Audio Descriptions

[Nini]

Is there any reasoning why no extra audio describing streams are played out along with programmes? I mean, if Freeview is capable, surely ntl should be also or am I just whizzing up the wrong rope?

[Tristan]

NTL's radio streams are taken from the digital satellite uplink. In order for track data (for example) to be displayed, it would need to be there on the satellite version in the first place. I don't know if the Sky software allows for this, but if it doesn't then it's highly unlikely that this data will be added.

If and when this data is added to the incoming streams, NTL will have to make their software compatible with it. If there's a DVB standard already, then there's a chance it's already built in, but I doubt it.

Lastly, there is a facility on the current software for radio stations to link to an HTML/Javascript page. This could easily display current track info and more -- but I doubt NTL would offer this facility for free, adn I doubt even more whether the smaller independant stations would be willing to pay for it. The BBC might, though...

Until Cr3 the boxes couldn't cope with an extra audio track. Now CR3 is out then hopefully the audio descriptor tracks can be added in future software releases. Its not available on many channels from source as yet tho.

For clarification, the Audio description track describes the onscreen action for the blind.

I see someone else browsing at the moment who may have a better answer than me.

[Tristan]

Ah, I got the wrong end of the stick. I thought the poster meant text info for radio stations -- which displays the current track, or DJ or whatever -- which has recently been added to Freeview.

My bad!

Originally Posted by Tristan

Ah, I got the wrong end of the stick. I thought the poster meant text info for radio stations -- which displays the current track, or DJ or whatever -- which has recently been added to Freeview.

My bad!

No probs.

Nini, correct me if I'm wrong but don't most DTT STB's require an hardware addon to get the Audio descriptor (my On Digital original DTT box does not give the audio option), my girlfriends parents box (a Pioneer) does have it.

[Nini]

Originally Posted by Proppinupthebar

Nini, correct me if I'm wrong but don't most DTT STB's require an hardware addon to get the Audio descriptor (my On Digital original DTT box does not give the audio option), my girlfriends parents box (a Pioneer) does have it.

AFAIK, It is there on newer Freeview boxes, most of the Ondigital boxes aren't eqipped to deal with it, it's under the Welsh 1 language option at times for whatever bizzare reason I'm unsure of, I may be very wrong so don't hold me to that.

[spiderplant]

Props (or whoever): I ought to know the answer to this, but don't. How does audio description actually work? Is it a second audio stream that gets mixed with the normal audio, or a complete replacement stream? What is the stream_type?

Nini's second post may be a clue. I'm off to set my Freeview box to Welsh to see what happens.

Originally Posted by spiderplant

Props (or whoever): I ought to know the answer to this, but don't. How does audio description actually work? Is it a second audio stream that gets mixed with the normal audio, or a complete replacement stream? What is the stream_type?

Nini's second post may be a clue. I'm off to set my Freeview box to Welsh to see what happens.

Theres a second audio PID, and a reference to it in the PMT, which is just a voiced commentary of what is going on. Its lower bitrate, as theres only the voice and I think its mono.

I remember a second box that needed to used in conjunction with the DTT box which gave the audio out, but apparently newer boxes allow you to select the voiced track instead.

[Tristan]

Don't you lot have internal e-mail for this sort of thing?

Actually, it is interesting, and I had the same question as Spiderplant. Could you put it in laymans terms for me Proppin'?

Originally Posted by Tristan

Don't you lot have internal e-mail for this sort of thing?

Actually, it is interesting, and I had the same question as Spiderplant. Could you put it in laymans terms for me Proppin'?

Email? Thats so yesterday. Actually at the moment I don't know Spiderplant! I'm narrowing down the suspects!
The audio descriptor is a voice describing what is going on for blind people. From memory of early DTT tests, it was an extra to the standard audio, and required an extra box to provide the sound. Not many providers are using it as yet, I know C5 do have it. C5 also have it on Sky, I will give it a whirl after this film to see if it is just the description or if it also has the main dialogue.

[Nikko]

I set my box to welsh, and so far have got eisteddford v1a, ivor the engine sub stream 9 (audioenc v3,7) and 'men of harlech' -r +r (most burner compatible) streams upgrade.

[DigiDragon]

My freeview TV card receives audio description. I've heard it on Coronation Street. As proppinupthebar said, it describes what's going on, but only during breaks in the normal dialogue.

Originally Posted by DigiDragon

My freeview TV card receives audio description. I've heard it on Coronation Street. As proppinupthebar said, it describes what's going on, but only during breaks in the normal dialogue.

But you get the normal audio as well?
I will have a look at work on Tues, I can look at everything including the hidden stuff.

[DigiDragon]

Originally Posted by Proppinupthebar

But you get the normal audio as well?
I will have a look at work on Tues, I can look at everything including the hidden stuff.

Yes, you get the normal actors' voices, plus a narration of what's going on in between the normal dialogue.

As far as I know only one set top box, the Netgem, and one TV card, the Nebula, support audio description on freeview.

If it's any help, here are the (freeview) programmes for Tuesday 1st June which will have audio description:

BBC ONE (1)
1:40pm Soap: Neighbours
5:35pm Soap: Neighbours
7:30pm Soap: EastEnders
9:00pm Drama: Cutting It

BBC TWO (2)
2:55pm Gardening: Garden Invaders

ITV 1 (3)
7:00pm Soap: Emmerdale

Channel 4 (4)
5:50am Animation: Totally Spies!
6:10am Children's: The Hoobs: Sand
6:35am Children's: The Hoobs: Hooting
8:30pm Gardening: The City Gardener Revisited

Five (5)
2:35pm Drama: Charlie's Angels

BBC THREE (7)
9:00pm Comedy: Little Britain
10:00pm Soap: EastEnders
11:00pm Sitcom: Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
12:00am Comedy: Nighty Night
12:30am Comedy: Little Britain
2:00am Sitcom: Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
2:30am Comedy: Nighty Night

ITV 2 (6)
9:25am Soap: Coronation Street
9:55am Soap: Emmerdale
12:30pm Soap: Coronation Street
1:00pm Soap: Emmerdale
6:00pm Soap: Coronation Street
6:30pm Soap: Emmerdale

Sky Travel (11)
10:00am Travel: Holiday World: Barbados, Bath, Venice

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by Proppinupthebar

Email? Thats so yesterday. Actually at the moment I don't know Spiderplant! I'm narrowing down the suspects!

You don't know who I am? That's another chocolate digestive you owe me.


Anyway, setting my Freeview box to Welsh has had no obvious effect. No even getting any Welsh out of it.