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.

[Heckie]

LETTER TEMPLATE FOR CURRYS (fill in the blanks). 

Also, when this gets approved, ensure that you get an authorisation number from them as I was standing for 2 hours in the store yesterday.

Hello,

Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 I would like a full refund for the Sony Bravia TV (***model number***) I purchased on the ****INSERT DATE**** at Currys PC World in xxxxx for £xxxx (copy of receipt provided).

This Sony BRAVIA TV is not as described at the time of purchase – primarily due to lack of HDD recording.

This HDD recording feature was advertised by Sony and also shown on your web site at the time of purchase, but the TV does not have this feature.

The feature is still listed under the Product Information tab in a section label ‘More from Sony’.

****add link to the specific product web page****

After waiting almost 2 months for the release of another heavily advertised feature, YouView, on November 4th, I am disappointed to learn that when the HDD recording feature does eventually arrive (current estimate February 29th), it will not work if YouView is enabled.

(See Notes on this web page: https://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/article/73499).

Therefore if I have YouView enabled I cannot record, pause or rewind live TV, which is a pretty standard feature of any modern TV set.

Due to this, I wish to either return the TV to my local store in xxxxxxxx for a full refund, or for you to make arrangements for its collection.

Please can you authorise and arrange the return and refund of this TV at your earliest convenience.

Many thanks,

[Softtoptel]

Thanks I guess I'm gonna need this 😳 Sent from my Terry's iPad 4g

[Triswillmott]

Thanks @Heckie, gonna get the process started now since my conversation with Sony a few minutes ago basically ended with them saying they have no solution.

[Caledonian_TV]

---

peterk_1 wrote:

I would suggest Currys are responsible for everthing on their web site - I can see no difference between what a manufacturer says on packaging on an an item on a supermarket shelf and web site content, in fact its worse because Currys need to give permission to access and create pages to the "manufacturer".

A quote from   The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations: a basic guide for business 

• Misleading practices, like false or deceptive messages, or leaving out important information.

And in the section "The following practices are banned outright:" an item that looks very relevant

9. Over promise, under deliver Falsely claiming that a product is able to cure illnesses, disfunction or malformations.

---

Absolutely agree...  I'd suggest Sony have a joint and several responsibility here though; particularly so since not only are the advanced functions just not working  - but there are serious issues in trying to use these sets as a basic television receiver.  

But that does not diminish the retailer's responsibility in any way shape or form.  Currys ( and others) cannot now seriously argue that they are unaware of these sets being fundamentally unfit for purpose. And really, as I've said before, should be withdrawing them from sale.

[jain236]

did anyone got IR blaster with the box?

one more thing missing is IR blaster. as it was mentioned on the website , i contacted the currys customer care and they said they are going to order for me... it has been 1 week i haven't received it yet .. i have to chase them again. 

[Caledonian_TV]

---

jain236 wrote:

did anyone got IR blaster with the box?

one more thing missing is IR blaster. as it was mentioned on the website , i contacted the currys customer care and they said they are going to order for me... it has been 1 week i haven't received it yet .. i have to chase them again. 

---

No... I didn't get one either; and you're quite correct in saying it was advertised by Currys as being in the box...  But then again; given that the basics of the TV set don't work - what hope for this extra device?  - Come to think of it; I don't have anything about my 'five year guarantee' yet either! 

[jain236]

only reasons i am bit tempted to keep the TV is i got it for £520 (i managed to get discounted currys gift card and quidco cash back) unless something alarming comes out.

i am also thinking to buy TOuchpad remote anyone know which model i should buy ?

[Softtoptel]

I got a free soundbar an sub with mine rough value £90. I gave it to my son if I return the TVs will they want that back also 😜 Sent from my Terry's iPad 4g

[rnbetsy]

Hi, Re: 5 year guarantee. Currys website says you get something printed regarding it as well as your receipt. But I didn't. Went back in and they didn't seem to know. Contacted knowhow and they just said it's on their system and not to worry...

[Caledonian_TV]

---

@jain236 wrote:

only reasons i am bit tempted to keep the TV is i got it for £520 (i managed to get discounted currys gift card and quidco cash back) unless something alarming comes out.

i am also thinking to buy TOuchpad remote anyone know which model i should buy ?

---

I paid £700 for mine - with a five guarantee (supposedly) -  Which I felt was 'ok' for a standard (non-smart) TV set of its size and type...  But I am absolutely FURIOUS to find the satellite tuner does not work properly (it's programming UI is not fit for purpose, and it seems unable to switch multiple dishes) and that there is the really quite serious  HDMI latency problem...  Very basic functions...

Support for future 4K broadcasts is - by my experiments - in some doubt; Sony have simply not provided access to set the relevant receiver parameters.

The main UI was very obviously designed by someone who does not know the very basics of that disipline... It's not even of the standard expected of a first-year college student! 

And all that is BEFORE we start considering the advanced functions that others are (quite rightly) up-in-arms about...

I'm afraid, as Sony seem to have built something that does not function well even as a basic television set, it seems unwise to try and make it function with additional hardware; even though it really ought to...