Learn how to turn on audio description (formerly called video description) using the Xfinity X1 on-screen guide.
See how to find programs that have audio description.
Get information on the X1 talking guide voice guidance feature.
Find out how to access Comcast's Accessibility services with X1.
Turn audio description on using voice control with the Xfinity Voice Remote
The easiest way to turn audio description on or off is to use voice control.
While watching full screen video, press and hold the voice control button on your Xfinity Voice Remote and say "audio description." The voice control button is the third button up from the OK button in the center of the remote. It is a slightly indented rectangle.
If audio description is available on the program you're watching, it will begin playing immediately. If you hear another language or no audio at all, press and hold the voice control button and say "audio description" again to turn audio description off.
X1 also makes it easy to find programs that have audio description.
Set up an audio description shortcut on your remote
Learn how to set up the accessibility shortcut on your Xfinity Voice Remote.
Turn audio description on using the transport bar
- While watching full-screen video, press the down arrow on your Xfinity remote.
- The transport bar will pop up on the lower third of the screen.
- Press the left arrow twice to highlight the audio description on/off option on the screen (the audio description logo).
- Press OK to turn audio description on or off.
Turn audio description on from the Accessibility Settings menu
- Press the xfinity button on the remote control from any screen to bring up the X1 main menu.
- The xfinity button is rectangular and is located above the up arrow key.
- Use the xfinity button or the up/down arrow buttons to go to the Settings menu, pictured as a gear icon on the right-hand side of the menu. Press the OK button in the center of the arrow keys to enter the menu.
- Once in the Settings menu, use the arrow buttons to go to Accessibility Settings. Press OK to select it.
- From Accessibility Settings, use the arrow buttons to go to Audio Description. Press OK to turn audio description On or Off.
- You can now press Exit to return to viewing your program. If the program has an audio description track, you will now hear the audio description.
- Note: You won't hear audio description for commercials. You also may not hear audio description during scenes primarily featuring dialogue, since there may not be much on-screen action to describe.
- To turn off audio description, simply repeat these steps from the Accessibility Settings menu.
As you look through the guide on your TV, the information for each program will tell you if audio description is available, shown by the audio description logo:
If turned on, voice guidance will announce the availability of audio description as you explore the program's information in the guide. (Get more information on the X1 talking guide voice guidance feature.)
Audio description icon
Programs available with the audio description option will have an AD))) icon for quick and easy identification.
From the guide: Select Info and view the right column of the screen to check if the AD))) icon is there.
From On Demand: Select Watch options or a specific show to check if the AD))) icon is there. Note that in the Watch options, not all programs will show the AD))) icon. Press the down arrow on your Xfinity remote to find the program option with the AD))) icon.
Note: Audio description icons will show whether you're in English or Spanish menu navigation. Learn how to change the language of the audio description.
Additional information
Visit our Online Support Center to find common solutions.
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