[blindkid] A link to the latest on Theater DVS

[Richard Holloway]

Thanks for the link! 

It seems most films are currently released with DVS. The problem is that most traditional copies of films aren't shipped with a copy of the DVS portion to go with the film and theaters generally don't have the equipment to decode that or send it via infrared or wireless transmitter to the special headsets so people can hear the DVS.

For anyone who hasn't gone to a theater and listened to a DVS movie, you listen to the movie just like everyone else, but you wear headphones which play ONLY the DVS describer. This as opposed to they way a DVD works, mixing the audio from the description and the rest of the soundtrack together. 

With a DVD, VHS, or a TV program, they often turn down the other audio portions of the show while the describer speaks. In the movie theater you don't have that feature, but you do have a volume control for the voice-over, so you can always turn up the describer if needed.

The traditional way movies have gone to theaters has been literally with reels of film which include a sound track built into the movie. I don't think that ever changed for standard films and standard audio, but today some theaters technically don't show "film" at all.

That's what's happening with these Regal theaters. They show digital files via a projector. It actually looks sharper than most 35mm film prints to my eye. basically it is a giant super-high-definition projection TV. There are no focus issues. There are no "frame" issues. The film never, ever breaks...

With conventional film, the way to run DVS involves a data CD or **DATA** DVD (not a movie DVD) which contains the audio description (and captioning files) then another machine synchronizes the two, so there is clearly some sort of time code on the actual film. I expect they use the same process for some of the surround sound features and such. If it sounds complicated, it is. I expect it is also expensive, as well as much of the reason it often messes up when they try to use it.

Now, all films are coming to select Regal theaters as a file to be played from a hard drive and all screens have the equipment for DVS. When you get your receiver and headphones, they ask what you are seeing and simply select the correct channel for you on the receiver.

What strikes me though is even with the films all having the description produced? Many never get released with that file on DVD. I wish the companies cared more for the accessibility needs of some of their potential buyers. In most cases, the extra sound track would fit on the DVD's they sell adding little if any cost to the production process.


Sent from my iPad

On Dec 7, 2012, at 3:39 PM, SCDUFFLEY at aol.com wrote:

> 
> _http://ncam.wgbh.org/mopix/_ (http://ncam.wgbh.org/mopix/)   
> 
> 
> Christine Duffley
> 
> 
> In a message dated 12/7/2012 10:43:56 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> rholloway at gopbc.org writes:
> 
> Sorry to  post so much here on DVS lately-- probably overwhelming to some 
> less  interested in the topic. My hope is others who would like to share 
> described  films with family will explore and enjoy this option. While confusing 
> at  first, if you work through the nonsense it gets easier-- I think it is 
> worth  the hassle.
> 
> I keep looking for a list or similar place with more  ongoing info on this 
> topic. I spend lots of time searching in person, one DVD  case at a time, on 
> back, reading small print to track down some of the more  obscure DVD's 
> with Audio Description.
> 
> Seems like there must be (or at  least there needs to be) a forum to help 
> people learn what DVD's are out, what  TV shows are being broadcast with DVS 
> and what films and theaters are  supporting the service as well.
> 
> If anyone knows of, or runs across such  a place, please let me know (on 
> list or off).
> 
> I'm also happy to help  anyone figure out how to access as much as I'm 
> able, and off-list contact is  fine for that as well. Just trying to help and 
> share.
> 
> Regards to  all,
> 
> Richard
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