Is it worth buying a Sony bravia android tv?

by matt_2807

There is a general lack of android tv reviews and websites with articles about android tv so it's hard to learn about it really.

I currently have a samsung smart tv and I think it's good I mostly use it for gaming and playing content from my external hard drive.

I have seen that the Sony bravias themselves are good tvs. But is it worth paying a few hundred extra for android tv?

I am most keen on the fact that with it being android it will keep more up to date than other smart tv operating systems and that will in turn make it worth the investment.

warmaster

Buy a good, cheap, dumb TV. Use the extra money & get a Shield TV PRO.

nyteryder79

I got the new x850c 55" and love it! It's my first Android TV experience, but so far I'm impressed. I'm no Android novice either, just new to Android TV. I have ES and MX Pro installed to play videos/music over my network. Works perfectly! The color and contrast is amazing, especially when gaming. I highly recommend this TV. I'd say more, but I'm on mobile right now.

oddbin

I'm all set to get one shortly but in the run up I looked at a few reviews and especially this thread, full of owners, to see all the issues and shortcomings: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/166-lcd-flat-panel-displays/1985298-sony-2015-xbr-55x850c-xbr-65x850c-xbr-75x850c-owners-club-73.html

Overall I've not seen anything to put me off given that they have ha as several updates, each squashing bugs and adding features. And as you said, Bravias are good TVs.

noahsark3

It's gonna be a jack of all trades but master of none, probably. And built-in usually puts up red flags for me about updates; they don't need to update for as long or as frequently because you're already in it with the TV, and aren't likely to replace it quickly anyway.

hertzsae

It really comes down to weighing the following questions:

  1. How much extra is it vs. a dumb-tv that gives what you find to be an acceptable picture quality?
  2. Are you against having a separate STB? (Shield TV costs $200 and gives a great Android TV experience)
  3. Do you care about having Amazon Prime content? (currently, the Sony TVs are the only Android TV devices with Amazon access) There may be a playstation tie in exclusivity too, but I don't follow playstation.

Remember, you can always add a set top box later if 5 years from now you still want the TV, but the software runs slow.

deadringer28

I see a lot of people say to get a dumb TV and a Shield and I think that is a great idea but I also think there might be a lot of merit to getting one of these Sony TVs and a PS4 for gaming. Best of both worlds. Remote play with a PS4 seems like a win to me. Maybe it all comes down to your current needs. I am obviously not going to go out to buy a 55-80" TV unless I need to replace one but I might just add a box like the Shield to my existing because of the lower price.

Ariakkas10

Integrated TV's are universally terrible. They really are. Maybe that one is the one that bucks the trend, but that is not a gamble I'd ever take.

Buy a kick ass TV...the less smart the better. My gf bought a TV just for the panel, didn't want the smarts. Damn thing takes 30 to boot up when you turn it on. Its not worth it.