So, what are we talking about here? Our review unit is a Sony KD-55X8500C, which for the rest of us, means its a 55″ 4K TV running Android TV. However, it isn’t like Android TV on the Nexus Player, because it has a couple of notable additions.
As you’d expect, Sony’s TVs come with a number of HDMI inputs, for your Foxtel, Bluray players, Playstations, Xboxes and the like, and you can tune digital and analogue free-to-air channels as well. There’s built in support for Netflix, which runs a slightly customised version of the Netflix Android app designed for the TV format (it’s the same Netflix as you can get on the Nexus Player), as well as the standard array of Google services, such as Play Movies and TV, Play Music and YouTube.
There’s an extra inclusion that’s going to drive Australian TV users berserk though, and it’s the inclusion of catch-up TV apps, which are part of the Freeview Plus suite. Since we’ve had Android TV, one of the most requested features has been for the Australian TV networks to release their catch-up apps for the platform, including iView, SBS On Demand, Plus7, TenPlay and others. However, none have released an Android TV app just yet … but for buyers of Sony Android TVs, this doesn’t matter one bit — Sony has the catch-up apps built right in to their Android TV platform, so you can use them now, before anyone else.
As you can see in the screenshots above, all these catch-up apps are included in your Sony Android TV, and they all work perfectly. We’ve captured iView and On Demand, but we’ve tried Plus 7 and TenPlay as well, and they both work wonderfully. Perhaps the best inclusion though is Netflix, because on a 4K Android TV, you get access to Netflix’ Ultra HD catalog of programs and movies.
That’s a rather small catalog. But its growing. Watching any Full HD program on the Sony TV is a sight to behold; we’ve been watching Dredd this afternoon, and it’s truly epic. I could barely tear myself away from it to do other things that need to be done, that’s how crisp and clear it is. For this, we can thank Sony’s upscaling technology, which readily takes 1080p Full HD content and upscales it to glorious Ultra HD 4K.
There are some pictures that it struggles with; for example, it can’t do too much with standard definition digital broadcast television, but it certainly has a go. However, with FullHD content, Blurays and the like, the upscaler works incredibly well, making content truly beautiful to take in. Interstellar is one such movie which Sony like to use to demo their TVs, and its easy to see why. Those space scenes where Matthew McConaughey’s spacecraft is travelling past Saturn and its rings are just epic.
If you’re on the lookout for a new TV, and you’re a fan of a true Smart TV experience (rather than some proprietary platform), a Sony powered Android TV is hard to go past. The delivery experience from Sony’s online store is seamless, taking only a day or two from order to delivery. Unboxing is an equally smooth process; from delivery to having the TV set up and functioning was about half an hour, and most of that was screwing the foot into the TV, and carefully lifting it into the media centre. Once the TV is connected to your network (via ethernet or WiFi; both are supported) the setup process is a breeze, and you can enjoy glorious, high res content from the comfort of your lounge.
I’d write more … but I want to go watch some more delicious television.
great picture. Worst software ever, crashes, doesn’t run some apps, badly designed and thought out guide, horrible navigation through menus, over all should be replaced ASAP.
Doesn’t play all video formats …
why has my sony bravia [1 month old] stopped streaming plus 7 and other steaming channels was enjoying now getting very frustrated
28 sept install and netlfix likes to roll back to login page, got it on twice . Drops it with power off,wifi good signal.
Latest s/w version a’body found a workaround or word from Sony / Netflix
@disqus_U631XhjBP9:disqus Yes it is limited for Australian users and here you will have to use Netflix VPN for outside USA. Just get the best VPN for Netflix in this list and access from anywhere as this is the best way to access Netflix outside the USA in any region. I hope this will help you out must go for it. Go to VPNRANKS for List of VPN providers.
Bought this TV today but can’t seem to get Netflix working? I keep getting cant connect message.
you need to update the software. scroll down the home page and click on the “?” icon to find update option..
Already have the latest update. 🙁
How do you access the normal TV channels, abc, 7,9,10 etc. Is it through a separate ‘AV’ input, or can you access from the Android TV menu.
From the standard interface you choose the ‘Digital’ antenna and it pops you into normal TV mode
Hi Sean,
Sorry to spam you. Is your Netflix working?
Mine is. Are you having issues?
Have you tried using a dualschock4 controller?
As per the announcement post http://ausdroid.net/2015/07/09/sony-launches-its-range-of-new-android-powered-tvs-in-australia/ PS4 controllers are supported
Thanks, I originally read that they are compatible, but I saw on the Sony FAQ page that they should work but are unsupported.
xbox 360 wireless controller also works
I didn’t think the Xbox controllers used bluetooth, how are you connecting this?
Does Stan have an app available?
Not stand-alone on the TV, but Stan uses Chromecast protocol, so you can just cast it to the TV from your computer, phone or tablet. Works perfectly.
I was hoping for the stand alone app. I’ve used the Chromecast app before and works quite well. Sounds like I’ll have to hit them up for a timeframe.
There’s lots of standalone apps needed. Stan. Presto. 9 Jumpin. Foxtel Go.
Perhaps before that, Sony need to fix some of the lag issues.
I would suspect updating to 5.1 would help with that for them. Whenever they choose to do that.
I asked them about this months ago. Well more so suggested in anticipation. It doesn’t sound like much work but we’ll probably be waiting until some time next year… If you get s tone grand please do let us know.
I just bought the 50″ HD model. Have to wait until the end of next month to use when I move out though.
I’m sorry. Trust me, find a way not to wait 😉
I’m sure there must be some reason we need both a 50″ and 55″ right next to each other in the living room
Yep, for when you can’t agree on what to watch 😉
Only 1 HDMI input and 1 Component That’s the only disappointment. Lack of inputs, my old Sony from 2009 had 4 HDMIs plus 2xcomponent
Where did you get that idea from? I’m think it come with 4 HDMIs and 3 component.
The entire range has 4x HDMI ports so should be ok.
Jealous!
While it looks GREAT, I’ve brought a ‘smart tv’ before and been burnt. All those fancy features fail to get updated and left behind. Now 4-5 years on the smart features are useless. 🙁
But I’ll buy one if my TV dies and its not a huge premium over a boring ‘TV’.
I got one yesterday and have installed kodi on it. It’s awesome and works flawlessly.
What I really want to know is how well the EPG and PVR features work in Android TV, which is just as big a deal as the catchup apps. Any chance you could offer some thoughts?
Not sure if this TV has a PVR function in it; haven’t come across it yet. Can’t access EPG, because we don’t have an antenna installed.
There is a PVR option in the specs list (http://ausdroid.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Screen-Shot-2015-07-09-at-2.18.31-pm.png) which offers to record or pause Live TV on a connected USB device. Check that out.
Can’t test it.. No FTA antenna here to try live TV on 🙁
Looking at purchasing one tomorrow. Since you guys have one can you tell me if the catch up Aussie apps are accessed within Freeview Plus which looks like it’s included with these new android TVs?
I cannot see the channel nine 9jumpin catch up app anywhere? Is this also included within the freeviewplus apps?
Thanks in advance.
9’s JumpIn app does not appear to be present. ABC, SBS, 7 and 10’s apps are there though, and they work fine.
Foxtel Play is neither installed nor available from what I can see.
Very interested in these Sony TVs, three questions:
1. Can you control Netflix via the remote control ? versus having to use an android app on a tablet/mobile
2. On the 4K model, what is the quality of normal TV like ? And will normal TV look better, same or worse then the non-4K model ?
3. How fast it it to navigate around the menus ?
1. You can use Netflix via the remote or via the Android app. Up to you.
2. Normal TV is probably going to look 98% the same. The 4K upscaler does work on FTA TV, but depending on the quality of the image, it’s going to struggle to make it look like crisp sharp 4K.
3. Navigation is quite quick, same as a Nexus Player.
excellent, thanks for the answers, much appreciated
I would like to get the Freeview app on my Nvidia Shield Console, for some reason it is not available from the Play Store but here it is on an Android TV device. Does anyone know if it is coming to the Play Store?
I’m not sure whether the Freeview+ apps are actually Android; I suspect they’re not, which might explain why they aren’t on the Play Store yet.
Bugger, that’s the number 1 missing feature for my Wife on my shield TV
Thanks for he review guys. I have the same model. Did you guys manage to get the Netflix app working? Mine wouldn’t let me past the login screen 2 days ago. I haven’t tested again today though.
Yeah, Chris has it working, he was enthusiastically raving about how good the 4K content on Netflix was looking.
Awesome! They probably fixed it since I tried the last time. I agree. 4K content looks amazing. I also got a pair of 3D glasses and 3D content looks superb 😉
There’s a software update which improves Netflix; would suggest checking for this.
Thanks Chris. I did a factory reset and that fixed the issue. Not sure what was it 🙂
Does it have dual tuner?
For what purpose? It doesn’t record. I don’t believe it has a dual tuner.
Dual tuner would be useful for picture in picture.
Do we have a sense of price?
Pricing has been announced depending on features and size : http://ausdroid.net/2015/07/09/sony-launches-its-range-of-new-android-powered-tvs-in-australia/
…up to $12,000 for the 75″ set! Outstanding 😉
(but prices start at ~$1,300)
This particular model is priced around $2900 depending on where you buy it.
Magic thanks – it does look very shiny
Is Netflix limited to Australian account or could I login to my VPN / US account?
I suppose you could log in to a US account if you had a VPN set up. I don’t have one to try with.
login in directly. mine is US and works fine.
You can login to your Netflix account, but unless you change the DNS: http://ausdroid.net/howto/setup-nexus-player-custom-dns-side-load-apps/ you’ll only see the Australian selection of Netflix content. You can also choose to install SmartDNS at router level, or a VPN if your router allows it.