Audio description: what it is and how it works

Paper 051: User requirements for audio description, how it works and can be implemented for digital TV and two practical implementations.

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Published: 1 October 2002
  • Michael Armstrong

    Michael Armstrong

    Senior R&D engineer

For understandable reasons many television programmes rely on visual content and composition to help to tell their story. The provision of additional description of the scene or action can therefore provide a considerable benefit to understanding, especially to the visually impaired.

Audio description is an ancillary component associated with a TV service which delivers a verbal description of the visual scene as an aid to understanding and enjoyment particularly (but not exclusively) for viewers who have visual impairments.

This white paper describes the user requirements for audio description, how audio description can be implemented for digital television and how it works for digital terrestrial television (DTT). It also briefly describes two particular practical implementations.

This White Paper describes the user requirements for audio description, how audio description can be implemented for digital television and how it works for DTT. It also briefly describes two particular practical implementations.

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The BBC grants permission to individuals and organisations to make copies of any White Paper as a complete document (including the copyright notice) for their own internal use. No copies may be published, distributed or made available to third parties whether by paper, electronic or other means without the BBC's prior written permission.

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