DVS® FAQ
What is Descriptive Video Service?
Descriptive Video Service (DVS) is a national service that makes
television programs, feature films, home videos, and other visual
media accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. DVS is
part of the Media Access Group at WGBH. DVS was launched nationally in
1990 by the WGBH Educational Foundation, producer of many prime-time
public television programs and leader in the development of accessible
media.
What elements of a program do you describe?
We describe key visual elements in a program that a viewer who is
blind or visually impaired would ordinarily miss. Actions, costumes,
gestures, and scene changes are just a few of the elements that, when
described, engage the viewer with the story. Our describers are
experienced writers and researchers. When they encounter visual images
that are unfamiliar to them, they take the time to research and create
description that give the viewer a more complete image of what is
happening onscreen, without interfering with the audio or dialogue of
a program or movie.
How does a viewer watch DVS on television?
A viewer must live within range of a station that carries DVS and have
a stereo TV or a stereo VCR that includes the Second Audio Program
(SAP) feature, standard on most newer stereo televisions and
videocassette recorders. Inexpensive receivers that convert TV sets to
stereo with SAP also can be purchased. Viewers who subscribe to cable
or satellite TV should ask the distributor to "pass through" stereo
with SAP.
Where are DVS television broadcasts available?
DVS television broadcasts are regularly available on CBS, Fox, PBS,
Nickelodeon, and Turner Classic Movies.
Which feature films are playing with DVS? Which theaters have DVS?
Visit [31]www.mopix.org for a complete list of films that are
available with DVS and for a list of theaters across North America
that are equipped with the MoPix® system, DVS Theatrical( and Rear
Window( Captioning.
How does a viewer get described movies on home video?
More than 200 described popular Hollywood movies and PBS programs are
available for purchase by direct mail through the DVS Home Video
Catalogue®. A viewer needs only a regular VHS videocassette recorder
(VCR) and a television to watch these videos and hear the
descriptions. The SAP feature is not required. DVS Home Videos are
also available for loan at many public libraries. Gone with the Wind,
The Wizard of Oz, Gladiator, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
are among our most popular titles. Check out our DVS Home Video
Catalogue and see what's new today!
What is the process of Descriptive Video Service?
Describers watch the program and write a script describing key visual
elements. They carefully time the placement and length of the
description to fit within natural pauses in the dialogue. After a
script is completed, it is edited by a post-production supervisor for
continuity, clarity, and style conventions. Narration is recorded and
mixed with the original program audio in a unique "mix to pix" process
to create a full DVS track.
The DVS track is then laid back to the master either on a spare audio
channel (for broadcast) or to a separate DVS master (for home video
distribution). This layback process can be done either by DVS or the
producer/distributor. (For descriptions intended for the MoPix®
environment and DVS Theatrical, a full program mix is not created. The
descriptions are kept as a separate track and delivered to theaters as
part of the DTS motion picture sound track.)
What special skills do describers have?
Describers are a diverse group of individuals, among them former
educators, writers, trained musicians, and avid travelers. They
possess degrees in a variety of fields, but share key skills for
describers. They must be tireless researchers, demonstrate strong
writing skills, and be very detail-oriented. When hired, each
describer undergoes an extensive training program.
Where do you find narrators, and are they union?
WGBH Educational Foundation, the parent organization of the Media
Access Group at WGBH and DVS, is a signatory to SAG and AFTRA
contracts. When union talent is required, we have a large selection of
SAG and AFTRA narrators from which to choose. (We also continue to
receive demo and audition tapes from potential new narrators.) The fee
for talent is not an extra charge, but is included in our total
description service fee.
How long does it take to describe a program?
The time it takes to describe a program and the cost for each program
varies. Our sales and marketing staff will work with you to
accommodate your turn-around needs and to meet your deadlines. For
more information, please contact the marketing staff in one of our
three offices:
Boston
Carl Richardson
Phone: 617-300-3336
E-mail: [32][log in to unmask]
New York
Susan Schneider
Phone: 212-490-3677
E-mail: [33][log in to unmask]
Los Angeles
Michelle Maddalena
Phone: 818-562-3344
E-mail: [34][log in to unmask]
Can descriptions be reformatted?
Yes, descriptions can be reformatted, and should be, whenever a show
is changed or edited. For example, if a producer wishes to describe
and televise a film initially described on home video, the description
track for the film would need to be reformatted to include commercial
blacks.
What production materials should I provide to Descriptive Video
Service?
You will need to construct the following DVS work materials from your
master (note that all time code must match the time code on the
master):
* 3/4" U-matic tape with matching elements and code
* Visible time code, upper third, keyed (no box)
* Matching time code on address track
* Audio ch. 1 = program audio, mono mix
* Audio ch. 2 = audible time code
* Time-coded DAT (Digital Audio Tape) with matching elements and
code
* Stereo program audio
* 48 kHz sampling rate
* Final script
Do you have to lower the levels of source audio for the description
narrator?
We dip source audio only when our narrator is speaking. Our
descriptions are carefully crafted and applied so as not to interfere
with the dialogue or soundtrack of the program.
What will High Definition Television mean to DVS? Will it change the
delivery format/process?
High Definition Television (HDTV) will not dramatically change the
process of creating descriptions. If there are changes, they will most
likely be in how descriptions are transmitted.
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