Lightbox on New Sony Bravia KDL-49W750D

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jgmc

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#204727 14-Oct-2016 16:53

Hi Everyone

I'm new to this site but just wondering if anyone can help. We have just come home today with a new Sony Bravia KDL-49W750D but disappointed to discover I can't get Lightbox to work. Is there any way to do it without buying additional devices? Is the app likely to come to this model TV?

Thanks :)

SparkyP

78 posts

Master Geek

#1651232 14-Oct-2016 18:00

Probably you are out of luck. We have Sony TVs which we love but after waiting years for a Sony service lightbox came out with a limited range of models it would work with. Ours wasn't included, we looked at a great deal recently on a Sony TV, maybe yours but the same problem - not listed even though it was a 2016 model.

Go to Lightbox and look at FAQs and they will have somewhere on there that states what devices they support. Look under Sony and they give you the specific model numbers. But probably as most are not included, you will be out of luck. After having Ligthbox for 18 months but not being able to access it, I gave in this week and brought a $69 Google Chromecast from NL and plugged it in. Instant Lightbox, casts super easily from any android device and doesn't use up much battery either and no annoying browser frame. No other way around it if you are not on the list. Super annoying as Sony are great TVs and they work well for Netflix and other services.

jgmc

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1651234 14-Oct-2016 18:05

Thanks for your reply. I guess I just assumed that since it was a 2016 model it would do it. But it was pretty cheap compared to others. So I guess thats why. Also can't do mirroring as our devices are apple. Never mind. Haven't bought a TV for MANY years, so will know more about what we need for the next one :)

jgmc

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1651235 14-Oct-2016 18:07

I just paid $69 for a new HDMI cable so I'm sure I can suck up another $69 for the chrome cast :)

SparkyP

78 posts

Master Geek

#1651251 14-Oct-2016 18:43

I think you may be able to cast from PC as well, maybe IOS perhaps. Look for a video on how to google chromecast, it shows you options on there.

We tried HDMI, it does work but you have a much more intrusive screen presence and it ties up your PC if using one. Although we had what I thought was a good quality gold cable, the display quality was so awful that we just decided it wasn't worth watching, to say nothing of cables on the floor to put away each night. But you might have a better experience of it than me. My assessment would be that Chromecast is a massive improvement on an HDMI cable but maybe the system works better since I last tried it 18 months ago. As for the Sony TV, it is still a good buy - I have never yet had one go on the blink (not like some other big names I could mention which consistently fail at 3 years) and they are good quality and easy to operate IMO.

Dratsab

3946 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1651253 14-Oct-2016 18:49

Welcome to Geekzone!

$69 for an HDMI cable - ouch!! You paid far, far too much...

But yes, completely agree with SparkyP - the Chromecast is the way to go. I have one for my Sony TV and also use it for Youtube now that Sony don't offer Youtube support on my TV model. One thing you'll discover quite quickly is that a.Sony software tends to be awful (although they are making inroads in this area - better late than never I guess) and b.smart TV's have a limited lifespan for app support so a Chromecast is a good investment - I even have one on my reasonably late model Samsung which does support Lightbox.

jgmc

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1651255 14-Oct-2016 18:54

Yep last Sony TV lasted 12-13 years, maybe more. Which is partly why I'm so out of touch with what to look for. And I thought $69 was expensive for HDMI but I didn't have time to investigate further - needed it to connect sky as last VERY OLD tv had a scart cable (is that what its called?). Anyway, despite the lightbox thing, the new TV is lightyears better than the old one. I think I have an HDMI cable I can hook from my laptop to the TV so could always give this a try and see if I can put up with it.

Thanks all for help and suggestions :)