FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

 About Video Description

Q: What is video description?
A: Video description is a service that aids the blind and visually-impaired audience with a descriptive narration of key visual elements of video programming, including information on scenery, action, expressions, movements, costumes and props; everything that will give the audience a better “picture” of what is happening. The audience can access video descriptions through the secondary audio programming (SAP) channel on a stereo TV set or VCR.

Q: Why should I video describe my program?
A: Since 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted several mandates that enable American audiences with hearing or visual disabilities to enjoy access to television that was once unavailable to them.

The full Report and Order on video description (FCC #00-258, adopted 7/21/00) is available on the FCC's Web site at www.fcc.gov.

For general information and inquiries, contact fccinfo@fcc.gov or call:
VOICE: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)
FAX: 202-418-0232

Video description offers the benefit of broadening the reach of your program, making it accessible to the more than 10 million visually-impaired consumers in the US, as well as their families.

Q: Why should I use Visual Data for video description?
A: Visual Data Media Services is one of only a handfull of facilities in the nation to offer the video description service and the only company to complete all video description work within their facility in Los Angeles. This offers you greater convenience and quicker turnarounds. Visual Data video describes all types of media, from home video to network broadcast.  We can take your video-description project from start to finish, including final delivery of a mixed Digi-Beta, D5, DA-88 or DAT tape. We use only the most talented writers and voice-over professionals and every video description project is subjected to stringent quality control.