Thoughts about moving from Nexus Player to a Sony 4k 2015 TV w/AndriodTV

by TupperwareConspiracy

Started off with a Nexus Player and once SlingTV was available it became the primary platform for OTT, however growing pains quickly emerged...While I remain supportive of what Google was trying to accomplish with the NexusP it was clear the endless not-quite-fully-baked quirks like choosing between cumbersome HDMI-CEC integration and an remote that lacks volume, not to mention a remote would that simply unpair for no discernible reason, made it a less than ideal solution for a living room shared with a wife who expects things "to just work."

To alleviate that and with no alternative from Google/Asus on the horizon - and obviously get a working version of Amazon Instant Video & HBO Now ASAP - I took the plunge and went out and bought a Sony 4k 2015 TV, the XBR55X850C.

OS: The Sony TV runs 5.1.1 at the moment and while Sony includes a few more bells & whistles than a Nexus Player it's the same idea.

Apps: I knew I'd be getting Amazon Instant, HBO Now but I was a bit shocked to find Vudu was lurking in there with a functional AndriodTV App as well. For the moment these apps remain the "killer feature" of the Sony platform until more UHD content appears.

Bloatware/Crapware: The Sony TV is absolutely loaded with spam for unwanted bloatware apps some of which seem to be installed by the img itself (Crackle) however the bulk of my ire is unnecessary row of spam called "Featured Apps;" it gets far more annoying as time goes on as to reach your real apps you need to scroll through it each and every time. To Sony's credit however they resisted the temptation to further skin the UI, if your familar with Nexus Player you'll be at home here.

OTA Integration: This was also unexpected, I have an HD Home Run and Sony had it's own way of implementing these channels via "Streaming Channels" -- which seemingly negates the need for Google's Live Channels -- In practice it worked better than I expected and it was possible to scroll through the channels with a channels button (woohoo!) however I couldn't find a programming guide (boohoo).

Feature & System tools: This is the biggest upside, as the full featured remote control & ability to control all facets of the viewing experience with said remote was wonderful improvement over using a Nexus w/TV. However, since some settings are controlled via Andriod OS settings applet and others via Sony's own OSD tools it can be a pain to hunt for a specific setting as you need to use two radically different interfaces to find each and further compouding the problem was that some settings can be controlled via both mechanisms. That said, the only feature I found really missing on the Nexus Player (w/Marshmellow) was the ability to stream the audio feed to a Bluetooth-based headset.

Casting: Worked the same as the Nexus Player, with the same bizarre inability to control the volume from a phone (why a Chromecast can do this and Google Cast circa Nov 2015 is utterly beyond me).

Performance: Not being a TV gamer, I didn't really notice much of a change in horsepower with the OTT apps (SlingTV, HBO, Amazon etc). While the Nexus Player would likely win a head-to-head benchmark test, simply eliminating the HDMI-CEC quirks the overall "feel" is much improved in terms of real-world boot-up.

Conclusion: Overall, it is a radical improvement over the Nexus Player, however that's as much of a statement about my frustration with the Nexus as it is with the Sony. Apple would never have a media-center STB without premier apps like Amazon, HBO & Vudu and while I don't think Google's ideal is the current approach, the reality is that TV manufs and app makers are locking-down APKs creating the kind of walled gardens that benefit no one. Deep-down, I'd rather invest in an AndriodTV STB and buy the best (dumb) viewing panel & audio experience possible but for the moment Sony has a path of lease resistance to get to where I need my home media-center to be circa Dec 2015...

Andrroid

Apple would never have a media-center STB without premier apps like Amazon

...the new Apple TV does not have Amazon Instant Video and the future does not look bright in this regard

I think they're waiting on Vudu.

NintenDope64

I enjoyed your post, also rocking the same TV. I was able to increase the responsiveness of the TV by disabling some of the bloatware through the settings > apps page.

7HR4SH3R

Just so you know I popped freshly recharged AAAs in my Nexus Player remote and haven't seen the disconnected notification for upwards of a month now.

nyteryder79

You can get the bloat off of the homescreen by turning notifications off for Sony Select and Sony Shelf apps, then forcing them to stop.

I have the same TV as you and I've loved it these past few months. Amazing picture, great Android TV experience. Only gripe is the sound that's built-in is horrible, but a soundbar fixed that problem.

getcashmoney

Could you extract the VUDU APK? I'm dying over here.

gt5679a

Thanks for the write up. I'm seriously considering one of the same TVs to replace a Sony 34XBR960 (great TV, just smallish and dated).

I appreciate the info on live TV streaming as I also have an HD Homerun Prime. I've been using an Nvidia Shield TV as of late, which is great with Live Channels. Good to hear Sony has an alternative, even if not fully baked.

A little off topic, but can you talk about picture quality? I've read good things, but like to hear impressions from real life users as well.

Thanks.

tagd

I gave up on trying to disable the Sony bloat on the main screen and switched to HALauncher. Much higher usability scores from my wife and daughter.

docfunbags

Bought this TV today - loving it. One downside though is there does not seem to be a way to enable 3D on the AndroidTV - just on HDMI2. I have some 3D content on my Plex server - cannot view unless I use Plex on XboxOne thru HDMI2. I purchased Samsung active-rf 3D glasses for 20$ as opposed to the 50$ Sony and had no issue pairing.

Edit: turns out the 3D is Plex on Android TV specific. I can turn on 3D in YouTube and Netflix from Action Menu.