I've had a KDL-50W805C for about two months now, and overall it's been more of a disappointment than anything else. Disappointing picture quality, disappointing build quality (it wobbled and flexed when I took it out the box, like the frame couldn't even hold its own weight), and a really disappointing user experience for which both Sony and Google need to share some blame.
I've had Android phones and tablets for years so the idea of Android on my TV was really appealing and I assumed meant a better variety of apps compared to standard 'Smart TVs', a better experience and the ability to use many of my Google services on my TV. The reality is that the apps are mostly rubbish, whether they're from Google, Sony (the Video app is pathetically basic, for example) or third-party developers. The UK-based on-demand/catchup apps are terrible, with iPlayer looking like it's running on a TV from 5 years ago rather than a modern Android-equipped device. Performance overall is poor; menus stutter and apps take too long to load, so it's clear the CPU/GPU Sony used aren't good enough.
The lack of customisation on the homescreen is poor too, considering this is one are Android is known for. Why can't I choose exactly what's shown? Why am I stuck staring at icons for rubbish apps and services I don't want? Why can't I choose a relevant image for my HDMI inputs instead of them all being identical?
The YouView update was a welcome addition and finally added on-demand services for other channels (that a TV launched in 2015 without them is laughable however), but again performance and user experience is a letdown. I've used a BT TV YouView box and it provided a smooth, quick interface with fluid animation. Sony's implementation feels and looks sluggish, with animations struggling and long load times when changing menus.
As for the various bugs, issues and niggles: The 'info' button on the remote never does anything if you're on HDMI inputs. On my previous Sony TV it'd show the time, input info, picture format etc. Ever since the most recent software update I get 'Screen format: Full" appear now and again at the bottom left of the screen while watching Sky via HDMI. There's seemingly no control over how the TV outputs audio via ARC to a home theatre system which means it's constantly changing the feed causing my AV receiver to 'click' a lot as it reacts to the different signals whenever I change channels, rewind, pause etc on Sky or while watching Blu-rays.
I've also had several occassions where, with the TV off, my AV receiver turns on. It never did this with my previous Sony TV so I can only assume this one is causing devices to wake up for no reason.
I've been trying to decide since this morning whether to return it or not; I think after writing this, I've made up my mind. Sony have launched and sold a product that clearly wasn't ready for release yet and now they're battling to do damage control and fix issues. This approach has become commonplace these days, and ultimately it's always the customer who suffers most. The only way they'll learn that this isn't acceptable is if retailers start complaining to them about high return rates. Or at least, so I hope.
Edit: Forgot to add - the optional Sony Android Touch remote is the most overpriced, gimmicky thing I've seen in a while. It serves no useful purpose, it doesn't make navigating the menus or using the TV any easier or quicker, it feels cheap and nasty yet costs about £50. Fortunately mine was free.
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