Is the satellite tuner on the Sony XH85 range any good?

salnado

I have been using Freesat on a 32" Samsung for a number of years and works well.

I'm looking to upgrade to a 49/50" and looking at the Sony KD49XH9505 because of the various other capabilities (Homekit, Airplay, Chromecast etc...). This has 2 x sat inputs but I don't think it has a Freesat tuner. My question is, if it doesn't have Freesat tuner what is Sony's Sat tuner like...do you get any EPG..can you record series etc.?

Thanks in advance

decor58

salnado wrote: »

I have been using Freesat on a 32" Samsung for a number of years and works well.

I'm looking to upgrade to a 49/50" and looking at the Sony KD49XH9505 because of the various other capabilities (Homekit, Airplay, Chromecast etc...). This has 2 x sat inputs but I don't think it has a Freesat tuner. My question is, if it doesn't have Freesat tuner what is Sony's Sat tuner like...do you get any EPG..can you record series etc.?

Thanks in advance

If it doesn't have Freesat most likely to just get now and next, series link would be out but you could just set timed recordings, fairly reliable you just have to be conscious of program changes or overruns.

mackersdublin

salnado wrote: »

I have been using Freesat on a 32" Samsung for a number of years and works well.

I'm looking to upgrade to a 49/50" and looking at the Sony KD49XH9505 because of the various other capabilities (Homekit, Airplay, Chromecast etc...). This has 2 x sat inputs but I don't think it has a Freesat tuner. My question is, if it doesn't have Freesat tuner what is Sony's Sat tuner like...do you get any EPG..can you record series etc.?

Thanks in advance

LG, Samsung and Panasonic are the only TVs that Freesat can be on

salnado

mackersdublin wrote: »

LG, Samsung and Panasonic are the only TVs that Freesat can be on

That's not correct. Some of the larger Sony's have Freesat tuners e.g. kd55xh9005

mackersdublin

salnado wrote: »

That's not correct. Some of the larger Sony's have Freesat tuners e.g. kd55xh9005

Apologies, Sony must of added Freesat to their 2020 models. Certainly for the last 5 years or so, only the 3 brands I listed earlier had Freesat

Alex Sky Doctor

My Sony Bravia KDL-32W654A is connected dirrectly to the dish. Works perfectly! I have it for 5 years.

decor58

Alex Sky Doctor wrote: »

My Sony Bravia KDL-32W654A is connected dirrectly to the dish. Works perfectly! I have it for 5 years.

Just curious, does the TV have Freesat , i.e. channels in order, full epg, etc, or did you have to reorder the channels, now and next epg.

Alex Sky Doctor

decor58 wrote: »

Just curious, does the TV have Freesat , i.e. channels in order, full epg, etc, or did you have to reorder the channels, now and next epg.

To be honest I don't know. I just did full scan, and from the "digital channel list" grabbed my favourites. There are 4 folders to sort them out. In fact I just watch few channels.

salnado

decor58 wrote: »

Just curious, does the TV have Freesat , i.e. channels in order, full epg, etc, or did you have to reorder the channels, now and next epg.

It doesn't have Freesat, that's why I was looking for feedback on the tuner/EPG provided by Sony

JDxtra

salnado wrote: »

It doesn't have Freesat, that's why I was looking for feedback on the tuner/EPG provided by Sony

If it doesn't have Freesat, it'll be difficult. I've used a Sony Android TV before with satellite and no Freesat and it was a horrible interface to tune and manage stations.

Phil.x

Get a Walker tv.

mackersdublin

Phil.x wrote: »

Get a Walker tv.

Rather than a Sony XH85, you can't be serious. Comparing a top of the range Sony TV to a budget brand is laughable

EdmondShiels3

If it is like the older sony TV it only has now and next for the channel you are watching. You have to tune it if channels change. It does record but you have to set it manually. This can be an issue if a program you record changed time some days but this would only be a very few programs. On the model I have to sort the channels, you have to use a USB memory stick and download the channels on to it and then user a sony program on the computer to edit the channels. I tried this but I had to disconnect the hard drive I use for recording as you could not connect the memory stick with it connected. Even using another USB port. I then had trouble getting it to detect the Hard drive again. I then did not bother sorting the channels. This issue could be resolved in newer models. They are great TV's but I would get a freesat receiver as it will have a full guide and recording function and no re-tune needed for channel changes. Saorview has the full guide but no seires link but option to set programs daily, weekly, Monday-Friday etc.

JDxtra

A Samsung QLED (with Freesat) like this would be a better choice. Or, if still keen on the Sony then get a separate Freesat external box and use the Sony for any smart apps/casting and Saorview.

salnado

JDxtra wrote: »

A Samsung QLED (with Freesat) like this would be a better choice. Or, if still keen on the Sony then get a separate Freesat external box and use the Sony for any smart apps/casting and Saorview.

Yes, was considering that one too, but it's €150 more expensive to get Freesat, but lose built-in Chromecast and possibly lose out on picture quality (depending on your opinion on Samsung vs Sony).


I already have a Humax box for the 32", 10 year old non-smart Sony that I want to replace...but there are people in the house who would like to avoid cables and second remotes so trying to keep everyone happy!

bronkobilly

mackersdublin wrote: »

Rather than a Sony XH85, you can't be serious. Comparing a top of the range Sony TV to a budget brand is laughable

i have a walker tv no problems works on satellite and saorview and internet comparing to sony its different but most of the tv's now made are made by some body else panasonic tv's are made in the same factory as walker tv s even the remote's are the same but u are buying the name like panasonic

Gerry Wicklow

If you need things like series linking and therefore a 7 day EPG I would still recommend a combo box. In my experience TV software is obsolete even before it leaves the shop and seldom if ever updates. At least with a combo box you are more up to date. It should also be noted that Channel 4 HD and several other UK channels are available free on satellite but are not on FreeSat and need to be tuned manually. Likewise Irish stations are not free on the UK satellite. A combo box will allow you record Irish and UK at the same time from the same channel list, all with 7 day EPG and series linking. Many TVs require you to switch between satellite and terrestrial.

decor58

salnado wrote: »

It doesn't have Freesat, that's why I was looking for feedback on the tuner/EPG provided by Sony

My question was to Alex Sky Doctor.

salnado

mackersdublin wrote: »

Apologies, Sony must of added Freesat to their 2020 models. Certainly for the last 5 years or so, only the 3 brands I listed earlier had Freesat

I went ahead and bought the KD49XH8505. Delivered yesterday and set it up (choosing UK as location). On initial setup only standard satellite tuner was available but then ran a software update and was pleasantly surprised to see a Freesat tuner appear with all the Freesat features. Sony don't mention Freesat in the release notes for this firmware update so not sure if this applies to other models too: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/lcd-tvs-android-xh85xx_x85xxh_xh91xx-series/kd-49xh8505/downloads/00017076

Impressed so far with the TV, great picture and has all of Freesat, Chromecast, AirPlay, and Homekit.

Dec4

salnado wrote: »

I went ahead and bought the KD49XH8505. Delivered yesterday and set it up (choosing UK as location). On initial setup only standard satellite tuner was available but then ran a software update and was pleasantly surprised to see a Freesat tuner appear with all the Freesat features. Sony don't mention Freesat in the release notes for this firmware update so not sure if this applies to other models too: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/lcd-tvs-android-xh85xx_x85xxh_xh91xx-series/kd-49xh8505/downloads/00017076

Impressed so far with the TV, great picture and has all of Freesat, Chromecast, AirPlay, and Homekit.

Just to confirm you have a full Freesat guide and presumably can schedule recordings on this?
Presumably beacuse you have a UK setup you cannot have a saorview guide and schedule recordings on that?
Good news that Freesat might be back with Sony

Dec4

Looks like a number of Sony TVs are getting this Freesat update from 27th November
https://www.simplyelectricals.co.uk/blog/sony-bravia-android-freesat-tvs-launch

salnado

Dec4 wrote: »

Just to confirm you have a full Freesat guide and presumably can schedule recordings on this?
Presumably beacuse you have a UK setup you cannot have a saorview guide and schedule recordings on that?
Good news that Freesat might be back with Sony

It’s Definitely Freesat with full guide. Saorview is labelled Freeview and channels are not exactly typical order but all there and guide too. It is very easy to switch between the two tuners. I have a few recordings setup over the weekend and will let you know how they go.

Some pictures attached.

Dec4

salnado wrote: »

It’s Definitely Freesat with full guide. Saorview is labelled Freeview and channels are not exactly typical order but all there and guide too. It is very easy to switch between the two tuners. I have a few recordings setup over the weekend and will let you know how they go.

Some pictures attached.

Brilliant, thanks very much for the pics Salnado.
Looks like my new TV will be a Sony:)

Simi

Dec4 wrote: »

Brilliant, thanks very much for the pics Salnado.
Looks like my new TV will be a Sony:)

I'd highly recommend it. I just got the x9296h (x9005h) and the interface is the best I've used. Pressing TV and down let's you flick between sources and you can also switch while in the EPG.

You can even change where the TV button takes you. I have mine set to launch straight into Freesat instead of the default 'Live TV & catch-up'.

Plus being Android TV you can even set up shortcuts using the button remapper app. It was worth the €4 to change the Google video button to YouTube.

Gelectric

With regards to these TVs, can you get RTE player and Virgin Media player on them? I live in the North and am due to have a 55 inch Samsung Frame TV delivered on Thursday however now that I know these Sonys have got Freesat I may change my mind. Does the recording of Freesat channels work well? Thanks

salnado

Gelectric wrote: »

With regards to these TVs, can you get RTE player and Virgin Media player on them? I live in the North and am due to have a 55 inch Samsung Frame TV delivered on Thursday however now that I know these Sonys have got Freesat I may change my mind. Does the recording of Freesat channels work well? Thanks

RTE Player is available and works. Can't comment on Virgin Media Player as I haven't looked for it yet.

I set some scheduled recordings over the weekend. 1 from RTE and a few from Freesat and they all recorded fine to an 8 year old 500Gb HDD that I had spare. The recording interface and playback of the recordings is not as slick as the Humax software but it worked. The Freesat ones are setup as repeat records so I will see what happens when the next episodes come around.

lertsnim

Gelectric wrote: »

With regards to these TVs, can you get RTE player and Virgin Media player on them? I live in the North and am due to have a 55 inch Samsung Frame TV delivered on Thursday however now that I know these Sonys have got Freesat I may change my mind. Does the recording of Freesat channels work well? Thanks

Virgin Media Player doesnt exist on Android TV. I've only ever seen it on a Now TV stick.

RTÉ and TG4 players are both on Android TV.

salnado

lertsnim wrote: »

Virgin Media Player doesnt exist on Android TV. I've only ever seen it on a Now TV stick.

Thanks...and their iOS app doesn't have casting or Airplay either. When you add that to no HD on Saorview they really don't want anyone to watch them!

JDxtra

You should also get the Now TV app on the Sony - they are the only Android TV units with this app currently.

salnado

JDxtra wrote: »

You should also get the Now TV app on the Sony - they are the only Android TV units with this app currently.

Yes, it's there...and when you register the TV there is an offer of one month free Sky Sports pass.

decor58

salnado wrote: »

Thanks...and their iOS app doesn't have casting or Airplay either. When you add that to no HD on Saorview they really don't want anyone to watch them!

Oh but they do but on their subscription service, can any tv brand access the VM player. A Nowtv stick, with or without a sub, appears to be the only way outside of a subscription service to access their player. They are a commercial operation with the bare minimum of commitment to Saorview, why should they support any form of competition but given the potential add revenue from players is it not in their interest to have the player on every device possible.

Gelectric

salnado wrote: »

RTE Player is available and works. Can't comment on Virgin Media Player as I haven't looked for it yet.

I set some scheduled recordings over the weekend. 1 from RTE and a few from Freesat and they all recorded fine to an 8 year old 500Gb HDD that I had spare. The recording interface and playback of the recordings is not as slick as the Humax software but it worked. The Freesat ones are setup as repeat records so I will see what happens when the next episodes come around.

Sounds great, I'm very much torn on whether to stick with the Samsung or go for a new Sony with freesat. I do like the idea of being able to flick between freesat and saorview easily (something that can't be done as quickly on a Samsung) and record off either. With regards to Rte and TG4 players can they just be downloaded from the play store on the TV? I'm presuming because I'm in the north they'll not be on the TV automatically.

Rick_

Can someone with this TV confirm if the EPG can bu customised in any way? Can channels be renamed/reordered and in the EPG can you turn off the programme description appearing below the title?

If you have normal satellite channels (not on 28.2E) can they be displayed in the same screen as your DTT channels or do they all have separate guides? Thanks.

JDxtra

PFML84 wrote: »

Can someone with this TV confirm if the EPG can bu customised in any way? Can channels be renamed/reordered and in the EPG can you turn off the programme description appearing below the title?

If you have normal satellite channels (not on 28.2E) can they be displayed in the same screen as your DTT channels or do they all have separate guides? Thanks.

With a Freesat EPG (which is a good thing for most users) - channels cannot be renamed or moved. Freesat and DTT will be seperate guides.

What you require can be done with an Enigma2 box. I've Saorview, 28.8E channels and other sat channels in one EPG, fully editable. You won't findt a TV with the same customization capabilities.

Rick_

I currently am using one that does everything I've mentioned, a Hisense model. DSAT and DTT are in the one guide, and any non 28.2E channels actually carry 7 day EPG info, only 28.2E broadcasts are now/next. Channels can be renamed and reordered easily and the TV is a smart 4K one with USB recording. It's actually a fantastic TV.

I need a new TV for the living room and can't find anywhere selling another of that Hisense TV I'm currently using, hence me asking about the Sony. Might actually stick to Hisense and see about a slightly bigger TV in their newer models.

JDxtra

Sounds like its designed for use in mainland Europe. Try Amazon.de to see if they have something.

Rick_

It has Freeview Play built in and a button for it on the remote so it seems to be a UK market TV.

If I could find it in a larger size even that would be ideal.

salnado

salnado wrote: »

It’s Definitely Freesat with full guide. Saorview is labelled Freeview and channels are not exactly typical order but all there and guide too. It is very easy to switch between the two tuners. I have a few recordings setup over the weekend and will let you know how they go.

Some pictures attached.

Quick follow up post after using for a month or so. TV is working very well and ease of use is excellent. My only gripe is that recording a series on Freesat does not work. When selecting record on a programme that is part of a series it offers you the option to record the series but all it does is record the first episode. Hopefully this will be fixed in later updates.

deezell

salnado wrote: »

Quick follow up post after using for a month or so. TV is working very well and ease of use is excellent. My only gripe is that recording a series on Freesat does not work. When selecting record on a programme that is part of a series it offers you the option to record the series but all it does is record the first episode. Hopefully this will be fixed in later updates.

I've just received delivery of an XH9005, getting to grips with the labyrinthine choices for displaying program lists.
Did you have to do a firmware update to get Freesat epg? I'm guessing this set might have been in a warehouse pre factory installed Freesat.
Do you have to set the region to UK to get the Freesat epg?. This was the case initially on my 2017 Samsung Qled, with Saorview ending up unsorted in the 800s channel wise. But when I reset the region to ROI, and the sat tuner reverted to generic, after a few hours Freesat reappeared, complete with Genre filters. Saorview returned, RTE1 on button 1, so it seemed ideal, but no mixed favourites, no mixed recent channel list, and eleven button presses to switch from Sat to Terrestrial is still s pita.

So far on the Sony, I've a favourites list with a straight copy of Saorview list, and with BBC1,2, ITV, C4 and Sky news tagged on at the end. Almost ideal if you could keep it locked to the favourites and not jump back to Digital or Satellite only lists, but it's very easy to swap tuners or reselect favourites. I'm loving the picons on the epg btw. I'll be fiddling with this set for weeks.

EdmondShiels3

salnado wrote: »

Quick follow up post after using for a month or so. TV is working very well and ease of use is excellent. My only gripe is that recording a series on Freesat does not work. When selecting record on a programme that is part of a series it offers you the option to record the series but all it does is record the first episode. Hopefully this will be fixed in later updates.

If the time of the program does not change you could set it manually. I know it more work. I have an older sony tv and I have to set it manually as it has no series link.

salnado

deezell wrote: »

Did you have to do a firmware update to get Freesat epg? I'm guessing this set might have been in a warehouse pre factory installed Freesat.
Do you have to set the region to UK to get the Freesat epg?

I set mine up with region as UK and then after I had it for about 24 hours it prompted me to do a firmware update and then the Freesat epg appeared. Mine is the XH8505 so not sure if the Freesat update is also available for your XH9005? It's next to impossible to find info on what Sony models have Freesat (this link has some details but doesn't mention the XH90 models: https://www.simplyelectricals.co.uk/blog/sony-bravia-android-freesat-tvs-launch)

deezell

salnado wrote: »

That's not correct. Some of the larger Sony's have Freesat tuners e.g. kd55xh9005

Ah I see, you had intended buying the xh9005, but were put off maybe by that Simplyelectricals list ? I can't imagine the firmware is so different that the upgrade does not apply to the xh9005. (Aka xh9096 and xh9296). I went for the 9005 after side by side comparison of it and the 8196, the full array LED was noticeably better, stood up well beside a 55 Qled. The 9005 has bluetooth audio, important dealbreaker for late night viewing using the bt headphones.
I've updated the firmware, no sign of Freesat, probably because i'm still in region IRL. I'll factory reset and start again, it's bound to work, as its listed in Currys as Freesat, albeit with the UK region warning.
I tried out an android channel listing app, it rescanned Astra, and when done it was still only now next, but sat list was fully expertly sorted and renumbered, with ITV HD and CH4 HD prominent, unlike Freesat which ignores HD versions on it's list. Best features, whose absence tested my patience on my Damsung Qled, it's a few presses to change from Saorview to Sat, and better again, you can mix them in a favourites list, then just horse up and down with the P +/- buttons. Samsung takes 11 presses just to change tuners, favourites are also strictly segregated. Picture is extremely good, upscaling of measly 520 pixel sub SD VM Saorview channels is extremely good. Im nowhere near trying out all the google/alexa stuff, though I cast a streamed match from my laptop to the chromecast, it was as good as the dodgy source. Lots to play with. Oh btw, there's an APK installer app that works on the Android, it might be useful for installing unlisted apps. I tried it with Virgin media Player APK, it said installing but just hung there waiting. I think there's a different file split structure required, I'll have another go later.

salnado

deezell wrote: »

Ah I see, you had intended buying the xh9005, but were put off maybe by that Simplyelectricals list ?

I had forgotten that I had posted that . Background was that I had asked Richer Sounds as to what Sony models had Freesat and they told me the XH9005 did. However I wanted a 50" or smaller and it wasn't available in anything smaller than 55" which was too big for my room so it was no use to me.

Hope the reset to UK works.

deezell

It did, no bother. General sat scan also came in with the list fully ordered, albeit with just now/next. Saorview all over the shop, channels start at 800 but its a cinch to order it, and move it to ch1,2 etc. Favourites can combine all three sources, e.g , Ch4 HD is not in Freesat, but its easy to drop it in the favourites list along with all the Freesat equipped channels. I might make a seperate favourites list for swmbo, RTE1, VM1, Sky news. No possibility of getting lost in the epg.
Must see can I put RTE player back on, it's not available now with the change of region.

freddy99

I see that Sony have started to update firmware for older Android models to make them Freesat compatible. I have a 2019 XF8096. Has anyone had any success with Freesat on this model? I just don’t want to do a full reset and start from scratch with UK postcode unless it will work.
Thanks.

deezell

freddy99 wrote: »

I see that Sony have started to update firmware for older Android models to make them Freesat compatible. I have a 2019 XF8096. Has anyone had any success with Freesat on this model? I just don’t want to do a full reset and start from scratch with UK postcode unless it will work.
Thanks.

Xf series is not specifically mentioned on any lists, but then there's no mention at all on sony sites of Freesat upgrade. You'll just have to try it. You have to factory reset TV to get the region choice on setup, it's not available as a soft option once setup is completed. Backup your IRL channel lists to USB, in case you revert, it'll save the long Astra scan.
If Freesat does appear as a tuner choice, it's extremely fast to scan as it just pulls the data from the Freesat epg data TP channel. Saorview will be a mess in the 800s channel range, but it's a cinch to edit, delete and re-number. If you open the IRL channel file backup in notepad, you can change the region tag to UK and the TV will now read it, but it's no big hassle to run a rescan of Astra for General satellite in order to get the channels not listed on Freesat, CH4 HD in particular.
You can mix them in favourites list, but only sequentially afaik, with say a choice of Terrestrial followed by freesat listing followed by additional general satellite, but not interspersed, you can't push CH4 HD into the Freesat segment. No big deal if your favourites list is tight. My General satellite list scanned fully sorted btw, not the random mess you usually get with dozens of CH4 at the head. I'm not sure if this is a feature of the scan or the work of an EPG app I installed when in IRL region, it was originally a mess, the app sorted it, but then I reset and changed regions, and the new full Astra Genenal scan came out sorted, so it and Freesat are perfect companions in the source list.
It's a pleasure to jump from sat to terrestrial, unlike the Samsung nightmare, favourites allows 7 day epg of either, but a single press of TV button defaults to your chosen tuner/source, so swmbo can slam back to RTE1 on button 1 if the set is on sat or YouTube, Netflix, browser etc. Browser works very well for streams also, and VM player works on it, which is cool as their android app is not TV compatible. Only annoyance is RTE player disappears of course in region UK, and their web version doesn't work on the browser, but I already have an Apple tv box with it, and If you want you can install alternative browsers from the play store. Better though if I spend more time watching, and less time fiddling.

salnado

deezell wrote: »

Browser works very well for streams also, and VM player works on it, which is cool as their android app is not TV compatible.

Great tip thanks, hadn't thought of that for VM player - works for me too.

deezell wrote: »

Only annoyance is RTE player disappears of course in region UK, and their web version doesn't work on the browser.

Mine was UK from the start and I was able to install RTE Player and it works fine, so strange that it is not working for you.

deezell

salnado wrote: »

Great tip thanks, hadn't thought of that for VM player - works for me too.



Mine was UK from the start and I was able to install RTE Player and it works fine, so strange that it is not working for you.

I'll give it another shot. I would have thought it would install based on ROI IP address, but play store is listing the telly as not suitable. It was preinstalled after first ROI region setup.

deezell

When I tried to install from my pc browser, it lists all my devices, with sony tv tagged as incompatible. I browsed play store on the tv browser itself, and there were two versions, and of course, the second was compatible, with only the TV, so happy days. I note from my google play log alert that it states I've installed a linux app. Interesting, i wonder would this version work in my Enigma 2 box? I feel some fiddling coming on...
Thanks for headsup, I assumed the region killed the player, as it did on my Samsung.

freddy99

Just for info.
Just got a prompt for an update on the TV, so allowed it to do it's thing.
Then reset and set location to UK.
Unfortunately no Freesat options for satellite tuning.....maybe they will update it at some stage in the future!

deezell

freddy99 wrote: »

Just for info.
Just got a prompt for an update on the TV, so allowed it to do it's thing.
Then reset and set location to UK.
Unfortunately no Freesat options for satellite tuning.....maybe they will update it at some stage in the future!

Redo the update while in UK location, it wouldn't have added in ROI or any other location.