Help for older and disabled users

I have difficulty seeing the screen - what is audio description?

Audio description (AD) works like a commentary for people who have difficulty seeing the screen. It is available on selected programmes via a few iDTVs and digital boxes. See Audio description for more details and look for Audio Description on the individual review pages.

Is there a 'talking' set top box?

Yes the 'Smart Talk' Goodmans Freeview set top box has been developed with the RNIB. It is for use with an aerial. It announces all on-screen information, including programme guides and menus, using synthetic speech. It also delivers audio description. If you have a Sky or Sky+ satellite box there is the Sky Talker. This text to speech device announces some, but not all, of the on screen information and is available from the BSkyB Accessibility Service.

How can I find easy to use remotes?

Our test programme includes a separate rating for everyday use with the remote control (out of 5). You can see this star rating in the ‘Ease of use’ section of the summary test report. This rating is also built into the overall ease of use rating we give each product.

We have also tested a range of alternative remotes. These include simple products with just a few basic buttons and some with a few plus concealed extra buttons - see Remotes.