Hi Darcy,
I've heard about the tivo, but I want a mac solution. My mac mini is
connected to my tv, and it provides the tv signal through an eyetv
box. I already have the mac mini and don't have the money to go
splashing out on a tivo sadly.
I can schedule eyetv through the web, and I can also access recordings
through a web browser through turning on web sharing in the software.
So I can do much the same as you can with your tivo. But it's still
not completely accessible obviously, and it seems your tivo isn't
either. Both products are another case of "make do" and workaround,
without the full functionality that a sighted person would get.
The only fully accessible tv product in the uk that I know of is
called a Portset. It does everything a normal dvb box would, plus it
has a hard drive for pvr functions. All the menus and program guides
and everything in it are totally accessible - it will speak all of
them. It costs £625 pounds last time I looked. The same item for the
fully sighted - i.e. someone not needing speaking menus or guides -
is about £80.
I don't need to tell you how that makes me feel. I'm sure everyone
posting here has got a similar area of interest with a similar
"sighted prices versus accessible prices" tale to tell.
Ignore me - I'm just ranting. It just gets my back up !!
Rachael
On 24 Apr 2008, at 21:03, Darcy Burnard wrote:
Hi. If you guys are looking for something with dvr functionality,
and don't need it to connect to your mac, I'd really recommend going
the Tivo route. I've had mine since mid January, and love it. If I
want to schedule shows, I can do that through tivo's web site. I
can also schedule season passes this way. If I want to see what's
recorded on the tivo, I've recently discovered that if you point
your web browser to the ip address of the tivo, it displays a web
page of your now playing list. You can also download shows to your
computer with this web interface, but I've not played with that as
yet.
The only things I can't do with the tivo to my knowledge are create
wish lists, and remove things from the season pass list. These
really aren't huge short comings however.
I've mentioned in previous messages about the sling box. This
coupled with the tivo makes a great solution for watching tv on the
mac.
Darcy
On 24-Apr-08, at 1:26 PM, Rachael wrote:
Hi Soren,
It seems from what you say that eyetv lite is only partially
accessible with VO as I feared. I can get the info you get from
eyetv lite with the full eyetv software I have - but I want VO to
be able to read the program guide, so I can schedule recordings and
know what's on too. I want to be able to hear the onscreen info
spoken, use the now and next functions, and hear a list of my
recordings spoken by VO. Basically I want the software to be VO
fully compatible so I can have the same use of the program as a
fully sighted person instead of getting the dreaded "Unknown" from
VO when I try to do anything other than the most basic of program
operations !
I feel very annoyed by Elgato's attitude that someone with a visual
impairment might either not want to watch tv or must make do with
restricted access to their software because of a visual impairment.
I've experienced this attitude first hand on their discussion
forums and in emails they have sent me when I've asked about VO
support. Their support for close captions or subtitles for the deaf
is quite good so I don't see why visually impaired tv watchers
shouldn't be given the same support.
But it's always the age old problem - getting software
manufacturers to make their products accessible. It's like getting
blood out of a stone.
Rachael
On 22 Apr 2008, at 17:39, Søren Jensen wrote:
Hi Rachael.
My Pinnacle tv tuner is not remotely accessible with VO either.
But does it madder if you know what the different buttons does? In
Eye Tv Lite, I can read with VO which channel I am on, and I just
remember which number the channels are on. For recording, I just
press the record button, and I know it's recording. Which features
do you want Voiceover to speak when controlling your tv card
remotely? Maybee it's just me, but I don't care about speech when
I know what the different buttons does on my remote control.
Best regards
Søren Jensen
Mail & MSN:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Website:
http://www.coolfortheblind.dk/
On 21/04/2008, at 22.21, Rachael wrote:
Hi guys,
The elgato tuners use eyetv, which is not remotely accessible
with VO. I know from bitter personal experience.
I have been trying to get Elgato to add VO support to their
software for some time but no joy. So don't waste your money on
an Elgato product Lewis, if you absolutely must have VO
compatibility it will be next to useless to you.
Also, the Miglia tv tuners you can buy in the UK use software
called Tube 2. This is also not accessible with VO. I've tried
that one too !
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Rachael
On 19 Apr 2008, at 16:59, Lewis Brock wrote:
Fairly soon I will be sorting out an elegato or something like
it digital tuner USB card and will have a chance to road test
the software. could be a few weeks or so I hope lol
lewy
if anyone else has info on something better or uses this tuner
please drop me a line on list and let us know.
the tuner is about £40 on apple's website.
lew
On 19 Apr 2008, at 16:53, Dan wrote:
Hello everyone,
Does anyone know if there is a USB TV and Radio Receiver who's
software works well with VO under Leopard? If so, what's its
name and price and where can I read more about it?
Thanks.
Dan
Mr. Lewis Brock
Totally blind musician and composer of 21st century synth
orchestral music
Phone: +44 07857 352828
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Skype: lewisjbrock
