KK wrote:On Watchdog last night they had a segment on those that had purchased Smart TVs because they were "Smart" and were now upset because a number of the apps such as iPlayer and ITV Hub are no longer supported (one couple after less than 2 years). They were basically told to purchase a usb stick or a games console.
Which operating systems were mentioned?
Outside of Sony (Android), Samsung (Tizen) and LG (WebOS) you're buying a dud.
Just like early smartphones with defunct systems like Symbian.
I swear you guys are doing it on purpose now.
Firefox OS was a bad choice
You're right, but what they're doing now with it is quite an elegant solution. And it runs really nicely, unlike Android.
Unlike Samsung, Sony and LG, Panasonic don't have the clout to carry a platform on their own.
My parents bought a Samsung TV about 6 years ago and iPlayer and a number of other apps are no longer supported and don't work any more. Was a top of the range TV at the time too.
Its not a massive issue for them as I've got them setup with a set top box for them now, but its wrong to suggest its not an issue that will effect the main TV manufacturers going forward.
So I picked up my LG 4K TV from Argos, first time using 4K so I have a question
I have my PS4 Pro set to HDMI port 1, I have enabled HDR for that port in the settings. My PS4 is set to auto HDR/ Resolution. Now, where the picture settings are, I have chosen GAME MODE my question is, will this automatically play everything in 4K/HDR now? And everything else should be upscalled right?
On the PS4, go to Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings > Video Output Information. If your display supports HDR you will see “Supported” displayed under HDR.
Also make sure your HDMI ports are switched to “enhanced” on the TV menus.
Everything should now just switch dependent on the game. On my TV the screen goes black for about 3 seconds as the settings switch and the HDMI port number and resolution are displayed in the top left (should be 3840 x 2160p)
KK wrote:On the PS4, go to Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings > Video Output Information. If your display supports HDR you will see “Supported” displayed under HDR.
Also make sure your HDMI ports are switched to “enhanced” on the TV menus.
Everything should now just switch dependent on the game. On my TV the screen goes black for about 3 seconds as the settings switch and the HDMI port number and resolution are displayed in the top left (should be 3840 x 2160p)
With the HDMI ports, it’s just a single menu option which you either switch on or off HDR per port so i’ve switched on the one my PS4Pro is connected to and switched off the one the Nintendo Switch is connected to.
Huge update from Sony for a range of TVs that’s supposed to sort out a strawberry float load of problems with Android:
- Picture-in-Picture mode - Half-screen settings mode - Task-switching (quickly access recently used apps) - Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) HDR content for USB, DLNA and satellite TV (XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85, X93D, X94C, X93C, X91C, X90C, X85C, S85C series only) - Google Cast 4K content via built-in Chromecast - Voice search web browser functionality - Samba Interactive TV service (optional) - Multiple Google accounts - Ability to switch to TV viewing mode from Home menu with PROG +/- or number buttons - Improved "Discover" menu interface and navigation - Improved Wi-Fi password input screen - Improved usability when registering a USB HDD recording device - Improved user interface when using a USB stick or HDD as an expandable storage device - This firmware also resolves other issues, such as a video on demand (VOD) playback issues where the video freezes or lip-sync errors occur
- Improves TV response time when using the remote control - Resolves an issue where TV cannot connect to the Wi-Fi access point from standby mode - Resolves YouTube 4K playback issue (2,560 x 1,440 resolution or higher) - Resolves an issue where the HDD is not detected for recording when the TV is in standby mode - Adds support for HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) HDR format via HDMI input (XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85, X93D, X94C, X93C, X91C, X90C, X85C, S85C series only) - Reduces input lag for 4K HDR gaming - Resolves issue where the right-hand side of the screen becomes bright when changing input from HDMI (4K signal input) to Terrestrial - Resolves sound skipping when using Sonos sound bar - Resolves stuttering playback on Amazon video when pressing ACTION MENU or VOL+/- buttons - Resolves poor video quality on BBC iPlayer when using "Watch from start" feature - Continuous reboot after installing firmware version 3.843 - Voice search button not functioning after installing firmware version 3.843 (XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85 series only) - All frequencies are output from the SWF-BR100 Wireless Subwoofer - Incorrect USB video aspect ratio display for 21:9 content - Slow TV response rate with Astra signal - Judder issue with HDMI Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) signal after deep standby - Recording issue with Stofa Neotion Dual CAM - Electronic program guide (EPG) when viewing sales or advertising (Barker) channel with video and audio enabled - Voice command issues - Channel list issue when importing new lists - Network connection failure (WLAN/LAN) - Danish mistranslations - Danish DR issue - playback stops when closing dialog box - When turning off the TV via the remote, audio remains on for 2-3 seconds after the screen turns off - EPG information not available on Spanish TVE - Slow response time on satellite channel setting screens - Abnormal “Pop” noise when changing the channel - TV doesn’t turn on after performing a factory data reset - Black picture when CI+ CAM is inserted - No picture / audio on FunBox 4K UHD satellite channel - Blinking light appears when opening the guide / YouTube cast issue when language is set to Hebrew - HDMI Dynamic Range malfunction - Issue with 'Auto picture' mode - Football mode functionality issue after performing a power cycle - Resolves juddering issues when using a UHD Set-top box
Reduces input lag for HDR Video mode (4K HDR TV models only: X85C, S85C, X91C, X90C, X93C, X94C, XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85 series)
After performing the update, please change one of the following settings:
Go to [Picture settings] → [Advanced settings] → [Reset] → and select [Reset] Change the Motionflow setting to [OFF]
HSH28 wrote:My parents bought a Samsung TV about 6 years ago and iPlayer and a number of other apps are no longer supported and don't work any more. Was a top of the range TV at the time too.
Its not a massive issue for them as I've got them setup with a set top box for them now, but its wrong to suggest its not an issue that will effect the main TV manufacturers going forward.
Samsung were using an OS called Orsay back then, they introduced Tizen in 2012 so they most likely missed out.
KK wrote:Huge update from Sony for a range of TVs that’s supposed to sort out a strawberry float load of problems with Android:
- Picture-in-Picture mode - Half-screen settings mode - Task-switching (quickly access recently used apps) - Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) HDR content for USB, DLNA and satellite TV (XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85, X93D, X94C, X93C, X91C, X90C, X85C, S85C series only) - Google Cast 4K content via built-in Chromecast - Voice search web browser functionality - Samba Interactive TV service (optional) - Multiple Google accounts - Ability to switch to TV viewing mode from Home menu with PROG +/- or number buttons - Improved "Discover" menu interface and navigation - Improved Wi-Fi password input screen - Improved usability when registering a USB HDD recording device - Improved user interface when using a USB stick or HDD as an expandable storage device - This firmware also resolves other issues, such as a video on demand (VOD) playback issues where the video freezes or lip-sync errors occur
- Improves TV response time when using the remote control - Resolves an issue where TV cannot connect to the Wi-Fi access point from standby mode - Resolves YouTube 4K playback issue (2,560 x 1,440 resolution or higher) - Resolves an issue where the HDD is not detected for recording when the TV is in standby mode - Adds support for HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) HDR format via HDMI input (XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85, X93D, X94C, X93C, X91C, X90C, X85C, S85C series only) - Reduces input lag for 4K HDR gaming - Resolves issue where the right-hand side of the screen becomes bright when changing input from HDMI (4K signal input) to Terrestrial - Resolves sound skipping when using Sonos sound bar - Resolves stuttering playback on Amazon video when pressing ACTION MENU or VOL+/- buttons - Resolves poor video quality on BBC iPlayer when using "Watch from start" feature - Continuous reboot after installing firmware version 3.843 - Voice search button not functioning after installing firmware version 3.843 (XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85 series only) - All frequencies are output from the SWF-BR100 Wireless Subwoofer - Incorrect USB video aspect ratio display for 21:9 content - Slow TV response rate with Astra signal - Judder issue with HDMI Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) signal after deep standby - Recording issue with Stofa Neotion Dual CAM - Electronic program guide (EPG) when viewing sales or advertising (Barker) channel with video and audio enabled - Voice command issues - Channel list issue when importing new lists - Network connection failure (WLAN/LAN) - Danish mistranslations - Danish DR issue - playback stops when closing dialog box - When turning off the TV via the remote, audio remains on for 2-3 seconds after the screen turns off - EPG information not available on Spanish TVE - Slow response time on satellite channel setting screens - Abnormal “Pop” noise when changing the channel - TV doesn’t turn on after performing a factory data reset - Black picture when CI+ CAM is inserted - No picture / audio on FunBox 4K UHD satellite channel - Blinking light appears when opening the guide / YouTube cast issue when language is set to Hebrew - HDMI Dynamic Range malfunction - Issue with 'Auto picture' mode - Football mode functionality issue after performing a power cycle - Resolves juddering issues when using a UHD Set-top box
Reduces input lag for HDR Video mode (4K HDR TV models only: X85C, S85C, X91C, X90C, X93C, X94C, XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85 series)
After performing the update, please change one of the following settings:
Go to [Picture settings] → [Advanced settings] → [Reset] → and select [Reset] Change the Motionflow setting to [OFF]
- Improves the stability of the TV
I’m taking the plunge and downloading it.
Please post impressions.
I was told by an assistant (with a Sony logo on his shirt ) in Currys back in January that the NowTV app would be coming in March, it's now May and nothing
Is there anything on the market, used or new, at the moment which would be the same sort of thing? The primary interest is the VESA mount combined with the super thin profile as it will be a wallmount.
Seems bizarre to me that all the TVs I see now are really thick in comparison.
KK wrote:Huge update from Sony for a range of TVs that’s supposed to sort out a strawberry float load of problems with Android:
- Picture-in-Picture mode - Half-screen settings mode - Task-switching (quickly access recently used apps) - Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) HDR content for USB, DLNA and satellite TV (XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85, X93D, X94C, X93C, X91C, X90C, X85C, S85C series only) - Google Cast 4K content via built-in Chromecast - Voice search web browser functionality - Samba Interactive TV service (optional) - Multiple Google accounts - Ability to switch to TV viewing mode from Home menu with PROG +/- or number buttons - Improved "Discover" menu interface and navigation - Improved Wi-Fi password input screen - Improved usability when registering a USB HDD recording device - Improved user interface when using a USB stick or HDD as an expandable storage device - This firmware also resolves other issues, such as a video on demand (VOD) playback issues where the video freezes or lip-sync errors occur
- Improves TV response time when using the remote control - Resolves an issue where TV cannot connect to the Wi-Fi access point from standby mode - Resolves YouTube 4K playback issue (2,560 x 1,440 resolution or higher) - Resolves an issue where the HDD is not detected for recording when the TV is in standby mode - Adds support for HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) HDR format via HDMI input (XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85, X93D, X94C, X93C, X91C, X90C, X85C, S85C series only) - Reduces input lag for 4K HDR gaming - Resolves issue where the right-hand side of the screen becomes bright when changing input from HDMI (4K signal input) to Terrestrial - Resolves sound skipping when using Sonos sound bar - Resolves stuttering playback on Amazon video when pressing ACTION MENU or VOL+/- buttons - Resolves poor video quality on BBC iPlayer when using "Watch from start" feature - Continuous reboot after installing firmware version 3.843 - Voice search button not functioning after installing firmware version 3.843 (XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85 series only) - All frequencies are output from the SWF-BR100 Wireless Subwoofer - Incorrect USB video aspect ratio display for 21:9 content - Slow TV response rate with Astra signal - Judder issue with HDMI Ultra-High-Definition (UHD) signal after deep standby - Recording issue with Stofa Neotion Dual CAM - Electronic program guide (EPG) when viewing sales or advertising (Barker) channel with video and audio enabled - Voice command issues - Channel list issue when importing new lists - Network connection failure (WLAN/LAN) - Danish mistranslations - Danish DR issue - playback stops when closing dialog box - When turning off the TV via the remote, audio remains on for 2-3 seconds after the screen turns off - EPG information not available on Spanish TVE - Slow response time on satellite channel setting screens - Abnormal “Pop” noise when changing the channel - TV doesn’t turn on after performing a factory data reset - Black picture when CI+ CAM is inserted - No picture / audio on FunBox 4K UHD satellite channel - Blinking light appears when opening the guide / YouTube cast issue when language is set to Hebrew - HDMI Dynamic Range malfunction - Issue with 'Auto picture' mode - Football mode functionality issue after performing a power cycle - Resolves juddering issues when using a UHD Set-top box
Reduces input lag for HDR Video mode (4K HDR TV models only: X85C, S85C, X91C, X90C, X93C, X94C, XD94, XD93, XD85, SD85 series)
After performing the update, please change one of the following settings:
Go to [Picture settings] → [Advanced settings] → [Reset] → and select [Reset] Change the Motionflow setting to [OFF]
There's many (proclaimed) behind the scenes improvements, many of which I didn't or won't use anyway, so it's difficult to say if things are better or not.
Once it's updated you're immediately asked if you want to enable Samba, which I declined.
The home page feels a tad bit faster/responsive on the remote, though it hasn't changed from a visual perspective so it's just as cluttered and uncustomisable as it was before. It does however now keep recommending me some sort of shitty racing game I should download on the Play store. The side menus have changed, though don't appear to be any better or worse than they were before.
Playing videos off of a connected USB however (at 1080p) do now suffer from sporadic framerate and slowdown issues, which they didn't previously. Produces the same effect as if you're playing a videogame and there's too much happening on screen at once for the hardware to cope.
And of course the satellite EPG is still broken for the UK market, which in turn means the dual tuner and HDD recording facility is also defunct. It will only give you Now and Next information when you tune in to the particular channel. General responsiveness, such as changing or removing channels though, is faster. Graphics, thumbnails and all that other stuff is excellent, which only makes it even more frustrating it doesn't work. I can't believe Sony hasn't made it a priority because this just isn't a problem with LG, Samsung or Panasonic (who have paid to use Freesat).
There have been no error messages, hangs, or crashes yet, at least. Only time will tell if things really are more stable or not.
KK wrote:There's many (proclaimed) behind the scenes improvements, many of which I didn't or won't use anyway, so it's difficult to say if things are better or not.
Once it's updated you're immediately asked if you want to enable Samba, which I declined.
The home page feels a tad bit faster/responsive on the remote, though it hasn't changed from a visual perspective so it's just as cluttered and uncustomisable as it was before. It does however now keep recommending me some sort of shitty racing game I should download on the Play store. The side menus have changed, though don't appear to be any better or worse than they were before.
It's getting to the point where we've got to decide between the Sony or the Samsung, so this is positive.
The main differentiation is the NowTV app which, for whatever reason, isn't available on Android TV yet.
I use NowTV via the PS4 Pro so that isn't too much of an issue for me, though a few of the terrestrial catch-up apps are still missing on Android unless you enable YouView. The iPlayer 4K Beta is also absent on a number of Sony 4K TVs, including the OLED A1.
Oddly Sony are up to speed enabling HLG HDR, but there's not much use for it at the moment.
At least YouTube 4K works, which it doesn't on the PS4 Pro.
I know this is an odd question but is it possible to find out how many hours a TV has been used? I've not used my new tv anywhere near as much as I thought I would just like to know how much.
KK wrote:I use NowTV via the PS4 Pro so that isn't too much of an issue for me, though a few of the terrestrial catch-up apps are still missing on Android unless you enable YouView. The iPlayer 4K Beta is also absent on a number of Sony 4K TVs, including the OLED A1.
Oddly Sony are up to speed enabling HLG HDR, but there's not much use for it at the moment.
At least YouTube 4K works, which it doesn't on the PS4 Pro.
The main issue for me is that I'm subscribing to 3 different streaming services so I just want a TV that has a universal search that will pull results from multiple apps.
From what I've seen, only Android TV has this feature.
Also, are you able to record to a USB stick connected to an Android TV?
So i’m using Game mode on my new LG TV and the picture seems really dull. Even with the UHD/HDR enabled it seems like the colours are dulled.
This is the first time I have ever used game mode on a TV, usually I just go with what the standard set up is. Is there a negative for doing this other than slight input lag?