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.

[spook63]

I think you might be right as I am using Unlocator DNS proxy. I have disabled it and tried to update again, but the TV says the software is up to date, so I'm now stuck without YouView. Was there any fix reported on the AVForums?

[NPatri]

@spook63

What will happen if you try to use a usb with the correct firmware..?

[spook63]

Tried it, because the firmware on the USB stick is earlier than the one automatically downloaded to the TV it says that the software is up to date and tells me to remove the USB stick. I hate Sony.

[Risc0n]

So this firmware did.....nothing.

• Interface is still laggy
• 3D mode pop up STILL there which they broke TWO releases ago.
• i did a hard reset and this caused loads of issues with Netflix not recognising my email, the touchpad remote not registering and twitch app activation broken....
• non pip 
• no record

Sony are still taking us for total mugs.

[elraouk]

All I've noticed since the update are another couple of sources I needed to hide in the recommendations section... 

[Kevwoods12]

To be fair,  hdd recording and pap are not due til later. 

[Anonymous]

@spook63 - so far ive not seen a fix or workaround.  Ive sent Sony a message to see if they have or know of one.  Otherwise I guess its wait untill the next FW release to install the correct one.....

[Unhappy_43x8309_owner]

Anyway, has anyone managed to get a return or refund from them?

TV was purchased early September in-store.

---

Yes, bought a 43x8309 from them mid August and they accepted it back mid November.  As others had before I emailed SCCCustomerSolutionsTeam@knowhow.com and said that since the Sonys advertised feature list had changed since we bought the TV (basically the youview update) the TV was not as described and I wanted to return it under the SOG 1979. 

I know from a conversation with one of the staff that PCWorld/Currys had checked the dates and features with Sony to verify the claim.

I can only assume they have had enough sets back, they are now trying to stop their return.

I would check with local trading standards your rights under the new Consumer Goods Act if they can refuse a return on the grounds of a disclaimer on their website. 

Good luck.

[Heckie]

Thanks for the advice. There isn't a disclaimer on their website, which is the point I made.

I will persevere.

Problem today was that the girl doidnt have a clue what she was talking about. I'm a web designer so I know the difference between a link to a third party site and text embedded on a webpage!

Even if it is being pulled in via JavaScript, they as the seller have a responsibility to ensure that the text is correct and not misleading.

As soon as I told her that, her response was "you better take this to trading standards"!!

[scoopy6]

We are on Freeview and have long had YouView turned off, and the sources of 'recommendations' hidden, so neither of those options is a nuisance.

After the update, and a hard reboot:-

The problem of Tv>Guide and Guide>Tv displays flickering on-off-on has been largely solved. Now it is only present after moving the cursor to a different channel and pressing ok to change channels, when the current channel does still get displayed on and then off again, before reversion to watching Tv on the new channel.

Channel changing is itself still rather slow but navigation within the guide is brisk and we find the 'related content', according to 'genre', feature is very useful. That will be even handier when Recording becomes available.