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.

[smiffy2]

I've forked out nearly £200.00 on a new Humax box to get a decent guide.

Sony's stock answer is to carry out a reset and it will work.

Sony I've got news for you..... it doesn't.

[HairyFool]

Freesat itself is actually a proprietary system. If you go onto the Freesat page you will only find Panasonic and Samsung TVs listed.

Not quite sure what is meant by a freesat update. Absolutely agree that the channel filtering options are absolutely dire. removing an individual channel requires 3 separate selection with hundreds of Junk channels it is going to take ages. Add on to that no detail of what the matching channels are when deleting which do you keep and which gets deleted. 

[julfeath]

here is the link showing an update for freesat

but I didnt know that you could add an extra tuner for the proper freesat

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/faq/KD-49X8305C

It is on page 3 upcoming services

[cozzykim]

julfeath there's no reference to Freesat on that page, nor is there any result returned by a search of the FAQs.

This doesn't surprise me, because FreeSat is basically a proprietary name for the program guide (EPG) for the free to air satellite channels.

A manufacturer has to pay a licence fee (IIRC) to FreeSat to use the name and EPG, and (AFAIK) Sony have not done this.

Maybe what you're expecting is the upcoming YouView functionality, listed here?

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/content/cnt-hn/prd-tvhc/more-features-coming-to-your-android-tv-soo...

[danielbeyzade]

Are you talking about this:

A number of free and premium services will be available in the near future for our Sony's Android TV line-up.

Network service	Availability / release date
NETFLIX for 4K TV sets	15th of June 2015
BBC iPlayer	3rd of July 2015
Opera browser	15th of July 2015
PLAYSTATION NOW	15th of July 2015 You can find out more on the following:PLAYSTATION NOW FAQ
YouView (incorporating - ITV Player, Demand5 & All 4 etc.)	End of August 2015
PLAYSTATION VIDEO	End of August 2015
4K Astra test signal support	End of August 2015
HDD REC	Feature will be available with a software update within 2015 For more information, see our FAQ
HDR support (X93C and X94C only)	End of August 2015
DVB-T2/HEVC broadcast support (2K/4K Android TV models - where free-to-air broadcast is available)	End of August 2015
Restricted profile for Android	End of August 2015
Twin Tuner	End of October 2015
PIP/PAP	This feature will be updated via firmware within this year

 NOTES:

• Some services, such as Netflix, are not available in all countries.
• The listed estimate release dates may be subject to change.

It does not actually mention anything about freesat.

[cozzykim]

"So much crap I wish I could uninstall from the TV."

Has anyone thought about rooting these TVs yet?

[julfeath]

Oops sorry

I thought twin tuners meant that there would be Freesat,

I didnt realise there were Sony tv's with twin tuners

[danielbeyzade]

Question to Sony. Or anyone else - why would you need dual tuners if this is coming before HDD recording, and PIP???!!!!

Or am I missing something??

[cozzykim]

This 55X85 and my previous (returned) 49X83 both have twin satellite f connectors, but I presume that only one tuner is activated.

You only need one sat tuner to record anyway, but you need two to record one sat channel while watching another (except under special circumstances)

[danielbeyzade]

Exactly so why would they say dual tuners is coming end of october. But HDD recording by the end of the year?