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.

[mickwileman]

I have only tried 3D once on it and it was very good.

[elraouk]

Considered the Panasonic, but lack of plex is a major negative. 
That and the price. 

[DaM3k0n]

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@mickwileman wrote:

I have always been a Sony person but these android tvs have reall put me off i have just exchanged mine for a Panasonic TX-65CX802B,and i am blown away with it has quad core powered by Firefox and works has freeview play and works also the freesat version works as well record to external Hard Drive works as well fast snappy menues very thin bezel picture better than the Sony also plays USB Files straight away in other words anyone thinking of a replacement TV look at this one,anda very nice looking TV as well,they do smaller screen sizes,look at Panasonic site for full specs,also has two nice remotes as well.

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Prob with me for the Panny, no Plex support.. and I hate firefox!  For me, the X8509 has been great, although I dont use the tuners, and bought it due to it supporting Cast and native Plex, which both work great!  PQ is awesome...  Ive had the odd lag navigating the OS, but nothing more than I get on my high end smarphone or tablet...   I prob wont use USB reocrding, as I have a VirginMedia TV.. but I do think it is rubbish of Sony to promise things and not deliver as it is clear some people are having massive issues with this set.

Althogh my experience isnt that bad, I am in a dilema as to whether its a set i may reget buying in a few years... no doubt when the 2016 range comes out, they will work fine, and the 2015 may just get neglected.  I have 90 days with Richer Sounds to make my mind up anyway...

[elraouk]

Am in exactly the same boat, re: the Panny and Plex.

As I see it, if you want native PLEX you need Sony, Samsung or LG (there are some other smart TVs out there that will run the Smart TV version).  With a Pansonic I would have to use a Raspberry Pi to run Rasplex (which is what I do with the older Sony in the bedroom); works well but not is not perfect and means extra plugs and cables obviously - which I was trying to avoid!!

As I also want a Sat tuner, I am left with Sony or Samsung.  Hence going to look last night, the Samsung's just don't quite look as nice

Samsung 8000

Samsung 7000

Sony X83C

Sony X90C

[DaM3k0n]

Must admit, I hated the look of the Samsung too.. shouldnt really be too fussed with the aesthetics, but they do just look cheap!  Sony's build quality was great.. just wich they had paid more attention to the hardware driving the OS, and delivered on their feautres!

[elraouk]

Agreed.  Samsung has the hardware and the software, but not the aesthetics.  Sony the other way round.  Picture quality, I think Sony edges it - but not by much.

Apple have proven, time and again, that good software doesn't need a quad core CPU.  Unfortunately I don't think Sony will every get their Android TV instance to run on their hardware anywhere near as well as Apple do!!

[deltarikk]

Been looking on here for last week or so after getting 55X9005 as I've been experiencing problems, the worst of which is edge lighting issues which look like little lit up halo's evenly spaced along bottom edge?! Once seen I cant ignore especially on dark scenes or with the black bars on movies!!

This is my second as I took first one back with same problem and this is going back this weekend to JL, main reason for buying there was ease of returns and sure enough they've been fine, no quibbles, either refund or swap for something else...but what??

Really disappointed as I think its the best looking tv available at the moment imho of course!!...it can also display excellent pictures but not consistently enough for me....very hit and miss with black's sometimes displaying a 'blooming' type display??... I did also get the RT5 soundbar and thats going back aswell mainly for the fact I got it to match the tv however I cant get any sound at all out of it from Netflix or YouTube apps (although both play ok via tv speakers??) not only that but cant get any sound from it from quite a few sky channels, seems ok with hd channels but affects non hd....not a clue why??, tried every configuration I could think of, diff inputs, HDMI leads etc 

So now I'm wondering about Samsung or even OLED LG, I'm sure all tv's will have some 'issues' that you're prepared to live with or not and the issues I have with this Sony I can't accept.

[Kevwoods12]

Land of the free have HDR now,  feeling left out now. 

I hope the 29th update for us is a big one. 

[anjenki75]

Yes HDR on the 29th, that's what it says. For X93C and X94C.

[Sdroid]

Unbelievable, now we are 3 updates behind the states, yesterday's update gave them HDR on the x850c to, what's going on here