Volume 16, No. 3, Summer 2008 |
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Transitioning to Digital TV Programming
The following information was excerpted from the FCC Consumer Advisory: Video Descriptions and the Digital Television Transition document.
The imminent transition from analog to digital television transmission may change the way people with vision disabilities enjoy TV. Video descriptions will no longer be transmitted via an SAP channel (secondary audio program, an alternative to standard audio). Televisions with digital tuners should be able to process the audio services associated with the digital TV signals. However, consumers should confirm with their TV manufacturer, owner’s manual, or retailer that they will be able to access video descriptions with their current or yet-to-be-purchased television.
Video descriptions are a way to inform people who are blind or have other vision disabilities of what is happening on the television screen. It is the insertion of verbal descriptions about the setting and/or action in a program when information about these visual elements is not contained in the audio portion of the program. These descriptions supplement the regular audio track of the program.
Things to be aware of regarding the transition to DTV programming include:
- Broadcast television stations will broadcast only in digital format beginning February 17, 2009.
- A greater number of audio channels will be available to broadcasters with which they may provide voluntary video description.
- Digital-to-analog converter boxes are not required to process all associated audio services broadcast by a DTV station.
- Consumers using cable or satellite services should ask their service provider for additional information regarding the availability of video descriptions. To the extent that such providers receive programming with video descriptions, those video descriptions should be delivered to consumers.
To find out more about the digital television transition, visit www.dtv.gov. For more information about telecommunications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to: Federal Communications Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20554. ■