Smart TV issues

[Dr Jekyll]

Just bought a Smart TV thinking that I'll be able to watch Amazon Prime without plugging my laptop into it.

Maddening. I can get Amazon Prime, but every 10 minutes or so the screen either goes blank, or it reverts to the signal from the Virgin box and I have to get back into Amazon Prime and navigate back to the episode I was in the middle of.

Is this normal? Would I be better off plugging my laptop in?

[CharlieH89]

Mine is working atm.
Samsung.

What brand Is your TV?

[Dr Jekyll]

Sony

[CharlieH89]

Google suggests trying to clear the data and cache of the app.
Might require having to log back in.

[BaldOldMan]

Try disconnecting the Virgin box (& anything else plugged in) to rule them out.

Some TV's will switch over to an HDMI device that has been switched on - it's a possibility that the Virgin box is making that request, so useful to at least rule that out.

[parabolica]

BaldOldMan said:

Try disconnecting the Virgin box (& anything else plugged in) to rule them out.

Some TV's will switch over to an HDMI device that has been switched on - it's a possibility that the Virgin box is making that request, so useful to at least rule that out.

This is likely what is causing it; my sister had the same issue and it turned out the virgin box was telling the tv every 10 minutes that it was still there and switched on, so the TV would automatically change the source to the virgin box.

There should be a setting somewhere in the menu system that allows you to toggle whether the TV auto switches to a source that has just been turned on; if you can find it, switch it off. It should fix the problem.

[Dr Jekyll]

Thanks everyone, I'll have a look.

[JimbobVFR]

I thought the Virgin box's were able to access Amazon prime video now anyway?

[Dr Jekyll]

I tried to find the relevant menu, did manage to find a 'Bravia Sync' option that looked relevant. When I pressed it nothing happened, the set just froze. I've rebooted it by unplugging it and reconnecting but now I just get a blank screen. There is a white LED to show it has power to it but it doesn't flicker when I use the remote control as it should. It seems to be totally useless now. Bad after just 3 weeks, I bought the Sony because the last Sony TV I had lasted nearly 20 years, and I only stopped using it then because I wanted a bigger screen and some SCART sockets.

[Sheepshanks]

I have a recent Bravia and I noticed the other day that it'll no longer power up the DVD player if I select it from the TV - so maybe Sony have done something in a recent update? Do all the HDMI inputs switch automatically?

Regardinf it not powering up, only thing I can think is to unplug all inputs and leave it off for a while. There is a soft reset from the remote by pressing and holding the power button but it may not work if the TV isn't responding.

[mgv8]

HDMI uses ARC to select what device to show, this is not a good protocol and has been replaced/fixed in HDMI 2.1. So check your ARC setting and maybe turn off auto select (or what ever its called on you TV).

[miniman]

Have just relegated our Sony Bravia to the bedroom and replaced with a Samsung QLED. The operating system is in an entirely different league to the Sony which was always buggy, crashy and generally useless. I used a Fire TV on it instead of built-in smart apps.

[Gren]

JimbobVFR said:

I thought the Virgin box's were able to access Amazon prime video now anyway?

Our Virgin Tivo certainly can. All integrated into the search

[gareth_r]

Gren said:

JimbobVFR said:

I thought the Virgin box's were able to access Amazon prime video now anyway?

Our Virgin Tivo certainly can. All integrated into the search

Only the V6 box.

[Gren]

gareth_r said:

Gren said:

JimbobVFR said:

I thought the Virgin box's were able to access Amazon prime video now anyway?

Our Virgin Tivo certainly can. All integrated into the search

Only the V6 box.

Ahh didn't realise.

Our Sony smart TV (AG9) bought just before Christmas plays Amazon Prime a treat - no problems. Mind you it did highlight the crap Virgin wifi until I changed the router.