Does anyone know what "[AD]" means?

Ahhh!

Thank-you for the responses, Bob and Sim. I will try enabling the
audio description function on my Sky+ box and see what differences
there are for a show : ) Nice to know one of life's mysteries every so
often.

Take care!
- TB

wrote in message
...
Ahhh!

Thank-you for the responses, Bob and Sim. I will try enabling the
audio description function on my Sky+ box and see what differences
there are for a show : ) Nice to know one of life's mysteries every so
often.

Take care!
- TB


It does not work on Sky, it currently only works on a number of DTT
receivers. The reason it does not work on DSat is the wasteful way that Sky
implemented their version of Audio Description: Sky's system requires a
full-bandwidth second version of the main programme audio with the narrative
track mixed. With the DTT (DVB standard) system the box takes a
low-bandwidth mono narrative audio stream and mixes it with the existing
programme audio. The DTT system therefore saves approximately 128Kbps per
channel, and while this doesn't sound like a huge amount, when you add all
the BBC ONE and TWO National and Regional variations, it adds up to quite a
bit.

Mark S wrote:


It [Audio Description] does not work on Sky, it currently only works on a number of DTT
receivers.

Which raises the question, why is it mentioned on the BBC's Sky EPG entries ?
Sounds like they need to write a little patch to remove [AD] from any text
before it hits the server.

On Thu, 27 May 2004 11:59:23 +0100, "Mark S" wrote:

It does not work on Sky, it currently only works on a number of DTT
receivers. The reason it does not work on DSat is the wasteful way that Sky
implemented their version of Audio Description: Sky's system requires a
full-bandwidth second version of the main programme audio with the narrative
track mixed. With the DTT (DVB standard) system the box takes a
low-bandwidth mono narrative audio stream and mixes it with the existing
programme audio.

The Sky system works on everyone's box and has done for years.
The DTT system only works if you can buy special equipment which is..
er.. not available, or you have to buy another set top box. (Only one
model exists, and it's a special order.)

"Mark Carver" wrote in message
...
Mark S wrote:


It [Audio Description] does not work on Sky, it currently only works on
a number of DTT
receivers.

Which raises the question, why is it mentioned on the BBC's Sky EPG
entries ?
Sounds like they need to write a little patch to remove [AD] from any text
before it hits the server.

Because the same EPG information (generally) goes to all platforms.

note that very few shows have AD ... and even if BBC, ITV or Ch4 has an 'ad'
tag, you won't pick the AD up on your Sky box ... you can only get AD on
'Five', Sky One, Sky Movies and Sky Sports. www.sky.com/disability give ya
a list



wrote in message
...
Ahhh!

Thank-you for the responses, Bob and Sim. I will try enabling the
audio description function on my Sky+ box and see what differences
there are for a show : ) Nice to know one of life's mysteries every so
often.

Take care!
- TB

Look at this from a blind person's point of view tho ... bandwidth issues
aside.

To receive AD at the moment you need to purchase a special box costing 120
quid from Netgem. Sky AD is free and already there should all the
broadcasters choose to use it.

Also, Sky AD is portable. You can go round a mate's house and get him/her
to just change the setting to narrative. He/she does not have to buy a
special box so his/her blind friend can enjoy tv to the max. Also, hotels.
Sky AD is already there, it's got full nationwide coverage, it works
properly. This whole 'sound mix' debate is a red herring in the extreme ...

....Damon





"Mark S" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
...
Ahhh!

Thank-you for the responses, Bob and Sim. I will try enabling the
audio description function on my Sky+ box and see what differences
there are for a show : ) Nice to know one of life's mysteries every so
often.

Take care!
- TB


It does not work on Sky, it currently only works on a number of DTT
receivers. The reason it does not work on DSat is the wasteful way that
Sky
implemented their version of Audio Description: Sky's system requires a
full-bandwidth second version of the main programme audio with the
narrative
track mixed. With the DTT (DVB standard) system the box takes a
low-bandwidth mono narrative audio stream and mixes it with the existing
programme audio. The DTT system therefore saves approximately 128Kbps per
channel, and while this doesn't sound like a huge amount, when you add all
the BBC ONE and TWO National and Regional variations, it adds up to quite
a
bit.