[Electronics-Talk] Accessible TV

[Matthew Chao]

I have two Samsung TVs, both of which use text-to-speech to set various 
parameters.  Using the TV's remote, you can do quite a lot to get the TV 
the way you want it.  That said, however, your mileage may vary when it 
comes to other TV brands.  I didn't find, for example, sony TVs as 
accessible as Samsung's.  Same holds true for DVD/BluRay players.  Yes, 
I still use one of those.--Matthew Chao



On 4/15/2025 9:51 AM, Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk wrote:
> Thanks Gerald.  We have Optimum, or whatever they're calling themselves =
> this month.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf =
> Of Gerald Levy via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 9:41 AM
> To: Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Gerald Levy <bwaylimited at verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible TV
>
>
> No, the cable box still controls most of the functions of your TV, so it =
> doesn't matter whether the TV itself has voice guidance capability, and =
> buying a new set will make no difference.  I never even bothered to turn =
> on voice guidance on my Samsung 32 inch TV, because all the important =
> functions are controlled by my Spectrum cable box, which does not have =
> voice guidance or speech output, which doesn't matter to me.  I am more =
> concerned about the remote, and I use their big button remote to control =
> both my TV and the cable box,because it is easy to navigate by touch. =
> Spectrum claims that this particular remote is not compatible with their =
> accessible cable box, the remote for which is a nightmare to navigate by =
> touch. The only features controlled by the TV itself are the power =
> on/of, volume up/down and mute, which are programmed into the big button =
> remote.  Everything else is controlled by the cable box, including =
> channel selection and onscreen menu options. So if you need a new cable =
> box, be sure to request an accessible one from your cable company and =
> insist that it be installed by one of their technicians, and be sure the =
> remote is easy to navigate by touch and doesn't have a zillion buttons =
> of similar size and shape.  After all, that's why you are paying their =
> outrageous monthly fees in the first place.   Which cable company do you =
> have?
>
>
> Gerald
>
>
>
> On 4/15/2025 9:08 AM, Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk wrote:
>> Currently, my accessibility to my TV is built into the cable box,=20
>> which is getting pretty old, but I'm afraid to switch to the "latest =
> and greatest"
>> because the schmoes at the cable company can't tell me if the new box=20
>> is accessible.
>>
>> Am I right in thinking that, if I get a TV with voice guidance built=20
>> in, like a small Samsung, that it won't matter what cable box is=20
>> plugged into it?
>>
>> Or, alternatively, I see that Youtube TV has most of the channels I=20
>> want on it, and Youtube is built into Amazon Fire TVs, according to=20
>> the AccessOn podcast.  Can I play audio descriptions on Youtube TV? =20
>> If so, can I turn it on so they automatically play if they're =
> available?
>>   =20
>>
>> And if people have other remarks about TV accessibility, I'm =
> interested.
>> Tracy
>>
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