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.

[ANDYST3]

I have just spoke to sony technical and didnt really get an answer other than you need an areial to get the full services on youview but could not answer my question on why channel 4 on demand and itv on demand do not work via internet yet bbc iplayer and demand5 do work via internet.

[frogger38]

@mk1.golf.1983 You can, if you wish, revert to non Youview version, by going into settings, channel selection, and disabling Youview. 

I think the new guide is fine except there is little point in having a future planner without the ability to set a reminder or recording function. I hope this will be added later. I am aware that we have been advised that the HDD record function (when it finally arrives) will be disabled if Youview is enabled. This is a Major concern because as advertised with both HDD recording and Youview I expect to be able to use BOTH not either one or the other. I hope this can be resolved before the launch of HDD facility. 

Also for those who used the Satellite function before the update be aware that this facility is also removed when you enable Youview and if you disable Youview you have to retune the Satellite channels.

IT IS A GREAT SHAME, that Youview cannot run alongside other features of the TV but I'm guessing it is a limitation of the hardware, but it would be really good if it could be resolved. This is just poor design and integration of features, something I would not have expected. 

[DarrellM]

The YouView integration is a definate improvement over the default guide (finally we have a Mini guide!) however I'd really like to see the ability to pause live tv. I've had a Windows Media Center in the past and we used that functionalty on it all the time. Yes you can obviously pause a scroll back viewing but that's not the same.

[danielbeyzade]

I have been battling with Sony Executive Office about the fact that it is YouView or Satellite and HD Recording and you can't use both together and this information was not available at the time of purchase. I don't have a TV aerial e so wanted to use the on demand players form YouView and then view live TV through satellite. The current situation with them is that they claim they did not say that it would work together, which I feel is very deceptive. If it is listed as a feature you assume you can use all of the features together. This really needs to be very clear on the marketing materials and I have asked them to modify it to reflect the current situation. If any of you are in the same situation as me please contact me and we can compile a list of customers who are upset about this to present to them. I am waiting a call back from them today so will update when I hear back.

Edited by Drew - Email address removed as it goes against the forum rules. Please use private messaging for direct contact.

[elraouk]

Possibly licensing difference  between "Youview" and "Youview+" , was always marketed as Youview... Not +

[danielbeyzade]

Just to add the executive office indicated to me that YouView with HDD recording functionality is a licensing issue to do with the illegal recording from one device to another. I don't understand this because YouView boxes do this including pausing live TV. I think it's just they haven't implemented the software and this is an excuse myself

[rdlowry]

If you watch Freeview via aerial I'd say the YouView guide is definitely an improvement. The audio no longer cuts out when the full guide opens and the YouView mini guide is an effective way to browse what else is on while still watching the current channel. I think it's also taking less time for the set to change channel. The new on demand players all work fine for me. I'm annoyed that there's no way to set reminders for upcoming programmes but hopefully this will be added in the future.

[dataghost]

Havent had much of a chance to play around with it yet, but initial impressions are that the YouView guide is better than the original.  Plus I find that it operates nice and fast with no lag, which is something that couldnt be said about the original.

Very sceptical about the fact that it all runs on Android though.  It always has, and always will be, a bug-fest.

The TV is slowly getting better, and Im still more than happy with the picture.  

[Heckie]

@danielbeyzade I assume they are referring to the fact that recording would be on an external USB hard drive, rather than an internal and encrypted drive on a YouView box?

[danielbeyzade]

There is no technical reason why the files cannot be encrypted on an external HD.