Missing frames on USB HDD playback

[mad_cyril]

When playing back recordings made on a USB HDD we get missing frames where the screen goes black for a split second. This can be every few minutes or every few seconds. This only happens on playback, not when watching live TV.

KD43XG8096BU with WD Elements HDD connected to blue USB port

[Rich_B]

I also get this problem with KD 55XG9505, I have it connected to a STR DN1080 receiver. I have noticed that if eARC is set to auto then for each blank frame i get an audio dropout. If i turn eARC to off then i get no audio dropout but still have the blank frame. Again not tried SD recordings only HD.

[rogerpbill]

https://www.reddit.com/r/youtubetv/comments/azbkti/dropped_frames_on_android_tv/

This seems like the same problem being reported a year ago when it was said to be a  known issue in the Sony Oreo update and that Sony have been able to reproduce the issue and are investigating. Apparently the problem didn't occur with the previous Nougat version of Android on the same hardware.

[Win_88]

Hi @Rich_B

I wonder if you get the same issue if you record on a smaller HDD (if you have one), someone mentioned this being related to some power delivery issues from the USB port.

Not to mention keeping the system up to date: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/lcd-tvs-android-xg95xx_x95xxg-series/kd-55xg9505/download...

[Mrhappy37]

Its the firmware as this worked perfectly on android 7. Ive used different hdd’s and even an ssd but get the same result. My drives are 320gb hdd and 120gb ssd. A friend is using a 4tb hdd and gets the same issue. Its almost definitely a firmware issue

[Handyandyxf9005]

It is a firmware issue. I've been dealing with Sony support.

They have said that their "engineers are currently working on releasing a new update that will aim to solve the issue" They do "aim to have this firmware update available as early as possible" However they "do not currently have a time-frame for the release of this update".

There is also news/rumours that we could have Android 9 by the year end.

The emails with Sony support date to around 28th September 2020.

[Mrhappy37]

That sounds promising. It would be great to get it fixed at last.

[mad_cyril]

Thanks Handyandyxf9005

Fingers crossed etc

From all the posts I have seen so far nothing is going to resolve this apart from an update (or a new telly).

Cheers

Cyril

[rogerpbill]

Just to let you all know that I've not yet been able to make any progress with either Sony or the Sony dealer where I bought my TV. I've had three or four emails from Sony asking a host of questions all of which I've patiently answered and have provided video clips of recordings showing the problem, etc. Whereas I haven't yet received answers to my two questions:

• Have you been able to reproduce this fault?
• Apparently Sony has told another customer that this is a firmware issue and their engineers are working on releasing an update as early as possible to solve the issue. Can you check with your colleagues whether this is the case or not?

I'll keep pursuing both Sony and my Sony dealer and will update you on any progress. Otherwise it seems like a refund for the TV or purchase of a PVR maybe the only solution. Either of which would be very disappointing because I like the TV and the many other Sony products I've purchased over the years.

[Nicko001]

Thanks for the perseverance. I have a BT 4K PVR, which is my main means of recording. Good box, but when I have some recording clashes i use the TV as back up. It’s not a game breaker for me, but i really like things to work correctly so it’s doing my head in a bit.. keep us posted!

[rogerpbill]

The KD43XH8505 we've had on order arrived on Saturday. Unfortunately it suffers the same problem with HDD recordings as our KD-49XH9505.

As this problem has also been reported by a number of customers since July surely someone in Sony can advise whether we can expect a software fix in the near future.

In the last couple of my emails to Sony I've asked for Yes/No answers to two simple questions:

1)  Have you been able to reproduce this fault?

2)  Apparently Sony has told another customer that this is a firmware issue and their engineers are working on releasing an update as early as possible to solve the issue. Can you check with your colleagues whether this is the case or not?

In reply they said "we can confirm that our higher technical team are still investigating your case in order to identify the route cause of the issue. Since the investigation is still ongoing we are not able to provide any further information."