BRAVIA KDL-32CX523 - Cannot download latest firmware

[Eng_Andy]

My elderly parents own a BRAVIA KDL-32CX523 television, and for some reason, the firmware update setting was originally set to manual when the set was installed by the retailer back in 2012 or so.  As such, the TV 'only runs on v.4.017 of the firmware (full ref. PKG4.017EUA-0104) rather than the final version from 2014 which was v.4.027, last available on the Sony website on 07/01/22.

I have no idea why Sony does not offer the software for download any more, especially when the files do not appear to be that large and, as here, some TVs were not set to automatically update OTA as owners were led to believe.  If I had known this, I would've updated it manually (as I did for their Humax PVR, which still offer such software on their website) before the deadline to remove many firmware updates in 2022.

I'd be grateful if someone could help me find this updated firmware (a legit version - apparently 'softpedia.com' do hold what appears [in name] to be the right firmware and without needing to buy it, but I read several rather disturbing reviews of that site to trust them - malware/spyware on downloads they offer, for example), so I can download it onto a USB stick and load it onto my parents TV.

It would also be useful, if the genuine firmware can be sourced, to have some instructions as to how to load it onto the TV to avoid any problems.

Many thanks in advance for any assistance anyone can give me.

Andrew.

[daveyh64]

Click on the link below,

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/lcd-tvs-legacy-lcd-tv/kdl-32cx523/software/00271214

This is the article that discusses the termination of software for certain Sony TV models.

It's very long but at the very end it does say if you want to get the last software update that was available for

particular model contact Customer Service.

Scroll to the very bottom of the page and click on the contact support section.

See if that gets you anywhere.

[Eng_Andy]

Thanks for the suggestion.  I did try that route yesterday before initially posting my request here, but initially I could only interact with a chatbot, which suggested I 'set' their TV to received an OTA update, which likely wouldn't be available any more because they (in my experience) only are offered for a few months after the firmware update is offered.

In 'desperation', I asked the chatbot 'how do I get in contact with a real person in Customer Services', as the website doesn't give (as far as I can see) any direct links to an email address or communications page to contact an actual person from Customer Services.  I was surprised that it actually came up with a link (a shame you have to go through that process to get there), and have filled in the online query form.

I'll wait and see if I get a reply in the next few days and if it is of any use.  I still have no idea why the last (presumably stable) update for every TV that you can download them to (i.e. that has a USB port) can't be offered via the Customer Services website, citing 'security issues'.

Ironically, because that other website I mentioned earlier now 'offers' the firmware, but presumably isn't authorised by Sony, it is, in my view, encouraging people to download it from unverified sources when frankly they shouldn't have to, especially when the storage requirements for a global tech company like Sony for this firmware would be minute compared to what they probably need for all their other data.

Anyway, I'll see what turns up.

Best Regards,

Andrew.

[daveyh64]

I would have held off from contacting Customer Service until Monday to Friday. I doubt Sony have any "humans" in at the weekend.

[Eng_Andy]

I received a reply from Customer Services 3 days ago, which had a link to the following file:

sony_tvupdate_2015_5457_eub_auth.zip

It was huge - 1.49GB !!  Strangely enough the zip file name nor the actual file inside (sony_dtv0FA50A09A0A9_00014100_155100c1.pkg) appear to bear any resemblence to the version number of the firmware previously mentioned, and the date on the 'Termination of Software Updates' page shows the v4.027 being released in 12/2014, not in 2015.  Is it the correct one?

That 'other' website I spoke of gave a much smaller file (65MB), namely sony_tvupdate_2011_4027_aaa_auth.zip and which has a completely different file contained within.  I'd rather not try and update the firmware if either doesn't work and which causes the TV to not work properly/at all, given it could mean needing to replace the TV entirely if things don't go well.

The method of updating isn't exactly clear either - the link Customer Services gave (https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/00028577#If%20the%20TV%20is%20not%20connected%20...) just says if the OTA / internet link methods aren't possible (they aren't in this case), 'install' the firmware update via a USB still and don't switch the TV off during the update, nothing else.  The handbook (paper copy or online version) appears to be no help either.

Should I unzip the file or not?

Should the TV just be 'on' and I insert the USB with 'the file' on it and it starts the update automatically, or do as some other devices (not Sony ones) and insert the USB, then switch the TV on, or somehow 'activate' the file via some Settings/Support menu (I couldn't find one specifically for that).

Compared to their Humax PVR (and my newer version of that unit) and my Panasonic UHD blu-ray player, this all seems rather difficult to do with hidden links, files that don't correspond to the software version supposedly needed and no instructions on how to carry out the update.

Any thoughts?

[daveyh64]

First of all I think Sony have given you a link to the incorrect software for your TV.

One would be the size of the file, normally updates for non Android/ Google TVs are much smaller, usually a few hundred megabytes.

Two would be the name of the file, normally the date would be the date the TV was first released and the second number is the software version number the TV will be updated to.

Did you give Sony the exact model number of your TV. Sony customer service has been taking a battering recently for being completely useless. These pages will attest to that.

The file from the other site has the correct naming convention but seems rather small at only 65MBs, although the update may have been very minor. Do you know what issues or improvements the update was to address.

The TV will not install software that is not designed for it, the update cross references with the TV its model number and serial number, if there is no match it won’t install. As your TV is really quite old but still working perfectly are you sure you really need to update it to its last update version. There is probably very little improvement your TV would gain from a 65MB update.

If you do want to update the TV with the 65MB update, double-click on the zip file, if it did not automatically unzip. This should reveal a folder (this contains a .pkg file), drag and drop the folder onto a USB stick, preferably one that contains no other files.

Insert the USB into a USB port on the TV.

More modern Sony TVs now automatically start the installation process, as yours is older you may have to navigate through your TVs Settings menus till you get to Software Update> Software Update via USB, click on that and follow the onscreen instructions. Before installing I would turn the TV off, disconnect any HDMI devices or other USB devices etc. Wait two minutes then restart.

Turn the TV on, insert the USB with update, navigate to the Software update section in the Settings menus. When TV is updating, leave it alone, there should be a progress bar and the LED may blink. Wait until it has completely finished. The TV should turn itself off and restart once the update has been successfully updated.

[TheRealOG]

@Eng_Andy Yes, you should unzip the file, and you should insert the USB while the TV is turned on then follow the instructions on the screen. I'd recommend using the file you got from Sony. 

* PS do not switch off the TV during the update, you might harm the screen.