# Advice on purchasing a set-top closed captioning decoder?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-purchasing-a-set-top-closed-captioning-decoder/261555>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 26, 2004, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-purchasing-a-set-top-closed-captioning-decoder/261555 "2004-08-26T04:07:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-purchasing-a-set-top-closed-captioning-decoder/261555/1 "2004-08-26T04:07:18Z")

</div>

My father has significant hearing loss and has trouble enjoying his favorite T.V. programs. I encouraged him to use closed captioning, only to discover that none of the three T.V. sets in his house have built-in decoders (apparently they were all purchased before the 1993 Federal mandate). Rather than have him replace his large-screen cabinet T.V., I would like to purchase a set-top decoder for him. I need some advice on which one to purchase. Does anyone have recommendations for brands or models? Websites or stores to check out? What should a set-top decoder cost? Can you tell me whether the captions from a set-top box show up on the T.V. screen or on the decoder itself? Any help would be appreciated.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-purchasing-a-set-top-closed-captioning-decoder/261555/2 "2004-08-26T16:24:07Z")

</div>

Here’s a website that sells [decoder boxes](http://www.hacofamerica.com/ad09.htm). I have no idea if they’re good/bad/compatible tho.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2004, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-purchasing-a-set-top-closed-captioning-decoder/261555/3 "2004-08-27T06:40:37Z")

</div>

From what I’ve seen the decoders aren’t much cheaper than a new television.  
So, what’d you find out?

BTW I have some hearing loss and use my closed caption most of the time. However a lot of programs aren’t available with closed caption.  
I have my stereo attached so that I can run the audio through it. I then will use a pair of lightweight headphones while watching a program. It works very well. You’d be surprised I think at how much more stuff you hear using the headphones. I’ve got a couple that I can plug into stereo w/amps/equalizers etc. a decent TV and headphones, my friends with normal hearing are impressed at the audio results when we watch a good movie this way. good luck 🙂