2015 Bravia Android TV Issues

[NickCo1979]

I thought I'd create a generic thread to cover off the issues being encountered on the 2015 Bravia Android TVs. I've listed my issues below with fixes / workarounds and responses from support. All comments and solutions welcome!

1) Hot Swap HDMI doesn't work - manifested by no input on HDMI channels 2, 3 and 4 on the KD-49X8305C. Workaround - reset the TV, either by holding down the remote power button for 5 seconds or by switching the TV off at the wall and then back on again. Further details on this thread: https://community.sony.co.uk/t5/televisions/kd-49x8305c-hdmi-2-3-4-inputs-not-working/td-p/1944435

2) HDD Recording doesn't work - error message states a system update is required but none is available when checking. Hopefully this will be fixed soon by a firmware update.

3) Netflix App doesn't work - this seems like the app has been deliberately disabled. So far a support case has only recommended that a factory reset be performed (took two days to get to that cracking piece of advice.....), with no improvement as a result. A temporary (albeit for advanced users only) workaround is provided by MikeLothian on this thread - https://community.sony.co.uk/t5/televisions/netflix-support-for-kd55x8509c-android-tv/td-p/1945360 

4) Sound lag and performance issues after the TV (KD-49X8305C) has been on standby for a while - manifested for me as stuttering and sound / picture sync issues in all apps (youtube, amazon instant video etc) and HDMI sources (PS4, seperate YouView box etc). Hopefully this will be fixed in a firmware update, at the moment workarounds involve either changing channels to get the sync to work or in my case having to turn the TV off and then on again at the socket.

As stated previously, all comments welcome. Personally I'm willing to give Sony a couple of weeks to fix this, but if it's not done soon I'll be sending my new TV back for a refund as it's not really fit for purpose.

[cozzykim]

@frogger38

I suspect that they end up in the 'cash sale' department.

We were offered one at JL in July when we first went looking for a new TV.

At the time the 49X was about £1300 and they offered us this one with limited guarantee at £950 cash, no haggling, no finance.

We didn't take it, thank heavens.

[Folkfanger]

I agree with others.wait until the 2016 models show good vibes on this site. If you have to change now look at Samsung first... LG...Panasonic......

[Shodney]

If you have a choice between buying a Sony TV or another make, don't buy the Sony. It's that simple.

People seem to be migrating towards the Panasonics, so maybe try starting there.

[Stevevalo]

My recommendation is LG first then Samsung, nothing else at the moment just these two.

[frogger38]

Getting beyond acceptable now. Switched Tv on to blank screen with sound, finally got a picture by pressing Tv button. The Youview mini guide would not populate, leaving just the channel number only. I could not reset with the standby button on remote or rear of TV, finally had to pull the power plug to restore service. Had to reset last night after set became very sluggish. 

I love the TV when it works as it should. If I use it only as a display screen for my Sky HD box then 100% satisfied, but if I venture into any of the advanced features then the troubles start. 

[royabrown]

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@Folkfanger wrote:

Nearly forgot to mention, the other issue is Sony clearly have licencing issues with youview.

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Hi Folkfanger

i agree with everything you say, up to the above. But what licensing issues do you think Sony have with YouView?

Sony have failed to do independent deals with ITV and Ch4 for their players. Sony's fault, not YouView's.

And it is simply absurd for anyone to suggest that YouView have licensing issues with recording, when there are 3 million YouView boxes out there, all of which can record.

If and when Sony get these sets equipped to record, which they have so far utterly failed to do, you can bet that the same functionality on YouView will be only one cautious trial behind.

So; what licensing issues do you think Sony have with YouView?

Except that maybe they should have done the deal with Freeview Play instead; and then the whole beknighted Sony 2015 Android TV debacle could have sunk without trace, without dragging the good name of YouView down with it 😞

[royabrown]

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livehappy wrote:

Hello, 

I am really in a conflict here. shall I buy it or no. 

common sense after reading all this is to run away from it. 

geeky stupid curious me is telling me go ahead and buy it . 

is it really impossible to use. my wife will  probably use it just to watch youview (essentialy) I have a youview box if the installed youview does not really work. 

I also have another two devices that will be connected to it. a PS4 and an XBMC box  ( kodi ) which i guess can get rid off if the android OS works fine and I am able to install kodi. 

my current tv is being funny. time to change. i so want to buy but reviews everywhere making me hestitate.

just to add : those two TVs what is exactly the difference as I cant really tell : 

Sony KD-43X8305C and Sony KD43X8309CBU . the first is from amazon, the second is from PCworld

any real honest advise from this set owners will be great. 

 Thanks

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My wife Marie will tell you that no husband sensitive to his wife's needs should inflict this Sony Android TV on her.

She almost certainly does not share your geekiness, and will not thank you for burdening her with it, something she is likely to reinforce in ways that Lysistrata would find familiar 🙂

Marie is about as techy as they come, but when Homes Under the Hammer is on, she just wants to watch it, not have the set throw one of its notorious hissy fits instead. And when the programme is over, and she switches it off, she wants it to go off nicely, not subside with a stream of audio even after the video has stopped. And she most emphatically does not want it to turn itself on again after five seconds, and keep doing that until she has to fetch you from whatever quiet pursuit you are engaged in, or ring you at work to say 'Help, what do I do?'

The main difference between the 'final digit' 5, 7, 9 sets is the colour of the stand, chrome or dark chrome, and the bezel, likewise. Only three options, as dark chrome bezel with chrome stand isn't offered. Curry's seem to have their own versions of stuff, in which what they see as inessentials get pared away - check carefully how any Curry's version differs from the stock model.

I have a 'Curry's special' Orbitsound soundbar which differs from the stock model in having a wired instead of a wireless subwoofer. I heartily approve, not least of the price reduction thus made possible, but some might be disappointed.

[rab1973]

Correct me if I'm wrong. I thought the last digit refered to the motion flow rate 5-800. 7-900. 9-1000 ?

[Anonymous]

@rab1973 - royabrown is correct on the model number to coloured stand/frame. 

[Kevwoods12]

So all the Motionflow refresh rates are the same? 

Not what I've read.....