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.

[Ross80]

Has anybody reported issues with excessively high bass causing a vibrating/echoing effect? I purchased a KDL43W755C about a week ago. Even in scenes with very little ambient noise (news channels, for example), the speakers are making some really unpleasant noises. It sounds like the bass is both too high and slightly out of sync with the rest of the audio. Moving the TV around the room hasn't helped, so it doesn't seem to be a problem with the TV stand or positioning. I've also tried various settings, but, beyond a few presets, there doesn't seem to be any way of actually turning the bass down. I can't tell if the speakers are just poor quality, or if there's a genuine issue here. Can anybody help?

[Garymjh]

@royabrown there's a difference between 1.4 and 2.0 cables , mainly data transfer speed

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/hdmi-2-0-vs-1-4

[royabrown]

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@Garymjh wrote:

@royabrown there's a difference between 1.4 and 2.0 cables , mainly data transfer speed

http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/hdmi-2-0-vs-1-4

Garymjh:-  Hmmm, that's not exactly the horse's mouth is it? Try this instead, which is.

But even the article you quote contradicts you a little:- 

"cables designed for HDMI 1.4 systems will work just fine with new HDMI 2.0 devices."

While you are quite right about the greater speeds that HDMI 2.0 devices will run at, the point is that certified High Speed HDMI cables have always supported these speeds, even though no 1.4 devices have ever required them.

And while the reviewer talks loosely of 'cables designed for HDMI 1.4 systems', hopefully meaning High Speed HDMI cables, there are no cables designed to meet only HDMI 1.4 speeds, that will fail at HDMI 2.0 speeds.

Not proper certified ones, anyway; there may be some Chinese knock-offs, of course, that might cough a bit. But none of us would buy those anyway, would we? 🙂

[Garymjh]

Hmm yes you're quite right and this bears it out.

https://turbofuture.com/computers/do-i-need-hdmi-cable-4k-hdmi-20-guide

Although it's kind of annoying if hdmi high speed cables with Ethernet are supposed to carry that label either on the cable or the packaging as hardly any of them seem to do so. And I mean respected ones too not rip offs ☺

[royabrown]

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@Garymjh wrote:

Hmm yes you're quite right and this bears it out.

https://turbofuture.com/computers/do-i-need-hdmi-cable-4k-hdmi-20-guide

Although it's kind of annoying if hdmi high speed cables with Ethernet are supposed to carry that label either on the cable or the packaging as hardly any of them seem to do so. And I mean respected ones too not rip offs ☺

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Great find @Garymjh, and I will add it to my armoury if I may!

i think the label can only be used for cables that have been certified by HDMI.org ($$$, time, assurances of consistent manufacture, etc.) so a lot of perfectly respectable makers don't bother.

And I do very much endorse the point in the article that even cables that nominally meet the High Speed spec can differ physically, and not just in length, with shielding being perhaps the big differentiator.

I also noticed, with some horror, that HDMI.org are permitting some High Speed cables to use a Premium label - which is, to thoroughly mix my metaphors, to allow snake oil in by the back door, in MNSHO 😞

Though if such cables were thus rated because they passed certain objective strain, bending, insertion/removal and external interference suppression (that shielding again) tests, I would be very happy with the differentiation; but I see no evidence that these are the criteria.

[Anonymous]

Hello All

Sometime today (19 July 2016) Sony should be releasing a new firmware for Android TVs – Version 3.473 (2015 and 2016 TVs)

The update will be available via OTA to everyone on a staggered basis – hence not everyone will get it at the same time (similar to mobile phone updates). The update will also be available to download and install via USB from the Support pages for those that wish to install it immediately.

The main reason for this update is to address an Android security fix and an issue with the remote control. Other than what has been reported in the US, I do not know what other issues have been fixed or improved (if any) – also note that the US and EU are on different levels in the firmware. Sony will address outstanding issues within Marshmallow itself – ETA unknown.

For general discussions of this firmware, please use either this thread, or the following dedicated thread:
https://community.sony.co.uk/t5/televisions/atv-firmware-update-19-july-2016-discussion/m-p/2207114

If you experience issues after applying the update, please factory reset the TV. See link for instructions:
http://sony-eur-eu-en-web--eur.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/66442/kw/

If you are still experiencing problems, please report it in the following thread below. Please include the model of your TV, the country you are located in and any other relevent details.

https://community.sony.co.uk/t5/televisions/atv-firmware-update-19-july-2016-problems-and-issues/td-...

Thank you

Edit: Sony Support Announcement and download from:

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/content/cnt-hn/prd-tvhc/android-tv-2015-and-2016-models-19-July

[hextablephil]

well, I updated today 19th July and to my surprise everything seems to be working just dandy including the Netflix app, no sound lagging although I'm only using the TV speakers as I have neighbours that moan when I put the surround sound on so I don't use that now......

Will update you if anything changes 

[rnbetsy]

Good to hear. I'm downloading the update now.

[mattystevo]

Have installed the update and the Amazon Instant Video app has been updated to the new interface found elsewhere like on the PS4, I still don't have access to 5.1 surround sound when using Amazon Video still however

[Garymjh]

The update is fine and hasn't presented any problems. Neither however has it addressed the only problem I have. After God knows how many months of the video app aspect ratio being broken they've done nothing about it. This app was working fine a few months ago and they won't spend one day putting it back to how it used to be. Staggering really.