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.

[manuelsal]

Hi, I actually used the tool for mostly the same reason, to remove adult channels and shopping one like qvc. Try to go to setting, digital, technical and there to export program list. Notice that the feature is enable only if USB drive or pen is connected. Once done download the tool for the PC and amend it as you wish, save it again in the USP drive. Go then to the same menu in the TV and import it. Sorry if I'm not precise with the step but I'm on a train. For me it worked, but some channel is still there, I will try again maybe it is my fault.

[noelc63]

Caledonia, I'm glad I'm not the only one to find the satellite channel list editing to be unusable. I have also found that channels I know I deleted are magically reappearing and channels that I had kept have disappeared. I thought I was going mad.

This "feature" is particularly frustrating when the scanned channel list numbers in the thousands and you risk ending up with cramps in your arms trying to remove unwanted channels and reorder those you want to keep. I have over 2,000 channels from just two satellites and was going to hook up another three once I get my torroidal dish moved. Forget that! I don't fancy having to delete/reorder four or five thousand channels using this fundamentally flawed UI.

Yes, the UI is a nightmare, not only in the satellite channel editing section but also on the Program Guide. Basic functionality, such as the ability to be able to page up/down through the listings, is missing. It is a textbook example of how not to approach HCI and usability issues.

[noelc63]

manuelsal,

I have asked elsewhere in these forums why the ability to export program lists is greyed out when there is USB storage available. I have been told that it is not yet available for my model and there is no ETA as to when it will be. The upshot of this is that satellite side of things is next to unusable. As for making the feature available, I mean, how difficult is it to save an XML file to an external drive and load it again from the same drive? This external editing feature would be unnecessary if the set's UI had been designed properly. The answer is to sit the UI engineers down and look at STBs where the user experience is the best and copy the best features.

[Caledonian_TV]

Ok... I managed to export an xml document withthe chanel numbers buried in it...

What 'tool' is used to edit it though? 

[Caledonian_TV]

LOL Noel... I couldn't even get Disecq to work to control two dishes!  But it's pain enough with e few hundred channels! 

Regards,

Matt.

[Caledonian_TV]

Just had a chap contact me to suggest we start some sort of group to protest our position as owners of these darned things!

Not a bad idea... We could call it SAVS...  Sony Android Victim Support! 

[manuelsal]

Get the software here http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/content/cnt-dwnl/prd-tvhc/sony-editor/sony-editor Should be easy to use for you. Another thing, Apparently today I'm getting an update... http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/content/cnt-hn/prd-tvhc/android-tv-features-uk/KD-49X8307C Let's see...

[frogger38]

Thanks for the update Q... Looks like the whole support area of the website is down, I can't even log into the forum. Will try later. Sent from iPad

[frankie1g]

And auto update off Sent from my Samsung device

[MrLizard]

Personally I think this is promising news. Sony would appear to be taking the quality issues seriously and are focusing on stability rather than new features. Speaking as a veteran of a number of big software projects, this is most certainly a good thing. Get your product stable, then layer on the new stuff. Without quality, there's really no point in the new features anyway.