The research, Digital Television for All, was carried out by The Generics Group for the DTI, and studied the accessibility and usability of digital TV.
The report, based on the current state of equipment and services, showed that current designs make digital TV equipment more difficult to use than existing analogue equipment; that poor design and "non-intuitive" systems are the greatest barriers to using digital TV; and that 7.1% of the population (around 2 million people) would be unable to use one of today's set top boxes for simple everyday viewing, compared to only 2.7% with analogue TV.
The research was conducted with a new legal obligation in mind. Under the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom, the communications watchdog, has a duty "to ensure that 'domestic electronic communications apparatus is developed which is capable of being used with ease, and without modification, by the widest possible range of individuals (including those with disabilities)."
This is backed by a provision of the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 which has, since 1999, placed an obligation on service providers to take such steps as it is reasonable to expect to make the services accessible to the disabled. The application of this law to web site operators will be explained in the forthcoming OUT-LAW Breakfast Seminars.
The research found that digital TV equipment excludes those with reduced dexterity, impaired vision and hearing, and impaired cognitive functioning. These types of capability loss are evident among the disabled and the elderly.
Whereas analogue televisions are self-contained devices with one remote control handset, digital TV is mainly received using a separate set top box with its own, additional, remote control.
The greater number of channels, and additional features such as electronic programme guides and interactive services, mean that users are required to use their remote controls more extensively (in combination with on-screen menus) to choose channels, and navigate through information and options.
The report criticised providers for drawing the paradigm for user interaction from the menu-driven world of personal computers whereas some people – particularly the very elderly – have never used personal computers and are therefore not familiar with menus.
Another criticism was poor 'system interaction design' where, even for people who are familiar with new technologies, digital TV equipment is non-intuitive and exhibits inconsistencies.
However, the report acknowledges that innovation in the products will improve usability and reduce exclusion and that the set top boxes are still in the early stages of their evolution.
"For comparable, everyday viewing," states the report, "we see no fundamental barriers to eventually achieving almost the same level of accessibility as analogue televisions."
Mr Timms said:
"The UK leads the world in take up of digital TV, and we must not squander the opportunity to make the most of this advantage. This report provides a wake-up call to the industry.
"Today's digital TV equipment is confusing and difficult to use, even for people who take to new technology quickly. As many people as possible should enjoy the full range of television services. Manufacturers must recognise the opportunities and commercial rewards from designing products which are accessible to the widest range of consumers. We cannot expect people to fully embrace digital television unless it is simple and easy to install and use."
The report provides straightforward recommendations to address the challenges of accessibility. These include making purchasing easier, including making remote controls visible at point of sale, making instruction books and installation guides easier to understand, and agreeing common design principles so that equipment is more intuitive to use.
The Government says it will examine the report's findings and recommendations and work with the industry on how best to take forward action to address issues of accessibility and usability.