Sony: Netflix Support Discussion Thread

Acheckley

2 posts since
Apr 22, 2012

Written on Apr 22, 2012 12:35 PM

Oh no. I've just bought a BDV-E780W thinking I could watch Netflix. This wasn't the main reason why I bought the system but had planned to use the Netflix service. I thought I'd researched this enough by Googling and seeing instructions about adding Netflix, I now realise this is just for the US. Being as it is a top of the range model, would this be likely to have Netflix with a future update? This model has quite a heavy price tag.

Thanks,

Andrew

Catmambo

2,036 posts since
Aug 28, 2003

Written on Apr 22, 2012 2:24 PM

Hi,

All the new 2012 models which have just started shipping will have Netflix support, which actually launches this week. Speak to your dealer and see if you can swap it over?

Thanks

Acheckley

2 posts since
Apr 22, 2012

Written on Apr 23, 2012 9:18 AM

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I don't think I'll be able to because it was reduced by £70. I didn't know a new model was coming out and just thought I bagged a great deal.

Thanks,

Andrew

sully1311

17 posts since
Jun 21, 2011

Written on Apr 23, 2012 10:33 PM

No it won't.

Geeezeee

2 posts since
Mar 28, 2012

Written on Apr 24, 2012 11:55 AM

Confirmation that netflix will be included in 2012 Bravia televisions but WILL NOT be added to existing models. Sad news....

http://www.reghardware.com/2012/04/24/sony_denies_netflix_app_to/

restorer48

2 posts since
Apr 24, 2012

Written on Apr 24, 2012 12:59 PM

This is a truly shocking decision to abandon customers in this way. No wonder Sony are struggling in the TV market if they are treating people with such contempt.

This will be the end of my long association with the company unless there is a change of heart here.

Catmambo

2,036 posts since
Aug 28, 2003

Written on Apr 24, 2012 2:37 PM

Hi Restorer48 - I think as explained above, this was down to the new type of DRM Netflix deployed in the UK, meaning older devices weren't compatible. It was not an active choice to block older devices from accessing the service..

Thanks

bobsilvers

1 posts since
Apr 24, 2012

Written on Apr 24, 2012 4:28 PM

A sad day!!!!!

Is it possible to list the new (2012) devices which will have access to Netflix

neil6167

1 posts since
Apr 24, 2012

Written on Apr 24, 2012 7:38 PM

Is a 2011 HX923 included as a 2012 model, from memory the top-end line-up hasn't changed for the 2012 models so logic would say it will?

Or has it received a subtle upgrade that precludes any 2011 manufactured sets handling Netflix?

pedropaiva

2 posts since
Apr 25, 2012

Written on Apr 25, 2012 5:34 PM

Thanks for the information, Catmambo.

I recently joined Netflix with the original intention to use it in my Sony KDL40 CX520 tv set (live in London, UK). Unfortunately, I couldn't find an app for Netflix (only LoveFilm) and just read here that Sony still doesn't have such connection to Netflix.

I had a back up plan to access it through my XBox if the tv didn't work but I just discovered that I need XBox Live Gold subscription which costs 40 GBP a year on top of the Netflix subscription, resulting on an yearly total of 112 GBP (XBox Gold + Netflix). As I don't have an alternative, I'll probably terminate my subscription with Netflix.

I believe that Sony, by not allowing people to connect with Netflix, is losing a great opportunity to get all of the Netflix subscribers which own Sony internet tvs. I'll choose to terminate my Netflix subscription but there are probably a lot of other people which will upgrade to XBox Gold and, once Sony releases the Netflix app, won't bother downgrading.

Greatly appreciate if Sony could give us an estimated date of release for the Netflix app.

Kind regards.

drhowells

164 posts since
Dec 8, 2011

Written on Apr 25, 2012 6:16 PM

As it says in this thread, Netflix will not be available on any 2011, or previous model, Sony TV, due to technical reasons. The new 2012 models, due pretty much now, will have it.

pedropaiva

2 posts since
Apr 25, 2012

Written on Apr 25, 2012 8:47 PM

Okay, no Netflix then. I hope that the chief engineer at Sony is now looking for a new job.

So will Sony offer a trade in plan for people willing to get rid of their newly acquired 2011 tv sets which now are obsolete?

As we can see on this thread, there are still a lot of loyal Sony customers who could benefit from such plan instead of buying LG next time they shop for a TV.

I think it's an elegant way for Sony to try and mitigate the damage.

Thanks.

Infurness

2 posts since
Apr 26, 2012

Written on Apr 26, 2012 7:01 PM

On the Sony press release dated 10th January, it listed its new products which included Blu-ray Disc™ player BDP-S390. I decided to buy this model as with the latest technology including built-in Wi-Fi, I expected it to be future-proof until atleast Sony launch its 2013 range.

When Sony launch its CRACKLE service earlier this month, it was automatically added to the BIV home page on my Blu-ray player. The Sony press release for Netflix dated 24th April stated

The Netflix app will be available on all 2012 BRAVIA, Blu-ray and Blu-ray Home Theatre models which feature Sony Entertainment Network.

As the January press release implies that the Blu-ray Disc™ player BDP-S390 is 2012 stock and has access to Sony Entertainment Network (ticks both boxes), I assumed that it would be Netflix compatible. But the Netflix app has not been added to my Blu-ray BIV player. So I am shocked/surprised that the Blu-ray player only launched 4 months ago and only been in the shops a few weeks, is now considered old stock?

ps: Catmambo has posted that it is down to the new type of DRM. I am not technically-minded so don't know what DRM is. In layman terms, what is it and why was it not included in the specifications of the Blu-ray Disc™ player BDP-S390?

drhowells

164 posts since
Dec 8, 2011

Written on Apr 26, 2012 7:16 PM

The 2012 refers to the year that the device was initially released / produced, not the year it was bought. The 2012 models are literally just being / about to be released.

DRM stands for Digital Rights Management and is basically security that companies put on digital files, such as a video, to stop people copying them. There are different kinds of DRM that companies use which are compatible with many devices. For their launch in the UK, Netflix appear to have decided to use a new DRM for their files. I don't know the full technical details of how it works, but I assume it must involve some kind of additional processing by the devices to show the file and they are not currently up to it, but the new 2012 devices will be.

Sony would only have known about the new DRM when Netflix launched at the beginning of this year. So, in a large part it is Netflix's fault for using a new DRM instead of an existing one.

Catmambo

2,036 posts since
Aug 28, 2003

Written on Apr 26, 2012 11:45 PM

Good explanation from Drhowells - just to reassure you, Netflix will be on the BDP-S390 and all the new step up models ( 490, 590 etc). The service will hopefully be pushed out next week for Blu-ray players, for some reason, it was held back for a week or so compared to TVs.

Generally Sony release new TV/Blu-ray players from February through to May and then a few 2nd half refresh models later in the year. However some retailers still have 2011 devices in stock which they are discounting to clear to make way for new products, so just beause you purchase a device in 2012, doesn't mean that its necessarily a new 2012 product if that makes sense..

Thanks

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