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.

[royabrown]

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@Caledonian_TV wrote:

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@sticklebricks wrote:

Oh, I didn't realise it could work like that. What would I set the tele to to see it?

Thanks so much,

Nick

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Presumably HDMI 4... But honestly; if it's working for you now, it's really probably best to leave well alone.

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I have my Sony BluRay player, my Roku and my DigitalStream PVR feeding into my Yamaha DSP-2500 soundbar  via three HDMI cables, and then the ARC-capable HDMI on the soundbar is coupled to the ARC-capable HDMI 4 input on the Sony Android TV,

This works seamlessly, with the soundbar switching to TV-ARC when I watch broadcast TV or use any of the apps on the TV, and the soundbar decoding whatever audio the Bluray player puts out, and passing the upscaled HD to UHD picture through to the TV for it to show.

I think the soundbar can handle some audio formats which the TV can't, or at least some formats that would not come back intact down the ARC if I had the BluRay connected to one of the TV HDMI inputs.

And with the BluRay on the soundbar, any of the TV, soundbar, or BluRay remotes gives me full control over volume, pause, start/stop, etc.

interestingly, the upscaling BluRay player does not upscale, by default, if connected to a Sony TV, but only if connected to another make. So in the above setup it was not upscaling until I changed away from the default. Which tells me that (a) the BluRay player still 'sees' the TV, even via the soundbar and (b) that there are no extra smarts in the BluRay upscaling compared with the TV doing it.

i have heard it suggested that BluRay players could look ahead a frame or two and thus deploy a better upscaling algorithm than a TV set could, but the way the default is set suggests this is not the case, at least not with this BDP-6500. And I certainly see no difference depending on which device upscales, though I have left it with the BluRay upscaling to check out the soundbar's handling of this.

I guess Sony have allowed for the possibility that their future sets may upscale better than the BluRay does now, but do not extend the same compliment to their competitors 🙂

Oh, and did I say I have no sync problems with this setup?

So it is well worth trying, IMHO.

But one does not lightly go against the advice of a seasoned broadcast professional of many years' standing, so given the caution wisely suggested by Caledonian_TV, make a note of all the existing settings and what is wired where so you can go back if it all goes udders vertical.

[royabrown]

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@jain236 wrote:

HDD does not completely works? i haven't tried it on my TV

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Don't bother.

HDD recording does not even slightly works, and the best Sony can offer at the moment is that it might be ready for next April Fool's day.

You can plug an HDD in and watch stuff, but it will not tell you where on the HDD it is getting each playable file from, so this is not ideal either, albeit it is doable.

[webvamsi666]

Glad you sorted, can I get a copy please to: ***

Thank you very much  

Regards

Vamsi

[Triswillmott]

@Heckie could I have a copy please. Also if you wouldn't mind offering any advice in dealing with Currys, it'd be appreciated. Now on my 4th replacement X8509C and its once again plagued with issues. No faith left in Sony and their terrible quality control so want to get the ball rolling and get this rubbish returned.

[Mekerz]

Can anyone provide backdated announcements where Sony have continually pushed back the firmware date that adds the missing USB HDD recording & PIP?

I don't suppose anyone has taken screenshots where it has gone from August this year, to December 24th and now March 31st?

[Caledonian_TV]

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@Mekerz wrote:

I bought my TV from a Sony Centre at the end of August and I've been more than patient with Sony and have allowed reasonable time for them to fix issues and add missing features.

I've just been on the Sony Centres website and it still lists HDD recording as feature with absolutely no caveat as to it currently not being available. Unfortunately, there's a nice disclaimer in the website footer that mentions the website is maintained by retailers under licence to use the Sony name/brand so it won't help those who are currently in discussions with either Sony directly or other retailers.

I'll be emailing the respective Sony Centre store tonight to inform them I'll be exercising my right to return the set for a full refund due to the product not being as described or of satisfactory quality. I'll let you all know how I get on.

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I would imagine that in any case these rather silly 'disclaimers' (used by Curry's and the like)  are - by whatever means they relate to the information published - are (pardon my French) un tas de *****...   The published specification is a combination of the claims made by the retailer and that published by the manufacturer. 

And this will be particularly so if the retailer is actually tied to Sony... 'jointly and severally' is the term that springs to mind...

Quite apart from HDD recording not working (not at all Jain), there are a number of very serious and fundamental flaws with these sets that render them inherently unfit for purpose.  

[Caledonian_TV]

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@royabrown wrote:

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I have my Sony BluRay player, my Roku and my DigitalStream PVR feeding into my Yamaha DSP-2500 soundbar  via three HDMI cables, and then the ARC-capable HDMI on the soundbar is coupled to the ARC-capable HDMI 4 input on the Sony Android TV,

This works seamlessly, with the soundbar switching to TV-ARC when I watch broadcast TV or use any of the apps on the TV, and the soundbar decoding whatever audio the Bluray player puts out, and passing the upscaled HD to UHD picture through to the TV for it to show.

I think the soundbar can handle some audio formats which the TV can't, or at least some formats that would not come back intact down the ARC if I had the BluRay connected to one of the TV HDMI inputs.

And with the BluRay on the soundbar, any of the TV, soundbar, or BluRay remotes gives me full control over volume, pause, start/stop, etc.

interestingly, the upscaling BluRay player does not upscale, by default, if connected to a Sony TV, but only if connected to another make. So in the above setup it was not upscaling until I changed away from the default. Which tells me that (a) the BluRay player still 'sees' the TV, even via the soundbar and (b) that there are no extra smarts in the BluRay upscaling compared with the TV doing it.

i have heard it suggested that BluRay players could look ahead a frame or two and thus deploy a better upscaling algorithm than a TV set could, but the way the default is set suggests this is not the case, at least not with this BDP-6500. And I certainly see no difference depending on which device upscales, though I have left it with the BluRay upscaling to check out the soundbar's handling of this.

I guess Sony have allowed for the possibility that their future sets may upscale better than the BluRay does now, but do not extend the same compliment to their competitors 🙂

Oh, and did I say I have no sync problems with this setup?

So it is well worth trying, IMHO.

But one does not lightly go against the advice of a seasoned broadcast professional of many years' standing, so given the caution wisely suggested by Caledonian_TV, make a note of all the existing settings and what is wired where so you can go back if it all goes udders vertical.

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Your setup should indeed work perfectly - and no you won't have sync problems as the source switching is being done by your soundbar ( and lip-sync is being maintained by it) and the set is merely a picture monitor in that scenario - the problem is actually that another very serious fault is apparent on these sets; i.e they cannot 'pass through' surround encoded audio without introducing a delay which causes the picture to lead the sound...  Thus, as they stand in their 'faulty' state, they're of no use to anyone hoping to use them as the source switcher in an surround system...  Which may well be the case where people have older existing systems and might need the set to switch 4K sources. 

It would appear the problem exists not only on optical output, but via the (hit-and-miss as to whether it works) ARC output!

One of the first things I learned in the very early stages of my career was 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'!  - And in particular don't encourage anyone else to plough into something if you're not prepared/able to go round and sort it out for them when they get into a complete fankle...

Upscaling?  Hmm...  You really can't re-create information that just isn't there; and even the methods used in professional post-houses are never entirely satisfactory... A bit like colourising...  Proper 4K BD will be along shortly. 

I've a feeling I may upgrade my amp in the spring; leave the 4K BD stuff to 'mature' a bit before taking the plunge.  Meantime it would be nice to settle down and actually watch a movie or two without all this faffing...

[Heckie]

@caledonien67 there arent any disclaimers (or at least there weren't) on the page or in their terms and conditions. That was one of the points I used.

[Caledonian_TV]

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Heckie wrote:

@caledonien67 there arent any disclaimers (or at least there weren't) on the page or in their terms and conditions. That was one of the points I used.

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Quite so...  But of course outfits like Curry's are notorious for trying to connerie people with nonsense like this in their attempts to wriggle out of their responsibilities. In fact I'm happy to express the opinion that DSG are one of the most dishonest and disreputable traders in Britain in this respect! 

[peterk_1]

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.