CMT-SBT20B DAB System - pre- tuning problems

[charlesjennings]

I recently bought a Sony CMT-SBT20B DAB HiFi System to replace a similar Sony system I'd had for about 10 years.

The new system sems to have lost some important functionality that the opder system had.

Can anyone help?  Or do I need to ditch it and buy another make/model?

The Problem

I can't find any way to programme the new HiFi system so that, when I turn it on with the remote controller, it starts on the radio frequency it was on when it was switched off.  It always starts with the first radio station in the alphabetical scanned list ('Absolute Radio').  It's infuriating,  No longer can I simply turn the radio on in the morning and have it on my favourite BBC station.  I have to turn it on, wait for it to start, and then press the pre-programmed button to get to the station I need.

Is there any way around this, or has Sony taken a retrograde step here?

Thanks for any help/pointers before I decide that I've thrown £100 down the drain. 

[paulpenni]

Spoiler

I can't help but do sympathise as I share the same problem.  That plus having to go to the set to be able to select any so-called Preset numbered 5-20 and the bad wi-fi/Bluetooth functions of my Sony RX100m3 camera means I have bought my last ever Sony product.

Good luck to you but I don't think there is a solution to our problem.

[charlesjennings]

I'm simply staggered that Sony hasn't thought about this issue (and also that I've had no response from the company here).

To think that it is acceptable to require users to select a default radio frequency every time the unit is turned from 'standby' to 'on' is simply one of the worst UI design fails I have ever experienced. The previous Sony Shelf Music System I owned had far better functionality. It was manufactured >10 years ago.

This is not a cheap and cheerful piece of equipment, either. I paid GBP£110 in the UK. 

[Paulwe]

Hi Charles,

I too have this model, although my presets work fine and it remembers the last station I was listening (in my case Planet Rock). My issue is it does not recognise anything plugged into the usb port. But early days so I will wait for an official response. I hope you get your issue sorted.

[charlesjennings]

Thanks for your comment / experience.  I'll dig around and see if there is a setting that needs specifically setting to get the unit to remember the last station.

The deafening silence from anyone even vaguely associated with Sony on this forum is very disappointing.  I would have thought a company such as Sony would take every opportunity to 'delight' its customers and help them solve problems.

[blahblahblah]

I Have the Sony CMTS20BMK (is this the same/similar model). It also doesn’t remember the last station used. Even if I leave the unit on go to say a CD and then back to the radio is reverts back to the first station in the DAB list NOT the last station I was listening to. Then have to select the station (using pre-set or scrolling.) This can't be right. Can we please have a solution or does it only happen to customers called Charles?

I've tried resetting the unit but still the same.

[charlesjennings]

I call the Sony UK support desk a couple of days ago.  I was told that this function *should* be avaialble, but when the support person checked she told me it wasn't in the handbook/instructions. She agreed with me that this basic functionality *should* be there. Suggested I reset the unit and re-programme the selected stations. I've done that with no effect.

I've had the unit for around 6 months. Bought it on Amazon. So I'm returning it as not merchantisable. It's a pity, over the past 30 years or so I've regularly bought Sony technology.

[blahblahblah]

Thanks for the update. Looks like we have to either live with it or not. Strange that some people say it's not a problem with their unit. Perhaps it's just a few rogue sets? Bought mine from Argos UK as I also got a voucher. Might swap it I'll see if only to cause Sony some pain.

[blahblahblah]

Well just for the record I took the unit back to Argos (UK) and asked to exchange as it was faulty (didn't remember last station tuned to). Argos exchanged quiet happily, took the new one home and set up and hey presto does exactly the same thing i.e. doesn’t remember the station it was tuned to either when turned off or if you switch to another function e.g. Bluetooth and then back to the radio - it always reverts back to the first scanned station! You then have to use a pre-set to go to the station you want. Shame as the units quiet good for what it was intended but this is a real pain.

Is somebody at Sony monitoring these or are they like all the other big conglomerates – don’t give a damn.

Please if anybody has the same set and reads this let us know if yours behaves the same or keeps the station set?

Thanks

[paulpenni]

I have the same problem. I contacted Sony Customer Services by phone 4
days ago. They gave me a reference number, said they would investigate and
would call me back in 2 hours time.
They didn't...... and haven't.