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Talking TV technology to bridge the disability divide

Currently implemented in a set-top box, the system delivers onscreen text-to-speech capability with multiple language support besides a customizable user interface.

Philip Wong Associate Editor
Philip Wong is an A/V, PC, photography and gaming enthusiast. Besides spending countless days and late nights fiddling with his home theater system and watercooled PC, he also hits the roads frequently on his iron horse to sweat it out. Now, who says geeks don't work out?
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Philip Wong
Yo!... can the technology support slang? Crave Asia

There are less fortunate people in the world unable to enjoy the brilliant sights and sounds offered by the latest home A/V technologies. Fortunately, help is on the way in the form of a new "Talking TV" technology tailored for the visual and hearing impaired, dyslexic, and elderly.

Co-developed by Ocean Blue Software and the U.K.'s Royal National Institute of Blind People, the world's first talking digital TV system offers enhanced information accessibility and ease of use via two complementary approaches.

Currently implemented in a set-top box, the system delivers onscreen text-to-speech capability with multiple language support, plus a customizable user interface. The latter includes high-contrast color schemes, adjustable font sizes, and comprehensive help functions for improved legibility. More importantly, the software behind this new technology is said to be compatible with other consumer products.

Such disability-friendly devices can be expected to hit the market later in the year according to the press release, though no availability or pricing details have been set as yet.

(Source: Crave Asia)