Question
When viewing BBC1 HD on Freesat, many programmes have a voice-over which I understand is for the partially sighted. Is there any way to switch this off?
Submitted by Austin Reynolds
Our Answer
What you’re referring to is called Audio Description, and as you say, is a service for the blind or partially-sighted. Audio Description provides a commentary of the on-screen action, for example “Chuck leaves the room following Sarah”.
The service is available on many TV programmes, and is provided by the broadcaster. It’s not offered on all channels, and it’s not available on all equipment.
Turning Audio Description off and on
By default, TV sets and set-top boxes have audio description turned off. If you have a receiver that supports Audio Description, there will be a way to enable this service from one of the on-screen menus.
Each TV set and set-top box is different, and so without knowing the make and model, we can’t give precise advice on how to turn it off for every single make and model of digital TV equipment, although we’ll try to help with some general guidance.
If you’re not sure how to turn Audio Description on or off, then the first place to try should be the TV manual. Alternatively, you can try to find the option from the on-screen menus. Try looking under “Language”, “Subtitles”, “Audio” or “Sound” in the Settings menu.
Here is some information on how to turn on or off Audio Description on some common equipment
Freesat Receivers: On some boxes, try Menu > Settings > Language. You may find the “Audio Description” option there, with an option to “Enable” or “Disable”
Sky+ HD Box: Press Services, scroll to “Options”. Select “Subtitles”. Here, you’ll find “Audio Description On/Off”. Change as appropriate, and press the Green button on the remote to save
Basic Sky box / Older Sky+ box: Press “Services”. Select “System Set Up”. Select “Language and Subtitles”. Adjust the “Narrative” options as required, then move to “Save New Settings” and press Select
Help us to update this section. If you know how to enable or disable the Audio Description commentary on a digital TV set-top box or TV set that we’ve not listed here, please add a comment below.
how do i turn off audio description on videotron recivers please answer as soon as possoble
Check the on-screen menu and look for a setting to disable this. Alternatively, check the manual. If you have no luck, please state the exact model number you need help with.
Panasonic Model TX-L19X 10 BW
I need help how to disable them from recording me through the TV and listening to me I have an old plasma Samsung TV so I’m trying to get help because someone is recording me and it says Samsung plasma display and they somehow put in some sort of series hold on one minutethey put in if PDP FM 00 / LED 61000 series and it says using the 3D function is blue all this isn’t blue I’m trying to help then from watching me and disable the plasma Samsung TV it’s an older model but it but it somehow it’s saying that has 3D function and I don’t know if someone downloaded through ups I don’t know anything about TV’s so please help how to disable the video from recording me or what do I need to plug in and can my LG smart phone plug into my TV I would like to know all the information if you can give me a call + 347 942 7767 thank you and have a blessed day
How do turn off voice over on a Samsung smart tv?
I just found a button on my controller it says AD on it. Hope this helps
On LG tv’s press menus, then options, then go into Disability Assistance & turn Audio Discripgion off.
Thank you-
Thank you. I have been trying for ages to turn off. Done it now. Thanks
Brilliant! Thank you. The manual was useless.
Sony smart t.v,how do aye turn off the audio description.
Commentary is irritating on programmed e.g Cold Feet. How can I turn it off please.
I have sony tv and virgin and recently received new modem and box and ca83nnot get rid of description
Hi I have a seki tv and a gamma box I can’t turn off the audio speaking please help
On the 19″ Alba : Press menu on your remote. Arrow to the ‘Sound’ menu. Scroll down to ‘Audio description’, which is on the second page. Click on ‘OFF’. Done.
Thanks. It worked! After I’d wasted an hour trying and missed most of the programme I wanted to watchj! Why do they have to make it so difficult for those of us who do not have visual problems!
Call your cable provider and they can walk you through it.
I went into sound menu and simply reset and problem solved!
does anyone know how to turn it off on ps3 play tv? cheers thank you jacob
I have a LOGIC TV set and have tried unsuccessfully to disable the audio commentary. The descriptions are all in Spanish which does not help. Can you assist please?
we have freesat HD with a goodmans controller, we think the dog jumped on it the we had audio on some films . I pressed audio it came up with -english and -english AD which was highlighted ,I moved the highlight to -english pressed exit and the problem was cured
HI I have a goodmans sat box.
The hand set is broken so cannot use the audio button
I have an one for all hand set
I can go into menu, settings, and see no way to change the setting
If I go to menu language i get audio language or subtitle language.
I can chose the language used but no setting for turning off the commentary
I have a curtis lcd3957 and cannot find anything in the menus for enable/disable commentary.
I would appreciate help.
Do you know how to turn it off, on a proline TV
Model number: LVD1985WD
I have a Samsung TV & TVonics Freeview top box…I have recently started getting the Audio Adescription Commentary…I don’t know how to disable this…I’ve tried all of the above & more…does anyone know how I can disable the Audio Commentary,..as its dying me insane! Argh!
Hi. If you are not happy with your tvonics box, would you be interested in selling it?
This is a genuine request.
Regards Randall Lewis
Try this go to options on your remote, then press AVoptions then multi audio then go down to eng, job done BUT you have to do it every time you change channel
** should read As its driving me insane!
Hi , there is more than one Channel where I get Audio Visual . How do I get rid of it please.
If you have a audio button on your remote, press it and choose the other option, we did it, it was 3 letters and 4 numbers.
Thank you Wendy. I think you’ve saved our sanity!
brilliant, we have a Samsung and the button to press was AD/SUBT on the right hand lower side and bingo no more audio description thank you thankyou
Exactly what screen or menu
Thanks, worked right away. Pleased I can now listen without interruptions. Many thanks.
You saved me from a nervous breakdown … audio description was doing my head in until I came across your solution ..thanks x
I have just managed to turn off the audio description on my Hitachi LCD tv after trying for weeks. I went on menu – set up-configuration – audio description – off and it’s worked.
Thank u i have now turned of audio discription after weeks of looking my tv is currys digihome
This problem just had me going bonkers for nearly an hour, my daughter (thank God for teenagers!) sussed it. With a “One for All” remote – with the mode button set to “sat” the AV button converts into the AD on/off button. So put remote onto SAT mode and use AV button to turn audio description on or off.
I looked in Sound and turned off something called AVG and the wee fella disappeared,,coincidence,,,I don’t kow yet. I shall return if he does with further findings. Liz
Sorry ..temporary joy,,he’s back in force. Only thing to do is change channel as I have now missed half the movie with the wee fiend. Anybody find solution please post Liz.
I have a Boston sat box.
I found by pressing Audio/Language/English the AD disappeared.
It doesn’t make any sense but it worked.
I have have just spent the last half hour tearing my hair out (not quite literally), but this voiceover was going on and on, I pressed all the buttons to no avail, so I calmed myself down and pressed ‘services button’ on sky handset, then audio discription OFF! What joy, success, Good luck.
AD button, bottom left of BT vision/you view remote. Turn AD off to stop audio description. Quite entertaining listening though whilst it was on ;-)
Please help I have the same problem with my tv it is a technika I have tried everything for the last 2 months in the end I turned the ad volume down too 0 but it still dulls the tv volume when they are talking please answer Asap
press “menu” on remote … select “sound” at top of screen … select “AD Volume” … reduce volume to zero … select “exit”
I have a Dion Digital TV CV3 Freeview Box had sound with voice over, tried to turn it of by reading comments on here, but have no Audio Description, the menu is useless and does not give me the options listed on your replies to others on here, the Settings are not helpful at all as all the answers have to be for english cannot go any further with this, have now got no Volume, went back and turned Hearing Impaired off again and still now answer please HELP going bonkers here
We have a Dion box and remote. I have tried going through menu settings language – no avail. I’ve just seen an AD button on remote and pressed it and hey presto audio description is now off!!
I have Tower SR2100+ and Zoro HRS 3500 sat boxes. To turn off AD on the Tower press audio button on remote which presents two options for Audio Track, (pdr)1/2 or (eng)2/2. With left/right buttons choose (eng)2/2 then OK, exit.
On the Zoro, press audio button as before, the up/down buttons give you two options, eng or pdr with a number in brackets to the right. Oddly, unlike the Tower box, on this one you need to choose the pdr option to turn AD off.
Excuse, meant to say Xoro not Zoro
Hi, I have a view 21 box and am having problems with the audio description, i have tried numerous times to turn it off however it will only allow me to turn it down to 10%, any ideas on how to solve this please? Xx
There is an AD button on your remote control which will turn off Audio Description
I have a Humax Freesat Box. Go into Menu, Language, disable Audio Description. It worked. Thank you.
I have the Humax 1010 box (the 1tb white one) and there is an AD button in bottom right corner. It’s not on the menus and was driving me CRAZY! I pressed it and the audio description toggles on and off. Thanks
Brilliant! Thank you so much.. I wa going mad!
Thanks. I hadn’t noticed the AD button on my Humax remote and if I had I’d probably have thought it was just telling me that it wasn’t BC. Anyway it worked a treat.
For Tivo cable users. Select “Help & Settings” on the Home Screen. Choose “Settings”, “Audio”, “Alternate Audio”, “Default Audio Language” & then “Audio Description”.
I+have+a+toshiba+and+the+audio+is+driving+me+crazy.+Help
I too gave a Toshiba and it is driving me mad. Started all of a sudden. Tried everything all to no avail. Sorry
I+have+been+trying+for+weeks+to+remove+the+Audio+Description+from+my+Samsung+40″+”Smart+TV+Found+the+answer+from+someone+with++a+BT+You+View+mine+is+PlusNet+which+is+one+and+the+same+So+simple+Press+bottom+left+button+on+Remote+AD+GONE+Could+be+wife+had+pressed+it+ON+by+mistake+If+you+have+anything+other+than+mine+SORRY+I+would+have+needed+a+degree+in+NASSA+to+understand+them
and the same Press the AD button on You view remote GONE Sorry if you have different model would need a degree in NASSA to understand other replies
I have a samsung 55 inch smart tv. How do i turn off the audio description…..ugh!
Press subtitle button at the bottom of remote ,maybe not very bottom ,but down there on the right.
We+have+an+lg+tv+just+on+normal+transmission+in+uk.+How+do+we+turn+it+of?help
AD button below the back button
Yes – bottom left of the controller for BT
We are going mad listening to the dialogue intended to help blind people. My dad is 93 and practically deaf so we have set him up with a headset only system on his tv. Hiw do wd turn this off on oyrs?hdlp partner does not sleep much.
I have a sky+HD box and the voice won’t go off And I’ve turned audio description off what do I do?
We have just had broadband set up in our apartment in Spain. It is a HUAWEI receiver. How can we turn off the audio description. Thank you
I have bush Freeview box and Samsung TV and its not possible to switch the ad off. TV has this option grey so you can do nothing and on box the min value for ad is 10%. I understand there are people using that but I’m getting madder and madder every day. It’s horribly annoying
With all the complaints about Audio description you would think they would make it an option when broadcasting with it. I have watched Big Bang Theory every season and now the last season they decided to add this voice over description ruining the show for me. I will check my menu again but really sighted people should have been given a choice if they wanted it broadcasted with this feature.
I have an LG 32″ TV AKB 73655837 with no manual.
I cannot find a way to disable the Audio Description Commentry.
Can anyone help me.
Thanks
Maggie
I have L G plasma flat screen I turned off audio commentary with remote hand set on my controller just above TV guide button is a/d button pressing it brings caption a/d on or off
I don’t drop a lot of comments, but i did
some searching and wound up here Enable or Disable Audio Description Commentary | TV Answers – Digital TV Made Simple.
And I actually do have a few questions for you if you don’t mind.
Is it just me or does it look like some of the responses look as if they are written by brain dead folks?
:-P And, if you are posting at additional social sites, I’d like to keep up with anything new you have to post.
Could you list of every one of your shared sites like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
Wow cuz this is great job! Congrats and keep it up
Hi
My receiver is MAG 250 IPTV BOX (infomir). How turn-off audio description?
I’ve tried, but can’t find
I have the same, with the same problem, so also looking for the answer to this.
with an LG TV and a fortec star box, you press remote blue button with LR on it and use the PDR option not the eng option. Not a clue what this is, but it worked
see above..you have to choose this option for every channel individually when you go to the channel. hope this helps!
you’re a star Kirsten – you’ve solved this 6 month old problem!
Sorrybut I have not stopped laughing at all these comments. I still have not managed to turn the darn thing off. Thanks for the laughter
Simply press help on your sky handset then the audio description button comes up, it will show on,go left or right to turn it off. Bingo
I have a vd+ data litre reciver box and I have talking over some channels why watching TVs can anyone help please
HELP ! I cant find audio description select in sound menu on my new Samsung HG40ED450BW.. Anybody got ant ideas please . Thanks Colin
I have a 24″ alba dvd/tv and Im having the same problem about audio over talking can anyone help me to get rid of it thankyou
I have an hitachi smart TV model number 48HB6T72U now do I turn off audio description please
Look for a button with AD on it. It is at the bottom of the remote,usually near the picture size control
button. If you are hearing the ‘voice’, it will say ‘on’, so press again and it will register ‘off’. I had pressed this AD button in error earlier in the day, while looking to change my picture size, so it doesn’t
actually happen voluntarily!
Thanks Isabel have been trying to get rid of this for ages and your reply was the only one that worked!
I have same problem with Samsung viera I cannot disable it but it says to go to sound+audio disable but this is not shown please help this is driving me crazy
Audio description turned itself on on my Samsung. After MUCH searching, I found I could turn it off by MENU, BROADCASTING, scroll down to AUDI OPTIONS and scroll down to AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS, This gave me the option to turn AD off which I gladly did.
I have a mag 250 box and some channels have the voice over description on and some don’t, and can I hell find out how to turn it off and it’s driving me mad, does anyone have one of these boxes that can help. Tha ks
Did you find the answer? As I’m going mad with the same.