The video below demonstrates the use of TTS (text-to-speech) technology to deliver supplemental information, or enhancements, while the video is playing. We have supplied four different types of enhancements:
- Glossary entries: When a glossary entry appears on the screen, the player will pause for a pre-determined interval, during which a screen reader will read aloud the text to the user, and will then resume playing automatically. Glossary entries are available both visually (displayed to the right of the player) and to screen readers.
- Images with long descriptions: When an image appears on the screen (to the right of the player), the player will pause for a pre-determined interval during which a screen reader will read the description aloud to the user, and then resume playing automatically. Note that the description is not visible. If you are not using a screen reader, you will see only the image but not hear the image description.
- Video descriptions: Descriptions of important on-screen activity. Available only to screen readers, these descriptions are not visible.
- Wikipedia entries: Each Wikipedia entry is available both visually (displayed to the right of the player) and to screen readers, and has been taken in real time from Wikipedia. In addition to text, you will find a link directly to the Wikipedia entry so the user may learn more if desired. A Wikipedia entry will cause the player to automatically pause but, unlike the other enhancements, you must resume playing the video manually after you or your screen reader have finished reading the text.
You can use a mouse or other pointing device to operate the player, or you can use the keyboard commands and shortcuts which are listed in the system requirements section of the instructions.
You can also click the "?" button (shortcut key is "h" plus whichever modifier is relevant to your particular browser / operating system setup).
Download a zip file of the entire demonstration (26MB) to see how it works and to try it yourself.
Finally, NCAM is interested in hearing your comments about this demonstration model. Please take a moment to fill out a brief survey to let us know if you have problems accessing the TTS enhancements, have technical problems, or have suggestions about how we can improve the model.
