Text-to-speech (TTS) technology is to be integrated for the first time into latest generation digital television (DTV) set-top boxes launching in the UK this summer (2009).
The technology, already in use in automotive applications, has been developed by a major consumer electronics producer in conjunction with the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB) and digital TV advisors Digital Technology Advisory (DTA).
TTS technology converts normal language text into speech and is supplementary to the growing application of audio description (AD) within set-top boxes. AD provides an additional dialogue describing the actions of the characters shown on screen.
TTS benefits visually impaired users by not only providing an audio narrative for on-air programming but voices electronic programme guide (EPG) screen prompts, thereby assisting significantly in the navigation of hand-held remote control devices.
The development comes as the switchover from analogue to DTV continues apace in the UK with TV regions Granada, Wales and West Country and Border expected be digital by the end of 2009, and with all regions switched by 2012.
Over seven million people in the UK will be eligible to receive help with the switchover from the Switchover Help Scheme.
DTA provides consultancy advice on the creation, implementation and distribution of digital information and entertainment and is currently working on the creation of open technology standards in conjunction with Digital TV Group (DTG), the industry association for digital television in the UK.
“Digital television will deliver enormous benefits over conventional analogue technologies for disabled users,” says DTA CEO Delia Johnston.
“The introduction of innovations such as TTS will make the experience of accessing and enjoying digital TV much more intuitive.
“We anticipate incoming technologies to include remote control devices that can be controlled by hand movement, together with the implementation of voice-activated commands systems.”
ends
Issued February 2009 by
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EDITOR NOTES:
About Digital Technology Advisory (DTA)
DTA is a knowledge pool associated with digital communication. It provides • consultancy • strategy • management services to all parties associated with the creation and implementation of digital information and entertainment and its distribution to end users via increasingly intuitive screen-based technologies.
DTA also fields expert knowledge of all existing platforms in addition to how they, and converging and emerging technologies, will affect the consumer.
More information at www.dtaltd.co.uk
About RNIB
Every day another 100 people in the UK will start to lose their sight. There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties.
More information at www.rnib.org.uk
About the UK Digital TV switchover
The digital switchover in the UK has already started and ends around 2012. The dates for switchover are as follows:
About the Switchover Help Scheme
Run by the BBC, the Switchover Help Scheme is devised to assist specific user groups.
People are eligible if: