Senior project: Access to DISH Satellite Receivers

From: Robert Jaquiss (rjaquiss@earthlink.net)
Date: Tue Feb 24 2009 - 09:11:42 PST


Hello Colleagues:

     After talking with Bryan Bashin, I have modified this idea and made it more specific.

Regards,

Robert

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Project Name:
Access to DISH Satellite Receivers
The Problem:

     Blind people cannot access various functions of satellite receivers. This is making it more difficult to view TV programs. A way is needed so that a blind person can fully utilize DISH receivers.

Design Challenge:

1. Modify DISH receivers so that all text displayed and button presses on the remote controls are spoken.
2. When in a menu, the arrow keys should speak the current item.
3. A key sequence should be designed to read the entire screen. Audio can be directed through the TV set or through another speaker.

Design Parameters:

     Ideally, the modification should fit within the receiver box. The receivers of greatest interest are the Solo 311 (Standard TV) and the Solo DVR VIP 612 (HDTV). The Duo 322 (Standard TV) and the DuoDVR VIP 722 are for households using two TVs on one receiver.

     It should be noted that there are websites that discuss the hacking of DISH receivers. There is also a Canadian company that sells various parts for this purpose. The intent of such hacking is to get free DISH services. It is appropriate to mention this since these sites may have more information on the internal workings of the DISH boxes.

     It is absolutely not the intent of the National Federation of the Blind to obtain program material in an illegal way.

For Further Information Contact:

Name Robert Jaquiss
Phone(s) (318) 396-1853
email rjaquiss@earthlink.net





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