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.

[SuperShrimper]

I took my Sony TV back and got a decent TV

I then closed my account down on this Sony Forum. However, Sony still send me "Sony Community Mailer" even though i closed my account on Tuesday this week.

When I click on Manage your subscription and settings it presents me with a log in page which i then go to log in (using my old details) and it says it can't find me.

Thats great but if Sony Can't find me then why the F*** are they still sending me these emails. Can a Forum Admin or something private message me to sort this out. When I click on the contact sony (from the confirmation screen confirming I have de-registered) it shows an error screen.

Pretty much everything Sony do and touch is crap. Will never buy from them again. I have now had to re-register using my old email address, in the hope that I might be able to unsubscribe from these emails, but I am not subscribed to anything!!!!!

[Anticitizen0ne]

Thank you for contacting Sony support. Kindly follow the below steps.

• Put two copies of the firmware file on the same USB stick

• One of them with the original name

• And the other one renamed as 'upgrade_uploader.pkg'.

• Then  connect the USB stick to USB port 2.

• And then see if the update process will start as intended.

This didnt do anything for my KD55x8509c it has also been in a high tier of engineers apparently according to customer support but they still dont have a reply for me after a week. Crap really would have had a replacement by now if say Id bought a tv on amazon.

[petsmart]

I read on the online guide that you had to place the extracted download file onto the usb. The PKG file was obtained withing a folder. Mine never worked but if you just copy ther pkg fieleo nly to the usb so its in the root of the drive my tv picked it up and booted straight away into the process with the latest firmware.

[Anticitizen0ne]

Thanks for the reply and although helpful information. Ive tried it with just the pkg file and still nada. But thanks anyway

[rdlowry]

Has anybody else had a play with HALauncher?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.i.akihiro.halauncher&hl=en

It's a custom launcher for Android TV. You need to install from the play store selecting your TV as the destination device. It can act as a launcher for side loaded apps but it can also be used as a home screen replacement. I've only just started to play but it's very impressive so far.

Here's a pic of the way I've set it up so far.

If you use this as a home screen replacement there are some downsides, like losing the Live TV button and losing access to the inputs (not that it matters). Not sure if I'll use this permanently but it's fun to have a play.

[theshamelessmanc]

@rdlowry cheers for that little app. Maybe others had a way to get showbox on the Bravia, but this worked a treat. Got the app installed and working!

[rdlowry]

@theshamelessmanc No problem, glad it's useful!

[baseball99]

Hi everyone

I bought an X83C 49 inch last week and seem to have dodged many of the dreadful problems people are describing here.

But I have one I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with. Apologies in advance if this has already been covered-I did go through the thread but I'm not terribly familiar with things like Dolby and surround and found much of it a bit over my head. 

I've connected my tv to a Sonos Playbar. I have a Sony BluRay player connected to the television. The Sonos works fine EXCEPT when I play a DVD or Bluray. I get audio on the disc menu screen but the minute I try to play it there is no sound. Only way to hear anythign is to switch audio back to tv speakers.

If anyone can shed light on this I'd be most appreciated.

Thanks

[motty79]

I've just seen the Google casting receiver app has been updated from v1.14.something to v1.15.something and this now fixes all my YouTube casting problems. I'm happy this now works!

[Stevevalo]

I bought the 43W807 from AO.com 14 days ago. Called yesterday to send it back. Guy on phone wasn't really helpful, just wanted to read the sale of goods act to me.

They want to send a technician out to confirm its faulty.

Looks like JL, Amazon or any high street retailer have a better customer service than AO.com