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.

[r1d2001]

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@alwhite40 wrote:

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@r1d2001 wrote:

I've had this problem previously with my 43W805C and still do on occasion, this seems to stem from it selecting the wrong color temperature. Going into color settings and just selecting the color temperature corrects the issue.

For "curing" the issue, I had some success with a factory reset and then stepping through the set up guide, ensuring I didn't skip any part of it, which I had done when I first got it.

I have the TV permantly set to Cinema Pro with tweaked settings, now when I turn it on I can see that it's on a cooler color temperature setting from the on screen info, then after a pause it selects the correct settings. Every now and then it doesn't and stays on the cooler setting, this usually happens (as near as I can tell) after the TV has been turned off via HDMI CEC because an attached device has gone to sleep. If I turn the set off without using HDMI CEC it usually selects the correct color temperature when I turn it back on, after the aforementioned pause.

My set is connected to devices via a Pioneer SC 2022 receiver conneced to HDMI 4 (ARC). It's definitely a bug as far as I'm concerned. 

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Thank you for confirming the issue too.

In my case it doesn't seem to be related to HDMI CEC.  It seems to be more to do with the length of time the set has been in standby.  If I switch off for 5 mins or so, then back on again, it will select the correct picture settings fine.  If left overnight, it always fails to select correct settings.

This is always the case, regardless of the last device being used.  It happens if I've been using Sky HD (which doesn't have HDMI CEC sleep link) and it happens with YouView (which obviously doesn't go through HDMI at all).

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That's how the problem initially presented itself on my set also, at least that's how it seemed. In fact I initally suspected it was down to the Daydream function.

[dazworld]

Both the software and hardware are proven to be issues on the sets.

The software is unfortunately poor, and the hardware is not powerful enough to handle the software.

If the software is updated, the set will run even slower. Software companies' first priority is looking at the current, new modes as these are the ones being sold.

2015 Android TV's are already a dog; they'll become more of a dog with Marshmallow.

[Risc0n]

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@dazworld wrote:

Both the software and hardware are proven to be issues on the sets.

The software is unfortunately poor, and the hardware is not powerful enough to handle the software.

If the software is updated, the set will run even slower. Software companies' first priority is looking at the current, new modes as these are the ones being sold.

2015 Android TV's are already a dog; they'll become more of a dog with Marshmallow.

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I disagree, the hardware is pretty much ok for what it needs to do. The software is where the issues lie. This TV is night and day differernce from a year ago and the latest update made substantial difference to performance and picture quality. Its the BUGS that are unforgivable. Things such as youtube lipsync, lack of 5.1 sound in amazon prime and random slowdowns of the UI.

[petsmart]

I would like to report that since the latest update I am experiencing a sound delay on you tube. 

Everythig else seems good. Still no 5.1 via plex with the app or casting to the TVs though.

works with an external chromecast with 5.1

55x8509c

[Garymjh]

TV Sony KD-65X8505C

1) Standard Video Player app does not respect aspect ratio. I use it to play videos via DLNA. Videos are always expanded to use screen area. That results in distorted picture if the video has resoltion of 1980x800. The video player has 2 zoom modes. But I do not see any diffrence. Also zoom button of remote control is not supported (I got on-screen message "function is not supported")."

I've already posted a fix for this, but it's easily lost in the 500+ pages, here it is again:

Press the "Action Menu" button, go to the Video section, select "Information", then press "Back" et voila!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

I also now can't get the video app to play the correct aspect ratio via dlna. And choosing fit screen or expand makes no difference. (I also don't understand why your tv has a an information option under video as no one else seems to have it)

This problem could be temporarily fixed if Sony simply allowed a manual changing of the video app aspect ratio. I can't understand why it's been disabled. What's the logic there?

Anyway can someone like Quiinicus confirm that thi aspect ratio issue has been reported as a fault and/or if there's any fix in the pipeline? Thanks very much 

[Kevin8098]

You can also hold the power button on the back of the TV, this will force a
reboot.

[TWLeebo]

@Garymjh I believe I have "Information" beacause I'm playing the files via USB not over a network.

[rooobb]

I use Video via a network (a serviio DLNA server on iMac) and do not have the "stretching" problem... may you try another time toggling the screen format on the home setting menu and again toggling fit/stretch action when in Video app?

[bobm2t]

Hi,

Since the last update I downloaded (weekend 17/04/16), the Internet connection appears to fail. Connects for a split second then the announcement/warning appears 'lost connection'. When I visit the Network options, my network isn't listed. I go into Set up and it appears! I try signing in again, thinking the update wiped the password details. Try it all again and no connection. I am using a 4G EE wireless set up.

The whole thing worked fine before this last update. TV doesn't even appear on the Network settings of my Apple Mac computers anymore...

I wonder if anyone from 'Sony Support' looks at these discusions?

And when can we use the built-in HDD Drive to record from the transmissions? Seems it was released to market before it was fully tested and able to deliver what it says it should be able to do.

A little bit frustrated because if the update was the root cause of the problem I have, I can't update it again...

Cheers,

Bob

[Garymjh]

No sadly it's been reported many times that toggling between fit and expand
makes no difference. It's a bug,a very simple bug, that Sony don't seem
remotely bothered about.