Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
7
↓
Most accessible smart TV (self.Blind)
submitted by blind_cowboy
My wife and I are looking at getting a new TV. Looking at what’s available I’ve about decided that my 2 best options for a TV with a screen reader are either going to be a Samsung or a tv that has Fire TV built in. I have used a Fire Stick so I know it works well with my normal streaming options. I haven’t played with a Samsung at all. For those of you out there who have used either or both what do you like about what you’ve used, what don’t like about it, would you recommend it, and why or why not?
Wooden_Suit5580 2 points 2y ago
Hello there,
I am totally blind. I wanted to upgrade my old Vizio TVs that I’ve had for nearly 10 years to something smart. I did some research and I found that the Samsung TVs offer some of the best accessibility around! I did some research found a couple of other blind people on YouTube that vouch for Samsung. Here is one of the videos
https://youtu.be/wfZMfNejBm8
Last year I purchased two Samsung 7000 series television. One a 55 inch, and 1/8 43 inch four different rooms in the house. The accessibility of these TVs is amazing! Accessibility menu offers a very rich an in depth list of features to make your viewing experience optimal. You can adjust the speed of the screen reader, as well as other features that can deal with low vision. Karen Brown most of the major apps work fine with the screen reader function. There may be a few that do not work with the screen reader. I can easily use Netflix, Amazon prime, YouTube, Hulu, HBO max with the screen reader on the Samsung television! Switching between TV sources is very easy. Mostly everything in the Samsung menus will talk with the accessibility function turned on. You can control the television with the included remote control, or if you like to use the apps on your phone they do offer an app. You can still use your fire stick connected to the television, I have that set up in one of my TVs. I use the fire stick and Apple TV as well as the apps on the Samsung TV.
I hope this helps
I highly recommend a Samsung TV for blind or low vision users.
Happy new year
I am totally blind. I wanted to upgrade my old Vizio TVs that I’ve had for nearly 10 years to something smart. I did some research and I found that the Samsung TVs offer some of the best accessibility around! I did some research found a couple of other blind people on YouTube that vouch for Samsung. Here is one of the videos
https://youtu.be/wfZMfNejBm8
Last year I purchased two Samsung 7000 series television. One a 55 inch, and 1/8 43 inch four different rooms in the house. The accessibility of these TVs is amazing! Accessibility menu offers a very rich an in depth list of features to make your viewing experience optimal. You can adjust the speed of the screen reader, as well as other features that can deal with low vision. Karen Brown most of the major apps work fine with the screen reader function. There may be a few that do not work with the screen reader. I can easily use Netflix, Amazon prime, YouTube, Hulu, HBO max with the screen reader on the Samsung television! Switching between TV sources is very easy. Mostly everything in the Samsung menus will talk with the accessibility function turned on. You can control the television with the included remote control, or if you like to use the apps on your phone they do offer an app. You can still use your fire stick connected to the television, I have that set up in one of my TVs. I use the fire stick and Apple TV as well as the apps on the Samsung TV.
I hope this helps
I highly recommend a Samsung TV for blind or low vision users.
Happy new year
blind_cowboy [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks.
BlindGirlSees 1 points 2y ago
I have both fire TV and Roku tv, both of which work well and integrate with Alexa allowing you to switch inputs and access several other features with just your voice. The fire TV voice is a little bit more clear than the Roku voice. Though I have noticed overtime that my fire TV screen reader has gotten a bit sluggish. But both are serviceable.
JudgeSavings 1 points 2y ago
your lucky. my roku tv my parents bot me for christmass last year like 2019 to 2020 doesnt seem to have the screen reader at all. would updates fix that?
BlindGirlSees 1 points 2y ago
Updates may help. After the software is fully updated try hitting the star button four times. That generally turns on the audio guide. Or if you have someone sighted help you,the audio guide is available it will be in settings under accessibility.
JudgeSavings 1 points 2y ago
i will try that eventualy
SightlessBastard 1 points 2y ago
I am using an Nvidia shield TV. And I am actually quite happy with it. But, I don’t watch much linear TV. I mostly use streaming services like Netflix, prime video and YouTube. So, I am not sure, if it would be the right thing for you.
I also had the chance, to play with a Samsung TV recently. In general, it was pretty OK. What bothered me though, was the fact, that the screen reader was pretty sluggish. Abs like Netflix, YouTube and prime video are all accessible, as far as I know. The built in App Store however, is not. At least, it wasn’t accessible for me. Personally, I don’t think, that I would buy a Samsung smart TV. But again, you will probably have different uses for it than me.
I also had the chance, to play with a Samsung TV recently. In general, it was pretty OK. What bothered me though, was the fact, that the screen reader was pretty sluggish. Abs like Netflix, YouTube and prime video are all accessible, as far as I know. The built in App Store however, is not. At least, it wasn’t accessible for me. Personally, I don’t think, that I would buy a Samsung smart TV. But again, you will probably have different uses for it than me.
Prefect316 1 points 2y ago
I just bought an Nvidia Shield yesterday and I'm loving it so far. So incredibly snappy compared to FireTv
RunsOnBoltCoffee 1 points 2y ago
Get a dumb tv and an Apple TV 4K or Chromecast with Google TV.
blind_cowboy [OP] 1 points 2y ago
There are a couple of reasons that’s not happening. On the Apple TV, and I recognize you were just making a general suggestion to get a streaming device, there’s only 1 streaming service that carries 3 of the sports teams we follow. AT&T TV Now is not very accessible on Apple TV. Many buttons aren’t labeled, some networks aren’t labeled and I have to do a search for them, it doesn’t read the titles of current shows when you get into the network, and I can’t read the guide.
We’re more than happy to keep our living room TV. It’s plasma and she’s not going to get a much better picture from anything else out there. On the other hand, The bedroom TV has about had it. She isn’t blind; they don’t make many dumb TVs with good pictures, and I want to make sure she has a good viewing experience.
We’re more than happy to keep our living room TV. It’s plasma and she’s not going to get a much better picture from anything else out there. On the other hand, The bedroom TV has about had it. She isn’t blind; they don’t make many dumb TVs with good pictures, and I want to make sure she has a good viewing experience.
RunsOnBoltCoffee 1 points 2y ago
There is literally no difference between smart and dumb TVs besides having smart features built-in. Dumb TVs are harder to find now, but they are out there. It’s more important to make sure you have enough outputs and audio return channel.
The reason I suggest going with a dumb TV and a separate streaming device is because smart TV features and software is often deprecated after a few short years.
I was definitely just offering a suggestion based on my own experience and user research. I wasn’t aware you needed a specific live TV streaming service. Just so you know though, AT&T TV now is being phased out and replaced with AT&T TV, which you need their proprietary box to use.
The reason I suggest going with a dumb TV and a separate streaming device is because smart TV features and software is often deprecated after a few short years.
I was definitely just offering a suggestion based on my own experience and user research. I wasn’t aware you needed a specific live TV streaming service. Just so you know though, AT&T TV now is being phased out and replaced with AT&T TV, which you need their proprietary box to use.
blind_cowboy [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yes, they are getting rid of the AT&T TV now name and merging the 2 services. Everything I’ve read about it says that the set top box is optional.
I definitely see your point on the fazing out of support for older models. It’s something to weigh against having the ability to control the whole TV without assistance. If I want to switch inputs that isn’t currently accessible. That’s one thing I miss about my old receiver. All I had to do was press a button that corisponded to the input. Anyway I digress. If I want to change settings, sound output for example, sighted assistance is required. So I can definitely understand where you’re coming from, but for me, the extra accessibility is worth paying for. Now if I am mistaken and dumb TVs have text to speech I would change my mind in a heartbeat.
I definitely see your point on the fazing out of support for older models. It’s something to weigh against having the ability to control the whole TV without assistance. If I want to switch inputs that isn’t currently accessible. That’s one thing I miss about my old receiver. All I had to do was press a button that corisponded to the input. Anyway I digress. If I want to change settings, sound output for example, sighted assistance is required. So I can definitely understand where you’re coming from, but for me, the extra accessibility is worth paying for. Now if I am mistaken and dumb TVs have text to speech I would change my mind in a heartbeat.
bjayernaeiy 1 points 2y ago
Have you looked at using something like a Xiaomi TV stick
cyclops32 1 points 2y ago
I didn't know those were accessible actually.
I know the chrome cast is more of a platform now.
I know the chrome cast is more of a platform now.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.