Sony KDL50w700 great image DUMB smart tv, need browser and keyboard?

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TeaLeaf

6331 posts

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#185224 14-Nov-2015 18:39

The TV is beautiful, everything works well has nice connectivity.

But the APPS are terrible, youtube, netflix and the internet browser all are close to unusable.

Is there any way to connect a keyboard to it?

It doesnt recognise logitech unifying receiver usb dongles. I dont think it has bluetooth

What would be the cheapest device to use an internet browser on it, google chromecast?

robjg63

4101 posts

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#1428114 14-Nov-2015 19:05

Smart TVs can be a PITA.

How about something like this to hook up to it.
http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_193367.html?wid=1

At least it gives you access to the google play store...

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

TeaLeaf

6331 posts

Uber Geek

#1428121 14-Nov-2015 19:13

would that give me access to a web browser? would i have to use XBMC? im not really sure what the box is. its cheap though.

robjg63

4101 posts

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#1428126 14-Nov-2015 19:24

It's an android box. It does have kodi installed, but that's just an app.
You could install the chrome browser or Firefox I guess.
Imagine it as an android tab on your TV.
I ordered a couple last week.

Have a look on YouTube - that will give you an idea.
Doesn't support Bluetooth, but you should be able to use a WiFi keyboard or USB. Don't know if a USB dongle will work...

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

TeaLeaf

6331 posts

Uber Geek

#1428199 14-Nov-2015 23:16

hmmm one would think one of the main usb unifiers (logitech) would have the most chance of working. i might do some googling to see if someone else has it working and yotube to take a look

Gtrev

26 posts

Geek

#1428217 15-Nov-2015 06:35

I have the same TV and love it. Lovely cinema like colours . Yes it does have Bluetooth, but it only the Bluetooth profile for pointing devices ie. a mouse. I was pretty hacked of about that as I would at least expect headphone support. I have no problem with any of the apps although they can be a bit slow at times.
I have both a appletv and firetv. The firetv wins hand down for speed and flexibility.

TeaLeaf

6331 posts

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#1428409 15-Nov-2015 18:34

have you found any keyboard and mouse and a web browser?

littleheaven

2130 posts

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#1428447 15-Nov-2015 20:08

My TV, while HD, pre-dates Smart TVs so I have a Minix Neo Z64 Windows mini-PC attached to it for smart features (as well as an Apple TV and a PS3). The Minix is a similar form factor to the Apple TV but is a fully functioning PC, so you can install Kodi or Plex, any Windows apps, or use a browser. I got a wireless media keyboard with trackpad to drive it, and a Flirc dongle for using my Harmony remote with Plex. In my opinion TV makers should stick to making fantastic TVs and leave the online stuff to others who do a much better job of it. The apps on my Panasonic PVR are horrible.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

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TeaLeaf

6331 posts

Uber Geek

#1428454 15-Nov-2015 20:24

Totally agree, until TV manus can at least do a basic cpu and GPU setup that handles an actual OS and keyboard/mouse, stick to making displays. Sony displays are great but samsungs smart TV is miles ahead and even it is very limited.

Gtrev

26 posts

Geek

#1432612 22-Nov-2015 12:14

I have tried the Microsoft all in one media keyboard and that doesn't work, but it works great with kodi on aftv. I'm not really to fussed about the inbuilt smart apps as they are only supported as long as the tv is a current model. Saying that I got a firmware update this week to pkg2.704gaa which says it has UI performance enhancements.
I would recommend writing down all the settings you are happy with and doing a factory reset after installation

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18668 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1432654 22-Nov-2015 15:14

I have an earlier version of the same TV, bought it for the picture quality, tried the 'smart' stuff once, disabled it permanently, bought a mini-pc like littleheaven with remote usb keyboard/mouse combo, have all the smart functions in the world through Windows 8.1. Anyone who buys any TV for this kind of thing is going to end up very disappointed.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#1432784 22-Nov-2015 17:43

Indeed, as Rikkitic says, anyone buying a smart TV for those features will be diasppointed. Which is why I always advise my family members to pick TVs on the size and picture quality above all, and with having enough of the right inputs as the secondary buying criteria.

Ignore sound quality. Sound on most TVs, even the high end ones, is poor - and a mediocre soundbar will give much better performance. A high end soundbar, or better still a good home theatre amp will do better.

Ignore smarts. They are pretty bad and don't tend to be updated. Even Sony and Samsung tend to orphan their products for support once the new model comes out. I paid about $250 for a quad-core android PC (Minix X8-H) for the dumb TV upstairs. I have an ASRock Beebox N3150 ($360 incl a 32GB SSD and Windows 10) on order to upgrade the downstairs "smart" TV. Both are more powerful, flexible and useful than any smart TV I have seen. They will take wireless keyboards, mice, gyroscopic remotes, and (in the case of the BeeBox) any standard windows peripherals. Plus, I would rather upgrade just the computing box in a few years if later and greater things become available, than junk the whole TV.

As a side question, why do you want to browse the web on your TV? My experience of doing so isn't great - you are better off using a cheap tablet if you want to browse in your armchair.

TeaLeaf

6331 posts

Uber Geek

#1432806 22-Nov-2015 19:00

Yeah totally agree. To be honest they do the main things like netflix, youtube etc ok, but having a web browser you cant use a mouse and keyboard with is just stupid.

Well probably just chromecast.

Looking into the different wireless connections too. I think you can mirracast windows but not apple, i think you might be able to wifi direct apple but havnt had the time time to play.