The million dollar questions, which Sony Bravia actually has freesat?

[Richlion2]

Hello, 

I am looking to buy a good new TV set, the Bravia LED range looks nice and my main features I am interested in are:

1) Freeview HD

2) Freesat - possibly with HD

3) USB recording. 

The majority of them are now 4K, etc. blows and whislstles, but.....not on the smaller ones like 49". 

This 55" one has:

https://www.richersounds.com/sony-kd55xf9005bu.html

I was in a shop yesterday to check the 55" version, but just to big to me, although they do seem to have 1 arial and 2x SAT tuners at the back. 

The 49" TV's also seem to have SAT connectors at the back. However one shop salesperson told me, just because there are connectors means they have FreeSat. To me more specific, does this one have?

https://www.johnlewis.com/sony-bravia-kd49xg9005-led-hdr-4k-ultra-hd-smart-android-tv-49-inch-with-f...

I checked Richer Sounds, Currys, JohnLewis etc and none of the specs mention all tuners, only dual tuners, Feeview HD, but I have not seen one review that would say Freesat or Freesat HD for sure. 

There are a few threads on this forum, but rather old.

Can I have this clarified?

I just don't envisage going for LG or Samsung. The Sony ones are really cool and I would like to buy one. 

If Freesat cannot be confirmed in any specification, then I'll have to abandon the idea. 

Thanks, 

Richard

[LightFoot · Accepted solution]

Hi @Richlion2   That is an easy one to answer. No Sony TV has Freesat. However a large number do have 2 satellite tuners but don’t expect the slick Freesat user interface. Just check the specs and look for the number of tuners (sat).

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/televisions-projectors-lcd-tvs-android-/kd-49xg9005/speci...

I would recommend that you buy a proper Freesat PVR which would give you so many more features like series linking recordings etc. The Sony TV should display that perfectly.

[Richlion2]

Hi, 

you answer is not quite clear, did you mean just the 49" TVs?

The 55" has Freesat HD:

https://www.richersounds.com/sony-kd55xf9005bu.html

If no Freesat, does it mean I have to tune it manually and there will be no program guide? But will I still be able to receive the signal?

I'll have to weigh in my options, like live without Freesat, if all the rest works. USB recording is real bonus, and since my almost new Panasonic died, I might as well replace it. 

Many of the Freesat channels are on Freeview anyway, just a few missing, like PBS America is on Freeview, but only from 1PM - 11PM. 

Thanks, 

Richard

[Richlion2]

"I would recommend that you buy a proper Freesat PVR which would give you so many more features like series linking recordings etc." I had one Humax which had an HD dies after 3 years, then the device itself died after about 5 years ..... And , as I mentioned, I had a beautiful Panasonic Viera for 3 years which died also. If a TV has some good basic USB recording I am not gonna spend on a PVR box again. I just need something that will last, at least these Sony come with 5-6 year warranties. 

[LightFoot · Accepted solution]

Hi @Richlion2 

All the XF9 and XG9 series TVs have 2 satellite tuners, please see specs to check. Yes you will be able to view satellite channels.

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/televisions-projectors-lcd-tvs-android-/kd-55xf9005/speci...

I personally don’t use the satellite tuners on my KD-55XE9305 (I have Sky Q UHD) so I cannot comment. Obviously I have played with USB HDD recording facility but it certainly doesn’t replace a proper PVR. What I am trying to say is don’t expect the facilities you are used to. However picture quality on my KD-55XE9305 is fantastic.

I would review the manuals for your chosen TV.

https://helpguide.sony.net/tv/faep1/v1/en/index.html

[Deezell]

Newer Sony tvs now have a Freesat tuning option, and earlier sets are getting this option via a software upgrade. My February 2021 purchased XH9005 received the upgrade mid 2021, it works, but erratically, and is now a major issue for new owners of Sony who wish to directly plug in Satellite and get the full Freesat 7 day EPG. It populates, sometime partially without BBC, sometimes now/next only, sometimes fully but runs out a day at a times after the 7 days. Only cure seems to be to invoke a retune. Frustrating. I've recently tried the suggested cure of forcing stop/disabling the 'Live TV and Catchup' app, which seems to be a cover name for the dreaded YouView terrestrial app which scourged older sat tuner equipped sonys. The app icon has a large Y on it, and I don't have terrestrial UK reception, so I've disabled it. I'd like to fully remove it, as I suspect some of it's legacy Sat tuner disabling ability is still lurking in the software.