>Date: 08 May 2008 12:06:53 -0400
>From: Mary Watkins <mary_watkins@wgbh.org>
>Subject: Video Description Supported in 2 tested DTV Converter Boxes (so
> far...!)
>
>At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations
>in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to
>100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide
>a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up
>airwaves for use by emergency responders.
>
>Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households
>wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009.
>The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each
>worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.
>
>A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not
>require a TV converter box from this program.
>
>To learn how to get DTV converter boxes and coupons, necessary to
>continue receiving over-the-air broadcasting after February of 2009,
>please visit
>
>www.dtv2009.gov
>
>or call 1-888-388-2009 (That's "DTV-2009") or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY).
>
>Video Description and Converter Boxes
>
>WGBH's Media Access Group has tested two of the National
>Telecommunications and Information Administration/NTIA-certified
>coupon eligible converter boxes and has determined that you can
>indeed receive and hear video description from a broadcast digital
>TV signal that properly includes it.
>
>This morning we tested two boxes:
>
>- Insignia from Best Buy
>- Digital Stream from Radio Shack
>
>We tuned in two different PBS kids programs broadcast on WGBH's
>digital channel and heard the descriptions coming through.
>
>Even better news is that both boxes have both CC and SAP (or audio)
>buttons on the remote controls that allow you to access the various
>caption signals and alternate audio channels without having to go
>through the set-up menus.
>
>You will find discrepancies in the on-screen menus when you use the
>two different methods for controlling the alternate audio:
>
>- both boxes display "English 1" and "English 2" in the on-screen
>menu when you use the SAP or Audio button on the remote control. Use
>English 2 for accessing the video description (or Spanish if you are
>looking for that).
>
>- in their set-up menus, both boxes display "English/Spanish/French"
>as the options in the pick list in those menus.
>
>And, of course, neither of the boxes have audible/talking menus for
>control of the set up and control of the boxes.
>
>The broadcaster must be properly tagging and sending the alternate
>audio in order for the boxes to pick up those signals and present
>them to the viewer.
>
>But, all in all, good news!
>
>--
>Mary Watkins
>Director of Communications and Outreach
>Media Access Group at WGBH
>mary_watkins@wgbh.org
>http://access.wgbh.org
>One Guest Street
>Boston, MA 02135
>617 300-3700 v/fax
>617 300-2489 TTY
>
>WGBH Boston informs, inspires, and entertains millions through
>public broadcasting, the Web, educational multimedia, and access
>services for people with disabilities.
David Andrews and white cane Harry.
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