Sony Bravia Smart TV - Not as 'smart' as expected.

Spruance

In December 2012 I bought a Sony 32inch Full HD smart TV, model no. KDL-32EX653. I chose this model because the description clearly stated that it had a web browser (Opera). I have used the Opera browser on my PC and found it to work well, especially for video content so presumed that the TV experience would be comparable. Inputting web addresses/search routines with the on screen keyboard is rather time consuming but bearable as it avoids having to put the computer on for what would be just a few minutes at a time.
To start with everything seemed to work as expected but just lately I am becoming increasingly frustrated by the 'Computer says No' type of responses. For instance on one website that I use extensively, the TV says "The security of this page cannot be established. Are you sure you want to load?" I hit the Yes button and immediately it asks the same question again. Indeed it keeps asking the same question until I have confirmed three times over and then it shifts into a Memory Limitation error. I have checked out the website on my PC using the same Opera browser with no problems whatsoever. I have also put the URL through Norton's safe site checker and it comes through also with no issues whatsoever so why won't Sony Bravia let it load?


The Memory Limitation error seems to be a near standard response these days. How is it that a company that can squeeze 2Gb of RAM into a smart phone just 8.6mm thick (Xperia Z3 Compact) cannot even equip a smart TV with enough memory to open a simple web page?


Then there is the YouTube app - or apps.
The basic (black border logo) app works fairly well. Videos play without buffering (I have fibre optic broadband) and you have space for 8 frequently used sites without logging in to YouTube. However, it appears that YouTube will not be supporting this app from April 2015, so that means using the inferior alternative 'YouTube for TV' app. This seems extremely unstable and suffers frequent crashes. When it does work you have to be very nimble to jump to your search result as otherwise it throws up the ubiquitous Memory Limitation error. How can this be on an app designed (presumably) to work with Sony Bravia TV?


As a full HD TV it is perfect. Good sound, good picture, good viewing angles, but I could have saved a lot of money by buying just a full HD TV without the now pathetic 'smart' functions. My TV was guaranteed for 5 years at purchase date so I am wondering if I have grounds to return it on the basis that it is not fit for the purpose originally intended.


The retailer I bought the TV from has a very good customer-oriented approach but I would like to know where I stand on this legally before I take it up with them.

chickendipperbabe

Seeing as your TV is now over two years old the issues are probably down to the TV and browser now being obsolete. We have a current Samsung H6400 series smart TV and the browser is very poor, you would never get a full Desktop/Tablet type browser built into a TV unless its one of the newer Sony or Philips models that run Android. You cant expect companies to continue issuing updates and supporting apps on an obsolete platform forever.

Would a cheap Android stick not suffice? if not maybe use the PC you have plugged into the TV?

Spruance

Obsolete after only 2 years?

Its predecessor lasted over 20 years!

I have considered alternative options but it comes back to the fact that I bought a product described as having certain functions which only two years into the five year guarantee have ceased to work as originally stated/intended.

JReacher1

Spruance wrote: »

Obsolete after only 2 years?

Its predecessor lasted over 20 years!

I have considered alternative options but it comes back to the fact that I bought a product described as having certain functions which only two years into the five year guarantee have ceased to work as originally stated/intended.

The previous tv allowed you to watch TV. Which you can still do.

Browsers become unsupported after a while and older hardware won't be updated to the newer version, therefore as applications are updated and companies uograde their websites they will stop working on your TV.

As an example the PS3 browser now no longer works on some
websites.

Five year guarantee will fix any technical issues. I am unsure if the browser no longer being able to work correctly on some websites counts as a technical issue that would be fixed under the guarantee. It sounds like any other version of the same model would have the same problem

Hintza

Any reason for the pretentious font?

JJ_Egan

<<<My TV was guaranteed for 5 years at purchase date so I am wondering if I have grounds to return it on the basis that it is not fit for the purpose originally intended. >>>

Thats now up to you to prove that point .
Personally i see them saying after two years you have accepted it .

unholyangel

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Personally i see them saying after two years you have accepted it .[/FONT]
[/FONT][/SIZE]

Acceptance doesnt mean you're not owed a remedy though - just that you cant demand a full refund

Spruance

Hintza wrote: »

Any reason for the pretentious font?

Pretentious?

I have Comic Sans set as my default email font. It is much clearer to read than the standard font and as it is available why shouldn't I use it?

Have a nice day etc.

Spicy_McHaggis

It was fit for purpose up until when?

Spruance

Well thanks for the suggestions.

I'm still not comfortable with the situation and may yet consult with the original retailer.

Just found this statement on the original Sony paperwork:-

Discover the potential of BRAVIA

There's so much you can do with your BRAVIA. And we don't want you to miss a thing.

That's why when you join Sony, we'll let you know about the latest updates such as Skype and the most recent On Demand channels. All to keep your BRAVIA feeling as new as the day you bought it.

(Underline and italic added for emphasis).

Well it doesn't feel much like the day I bought it at the moment but it's interesting to reflect back on Sony's aspirations for my future use of their product.

Spruance

@ Spicy McHaggis.

Situation has been deterioriating for the last 3 months. Was rather hoping that an automatic update would fix it.