then you can enable audio description.


No digital TV

Most people in the UK now have digital TV following the digital TV switchover.

If you don't yet have digital television you may be able to get help from the digital switchover helpscheme.

If you're not sure whether you have digital TV or not, you can call RNIB's Helpline for advice on 0303 123 9999.

Talking TV Boxes

There are accessible televisions available that have been developed to offer greater access to digital TV and radio services for blind and partially sighted people, such as the Goodmans Smart Talk Freeview digital box

Consumer reviews of equipment

Which?

Which? website publishes test results of digital televisions on their website including audio description services.

Ricability

Ricability, an independent research charity, has detailed tests of some of the products that deliver audio description on their website.

Last updated: 21 February 2012

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