TVonics, a British manufacturer of set top boxes, has worked in collaboration with RNIB and Ivona (a text to speech service), to produce a talking set top box recorder. You can find out what's on, record and playback programmes and much more, all in a clear high contrast colour scheme or via the speech output so you don't need to rely on someone else to tell you what's on screen.
What does it do?
This Freeview+ box connects to your TV providing you with all available freeview channels. With the speech output you can use all aspects of the TV including changing channel and finding out what's on and accessing the menus (for settings such as parental control and re-tuning your box) if necessary. There's a fully accessible programme guide so you can find out what's on over the next week and set programmes (or series) to record at the touch of a button. Then you can play back these programmes from the library.
The box is a twin-tuner, HD recorder which means you can watch one programme whilst recording another (or record two programmes simultaneously). The programmes are stored in your library and you can record about 175 - 200 hours of programmes. Once in your library you can play back programmes and delete them when you've finished with them. The box will tell you if you've watched a programme so if you're watching a series it's easy to know where you've got to. You can watch part of a programme then play from where you left off, play from the start or choose a point to start watching from.
It's got an easy to see high contrast colour scheme and has a clear font throughout. The remote control is clearly laid out and all buttons are easy to feel.
The box supports Audio Description (AD) and if AD is present for a programme this will be automatically recorded so you can switch it on or off during playback. There's a dedicated AD button on the remote control making it easy to switch on and off and, once on, remains on until you choose to change it.
What is the speech like?
The box uses Ivona text to speech which is one of the most realistic text-to-speech services available.
The speech is a female voice and has five speed settings from slowest through to fastest. You can also set it to have two levels of instructions included so once you get used to using the menus and other screens you can choose to have some of the instructions omitted.
However, the speech has been designed so that instructions are spoken towards the end of the text so you don't have to listen to repeated instructions. You can also interrupt at any time and move on to the next item once you've heard enough.
Listen to a clip of the voice.
How do I use it?
If you buy the box from the RNIB shop it will come with speech switched on and fully accessible instructions so you can get started straightaway.
Once installed, the voice will give you information as to what you are doing. There are some instructions in beginner mode and you always have access to the "clock" or "screen saver" buttons. When you're watching TV these will tell you the time or show the screen saver, but when you're in another screen (such as the library or programme guide) these buttons will give you information on what you can do using the colour buttons (for example, "press red to delete the selected programme" or "press blue to sort programmes").
Demonstration videos
RNIB has produced some videos that tell you a bit about how to use the box and you can hear what it sounds like.
-
YouTube video 1 - Everyday use: This video aims to help you use the text-to-speech on the TVonics Freeview+ HD set top box - DTR-HD500. We will take you through how to change channels, find out what's on and customize your preferences.
-
YouTube video 2 - Remote Control: To get the most out of a TVonics talking freeview+ HD set top box you will need to learn where various buttons are on the remote control. This video describes the buttons and the location on your remote control.
-
YouTube video 3 - Recording and Playback: This video explains how to record, play back and find stored programmes on your TVonics talking Freeview+ HD set top box - DTR-HD500.
How can I get one?
The speech software is available on the following models.
-
DTR-Z500HD - 500GB Recorder
-
DTR-HD1000 - 1TB Recorder
-
DTR-Z1000HD - 1TB Recorder
-
DTR-HV250 - 250GB Recorder
-
DTR-HD2000 - 2TB Recorder
-
DTR-Z2000HD - 2TB Recorder.
You can buy the DTR 500 from the RNIB shop and it will then come with the speech installed and switched on and with accessible instructions.
If you already have a box or buy one that has old software installed you can download a free software update from RNIB website to install the talking features. If you buy from anywhere other than RNIB the instructions on the speech element do not come with the box, so you'll still need to contact us for those.
You may find that you need sighted help to install the software. Please remember that you can always get in touch with the RNIB Technology Support Squad for assistance.
Factsheet
Please download the factsheet here:
For more information or to order the device, call us on 0303 123 9999.