Closed Caption Access - Formal Complaint

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

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jpinsticks wrote:

Thanks for the update, Uniblurb3.

I'm guessing that CC option on the Main Menu isn't going to be the workaround.

I'm thinking this update/patch is more of an FCC compliance thing rather than something directed towards customer satisfaction. 

If they are indeed coming out with a new remote in the next year or two, I have to believe it's going to tackle more than the one button CC issue.  I still don't see why they can't use of the unused buttons on the existing remote combined with this upcoming update/patch.

Anyway, thanks again.

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You're welcome jpinsticks!

I'm a little confused when you say, "I'm guessing that CC option on the Main Menu isn't going to be the workaround.". By no means is still going into even a shortened menu process to access the CC's is this going to be a permanent workaround. This wouldn't satisfy the requirements/mandates of the FCC or the ""Twenty-First Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010". I'm only going by what the Manager Eugene mentioned and maybe you have some different information?

Any type of software patch w/o a new remote, or a clearly marked CC button on the existing remotes, is going to be a temporary fix. Unless the AT&T/U-verse Development Team has come up with new technology in the past 1-2 years it's my understanding the unused existing remote buttons cannot be converted to one-toggle CC's. Now you would think this would be possible but that's not what the Manager of Customer Advocacy told me some time ago after consulting with the Development Team. Maybe the advances in technology will prove me wrong and hope so.

I believe AT&T/U-verse wants to stay in good standings with the FCC but it comes down to the providers either comply with the new laws/standards by the deadline or they don't. This upcoming CC software patch may just be a way of testing it on the consumers while at the same time seeing if it works for them to implement in their final CC standards of compliance.

Whatever they do we wish they would hurry up!

[jpinsticks]

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Uniblurb3 wrote:

I asked about a new remote coming out for one-toggle closed captioning? He said the software patch will work through the existing remote, you still may end up going through the menu, but it will be a whole lot quicker than the current 23 clicks of the remote for turning the CC's on. He also said the patch may improve the syncing of the CC text with the picture, especially with the DVR recordings.

.

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Well, I was referring to the comment highlighted in red and my comment referring to the Main Menu (Guide, My Multivew, Favorites, Search, etc. having a CC On/Off) was sort of tongue in cheek, hence the little smiley face.

I certainly don't claim to know anything about the software programmed into the remote and the STB, but I do know by experience that every button on the remote, when pressed, sends a signal to the remote.  And that those signals are unique, except for the possibility of the A, B, C buttons, those 3 being a possible exception only because I don't see anything happening other than a signal was sent ... the signal from the 3 could be the same signal.  I have a hard time believing the designers saying, "We need to send a unique signal to the STB for each button pressed EXCEPT for the A, B, and C. buttons".

Some buttons even serve a dual purpose, depending on the situation in which they are used.

So, with changes only in the software in the STB it seems that a button on the existing remote could be used to toggle CC on and off.  A viewer would still have to traverse the menu system to select the type of CC to be used when the viewer toggles the CC.

It seems a simple concept, but as I said before, I don't know anything about the software and maybe everyone reading this should look for the button labeled B-S and press it.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

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jpinsticks wrote:

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Uniblurb3 wrote:

I asked about a new remote coming out for one-toggle closed captioning? He said the software patch will work through the existing remote, you still may end up going through the menu, but it will be a whole lot quicker than the current 23 clicks of the remote for turning the CC's on. He also said the patch may improve the syncing of the CC text with the picture, especially with the DVR recordings.

.

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Well, I was referring to the comment highlighted in red and my comment referring to the Main Menu (Guide, My Multivew, Favorites, Search, etc. having a CC On/Off) was sort of tongue in cheek, hence the little smiley face.

I certainly don't claim to know anything about the software programmed into the remote and the STB, but I do know by experience that every button on the remote, when pressed, sends a signal to the remote.  And that those signals are unique, except for the possibility of the A, B, C buttons, those 3 being a possible exception only because I don't see anything happening other than a signal was sent ... the signal from the 3 could be the same signal.  I have a hard time believing the designers saying, "We need to send a unique signal to the STB for each button pressed EXCEPT for the A, B, and C. buttons".

Some buttons even serve a dual purpose, depending on the situation in which they are used.

So, with changes only in the software in the STB it seems that a button on the existing remote could be used to toggle CC on and off.  A viewer would still have to traverse the menu system to select the type of CC to be used when the viewer toggles the CC.

It seems a simple concept, but as I said before, I don't know anything about the software and maybe everyone reading this should look for the button labeled B-S and press it.

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Thanks for the explanation on the main menu workaround and now I understand where you were coming from.

Clear back in the beginning of this thread we had an in-depth discussion on the unused remote buttons. The general consensus was the red "C" button would be ideal and it would be easy to interpret as standing for closed captions. The use of the "C" button for CC's has been suggested to the AT&T/U-verse administrators all long with no action.

Someone else said these A, B, & C buttons were for interactive functions. I searched the Motorola website today and found no explanation what the purpose of these buttons is for. As can be seen in the below screen shot U-verse refers to them as "Access Applications (If Available)". Isn't finding an easier "Access" to closed captioning exactly what we are trying to do?

It's difficult to read but the bottom right button has "ZOOM" labeled under it and "ENTER" on the button itself. It was also suggested to use this zoom button for accessing the CC's which can be categorized as "Accesses Screen Viewing Options". Since they have added 4 categories to the zoom button features, including "Audio language", maybe this is where the CC's will be turned on/off?

Real good point jpinsticks when your wrote, "A viewer would still have to traverse the menu system to select the type of CC to be used when the viewer toggles the CC.".

There are some real wasted steps once you're into the current CC menu itself. Why even have a "Don't save" button after you select one of the categories like "Closed Caption 1"?? If you didn't want to save it you wouldn't have put a check mark next to it to begin with! In fact why even have a "Save" button? Just click on the CC category you want, which puts a check mark next to it, then hit exit. And turn the CC's off exactly the same way by unchecking the box.

If they keep this same menu they best have an easy way to just check on/off for the CC's through another route after the CC settings have been saved.

Whatever engineer/designer developed this CC access system, including the CC menu itself, made it waay too complicated to begin with. Of course we already know that!

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Geek]

The A, B, and C buttons all generate unique remote control codes. The software in the STB could be updated to do anything in response to those commands.

As far as traversing the menu to decide the type of CCs to use, there are several ways to solve that issue and still provide 1-click CC:

1. You can have a selection in the menus where you select the "default" CC option. For example, you set it to Digital 1. Now the "C" button on the remote can toggle between Digital 1 on and off.

2. The "C" button always toggles the most common selection (either Digital 1 or Standard 1).

3. The "C" button cycles through several settings on each push: Off -> Standard 1 -> Standard 2 -> Digital 1 -> Digital 2 -> Off.

Any of these options would be infinitely superior to the current system.

[jpinsticks]

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SomeJoe7777 wrote:
The A, B, and C buttons all generate unique remote control codes. The software in the STB could be updated to do anything in response to those commands.

As far as traversing the menu to decide the type of CCs to use, there are several ways to solve that issue and still provide 1-click CC:

1. You can have a selection in the menus where you select the "default" CC option. For example, you set it to Digital 1. Now the "C" button on the remote can toggle between Digital 1 on and off.

2. The "C" button always toggles the most common selection (either Digital 1 or Standard 1).

3. The "C" button cycles through several settings on each push: Off -> Standard 1 -> Standard 2 -> Digital 1 -> Digital 2 -> Off.

Any of these options would be infinitely superior to the current system.

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Absolutely!!!!  I like #1.

Nice to know we're all on the same page here.

Cheers.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

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SomeJoe7777 wrote:
The A, B, and C buttons all generate unique remote control codes. The software in the STB could be updated to do anything in response to those commands.

As far as traversing the menu to decide the type of CCs to use, there are several ways to solve that issue and still provide 1-click CC:

1. You can have a selection in the menus where you select the "default" CC option. For example, you set it to Digital 1. Now the "C" button on the remote can toggle between Digital 1 on and off.

2. The "C" button always toggles the most common selection (either Digital 1 or Standard 1).

3. The "C" button cycles through several settings on each push: Off -> Standard 1 -> Standard 2 -> Digital 1 -> Digital 2 -> Off.

Any of these options would be infinitely superior to the current system.

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Excellent suggestions SJ, thanks!

Your option #1 seems like it would be the best solution.

While most of us watch HD programming, and use the Digital CC 1 setting (CC2 if wanting Spanish CC's on English speaking channels if available), guess I don't quite understand why the "Standard" and "Digital" closed captions aren't somehow connected? In other words if I go into the CC menu I'm going to select both Digital CC1 and Standard CC1 in case I would pan back and forth between HD and SD channels. Also if they are showing SD programming on HD channels the CC's will display if Standard CC1 is checked but they won't if only Digital CC1 is selected.

I need to make a correction in saying the unused A,B,C buttons on the remote have not been used before. As Spd posted here* the "A" button was used as a direct access to the U-bar, but this function is no longer available. At least it's good to know they can enable these buttons.

*edit: can't reach Spd's link and can't return to this thread once trying to access it.

[aviewer ACE - Wizard]

 I have been wanting to jump in on this, but do not want to disagree with anyone. Just come at it from a different perspective.

I believe a remote button is just a raw IR signal that can trigger any event in the STB that it is programmed to do. This is usually a very simple single event. Lets call this the trigger.

Some activities are more complicated. Some have different possible specifications/options/selections.

These items cannot be differentiated on a single button press. Too many buttons can also be a problem. The solution is to select from a menu & navigate to a selection. Call this the setup.

The U-verse design flaw is that they have combined the trigger and the setup into an unnecessarily burdensome single step that must be executed every single time. 

The more elegant, far superior design, is to allow the user to do the setup step once to specify a default to apply when the trigger button is activated.

Of course, an over ride design is necessary - perhaps an override button pressed before the trigger button or perhaps something else that is not change the default.

How does this apply to the CC? All the setup selection is done once & the single CC button toggles on/off. It could be any unused button. I believe this is suggested in previous posts.

This can be applied to recording - allow the customer to set up the default options for series recording. The red button applies them.

The guide & channel up/down - Allow the user to setup normal & favorite mode. When pressed the buttons access all or just favorites.

I am sure we can come up with more.

[TNDemonCat]

Thanks for all the information, Uniblurb3.  You've been at this a long time.  I doubt I could've stayed with it for 2+ years like you have.

It sounds like there's an end in sight, even if it might not be the ideal solution.  Too bad AT&T probably won't use feedback from this forum.  There are a lot of good ideas.

I like the idea of programming the "C" button to be the toggle.  It almost seems too obvious.  It could be reprogrammed to cycle through all the CC options.  That very well could be what they have in mind.  We'll just have to wait and see.  As others have pointed out, it's simply a software update to the STB.  Knowing how easy it should be, I don't understand why they're digging their heels in and being slow to respond.  As jpinsticks pointed out, even now it seems like they're only doing it to appease the FCC, and not out of concern for the customer.

I didn't realize what the difference was between the two CCs, either.  SD vs. HD.  Since we use an HDMI cable, I've never bothered with the SD CC.  That might explain why some shows don't have it - the station's broadcasting SD on an HD channel.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

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TNDemonCat wrote:

Thanks for all the information, Uniblurb3.  You've been at this a long time.  I doubt I could've stayed with it for 2+ years like you have.

It sounds like there's an end in sight, even if it might not be the ideal solution.  Too bad AT&T probably won't use feedback from this forum.  There are a lot of good ideas.

I like the idea of programming the "C" button to be the toggle.  It almost seems too obvious.  It could be reprogrammed to cycle through all the CC options.  That very well could be what they have in mind.  We'll just have to wait and see.  As others have pointed out, it's simply a software update to the STB.  Knowing how easy it should be, I don't understand why they're digging their heels in and being slow to respond.  As jpinsticks pointed out, even now it seems like they're only doing it to appease the FCC, and not out of concern for the customer.

I didn't realize what the difference was between the two CCs, either.  SD vs. HD.  Since we use an HDMI cable, I've never bothered with the SD CC.  That might explain why some shows don't have it - the station's broadcasting SD on an HD channel.

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You're welcome TNDemoncat and thanks for the support. Actually it's been 3+ years since I've been complaining about this CC access problem. And while complaining helped resolve the nationwide problems with the garbled closed captions on the MTV Networks and where the CC's were stopping at 1 hour into the VOD movies.

http://forums.att.com/t5/Features-and-How-To/Closed-captions/m-p/2243415#M85671

http://forums.att.com/t5/Features-and-How-To/CC-on-VOD-after-1-HR/m-p/2242745#M77943

http://forums.att.com/t5/Features-and-How-To/Survey-of-VOD-movies-concerning-Closed-Captions/m-p/223...

I believe one of the main reasons this CC access problem is taking so long to solve is AT&T shifted their funds/resources from U-verse to their primary moneymaker, Wireless. That's pretty obvious when they developed a CC ap for iPhones, iPods and iPads to function as a U-verse remote.

Also the before mentioned problems with the MTV Networks and VOD movies were somewhat outside provider/vendor related. In other words they could shift some of the blame/costs on Viacom (owner of MTV Networks) and the vendor who supplies the movies for VOD.

I still think AT&T will eventually have to come out with a new remote in the near future for 1-toggle CC access in order to comply with the FCC regulations/mandates. This will be a major investment for AT&T to replace all the remotes. Again, I hope I'm wrong on this but have seen this indicated as the only true fix instead of a workaround software release in the next couple months.

Glad you found the standard CC's work on SD programming on the HD channels. I tested this on a few HD channels w/SD programming before making that statement to make sure it still worked.

[bri_man_65]

For AT&T to roll it out, doesn't that mean convincing/paying the Set Top Box makers to creating the Box and the Remote to work that way?    And for the MSFT Set Top Box software to support it?    I wonder if they really will ever flip the bill to get all that aligned.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

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bri_man_65 wrote:

For AT&T to roll it out, doesn't that mean convincing/paying the Set Top Box makers to creating the Box and the Remote to work that way? And for the MSFT Set Top Box software to support it? I wonder if they really will ever flip the bill to get all that aligned.

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It's my understanding the burden of the costs in developing quick access to CC's will not fall fully on the video programming providers (VPD's) but much of the costs will fall on the manufacturers too. In other words if the manufactures (eg. Motorola & Cisco) don't produce products (STB's, DVR's, remotes) for quick CC access their isn't going to be a market for their equipment since the VPD's are required to provide easy access to CC's within the next year.

And you are correct the MSFT platform in the boxes will need to support this easy CC access, along with improved functionality of the CC's.

I've been kind of holding off in posting the Jan 1, 2014 date in U-verse having to be fully compliant with the FCC regs in regards to Public Law 111-260 (21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act - CVAA) in the hopes they would develop one-toggle CC's sooner. But I'm sure AT&T is fully aware of this extended deadline so interested users should be informed too. Not that they still shouldn't still develop one-toggle CC's sooner since this has been an ongoing problem, and an extreme hardship on the deaf, hearing impaired & CC users, since U-verse was first was first released.

http://www.broadbandlawadvisor.com/2012/08/articles/accessibility-persons-with-dis/fcc-extends-compl...

I'll repost this section of the CVAA again to support why I believe only a new remote will meet the FCC requirements.

From Public Law 111-260, SEC 204
"(3) that for such apparatus equipped with the functions
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) built in access
to those closed captioning and video description features
through a mechanism that is reasonably comparable to
a button, key, or icon designated by activating the closed
captioning or accessibility features;"

BTW, the link/article says the boxes will have CC pass-through with the end of this month being the deadline. Unfortunately U-verse already meets this requirement in just having CC pass-through on the SD channels but not the HD channels. They aren't required to provide CC pass-through on the HD channels which can't be done in the 1st place. This was mentioned previously in this thread.

[ragingdino]

I was searching the web to find a fix for the exact same issue. As I was reading through this thread and saw that it dated back to two years ago. I got a little excited thinking that they may already have a fix for this CC problem, until I got to the last page. JP and Uni I thank you and anyone else helping for trying so hard.

I think the fix is indeed near. AT&T actually changed out my remote recently (from the silver one to an identical black one). Unfortunately, there is no CC button, nor did the C button do anything. The buttons actually work a lot better in general. The silver one I had was horrendous in response from button press. I had a problem with my internet one day and had AT&T come to check. They replaced my (silver) cable box with a black box. As the technician was about to leave I asked him about my remote and he said he had a newer and better one in his truck that he could swap me.

I did come across this new app for iphones/ipads that may be a temporary fix if you have one of these devices:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/t-launches-u-verse-easy-120000570.html

hope this helps, at least until the new software upgrade comes.

[aviewer ACE - Wizard]

ragingdino -
Thanks for posting about the CC button on the Easy Remote app. The CC button is prominent and works great. Unfortunately, the rest of the Easy Remote app is a complicated mess.

See this trail trying to make sense od the easy remote - http://forums.att.com/t5/Remote-Controls/U-verse-Easy-Remote-for-iphone-ipad-ipod-touch/m-p/3361425#...

I suggest anyone that needs the CC button load the app but expect to use it only to toggle CC. Continue to use the IR remote for everything else.

If you want to experiment with the app. the U-verse 2.6 app is much better, but does not have a CC button. Be careful not to get the 2.7.1 version. That version "enhanced" the remote feature from something usable to a tiny picture of a remote.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

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ragingdino wrote:

I was searching the web to find a fix for the exact same issue. As I was reading through this thread and saw that it dated back to two years ago. I got a little excited thinking that they may already have a fix for this CC problem, until I got to the last page. JP and Uni I thank you and anyone else helping for trying so hard.

I think the fix is indeed near. AT&T actually changed out my remote recently (from the silver one to an identical black one). Unfortunately, there is no CC button, nor did the C button do anything. The buttons actually work a lot better in general. The silver one I had was horrendous in response from button press. I had a problem with my internet one day and had AT&T come to check. They replaced my (silver) cable box with a black box. As the technician was about to leave I asked him about my remote and he said he had a newer and better one in his truck that he could swap me.

I did come across this new app for iphones/ipads that may be a temporary fix if you have one of these devices:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/t-launches-u-verse-easy-120000570.html

hope this helps, at least until the new software upgrade comes.

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Thanks for the post/info ragingdino and that iphone/ipod app was released some time ago. As usual AT&T always puts their wireless services way ahead of U-verse and you have to have one of these devices to use the app.

In early September I spoke with a fairly reliable source who said rumor has a temp fix for an easier way to access closed captions was going to be pushed out in October. I was also put on the list where notification was going to be sent to me when this temp fix was in effect. So the other night I received a message on my TV screen there was a message waiting for me to read in the message center. What a disappointment to find it was only Santa Tracker which they install/push out every year.

Here it is late Nov, no notification of any easier CC access changes, and I'll have to make some more phone calls.

[jpinsticks]

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Uniblurb3 wrote:

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........... So the other night I received a message on my TV screen there was a message waiting for me to read in the message center. What a disappointment to find it was only Santa Tracker which they install/push out every year.

Here it is late Nov, no notification of any easier CC access changes, and I'll have to make some more phone calls.

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LOL.  Now if they'd just make Santa Tracker interactive so we could ask Santa to pack the new remotes and/or software

ATT has about 36 days to hit the 4th quarter target.  Hope they make it. 

I have a non-smart phone and don't really need to upgrade but for their remote APP.... that would be another 2 year contract plus what?? about $25 bucks a month for a data plan?  Not a bargain for me.

Good luck on your phone calls, Uniblurb3.  (I too thought the message was going to be about CC & was as disappointed).

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

Yeah jpinsticks, agree what your saying about the costs of the iphone w/data plan and out of my reach for now.

11/27/12, 11:55 am EDT:

Just spoke with a reliable contact with EE and they're still shooting on pushing out a temp fix/software CC access update by the end of Dec. It's in the final testing phases and any if there's any "bugs" they will have to be worked out before released. It should be a much easier access through the existing menu for turning them on/off once the CC's are originally selected. Once released it will show up as an update through the DVR and those on the CC notification list will also be sent an email. I thought maybe they would use the existing "Zoom" button menu on the remote for easier CC access but sounds like it will still be through the "Menu" button.

They're also planning on coming out with a new remote next year to comply w/one-toggle CC access mandates but the time frame is unknown.

It was a positive conversation and hope they come through with an easier CC access yet this year. The contact also mentioned the iphone app which he says works fine. Mentioned since I don't have an iphone the app is not much use to me. Just thought I'd pass this info along.

[jpinsticks]

Just now I received a message that an update is ready for my receiver.  Hope it's what we are all waiting for.  Running the update now.

[jpinsticks]

Oh well.... maybe they are just phasing in the updates. :-(

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

It must have been a false alarm and I'm not seeing any new info in the message center. The contact did mention when the easier CC access fix is released it will be done across the country in phases and not all at once. Probably much like phase 2 was pushed out but hopefully quicker.

[SF_Rachel]

So here were are in January. I, for one, have got nothing. 

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

1/14/13, 3:25pm EDT: I just spoke with my usual contact in Executive Escalations who's major responsibilities include U-verse closed captioning. I asked him where they were on the easier access to CC software release which was supposed to be launched before the end of 2012? He said the software is still in the testing phase and there's some quality issues so it has yet to be released.

Unfortunately the CC access software is tied to a much larger U-verse release/update where there will be major changes/improvements in other functions/features. He said hopefully this update will be released in the next couple months but there is no set date.

I asked him if this major release is tied to the one-toggle remote CC access button since I thought this may take longer? He said he didn't think so, but you may be able to access the CC's with 2 clicks of the remote when the newest release comes out.

He again mentioned if I have an iPhone I can access the closed captions on U-verse with 1-tap. I told him I don't have an iPhone and I'm fully aware of this app. I also mentioned it seems like AT&T is making great strides in catering to users with hearing/vision impairments with their wireless service but it seems like U-verse is "left in the dust".

He apologized the easier access to CC's software has not yet been released and said I will be notified when it is since I'm on the list. I thanked him and said I hope they release the software soon. End.

So it's back to the waiting game and U-verse CC users will have to continue to use 23 clicks of the remote for turning the CC's on, and another 22 clicks for turning them off. With 45 clicks of the remote for turning the CC's on/off you would have thought they would have done something by now. After all, my formal complaint to AT&T on this issue was filed 2 years & 4 months ago when this thread was started (9/9/2010). Very disheartening to say the least...

[jpinsticks]

Thanks for the update Uniblurb3

Two clicks huh? Well, that's better than what we have now.

In the time they've been working on this, it seems like they could have reprogrammed every function on the remote.  They didn't outsource this to our Capitol in Washington, DC did they?

I am glad they are spending time on quality control and testing.

Another couple of years and the prices on data plans and smart phones should be low enough that I could use their app.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

You're welcome jpinsticks. Hopefully the CC access will be 2 clicks of the remote for now until it's finally 1-toggle access as required.

Funny you mention Washington, DC, because it's where "AT&T Regulatory" is located. They're the liaison between AT&T & the FCC and used to be listed on the U-verse bills for closed captioning issues/complaints. It was a pleasure when I used to deal with Manager Myra C. there and most often my CC complaints were transferred/answered by members of the upper echelon of AT&T Executive Escalations in Dallas.

A year or two ago a separate department for answering closed captioning issues/complaints was created in St. Louis, MO, which can be seen on the end of the U-verse bills under "Important Information". Evidently they wanted the CC complaints routed away from AT&T Regulatory and EE. You would think their money would have been better spent in correcting the CC access problems rather than hiring staff to handle all the complaints on this issue.

But maybe it's not such a bad thing these CC complaints were routed away from AT&T Regulatory. Every AT&T/U-verse staff member I've dealt with on these CC issues have been very nice, apologetic and helpful. The exception is Ms. A., Director-Regulatory, AT&T Services, who sent me a nasty letter on my FCC complaint. As can be seen in the middle of the below post/link, she said if I'm unsatisfied with the current AT&T U-verse experience I should try another service like Directv and even included the phone number for ordering it.

http://forums.att.com/t5/Features-and-How-To/Closed-Caption-Access-Formal-Complaint/m-p/2851375#M770...

Believe it's fairly evident my intentions are to have easier access to CC's for the deaf and hearing impaired with U-verse rather than deserting the problem for another provider.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

3/28/13, 3:35pm ET: I just called and spoke with my usual contact in Executive Escalations who's major responsibilities include U-verse closed captioning. I asked him where they were on the easier access to CC software release which was supposed to be launched before the end of 2012? I mentioned speaking with him in Nov, 2012 and Jan, 2013.

He said the easier access CC software was released/tested in a couple limited cities as a test and they found some defects/problems with the software. I asked him what particular cities it was tested in and he did not know which cities along with if they were large or small markets. I'm curious if anybody saw any easier access to CC for a short time and I know they often use San Antonio, TX as a testing market for new equipment/software?

The contact again said the CC software is part of a much bigger package which will released with date unknown. But he did say the CC software is continued to be worked on and not "put on the back burner". He said it may be a couple months before the total package is released, which also has a lot of changes to the guide, and I should call him in a month to see if he knows any more info.

Believe AT&T is leery about releasing any dates because he said they never should have told customers the new CC easier access software would be released before the end of 2012 and they have received a lot of complaints.

I mentioned the new remote with one-toggle CC access and the FCC mandates. Also asked about the 2014 time frame and if they were just going to wait until next year (2014) before releasing it? He said he knows new providers are given a 4-year time frame to comply with these standards but wasn't sure where AT&T was on this. Believe I may have to do some more research because it was my understanding that all providers had to comply with this one-toggle CC access 4-year time frame which started in 2010 with the signing of the CVAA.

The contact again mentioned the iPhone app for easy access to CC's and I again mentioned I don't have an iPhone so it wouldn't do me much good. He said he was unsure if they were coming out with the same app for the Android phones.

Sorry for the delay in calling the contact but kind of figured it was the same old thing where they're supposed to be still working on the easier access to closed captions software.

[jpinsticks]

Thanks again for another update, Uniblurb3.

I noticed somewhere in AT&T's promos, that they have an app to run on a tablet (probably IPad).

Can apps that run on tablets run on a Nook Color?  Is the Nook Color considered a tablet?  Or just an e-reader?

Anyway, it's nice to see you still carrying the ball for us.

[Uniblurb3 ACE - Guru]

You're welcome jpinsticks and sorry for the "same old, same old" info on the CC easier access progress.

Unfortunately the U-verse CC app cannot be run on a tablet as can be seen below.

"Using cellular and Wi-Fi technology, the U-verse app provides U-verse TV ... Description of Closed Captioning supported for streaming and downloaded videos ..... This feature is not available when running the U-verse application on a tablet ..."

Here's a pdf file on the app and can't quite figure out if the above quote is in there or not. Just found the quote along with the link in a search. Number 19 in the index lists "Closed Captioning" but it's not on page 19. Typical AT&T navigation problems....

http://www.att.com/support_media/images/pdf/uverse/U-verse+Mobile+User+Guide+for+Android+2+6+8.1.pdf

[TNDemonCat]

In January I posted an admittedly snide comment on a CNet message board about AT&T's lethargy in responding to the closed captioning concerns.  Another poster replied that it's "in pre-production testing" and would be released "in the coming months".  When I pressed him for more information, and for verification of his knowledge, he never responded. 

Hopefully, he's right.

All I know is I get more fed up with each button I push to toggle CC.  I'm this close to switching to the local cable company.

[jpinsticks]

Cat,

I feel for you, as well as all the others that have to suffer through this.

But this one thing is not enough for me to switch providers.  With TV, Internet, and phone (but especially TV), I can't see any better overall solutions out there. 

I'm bandwidth short on TV as my roommate only watches programs she's recorded and I primarily watch live TV.  She could have 4 shows recording at the same time and I'm watching a "Programming interrupted" message when one of her recordings starts up (usually a minute before mine ends, which is my program's climax).

I'm flipping between CC on and off so often, I'm sometimes surprised that I've actually pressed 22 keys.  When I'm dozing off in bed I'll find my fingers pressing a phantom remote.

Here's to hoping for a solution soon.

[TNDemonCat]

"When I'm dozing off in bed I'll find my fingers pressing a phantom remote."

You might want to see someone about that.   

I agree there's really not a better option.  It's an empty threat on my part because it would take a lot for me to dump AT&T for the local cable provider.