Shut up, 4D!

[vchimpanzee]

I'm not watching that much network TV these days, but at the start of some shows--I know ABC Wednesday night sitcoms are doing this--there is this loud noise that I keep thinking is part of the show, or it drowns out what is being said, and at the bottom of the screen is the "4D" and some kind of illustration.

 

[vchimpanzee]

It's still happening. Every time I watch an ABC show. I don't usually watch them all the way through because I have seen them in most cases, but it is STILL happening.

"4D" in the lower left corner, and curves to the right of it.

 

[tmanokc]

I'm not watching that much network TV these days, but at the start of some shows--I know ABC Wednesday night sitcoms are doing this--there is this loud noise that I keep thinking is part of the show, or it drowns out what is being said, and at the bottom of the screen is the "4D" and some kind of illustration.

Hi, longtime reader, first time poster. Actually, that logo says "AD" for "audio description", it probably looks like a 4 because its in a variant of the Avant Garde font (that was most notably used in the logo for the '80s series Moonlighting) that has an italic-like structure for certain letters. Essentially, ABC is now broadcasting its programs with audio descriptions so that blind people can follow the action that's occurring onscreen. PBS and Turner Classic Movies have used this for years on some of their programs; but on July 1, a new FCC law went into effect legally requiring ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, as well as their O&Os and affiliates in the 25 largest media markets, and the five highest-rated cable channels (Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, TBS, TNT and USA Network) to offer audio descriptions for the sight-impaired. The descriptions are only audible when you go your TV or digital/cable converter box's audio menu and toggle the Secondary Audio Program function.

This TVNewsCheck article explains it further: http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60097/networks-set-to-launch-video-descriptions

 

[pab]

And the reason the sound is there is to cue viewers (listeners?) who are visually impaired that Audio Description is available. Although I agree that it's distracting, and those cues would be better off on a black screen before the show starts.

 

[quadraphonic]

Somebody hit the SAP like they did at our house.

 

[EddieTheRapFan]

A agree that it might be distracting, but it's an excellent news! Sight-impaired people have the right to be entertained by TV too.
To give an example, Audiodescription is currently mandatory on Argentine network TV, though it's not used by the public network (how ironic). Private networks use it on their series, soaps, sitcoms, movies and children's shows. Sign language is also mandatory, but only used on kiddie shows at the moment.

 

[justpassingthough]

A agree that it might be distracting, but it's an excellent news! Sight-impaired people have the right to be entertained by TV too.
To give an example, Audiodescription is currently mandatory on Argentine network TV, though it's not used by the public network (how ironic). Private networks use it on their series, soaps, sitcoms, movies and children's shows. Sign language is also mandatory, but only used on kiddie shows at the moment.

Yes, we wouldn't want the sight-impaired to miss out on such interesting fare as "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" or "Jerry Springer".

 

[1069_KIFR]

I'm not watching that much network TV these days, but at the start of some shows--I know ABC Wednesday night sitcoms are doing this--there is this loud noise that I keep thinking is part of the show, or it drowns out what is being said, and at the bottom of the screen is the "4D" and some kind of illustration.

Hi, longtime reader, first time poster. Actually, that logo says "AD" for "audio description", it probably looks like a 4 because its in a variant of the Avant Garde font (that was most notably used in the logo for the '80s series Moonlighting) that has an italic-like structure for certain letters. Essentially, ABC is now broadcasting its programs with audio descriptions so that blind people can follow the action that's occurring onscreen. PBS and Turner Classic Movies have used this for years on some of their programs; but on July 1, a new FCC law went into effect legally requiring ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, as well as their O&Os and affiliates in the 25 largest media markets, and the five highest-rated cable channels (Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, TBS, TNT and USA Network) to offer audio descriptions for the sight-impaired. The descriptions are only audible when you go your TV or digital/cable converter box's audio menu and toggle the Secondary Audio Program function.

This TVNewsCheck article explains it further: http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/60097/networks-set-to-launch-video-descriptions

Congrats on your first post! Hope to see and read many more!

 

[DToTheJ]

I knew the production company behind "Barney Miller" would be exonerated from this issue eventually... :

 

[vchimpanzee]

it probably looks like a 4 because its in a variant of the Avant Garde font (that was most notably used in the logo for the '80s series Moonlighting) that has an italic-like structure for certain letters.

Also, my screen has the shape of the TV Guide logos, as most TVs did at one time.

I don't know if they could od this every time, but where they are currently telling what the night's line-up is prior to the first show, they could do this then in a more considerate way. They usually say what the next show is before that show, and that would also be a good time to do it.

"America's Funniest Home Videos" doesn't have this. There's no way it could.

 

[EddieTheRapFan]

Also, my screen has the shape of the TV Guide logos, as most TVs did at one time.

Have you considered to change your TV set? You could get a newer CRT TV with a less round screen at second-hand

 

[quadraphonic]

, they could do this then in a more considerate way.

They are doing it all with very much consideration for blind people. That's who it's geared toward.
Hit the SAP button. You'll be fine. One less thing to worry about in life is a good thing.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Also, my screen has the shape of the TV Guide logos, as most TVs did at one time.

Have you considered to change your TV set? You could get a newer CRT TV with a less round screen at second-hand

I can't afford to buy any new TVs. All of mine have a VCR built in. I was lucky to find those at a place that repaired TVs and should have bought more of them when I had the chance. If a buy a new TV it's got to have a way to record shows. The one I watch the most is hooked up to cable, so that's no problem. I would just have to somehow hook up a VCR to it.

 

[vchimpanzee]

, they could do this then in a more considerate way.

They are doing it all with very much consideration for blind people. That's who it's geared toward.
Hit the SAP button. You'll be fine. One less thing to worry about in life is a good thing.

I don't know what that is, and I can't be the only one sick of that noise.

 

[amos]

well, modern family just came on and the AD))) sounder was on, loud as ever.

since i was dvr-ing it, i backed it up, and pressed the SAP button. the sounder is still there. and no "audio description," either.


using a dish dtvpal dvr, OTA.

 

[nathannah]

The sad thing is that complaints of this type have kind of made video description and the SAP channel one of the most polarizing access devices in our television system.

I have an ABC station that has never utilized a SAP channel, along with NBC. The PBS station didn't carry theirs over to digital, and the Fox station only did it because Local TV LLC wanted to get it all done for their stations even though our market isn't in the requirements for it yet.

Sadly, it seems that 'avoiding complaints from grumpy people' who can't understand why actions are being described, the NOAA signal, or Spanish audio is on is the reason that it was fought off for so long before Congress finally passed it; broadcasters would rather not deal with the jerky minority who can't understand it than serve their full community. TV manufacturers bury the feature deeply, only PBS and Turner Classic Movies push it in any meaningful way, and there are just terrible commercial broadcasters who will do the bare minimum to make programming accessible.

I use both DVS and closed captioning. I am neither deaf or blind, but they make it easier in my experience to watch a show and follow along with things, and to multi-task other things (and in the case of NCIS, the describer just adds to the atmosphere of the show in a perfect way). Closed captioning has become used in more and good ways than the original purpose of allowing deaf viewers to watch television. I'm really hoping for the same for video description, and when all the stations finally have it, I'll be happy. Hopefully TV manufacturers make it much easier to do also.

 

[tmanokc]

well, modern family just came on and the AD))) sounder was on, loud as ever.

since i was dvr-ing it, i backed it up, and pressed the SAP button. the sounder is still there. and no "audio description," either.


using a dish dtvpal dvr, OTA.

If you live outside one of the top 25 television markets, it's likely your ABC station won't air the audio descriptions anyway. The FCC mandate doesn't require major network affiliates in markets #26 to #210 to provide audio descriptions via SAP, they could change that eventually and require more markets to comply, but right now its just stations in the 25 largest Nielsen markets and the five highest-rated cable channels as noted in the third post.

 

[amos]

as a follow-up, the CBS is running the audio descriptions, and toggling the SAP does actually turn it on and off.

last weekend, before i saw this thread, i noticed that the fox station had the descriptions on the sunday night simpsons and family guy shows. i didn't know or think to try the sap button then, but i will next time.

 

[quadraphonic]

, they could do this then in a more considerate way.

They are doing it all with very much consideration for blind people. That's who it's geared toward.
Hit the SAP button. You'll be fine. One less thing to worry about in life is a good thing.

I don't know what that is, and I can't be the only one sick of that noise.

I would encourage you to expand your horizons, then. Learn the SAP settings, or whatever will stop your problem, and move on to the next greater injustice in this brazen world we live in.
Probably the other six people sick of that noise could also do the same? I dunno. I'm just a simple man looking for simple answers when the problems are simple. Or get our aunt to do it for ya.

 

[vchimpanzee]

, they could do this then in a more considerate way.

They are doing it all with very much consideration for blind people. That's who it's geared toward.
Hit the SAP button. You'll be fine. One less thing to worry about in life is a good thing.

I don't know what that is, and I can't be the only one sick of that noise.

I would encourage you to expand your horizons, then. Learn the SAP settings, or whatever will stop your problem, and move on to the next greater injustice in this brazen world we live in.
Probably the other six people sick of that noise could also do the same? I dunno. I'm just a simple man looking for simple answers when the problems are simple. Or get our aunt to do it for ya.

What will stop my problem is ABC stopping that noise. Just announce "audio description available" before the show starts!

Someone mentioned using closed captioning. Years ago I was in a restaurant that had that. That's very valuable as there are too many distractions to hear. One drug store and another restaurant I go to for lunch use that.