Sony Bravia TV KDL-32EX524 - internet access

Yorkie1

I was given this TV to replace my analogue set.

It works fine through the standard aerial but I'd like to get it set up for internet. Firstly because of that functionality, and also because I believe it will allow me to do some software updates on the TV which will stop the really annoying pop-up on BBC1 which always asks if I want to switch to BBC1 HD at the start and end of each programme!

This page of the original Tech Radar review says that in order to access the internet, "you can either hook it up via Ethernet cable to your router or purchase Sony's optional USB Wi-Fi dongle (UWA-BR100) and go wireless."

My question is whether it absolutely has to be that dongle, or whether some other dongle would suffice?

(And if some other dongle would suffice, what should I be looking for?).

Many thanks for any thoughts!

Ayr_Rage

As the TV does not, as far as I can see, run a generic OS such as Android then I suspect that the only dongle that will work is the one specified by Sony.

Due to the age of the TV you may also find that the OS does not support the latest versions of apps, I ran into that issue with a Samsung TV.

The best thing to do is connect the TV to your router with an ethernet cable and see if you can obtain updates and check app functionality before you go hunting for a dongle.

Neil_Jones

The latest software version for that TV according to https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/lcd-tvs-legacy-lcd-tv/kdl-32ex524/software/00271214 is v4.027.  If you are already on that version there is no further update so the only benefits to connecting it to the internet would be for the Smart TV apps - if they still work, considering that TV is from 2011 and support for the TV ended in 2022...

The above link suggests there are no online updates, so if you need the upgrade you need to contact support.  So on that basis there may little to no benefit getting it online if you can't do anything online with it.

Vitor

Very unlikely a generic WiFi USB dongle will be recognised by the TV, Ebay sellers have UWA-BR100 'clones' for around £10 or second hand UWA-BR100 for £20 to £30.

Yorkie1

Many thanks everyone for such speedy replies.

The current software version on the TV is PKG4.017EUA-0104. So it doesn't appear to the one which was released last.

I will try connecting it via an ethernet cable to see what happens, and otherwise will contact Sony support for advice. 

Will leave eBay alone for now.  Point taken about the Apps too 

SiliconChip

It appears to have 2 USB 2.0 sockets, if so just buy a Firestick (or alternative) and access apps through that.

400ixl

Probably better off just getting an Amazon fire stick and using that on it.

Its a 10 year old TV which is out of any manufacturer support. Even with the right dongle, most of the apps probably no longer work properly.

Yorkie1

Thanks - will look into Firesticks (it's a whole [not very new] world out there  )

J_B

SiliconChip said:

It appears to have 2 USB 2.0 sockets, if so just buy a Firestick (or alternative) and access apps through that.

Can you connect a Firestick to USB?

Neil_Jones

J_B said:

SiliconChip said:

It appears to have 2 USB 2.0 sockets, if so just buy a Firestick (or alternative) and access apps through that.

Can you connect a Firestick to USB?

Firestick are HDMI. In theory according to the documentation Fire sticks are supposed to be able to be powered from the USB port of a TV.

I've never been able to get it to work.

SiliconChip

J_B said:

SiliconChip said:

It appears to have 2 USB 2.0 sockets, if so just buy a Firestick (or alternative) and access apps through that.

Can you connect a Firestick to USB?

Sorry, my Firestick has been plugged in for a long time so I'd forgetten that it is, as Neil confirms, HDMI. Fortunately the OP's TV does have a HDMI socket, although I think it may only be 1 so if it's in use for something else that may be an issue.