Sony Europe has updated its Bravia series of LCD TVs for partially blind or blind viewers by adding audio description.
Audio Description (AD) is an additional narrative soundtrack for visually impaired or partially sighted people. During gaps in programme dialogue, an additional voice explains visual plot points, which helps the blind to understand the programme more clearly.
Audio description is available on a variety of television programmes throughout the UK and Europe. But until now it has only been accessible through the purchase of a separate set-top box or satellite receiver. But all Sony Bravia TVs will include Integrated Digital Television (IDTV) as standard, and will provide access to AD eliminating the need of a separate set-top box or satellite receiver.
“We are all used to seeing and using subtitles on TV, but what many people don’t know is that the technology exists to make a similarly useful service available for the 30 million or so visually impaired people we have in Europe,” says Andreas Ditter, vice president of Sony TV Operations Europe.
Ditter added further, “The entire Sony Bravia television range now provides access to Audio Description (AD) as standard which, in combination with a commitment to raise awareness of AD, aims to increase the number of programmes, broadcasters and television manufacturers that offer the service.”
No information regarding price and availability is provided.
