yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] asg.srtw:
[MENTION=4767571]butcher33[/MENTION] Kodi is scanning libraries at start, if you want to exit it too soon after start it will hang, you can wait till it finishes, or hit the home button on the remote
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
Hello Everyone,

tv- Sony XBR-55X810C

software as of this post - PKG3.709.0120NAB

Android 6.01

I had to get the updated file from Sony website, tv kept saying up to date with Android L

A few things I encountered recently.

My tv kept shutting down, would reboot whenever I did anything in the Android area or sometimes watching regular tv I press volume and tv rebooted.

The problem and fix - I noticed memory was low, down to 10Mb. I noticed Kodi grew to 7GB.

For some reason my Kodi swelled in size.

I cleaned up everything and it works fine now. I got rid of Kodi 17.

Stable and good setup for "Kodi"

Get SPMC (It's a Kodi fork meant more for Android devices) instead and install Pulse CCM build.

You will get a solid system with a lot of add-ons, really nice interface.

This is working awesome.

SPMC is Kodi but tuned for Android.

* PIA VPN - I noticed a new glitch. If I have PIA set on boot (turned on) then when I turn off my tv, it will wait a while then turn off meaning it reboots when you restart. For now I will simply start and stop PIA when I need it. I used an app CLONEAPP I think it's called to make shortcuts on the Android home screen (not hidden in the sideload menu). It seems you can try tv launcher apps to setup your home screen also.

*** Your installed apps DOES effect your tv functions.***
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
You say "I cleaned out everything". What do you mean by that? What did you clean up? Just Kodi add-ons or other things?

When you installed spmc was it version 16 or 17?

Is there a way to increase the limited memory available on the tv?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] asabino:
Hi, can anybody extract the sony select and sony shelf app and upload here, pls?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
spmc is still on jarvis, but you can also get a "notso****ty" version of krypton and it works great on sony android.

there is a problem with our TVs and the 17+ver. of kodi. either get the notso****ty ver. or spmc. depends what UI you like the most. I have both for now, cant decied what i like more.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
I uninstalled apps I did not use (that I installed)

I also removed Kodi 17 and reinstalled SPMC newest verion from Dec 2016 ( I think it's 16, looks like Jarvis 16)

I think you can install USB memory and set it as system memory. I think I saw that option when I plugged in my USB 3.0 (into usb 3.0 slot) maybe 2.0 slot also. I might try it shortly to see if I can expand on system memory using USB stick.

I am noticing PIA VPN app is causing issues, have to turn off VPN when finished and manually turn it on when needed.

---------- Post added at 02:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 AM ----------

try SPMC 16 with the Pulse CCM add on...just works nicely
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] T3hMeng:
Maiboard serial

Hi, i have few used mainboards and anyone know if there is any way to change serial numbers?

I know if mainboard is new, we have only one try to enter serial number, but im looking for a way to replace old serial number with new one.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] pryggi:
You are probably mixing up the extension of internal storage onto usb flash drives which is possible and extending the system RAM memory which is not possible afaik.

Anyway, I tested extending the 8gb internal storage on my xd9305 fw3743 with 32gb SanDisk Ultra Fit usb3 stick and also 120gb usb3 ssd, but it was very unstable, usually after 24 to 48h the usb3 based storage turned somehow to read only mode. Tv reboot sometimes fixed it, but usually the only way to get it back to read write mode was to re-format the usb Thus losing all the stuff saved there.

Anyway, it seemed like during the night, when the tv was off, the usb got disconnected multiple times, and this finally resulted in the file system to be remounted as RO.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
What are the benefits of this CCM addon?

Is it the same with kodi and ccm?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
So are you saying there is no way to increase the limited 8Gb memory?

I recall reading somewhere in the tv set up instructions that you could add more storage by attaching an approved external hdd and that was the purpose of the usb socket. Could it be that a usb flash drive is not one of the "approved" or compatible storage devices?

Did anyone try using an old hdd to see if that works? If I could locate the instructions I'd be willing to give it a try. But I don't have the instructions to see which hdd are acceptable.

Edit: I see that you did try with an ssd. Sorry.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] pryggi:
It is supposed to be possible, and it works okay for me for some time (1 or 2days) but then it fails - becomes read only. So it's not stable. If you are interested, you may test and see if it works for you.

I would be also interested in the result.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
I'll try in the next couple of days.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
SPMC is Kodi, forked off by one of the makers.

SPMC is meant for Android and tuned for it.

check youtube on how to install SPMC (from playstore) and how to install Pulse CCM build

enjoy!
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
I have spmc instaled, just wanted to know what the pulse ccm benefits are.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] dimdim87:
i need awell!
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] TKruzze:
Here you go. I pulled these from my XBR-55810C running latest Android 6.0.1 firmware.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
Has anyone successfully installed PIA VPN on their Sony Bravia tv? (Android 5.1.1)

I couldn't find it on the tv's google play and when I accessed it via ES Explorer's browser, it wouldn't install saying it was incompatible. Yet it installs and works fine on my android tv stick and my phone.

I'm interested in pia because it is faster.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] novahob:
I've side loaded express vpn and it works well, though use a mini keyboard to navigate ?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
Thanks. How is the speed when streaming movies?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] novahob:
Use it to stream NHL games through their app and works well.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
how do you do that? LMK please
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
I have an app which installed on my Sony Bravia tv that opens sideways. Is there a way to force certain apps to open in landscape mode on the tv?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] A.D.I.O.S:
yes :) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.googlecode.eyesfree.setorientation&hl=de
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
Yes, I installed PIA

it opens sideways. I tried a landscape app to force it to stay in the proper direction.

I had issues with the landscape app.

I just turn the keyboard sideways and use the trackpad, it works.

Then all you do is pick or click the ok button on the sony remote to turn it on and off

I think you can go into the settings and load PIA on boot.

I will try that other landscape app to see if it works.

Also PAY attention to your space/ram make sure you do not run low or your tv will turn off and reboot.

I installed SPMC like Kodi (Jarvis 16) with the Pulse CCM build and it WORKS GREAT!!!!

PIA is a pain in the ass because you can not easily pick the country you want, you have to pick a country then more options will come, pick another country, then repeat in order to get to the country you want to use.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
Thank you both.

Have you tried NordVPN? Does it work better?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] hansip87:
Hi all, my KD49X8300C just crashed yesterday and it got boot loop! So it's not operational. after 2-3 reboot, it seems like it trashed the apk cache and optimizing it, but once all apks got optimized, it once again crashed and boot loop. I suspect there was some corrupted Android system inside so does anybody know how to force flash the firmware from USB? I have called for assistance to Sony service center but i expect it to take long time.. Anybody? Thanks before..
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
Check how much memory you have left. Delete some apps if you can.

Kodi went crazy and grew and took up 8gb. My tv only had 20mb left and it started to crash. It would shut off, reboot etc...

Once I reclaimed space, tv is normal again.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] hansip87:
Thanks but i just can't see beyond android startup. The longest it can go It's stuck at starting app dialog box and no more. Just rebooting. Wish there were a method for reinstalling Android firmware by force through the USB port.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
I have a problem with usb flash drive unmounting correctly in my Sony XBR-55X850D TV.

To sideload a couple of apps, I put the APKs on a fat 33 usb flash drive which I inserted into the tv's usb socket. ES Explorer sees and reads it fine and I can then install the apk.

All that works fine but after turning the tv off, waiting a while and then removing the usb flash drive, the drive is ruined. Inserting that flash drive on a Windows laptop brings up an error about needing to fix it. Fixing it makes windows accept it. But after a second use in the tv, Windows couldn't fix it and could not even reformat it. It was a cheap 2 gb drive so I threw it away.

But using another flash drive, I again got the windows error about needing to "fix" it so I think I have to find a way to properly unmount the usb drives from the tv or I'll be throwing away a lot of drives.

Anyone know the proper way to unmount a usb flash drive from the tv?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
Ok, go to the Sony US website under support where you download the firmware updates for the tv.

I think I recall them mentioning a few ways to deal with your problem e.g. a flash went wrong and how to recover.

---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:55 PM ----------

Now that you mention this. I used a 16Gb Kingston USB 3 drive to update the newest firmware (Android M).

Everything went fine. But when I went to use the key it no longer works. I tried many tools to try to format or to fix the key.

They don't work.

I am able to plug in other keys including another Kingston 16gb key and no problems.

btw- I use the paid version of ES file explorer. Look around you can find it. I t has a black icon.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
I'm glad I'm not the only one. The usb drive definitely gets corrupted if removed from the tv without somehow unmounting it. Even if you wait till the tv is off.

Another peculiarity, if the usb drive is left inserted in the tv, when the tv is turned on, ES Explorer opens up asking whether you want to use it for the usb. If you say yes, ES Explorer always opens up when you turn on the tv. If you say no, ES Explorer opens up to ask whether you want to use it for the usb. I have not found a way to stop ES Explorer from opening up unasked. Rather annoying.

There is a need for an android app to unmount the usb drive. Something like Stickmount (which needs root). I haven't figured out how to do it using ES Explorer.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
ES is annoying with the popup. I don't think the full version does that.

Get rid of ES and use OI File Manager or something else.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
I can also confirm the corruption of the flash drives... the small ones (16GB) get corrupted quickly, as for the 160GB, I only encountered one time, but after a reformat it works again. hope it will for a long time. SO if you cherish the samller USB flash drives, do not use them on the bravias.

And the ES app is trully annoying, good alternatives are also x-plore FM or file commander.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
I was unaware of x-plore file manager. Looks very nice. Thanks.

Since I've always used ES Explorer to access the usb on the tv, could ES be what is corrupting the flash drives? Did you get corruption with a different file manager?

The difference between small and big drives may be a clue that something gets written to the usb drive. I didn't see any strange files on the drive. Any techies here?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] umpalumpa1799:
A new marshmallow update will be released on April 19 according to Sony.

https://www.sony.at/electronics/support/televisions-projectors-lcd-tvs-android-/kd-49x8305c
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] newrooki:
TV cpu MT5890
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] Hulowala2:
is it good? I am looking forward to get one..
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
NOthing online yet...

Its live now, please share some intel if it is worth updateing.

Thanks
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] panchonin:
Firmware update to v3.865

Anyone have been tested the new firmware update?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] panchonin:
Firmware update to v3.865

Sorry for the duplicated post :(
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] rando191:
Upgraded from .709 via USB. I ended up having to reset it in recovery mode- my home screen stayed gray after the update completed :/

Outside of that, .865 is up and running. Hope it crashes way less now :)
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
I found crashes are caused by lack of space. Check your storage space and how much free space is left.

I had 10mb free and tv was FREAKING out...rebooted whenever etc,,,

I deleted some apps and problems went away.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
I can confirm that from my own experience. The rare crashes I had happened when my available space was low.

I experimented with adding memory with a usb stick but stopped that because something in the tv corrupts the usb stick so it becomes unusable after removal from the tv. I ran out of cheap usb sticks ? Maybe it's the alleged "low power" provided by the tv's usb sockets. I am not knowledgeable enough to know.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] rando191:
Honestly, haven't downloaded a single app. Just used the apps that came with the TV initially. Most of my crashes came when changing input or doing a voice search. I always just assumed the MM .709 update was just garbage ;)
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] umpalumpa1799:
pkg file size?

I downloaded the zip file and the size is the same as mentioned on the sony page: 1527986595

But after unzipping and transferring it to the usb stick, the tv doesn't recognize it as update, instead I can choose to open it with the photo/movie/music app or use it as internal storage.

Can anybody verify the size of the unzipped pkg file?

Mine is 1527726808 Bytes.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] rando191:
Mine was 1506166987
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] umpalumpa1799:
Thx
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
new pkg for my tv is version PKG3.865.0135NAB

https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/swu-download.pl?mdl=XBR55X810C&upd_id=11082&os_group_id=18

The previous pkg is M.

They are very lazy explaining the benefits or exact changes of the updates.

Those that updated...did it kill your USB key???
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] nrpetonr:
Updated w/o problem, USB key alive, no reboots after update, so far no significant changes visible after update
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
tryed to update via update app but the TV didnt find anything. I have a w808c. thought it was eligible for M
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] pryggi:
For my xd9305 the 3.865 update fixed the lagging issues, while adjusting volume, and also Amazon prime video works without lags and stuttering. Was surprised to see April security patch included. So first impressions are good.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
By usb key do you mean a usb memory drive?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] umpalumpa1799:
You can see the changes on the homepage.

And no, it doesn't kill the USB drive.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] nrpetonr:
Yes, cheap USB flash drive fat32 formatted
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
after update to M, I am unable to delete files from external drives, cant even rename them. How do I solve this?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] venki5star:
Has anyone seen or had this issue with their TV? [youtube]Algh5y6Aieg[/youtube]

Mine is 55X9000C and started flickering from today morning. I have tried resetting the TV as well. No use.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] flicnflack:
I had this on a refurbed android tv purchased from sony they exchanged the tv for me think it was a hardware issue
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] dancrow:
Any issues with the new android 6 version, other than 3D playing only with stock player?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
How do you setup the external drive with video files? I m really fed up that i cant delete tv shows that I already watched. Please help.

Is there a way to roll back to L?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] hizad:
Even with current Android 5.11, 3D playing only with stock player. which app allows 3D playing directly?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] venki5star:
Thanks. I will call the service center and check tomorrow.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] alinx:
No way to downgrade.

It is possible to write/delete on external disk same as android 5.( not sure but i think has to be minim 32 or 64 gb)

I put an ext 1 Tb drive disk and formated as internal memory,then where ask to move files to it ...selected ok ,and after that u will have to install some apps as x-plore or total commander and that's it.Everything will be possible on it...write/delete/edit
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] pryggi:
I tested this expansion of the 8GB internal storage to usb3 flash on my xd9305 fw3.843 and it was not stable. Lasted 1 to 3 days, then only mounted as read only,

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=71350840&postcount=986

I have not tested on the latest firmware 3.865. If anyone has this working and stable - more than 3 days, let us know which tv, fw, usb.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] alinx:
Trust me , will not work with that kind of memory.I made the upgrade since february and for 2 month i have been tested on this tv( W808C) a lot of stuff (apps) and types of stick memory from 4gb to 64 gb.No one's works to write on it ...Only read!!

Only with external hard drive was possible and i find this myself yesterday thank to a pal from Sony Comunity.

You need an external drive and will work.

Ps. I made this latest upgrade 3 day ago ,but it never cross to my mind to try the memory in this way with an ext disk drive.That guy who told me that say's this was possible even from that february upgrade.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
It is my understanding you have to use class 10 and FAST read write speeds (90mbs+). There are different speed class 10 cards.

Also, might as well plug in an old or buy a cheap SSD hard drive and lots of space and speed.

What are you guys using/installing on your TV that you need all of this space?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] pryggi:
I tried with 120gb ssd in usb3 case, both on usb2 and in usb3 port. It maybe lasted max 3 days, then was only mounted as read-only, even tv reboot did not make it rw anymore. Had to format it again to get it mounted rw. Checking the logcat over adb showed that it got disconnected at night when the tv was off, like 20-30 times. And in the end vold failed to mount it rw. Maybe it would work with hdd with external power source.

---------- Post added at 06:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:42 PM ----------

Does your external harddrive have external power source?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] davep12345:
APK apps

Hi all

On my sony bravia android TV, I have successfully installed a few apk's but I get no icon/button created to launch the app, after install.

I have to go into settings then apps to find the app

Anybody know how to resolve this ??
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
You can install one more app, HALauncher. It shows the sideloaded apps. Unfortunately it cannot be made to launch instead of the Sony launcher as it would on a phone, but it does the job.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
install sideload apps

then all your apps will be in that folder

There is another app (clone app) I think is the name.

I am able to make a copy of the app and the icon will show up on the main screen.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
"Sideload app", do you mean Sideload launcher?

I don't know clone app. Will check it out.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] alinx:
No,no ext power sourse and using USB 1. But yes,my tv made that error once and had to format it..

This happens when using "EsFileExplorer pro" and try it to acces his internal memory ( 8 gb at my tv). In that moment my hard dirve becoming just as your ..read-only..Restarting tv or formating the hard drive did not fix the problem .After formating tv ,the hard drive seems ok now.

But still have a BIG problem and this happens even from the first upgrade from february.Sometimes the tv reboot instead power off!!

After dozens of factory reset,i find this happens when i have installed apps as EsFileExplore ( pro or free), X-Plore,...etc, and i open others app through them.I know that it look strange but if i do not install any app like that the tv look normal,..no issues! Could do that with other kind of apps also but i am tired to do tests anymore.

And no matter if i use or not any external drive!!

I tell about this to Sony but i still waiting for some plausible answer :(
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] pryggi:
As others have already suggested you may use Sideload Launcher app to access them. But if you want to create shortcuts to the apps directly on the main home screen, then you can use TV App Repo. It allows you to create these shortcuts to sildeloaded apps into the Apps section on your home screen.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=news.androidtv.tvapprepo.playstore
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] Murmel2k:
Anyone here using a Dual Shock 4 Controller with his Sony TV + Marshmallow?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
Sideloading apps to firestick 2.

I've done this 2 ways, both awkward:

1. I first install a desired app on my android phone and then used "apps2fire" app to sideload and install the app to my new firestick 2. But I hit a problem with tvapprepo because Google play says it is incompatible with my phone and won't install it.

2. I've also used 'ES Explorer' or 'Downloader' apps to sideload install to the firestick but this method requires me to have a url for the apk download site. That can be difficult to locate as in the case of tv app repo among others.

So, how do most people sideload 'tv app repo' to the firestick? Where do I safely download its apk from?

And more to the point, is there a simpler way to sideload apps to the android firestick 2?

Thank you in advance.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] Gitaroo:
anyone know which useless sack of **** department write the software for all the Sony android tv?
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] pryggi:
I have no experience with firestick, but the TV App Repo app is available for download from the developers github.com page:

https://github.com/itvlab/tvapprepo/releases

The latest playstore tv app repo apk url is this:

https://github.com/ITVlab/TvAppRepo/releases/download/1.1.0/app-playstore-release.apk

But there is also an open community version available:

https://github.com/ITVlab/TvAppRepo/releases/download/1.1.0/app-opencommunity-release.apk

which might interest you with firestick, as it allows automatic download/sideloading and shortcut creation for some apps.

More info:

https://androidtv.news/2017/01/tv-app-repo-now-generates-leanback-shortcuts/

https://androidtv.news/2016/11/first-look-tv-app-repo/
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] maybeme2:
Thank you very much. Just what I needed.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] droiduzr2:
Hey, how is the update working?

What is the exact pkg # you installed?

What Android version does your tv say?

I am currently on 3.709.0120NAB

Android 6.0.1
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] hizad:
Just wanted to know. Upgrade to Android 6 will be done OTA or manually.
[Philips, Sony, TCL Android TV] butcher33:
OTA should be available now.