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.

[delwatson]

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@Softtoptel wrote:

I think it's about time we saw some posts with regards to returning sets from whence we brought them as it's clear now that there are many issues with these sets ...like has anybody spoke to currys about returning their set etc 😀

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Below is the email trail of my correspondence with KnowHow team at Currys.

Dear Mr Watson,

Thank you for taking the time to speak to me earlier.

I can confirm as per our discussion that the details have now been sent to the Dundee store instructing them on how to process your refund.  Following this, I have called them as well and Susan in branch has confirmed that the email has been received.  As advised in our discussion, should there be any queries whilst you are in branch, please advise the colleagues to contact my team on the number below and we will assist accordingly.

Once again, thank you for your patience with regards to this matter.  I trust the above actions provide you with a satisfactory outcome.

Yours sincerely,
KNOWHOW™ Customer Support Team
KNOWHOW™ Customer Contact Centre

Thank you for your email dated 24th November 2015.  As part of the Customer Support Team, your correspondence has been passed to me to investigate and respond.  

I was concerned to learn of the issues you are experiencing with your Sony television.  Please accept my apologies for the frustration and inconvenience you have suffered as a result.  We strive to offer the best customer service, so it is disappointing to hear when this has not been the case.

To enable me to fully investigate the matter and assist you further, I require confirmation of your contact details, including your address and telephone number.  You may provide this by return email or, alternatively, you may contact me on the telephone number listed below.  

Once again, I apologise for the inconvenience and delay this has caused you but look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,
KNOWHOW™ Customer Support Team
KNOWHOW™ Customer Contact Centre

Good Afternoon,

I have recently bought the Sony-KD-55X8509C. Since using I have been plagued with Issues.

I have had to reboot my TV multiple times. Using You-View seems to have detrimental effect of the TV with it becoming very slow to respond even basic actions like changing channel and volume. Using Netflix seems to be a lottery it works now and again then it either gives a not connected to internet message or a black screen making it unresponsive both resulting in having to reboot the tele. I am also coming across problems using Apps such as Iplayer and itv player where the crash and yet again a reboot is required. This is the major issues I am currently having, There are small random ones that pop up like lip-sync but seem to disappear simply by closing/re-opening app (when they work) but still this is far from ideal. On checking out the Sony Community Forums, This seems to be a problem across all Tv's of this model and not just mine and none of these reasons can be attributed to any of my TV aerial or internet connections as while using my previous smart tv all apps work etc with no issues "

[frankie1g]

For the stated spec and size the tvs were competatve if you compared to other high end good names.but as you rightly point out the actual tv we got is not what we expected and so then the price looks poor.but when we purchased I think if we are honest we thought we were getting a lot of tv for the money.and are vainly hoping we still will get that tv.Im stating the Sony have been burned this year so expect the 2016 to be more expensive. Sent from my Samsung device

[royabrown]

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@Heckie wrote:

... 

They directed me to this under 'General' claiming it was "a link":

These terms and conditions only cover the Currys website. Any other websites to which you link from this site are governed by their own terms and conditions. We accept no responsibility or liability for the content or operation of websites which are not under our control. We are required by law to tell you that sales can be concluded in English only and that no public filing requirements apply. We acknowledge we have a legal duty to supply goods that are in conformity with a contract.

 Honestly, you couldnt make it up!! This content is clearly ON THEIR WEBSITE under Product Information for said product, with no disclaimer that it may be incorrect. It is presented there AS FACT in my opinion.

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I have had a quick look at the source code for that page, but I will have a deeper look later on.

Certainly, there is nothing to indicate to the regular user that you have linked to another site - even if Curry's have, you haven't - and a 'find on this page' search for 'record' brings up four references, all in that section.

Perhaps if Currys had provided a 'Click here to read more from Sony' they might have had half a leg to stand on, and maybe a whole leg if they had added 'on their externally linked site'.

But as it is, that information is shown with no extra action on the user's part when accessing that page, so you haven't linked anywhere, even if Curry's have.

It is of course inexplicable that there even still exists the claim for HDD recording being made, unqualified, by anybody. But as Sony have just proved again with logon being down for about three days, they could not find their a**e with both hands even under a searchlight. 

Put a flea in Curry's ear - a recorded delivery 'letter before action' stating your complaint, the action you intend to take if it is not resolved to your satisfaction (a small claim in the County Court), and a reasonable timescale for them to respond, say ten working days, will work wonders

[Unhappy_43x8309_owner]

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@frankie1g wrote:
...Im stating the Sony have been burned this year so expect the 2016 to be more expensive. Sent from my Samsung device

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If Sony raise the price then who will buy them? Samsung (and in one case Panasonic) beat Sony in every catagory in this years WhatHiFi TV awards. So in some peoples mind if a Sony TV costs the same or more than Samsung why buy Sony? In my case I want a very particular size and feature set which only Sony seem to offer at the moment, but if the prices went up there is absolutely no way I'd consider them after this mess. If I was Sony looking to repair the damage I'd be trying to keep my prices at a similar level, sell a decent TV and try and get consumer confidence in the brand back up a bit.

Just my two pence worth on the subject.

[Caledonian_TV]

I paid £700 for mine! A few months ago it was £1200! Not particularly "competitive" at launch or now in my view; and being in the business of producing programmes for (mostly) industrial and commercial clients I do see a lot of people 'kitting up' to show what I've made for them! 

Even at a discounted price as it is now, there are good alternatives! 

I have ZERO interest in Netflix or Apps or HDD recording or any of the rest of that guff; I simply want the tuners and input switching to work properly and the set not to randomly lock up; Sony haven't even achieved THAT! So how the h*ll is throwing more money at them going to help????? - As I say; these were never 'cheap' sets!

I'm done Sony; both in terms of what I have at home and what I buy for work! ________________________

Matt Quinn, Managing Director,

The Caledonian Television Company Ltd

www.caledoniantv.com/.

[adyjay33]

The thing is they said we would get HDD and PIP and we dont have it... yet... or at least until March 2016.

We expected a TV that worked and thats what we paid for, it does not matter how much we paid for it the basic fact is we paid for a TV that was supposed to work and we did not get one, you dont pay for a Ferrari and only get 1st gear with the rest coming later do you?

I really dont care if Sony TV's are more expensive for 2016 I just want a 2015 TV that works properly!

I am utterly disgusted in this TV and at Sony for producing a TV that is not fit for use and is not as described.

I worked hard to pay for a £999 TV I may aswell have bought one from Tesco!

[royabrown]

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@frankie1g wrote:
Of cause sony could junk the 2015 code and just put the 2016 one on our older sets.After all a ps4 at release gets the same software as one made today. Sent from my Samsung device

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Assuming Caledonian is correct in that the supplied hardware simply isn't up to the job, the 2016 sets, if they are to be any better than the 2015 sets, are going to need hardware revisions. This in turn may require a different code base for these sets, not backwards compatible with the 2015 hardware.

Or maybe the 2016 sets will be just the 2015 ones with a few cosmetic tweaks, perhaps in the screen department.

i am not sure which scenario to be more apprehensive about.....

[kevfarme]

Hi frankie1g  It doesn't have P in P on this particular model and I have never been bothered about that anyway.  Had it on my last tv (an LG plasma that had that rubbish red mist/snow problem) and never used it  It does claim USB HDD recording though.  You View yes and that works fine but again, not bothered about it as I can enable or disable it if I want.

[royabrown]

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@frankie1g wrote:
I think sony under priced these tv this year.i expect the tvs to be more realistic in 2016.ie more expensive  Sent from my Samsung device

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Mine was nearly a thousand quid when it arrived. It's now more like £550, and it's the same set.

We seem to have this weird thing that the price is reflecting their general unsatisfactoriness, but the literature isn't.

These sets should be being advertised as 'Half price because it doesn't quite work like we promised. Maybe one day they will, but we can't be sure if, and when. So no comeback, OK? Treat it as the dumb TV you would normally get for that money, and any smarts as a bonus'.

[kevfarme]

Good point you make there 'Unhappy_43x830'.  I don't really want to tkae my tv back though as I am happy with everything else.  It seems that Sony have sorted all the previous problems as I have had not had any other issues with mine.  I did only purchase it a couple of weeks ago and the manufacture date was very recent too (can't remember it off hand).