Hi Rick,
I don't know what the interface will be, I suspect a web interface
since early PC interfaces using command lines meant for serial port
RS232 controllers have fallen by the wayside as too clunky for
anything more than using them with wired remote systems.
The interfaces are supposed to give complete access, but truly
complete and marketing complete are often two different things. I
think the control is an implementation of DLNA, but I haven't used
any devices using that standard and I know it is a pretty wide
standard with brands all using their own highly customized
implementations, so I don't know if that makes compatibility any more
or less likely. Frankly, after initial setup, I wouldn't care about
much beyond the occasional switch to modes like pure direct stereo
and other things that are only rarely used and not useable with
autodetect functions that choose the audio settings for an input
automatically based on the incoming signal. The full control would be
nice since I wouldn't have to deal with getting help for initial
setup beyond plugging in cables, but I'll take limited control over
functions and the ability to get some of the onscreen information.
The big issue for me is that I can't buy locally. My little southern
NM city has squat in the way of dealers. The closest place with even
a Best Buy is 70 miles away let alone anywhere with decent custom
install and higher end brand shops. For price and service
considerations I will likely end up buying from J&R Audio in New
York. I don't want to have to deal with boxing and return, but if I
have to they are among the best to deal with. I wish local buying was
an option, but after what is getting close to 15 years dealing with
being an A/V hobbyist in a town with no stores, I've gotten pretty
good at dealing with the complications. I even bought my last TV, a
53 inch rear projection monstrosity I picked up while I could still
see the screen pretty good through an online dealer.
Right now, I am leaning towards going with my initial choice and
starting the upgrade fund for the next one immediately so that when
these new features mature and hopefully grow more accessible if they
are not initially, I will be ready. I think more accessibility is on
the way, there is already a company putting out an iPhone/Touch app
that uses the BD Live function of Blu-ray players to give control of
the player through the portable device. No word on whether the app is
accessible or not, but if it is it could give a lot more control for
blind users. I wonder if GW Micro has thought of getting into the app
market, with all of the different phones and portable devices that
have app stores, there could be a big market in apps for blind users
that could give them more access to other devices that are network
compatible. I've wanted a DVR for my Dish Network for years, but
never bothered to get one because I don't think I could set it, find
the material I've recorded and play it back. I would also love access
to the programming guide with speech and a lot of other functionality
on my gadgets. While it seems some companies are heading in
directions that might give access, there might be a market for
companies that understand the needs of blind users to develop apps
that are designed with blind users specifically in mind. Just a
thought. I have no idea of the logistics and feasibility of such
things, but it sounds like a good idea to me.
OK, so I got a little off topic here, but this is a particular
passion of mine and I am excited at just the possibility of things
moving in a more accessible direction in this area and hope things
will continue in that direction.
Chris
At 02:48 PM 4/3/2010, Rick Alfaro wrote:
Chris,
I would say it really depends on a couple of things.
1. When they say controllable by a pc, is it via a web interface? If so,
then that's good.
2. How much is actually controllable from the pc and web interface? It is
very possible that they do not go deep enough into the gear to actually give
access to all of the settings you would want and need.
As long as they don't go crazy with the web interface, you might have a good
chance of it working well with WindowEyes. Personally, I would try and buy
locally so that you can return it if you don't have the accessibility you
were expecting.
--Regards,
--Rick alfaro
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Tekell [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 3:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: An interesting question - Networked A/V gear and Window Eyes
Hi all,
I am a real home theater nut and a bit of a low budget audiophile.
I've been saving up and am getting close to upgrading my A/V
reciever. I've had the model all picked out for over a year and then
Pioneer went and announced their new models and they contain
something intrigueing, PC control. This has been around for a bit in
several companies' models, but mostly the high end super expensive
lines. Now, it is popping up in the more affordable levels. As new as
all of this is, I don't expect a lot of folks to have tried this out,
but I am curious to find if anyone on the list has or has tried out
any of the new networked media gear like music streaming set top
boxes that come with interfaces that allow you to control the device
via your PC. If the interfaces might be compatible with Window Eyes,
the potential is vast. I would take a small hit in sound quality to
abandon the Harman Kardon model I was looking at for the Pioneer, but
I think it would be worth it to be able to control settings and such
that I have to get sighted help to change on my current equipment.
I know that experiences with other gear would not have any real
bearing on the chances of this device being screen reader compatible,
but I am curious to find out any experiences with networked A/V gear
and what others think of the odds that such an interface might be
screen reader friendly. I've been saying for a while that the big
trend towards making everything network ready could benefit blind
users, from PC control to control apps for the IPhone, iPod Touch and
iPad, and am hopeful that this might be the beginning of something good.
Chris
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