Video Description for U-verse TV

Learn how the Video Description feature can make television and other media accessible to blind or visually impaired subscribers.

Discover more about Video Description

How Video Description assists the blind or visually impaired

With the Video Description feature enabled, audio descriptions of a TV program's key visual elements are inserted into natural pauses in the program's dialogue. Video Description supplements the regular audio track of the program when information about the visual elements is not contained in the audio portion of the program. With Video Description, subscribers can listen to audio descriptions of TV shows on a secondary audio channel. Please visit the FCC Video Description Rules page for additional information and a schedule of described programs. 
  • Video Description is provided through the receiver's secondary audio feature and can be accessed using the on-screen menu.
  • The secondary audio may also be identified as a language feature, such as Spanish or SPA, because it is also used to provide Spanish or other language translations of English language TV programs. You can change your preferred global language to Spanish with your U-verse TV remote control and the menu screen.
  • When listening to the secondary audio, and depending on the program, you may hear the primary audio with Video Description, Spanish or other language translation, a duplicate of the primary audio, or, in cases where no secondary audio is being transmitted, silence.

To enable Video Description and Change Language you will need to use these U-verse TV remote control buttons:
  • MENU – The long, curved button located above the four navigational arrow buttons.
  • Navigational arrows – The up, right, down, and left arrows are rectangular buttons on the top half of the remote.
  • OK – The circular button in the center of the four navigational arrow buttons.
  • Back – A small circular button located to the left and below the four navigational arrow buttons.
  • Info – A small circular button located to the right and below the set of four navigational arrow buttons.

Enable System Sound Effects
The system sounds are present during actions like scrolling or reaching the end of menu items or lists.

With your U-verse TV remote control you will use the arrow buttons to scroll to the topic area and use the OK button to select.
  1. Press MENU on your remote control.
  2. Scroll down and select Options.
  3. Scroll down and select Audio/Language.
  4. Scroll right and select System Sound Effects.
  5. Select your preferred setting.
  6. Select Save.

Change Audio Language and On-screen Language

There are two ways to enable Video Description. You can temporarily update the audio language for the channel being played, or you can change the default language from English to Spanish. While changing the default language may make it easier to hear audio described programming as you change channels, some may broadcast silence on the secondary audio channel or use it for Spanish when not airing described programs. For this reason, it may be preferable to temporarily modify the audio language for the current channel only. Once the channel is changed, it will default back to English language.  

Temporarily change the language for current channel
With your U-verse TV remote control you will use the Info button, the arrow buttons, OK button, and EXIT TO TV button.
  1. Press Info on your remote control.
  2. Press the right arrow twice. The language menu for the current channel will display.
  3. Press the down arrow once and press OK to change from English to Spanish audio (if available). Audio will pause briefly while the language change is updated. If there is not a brief pause or change in audio, Spanish audio is likely unavailable for the channel.
  4. Press the EXIT TO TV button at any time to return to your programming.

Note: When System Sound Effects are enabled, a series of tones will be heard as you enable Video Description. Although you will not hear a tone when you press the down arrow to change from English to Spanish, you will hear a low pitch tone if Spanish audio is not available.  

Set default Audio Language and On-Screen Language preferences
With your U-verse TV remote control you will use the arrow buttons to scroll to the topic area and use the OK button to select.
  1. Press MENU on your remote control.
  2. Scroll down and select Options.
  3. Scroll down and select Audio/Language.
  4. Scroll right to select either Audio Language or On-Screen Language.
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen.
  6. Select Save.

Need help?
 Further assistance is available with video description for U-verse TV programming and other customer service needs.
Last updated: December 7, 2022

Did you get the help you needed?



Community forums

Have questions about your U-verse TV service? Explore our community forums for answers.