Sony owners, if you’re having issues with Dolby Vision or HDMI audio, the company is now releasing a fix. Affecting a variety of Sony TVs, mainly from the Bravia range, the issue stemmed from a faulty firmware update. Initially, Sony didn’t make any statement regarding the issue, but it is now releasing a new firmware update that could fix some issues while introducing new ones.
Originally found in firmware updates v114.603.050.1 and v114.602.080.1, Sony TVs equipped with the MediaTek Pentonic 1000 chipset may have had issues with their enhanced audio return channel (eARC). According to online users, the problem is caused by streaming content from external media sources, such as an external soundbar. Affected TV models include Bravia 5, Bravia 7 II, Bravia 7, Bravia 8 II, Bravia 8, Bravia 9, Bravia 9 II and the Sony A95L.
While Sony may have been asleep at the wheel in responding, the company has now released firmware v114.602.170.1 to address user issues. If you find that the audio is not syncing correctly or you get a black screen with Dolby Vision, this firmware update may be right for you. However, some users may encounter entirely new bugs. Additionally, in June, Sony also released an update for older TVs to improve audio connections with newer devices. The company is also making major changes to its TVs, including changes to the TV Guide feature that many users might find disappointing.
Sony finally fixes firmware issue on some TVs
In early September, users across the internet (particularly on Reddit) began complaining about audio issues with their Sony TVs, with one user claiming the problem started in June. The original poster in a Reddit thread noted that while they had perfect sync with native Android TV apps, the audio got out of sync after switching to a device that required an HDMI connection. Other users have also reported delays and lags.
The problem mainly lies with TVs that rely on the Pentonic 1000 chip alongside Android 14 (by FlatPanelsHD). Although the latest firmware update fixes sync and Dolby Vision issues, some users are still reporting scan lines with Dolby Vision content. Reports suggest that the issue may stem from switching Sony TVs from Android 12 to Android 14. Those using HDMI eARC audio may also still experience dropouts. Still, users may want to update their Sony TV’s firmware to ensure they are running the most recent software.
Here are the steps:
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From your remote, press Help.
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Choose System Software Update from the Help menu.
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Select Software Update or Check for system software update.
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Follow the on-screen instructions if available.
Given the high cost of some Bravia models (and Sony’s reputation for customer satisfaction), it’s surprising that the company was asleep at the wheel on this issue. In fact, Sony only publicly commented on the issue through its Japanese support website, thereby confirming the firmware issue. Although some issues have been resolved, users may need to keep their eyes peeled if they continue to experience issues.
