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.

[rooobb]

I've a different setup being outside UK, so I don't know if you are using Youview or not. Without it I don't see any need to delete channel, just setup your favourite list and work with it. It's faster and you don't need to mess with everyday changing channels

[alfonzobonzo]

AND

Why is the remote so stupidly unidirectional, its almost like it would be better if it had a length of string attached from the front to the centre bottom of the TV. That way we wouldnt have to aim quite so precicely to get any reaction from it. My previous Samsung i could have the remote in my hand backwards and it would still opperate the tv.

Behaviour like this just exasperates the TV's unresponsive nature.

• am i not aiming it well enough?
• has the remote locked up?
• do i have to smack the remote on my knee cap to get the batterys to contact?
• has android fozen?

this is my thought process I would say 20% of the time whilst tring to controll the TV.

ITs just bloody awful.

[schweppy]

---

@ronniebr wrote:

I tried Marco Polo which is tagged as 4K and HDR in Netflix and sure enough the TV automatically selected the HDR preset. 

However, to my eyes the HDR mode has some drawbacks which I don't like:

1. The average picture "brightness" in daylight isn't very high and because the backlight is already forced to maximum by the HDR preset there doesn't seem to be any way to increase it.
   
   
2. Forcing the backlight to maximum also highlights panel problems which are usually suppressed when the backlight is running at lower levels - for example, when watching in a darkened room, areas which are nearly black appear washed out and the edge "blooming" effect which is sometimes noticable seems worse.

---

Completely agree with this. Seems overly dim and dull with no way to change brightness.

Also does anyone else experience clicking/static noises from the TV on a regular basis? My X8509C seems to be doing it more and more.

[alfonzobonzo]

@rooobb Setting up favourites doesnt stop the channel from being accessed. it just stops it from being displayed in the listings. I found this out yesterday.

I dont know how it happened, whether it was a lucky key press (input channel number) or using the up down keys on the remote. I didnt test, I just didnt want it to happen again. The only way to do that in my mind is to delete them.

favourites is fine for filtering out all the other innocuose channels

[timodell]

Just to echo RiscOn's comments the lipsync issues with Youtube and a number of other aps (like MUBI and WuAKI) are worse than ever with this implementation, making them virtually unusable.

[rooobb]

@alfonzobonzo you are absolutely right. Indeed channels are still there and you can access them by input of the channel number. You can still avoid view of "dangerous channel" setting a filter based on age that you can override only by a PIN number...

[JoseLMorais]

The lip sync on YOUTUBE videos is horrible.

How is possible that sony put in the market a product with such a critical flow? Audio video sync should be perfect in every television. I already disable any video "enhancement" to reduce the lag...

[rooobb]

@JoseLMorais have you ever thought about being source the problem?

[alfonzobonzo]

@rooobb Yes, I looked at that last night, however thought it would just annoy me & the missus more if we had to enter the code everytime a service provider decided that soemthing was "iffy" I'd certainly rather they never got tuned in in the first place, I dont even want my kids reading the channel names or titles of programs on.

I'm used to my Humax HDR FoxT2 - automatically deletes these channels based on user preference. anytime the box is retuned & it remembers my favourites lists.

I really cant believe how unpolished the interface on this Sony device, and is probably the last time I purchace a set primarily based on its picture quality. Which to be frank is a sad thing given its a television.

entering the code is another PITA given the remotes unesponsive nature (see my other recent post on this page message-id/43425)

but thanks for the suggestion.

[rsebre]

So as others have mentioned, it seems you can indeed install the EU Firmware on the UK Set's/

Thus, would it be safe to assume you could install the USA Firmware on a UK set?

I have the X83C, and it updated fine this week, when using my PC to output 4K HDR it's a beauty. And so glad it does 60fps with HDR too.:smileylaugh:

The reason I ask is that the USA Firmware includes the PlayStation Store Video Unlimited Ultra Library Access that our Firmware here in the UK does not.:smileycry:

Could I just install it from a USB? Or do I have to put the set behind a VPN and pretend it's in New York?:smileywink:

Thanks all, happy I got the Sony now, especially if I can get my hands on that 4K PlayStation Video app.:smileyztele::smileyballoon:

Richard