[Electronics-Talk] Accessible cable TV

[Matthew Chao]

Not uncommon.  Most techs don't know all they should know.--Matthew Chao



On 5/20/2026 8:38 AM, Pamela Dominguez via Electronics-Talk wrote:
> Oh, I'm glad you found out that there is an accessible cable box, and what to do about it.  I wish they would educate these people about stuff like that.  At least the Verizon person I talked to about it when I was going to get connected up, was able to tell me some about it.  Unfortunately, I never learned all the buttons on my remote.  I don't have the "special" remote, just the regular one.  Somebody on one of the lists wrote what all the buttons were, but he just numbered them from one to whatever, but that didn't tell me where they were.  I want to be able to turn off the energy saver, or whatever it's called, so I don't keep getting the announcement that I haven't touched the TV in a long time, so if I don't, it will shut off.  That whole idea is stupid.  I'm watching whatever is on the channel.  Why would I want it to turn off?  Anyway, good luck with getting the box and getting the tech to do what he or she has to with it.  Pam.
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 5:03 PM
> To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances' <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: carcione at access.net <carcione at access.net>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible cable TV
>
> Thanks everyone.  I'll keep all this in mind.
> A person on the NJTech listserve had the Optimum cable box until a couple months ago, and she says it does have accessibility; the workers just have no clue about it.  She told me exactly what I need to know to get the accessibility turned on, so I can tell the cable guy to do it when he comes.
> So we're making an appointment to get the new box and see how it does.
> And I'll think about Youtube TV.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Gerald Levy via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 10:26 AM
> To: Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Gerald Levy <bwaylimited at verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Accessible cable TV
>
>
> No, a smart TV won't solve your problem because the voice guide feature that announces channel number and program name and DVR commands is controlled by your cable box.  If you want to use the built-in voice guide feature of a smart TV (most Samsung models have this feature), you would have to give up Optimum Cable so that you could bypass the box and either receive TV channels over the air using an antenna or else sign up with one or more streaming services, which could actually wind up costing more over the long term than Optimum's cable service.  And unless you have another cable operator in your area, you are stuck with Optimum, which may be an absolute monopoly where you live.
>
>
> Gerald
>
>
>
> On 5/18/2026 9:16 AM, Tracy Carcione via Electronics-Talk wrote:
>> For a long time, we had software on our Optimum cable box that would
>> announce the channel and what was playing, and I could also use it to
>> access the DVR.
>>
>> Optimum doesn't support it anymore, and their new cable box doesn't
>> have any accessibility at all.
>>
>> They think that maybe a smart TV would have it, but I don't know.
>>
>> If I buy a smart TV, and turn on Talkback or whatever it has, will it
>> tell me what's playing on a channel and have ways to access the DVR?
>>
>> For instance, I was able to move through the shows on a channel until
>> I found the one I wanted to record, then hit record.  Later, I could
>> go into the DVR, scroll through the recordings, find the one I wanted,
>> watch it, then go through the menu to either keep it or delete it.
>> Imagine that.  Can I get those same features on a smart TV?
>>
>> I have 0 interest in using Alexa.
>>
>>
>>
>> It's extremely annoying that Optimum had accessibility, and then just
>> ditched it completely.
>>
>> Tracy
>>
>>
>>
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