Are modern Sony Bravias restricted in use in any way?

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nickb99

128 posts

Master Geek

#116186 21-Apr-2013 14:42

Am looking at the ASB "free" tv offer for some new mortgage/loan packages. Its a Sony Bravia KDL42W670A. True financial cost aside, do Sony restrict their TVs use in any way? Might seem a daft question but I have been burned with Sony before with over-heavy DRM restrictions.

I want to know if the TV gives full unfettered internet access, or if its only via the 'Sony Entertainment Network'?

And also if the tv will browse to a (non-Sony) network storage device to play back media files?

No manual online as far as I can find. I have emailed Sony, but no idea how long they will take to reply.

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Networkn
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#803063 21-Apr-2013 14:48

I'd suggest that the likelyhood that any Smart TV would give you as good Internet Experience as you would get on any computer or tablet, would be low. They are relatively static devices and unlikely to be able to display some of the more advanced elements. However Sony TV's have great picture quality almost without exception and if you are in the market for a new TV this seems like a reasonable incentive. They usually have multiple HDMI Inputs and if you want truly transparent internet experience then connect your laptop to the tv via hdmi.

mattwnz

20147 posts

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#803068 21-Apr-2013 14:53

I have a sony tv from about a year ago with a web browser, and it seems to work on most websites, but won't load flash content, and can't handle more complex websites. They have pretty slow processors I think. Mine supports DLNA , but I think the file extensions it plays are quite limited. Probably best to rely on it solely as a screen, although youtube and ziln tv work quite well.

nickb99

128 posts

Master Geek

#803072 21-Apr-2013 15:05

Thanks. Any idea about network browsing?

JimmyH

2886 posts

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#803078 21-Apr-2013 15:23

Don't focus on internet capability and media playing capability etc when choosing a TV. Without exception any capability the marketers may trumpet is buggy and inferior in practice. With limited codecs, poor support for flash, and poor to non-existent support or ongoing updates from the manufacturer etc.

Pick a TV because, and pretty much only because, it is the size you want, has a very good picture, and has the right inputs.

Connect a cheap media player if you want this functionality. Connect a laptop if you want the internet. Pretty much guaranteed to give you a better result. Silly to compromise the core function of a TV (ie displaying a quality picture well) in the pursuit of something that's bound to disappoint sooner or later.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

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#803204 21-Apr-2013 19:02

+1
TVs are pretty much useless except for watching TV which is what they are designed to do. SMART Tvs are not very smart.
My Sony ex720 is extremely limited for Internet access. You get only what Sony will let you get.
It will access my PC and other devices via Network but so few file types can be played that it's really useless and so I use an A C Ryan player.
If you want Internet access use a PC.
If you want to play Network files get a Media Player.

nickb99

128 posts

Master Geek

#803205 21-Apr-2013 19:05

The main requirement for me will be to play movies. I know I can plug in a USB stick but would much prefer to stream the same file over the network. Hopefully Sony support will reply soon with a link to a full manual so I can determine exactly what this model can do. Thanks for your advice.

Dratsab

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#803209 21-Apr-2013 19:13

B1GGLZ: +1
TVs are pretty much useless except for watching TV which is what they are designed to do. SMART Tvs are not very smart.
My Sony ex720 is extremely limited for Internet access. You get only what Sony will let you get.
It will access my PC and other devices via Network but so few file types can be played that it's really useless and so I use an A C Ryan player.
If you want Internet access use a PC.
If you want to play Network files get a Media Player.

Almost agree. The software on Sony's is very slow and there's a big limitation on codec's it'll play. That aside I've found I can get to any website I want on my ex720. On mine, when the browser opens it defaults to a Sony website but hitting the options buttons on my remote allows me to go to any URL I specify. This becomes really easy when using either a smartphone or tablet to enter the URL :-)

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mattwnz

20147 posts

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#803212 21-Apr-2013 19:14

The codecs are quite limited, so it probably won't play many of the popular ones. I think some do divx, but you would need to convert them first. Also it may not play large files on the USB unless you format the drive to exFAT

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#803307 21-Apr-2013 21:27

IMHO it's a waste of time persisting with finding manuals and emailing Sony etc. You will wind up disappointed, If your main requirement is to play movies, just spend circa $100 on a cheap media player. Mine is a WD Live, but there are plenty of other good options like the AC Ryan B1GGLZ references.

Nowadays they are cheap, robust, networkable, take USB drives and memory sticks, have a good range of codec support and tolerance for file sizes etc - and pretty much guaranteed to blow anything a "smart" TV will do in this respect out of the water.

Sure, you "could" persist in trying to drive in a nail by hitting it with a spanner - but you are better off using a hammer!

nickb99

128 posts

Master Geek

#803761 22-Apr-2013 16:07

To finish this thread Sony replied and said "In regards to the TV allow unrestricted internet browsing Sony televisions allow you to browse internet websites that do not contain flash media player and you also have access to the Sony Entertainment Network. You have the ability to connect your television to wireless home network for streaming movies or files such as AVI. It is recommended to use any DLNA media server to stream the content through to your television."

They were unable to provide any link to a full manual. Sloppy really, given the TV is launched.

trig42

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#803765 22-Apr-2013 16:14

Don't most of these TVs have an e-manual now? ie. a Manual on the TV itself rather than a printed book.

mattwnz

20147 posts

Uber Geek

#803773 22-Apr-2013 16:25

trig42: Don't most of these TVs have an e-manual now? ie. a Manual on the TV itself rather than a printed book.

Yes the manual is in the tv. Although I would have thought there would be a pdf.

nickb99

128 posts

Master Geek

#803777 22-Apr-2013 16:27

Manual in the TV is a great idea to save wasting paper. But tricky to read if you don't have the TV yet...

Ropata

318 posts

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#803797 22-Apr-2013 16:59

I purchased a new telly a couple of months ago and discovered that Sony TVs are quite restricted in what file types they play. A salesman told me it was because they are also a media company and would prefer you to buy the Bu-ray or whatever else (not sure if true). So I got an LG and to my surprise it hasn't failed to play any codec yet and even plays .MKV HD over my network flawlessly.

nickb99

128 posts

Master Geek

#803806 22-Apr-2013 17:09

Thanks Ropata, that is what I suspected. Sony have some very odd self defeating practices when it comes to restricting products with DRM. I guess that is why they have been struggling financially these last few years.

This particular model TV says it will play all the following by USB and a few more over DNLA;

MPEG1/ MPEG2PS/ MPEG2TS/ AVCHD/ MP4Part10/ MP4Part2/ AVI(XVID)/ AVI (MotinJpeg)/ MOV/ WMV/ MKV/ WEBM/ 3GPP/ MP3/ WMA/WAV/ JPEG/ MPO

As was noted above, however, I can always use an alternative player if the TV won't play ball.

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