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.

[Caledonian_TV]

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@royabrown wrote:

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Treat it as the dumb TV you would normally get for that money, and any smarts as a bonus'.

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Just exactly what I've been trying to do  - and the bl00dy thing doesn't even manage that!

[kevfarme]

"I bet they will do something then... I think a letter to Watchdog etc... is now really due."

Easy enough to contact them via their website

[frankie1g]

No never said cheap competitive for stated spec otherwise why did we buy them.there is no shame is saying you paid x amount and was happy to pay that if I get what I payed for.but to am unhappy cos it's not as specified. Sent from my Samsung device

[frankie1g]

I agree we have been done over. But some people are stating they are waiting to see what the 2016 set are like. By worry is if that's your plan expect to pay much more that you.did for this.one especially if you got it recently  Sent from my Samsung device

[frankie1g]

People have but nothing back from watchdog  Sent from my Samsung device

[Caledonian_TV]

And I say they weren't particularly 'competitive'...   They're not still; not even at the discounted price.

I bought Sony because I thought I was buying RELIABILITY and good quality...  As a trained, qualified, broadcast technician I've been 'brought up' with Sony as 'the standard' over the 35+ years of my career... I thought, well at least the basics will be ok even if all this 'smart tv' guff is the usual Emperor's new clothes...

Instead I've been sold something that, as far as the firmware and UI is concerned, and I do mean right down to the idiotically-thoughtless layout, is an example of GROSS INCOMPETENCE...  We're six months on from launch! And we're not here JUST talking through a few odd foibles or niggles - but SERIOUS and BASIC problems such as the effing tuners not working properly, the set randomly shutting down, HDMI switching being unfit for purpose...

Add to THAT the fact that they can't get the set to do things that a relatively cheap set top box CAN do....  Or for that matter what some piece of Chinese Junk from the local supermarket CAN do! 

So... Given this level of sheer, mindblowing incompetence...  What IS throwing more money at them going to achieve?   - I WAS looking at buying maybe three PXW-FS7s - roughly £7200 a piece, plus we'll need to upgrade the monitoring in an edit suite to 4K and provide client monitoring...    Which means a professional monitor (much dearer than a telly!) plus a couple of domestic grade 4K sets... 

One of these things hanging on the wall in reception with the picture leading the audio by a 1/4 second would look just flamin' fantastic now wouldn't it! Even better when it randomly hangs and/or reboots itself!

JVC - You have my attention!

[Kevwoods12]

***** me,  I'm having a day or two off here. At least until Matt takes his back. Mate,  you're becoming more shrill by the post. You've had it ten days,  take it back! 

Not defending Sony at all here,  but you can get rid of the recommended apps by turning off notifications in the app settings. 

By the way,  are you a 'trained,  qualified tv  producer' by any chance? I've forgot... 

[adyjay33]

I can fully undestand everyones frustrations, can Sony?

[Caledonian_TV]

Funny man...  I'm cracking up here!  No doubt you imagine we should pay Sony more money to put up with this c*** too?

Damned right I'm getting more shrill...  It's directly proportional to the amount of time I'm having wasted by this bl00dy thing! And the number of times I sit down to do some work but get interrupted by another scream of 'DAD! The new telly's gone mad again!  - Aye! ten days! and about six of them have been wasted!

If a trained, qualified broadcast technician with decades of experience can't get this pile of **** working !@!%!! who can? 

And taking it back ( actually I had it delivered  because I don't particularly have time to waste)  wastes time and money too...  If Sony want it back they can replace it!  - Otherwise I want these incompetent idiots to get off their backsides, hire somebody who knows what they're doing, fix MY set and while they're about that of every other poor bugger who's stuck with one of these things! 

Not that I REALLY imagine that's about to happen - but I'll leave them in no doubt what it's costing them!

And BTW - where IS this "app settings" menu where I can turn off this guff?  One of the other 'genius' ideas Sony having come up with appears to be not to provide any meaningful instructions! 

 I have an 'apps' icon in my 'settings' menu...  Nothing in there but (possibly a hundred or so) icons NONE of which seems to kill the annoying 'preparing recommendations' thing spinning, and spinning, and spinning - I've disconnected the thing from the network...   As for the apps themselves; having dared to 'force stop' a few and 'disable' some that have the option... They just come back when the set is rebooted; which of course it has to be two or three times a day! 

[Anonymous]

@Caledonian_TV - to turn off the recommendations on the home screen, goto

Setting > Home Screen (System Preferences) > Customise recommendations 

Press the OK button to remove the Dots.