Over emphasis on Android yet again. "It's 0.23 seconds slower clicking your Netflix button!? I'd best get a new tv then..."
Is Android 7 slightly annoying very occassionaly? Yes. Is it worth FOUR mentions and total domination of the 'disadvantages' bullet points in the review? Of course not...
This site has very questionable prioriisations at times. A TV's OS and its remote control are relatively important...but up to a point.
If I had to own a current Sony OLED, I would do exactly the same thing.I have a Sony AF9 and only time I use the remote/Android is to change picture mode. Apart from that I only watch content via Apple TV4K.
Even WIFI and BLUETOOTH is switched OFF on the AF9.
I don't have the GZ950, I have a GX800 and GZ1500 currently being reviewed.Phil is the GZ950 review coming soon ?
GZ1500 currently being reviewed.
47ms for 1080p signals and 27ms for 4K.Phil how was input lag on the AG8 ?
47ms for 1080p signals and 27ms for 4K.
Perhaps when you live with just one TV, such as your Sony, you just don't notice these things as much. Perhaps as a reviewer who has many TVs side by side I see this more as the Sony really is annoying next to other TVs, even the Android-powered Philips it was compared with, is far better.
And we absolutely concentrate on picture quality, but a TV has many jobs to do for many different types of user and to ignore that would be a shame. So we cover everything we can for all types of user. The fact is this ships with version 7 which is pants and you have to manually update to Oreo, which is only slightly better, yet the Philips using the same thing is a far better TV, and LG, Samsung and even Panasonic do it far, far better.
So I'm sorry that as a Sony user you find we highlight the issues too much, but I wouldn't be doing the best job if I ignored it. And it is only by highlighting these issues, and others, that improvements happen to the products going forward. If we just ignored them I doubt manufacturers would make changes to improve the performance of their products. (Not just from our reviews, but the same feedback from other reviewers, owners and so on).
It is our number 1 interest. And that is accurate picture quality to the standards and correct pulldown of low frame rate content. We are also the only review site which points out the accuracy of the out of the box picture modes, as the majority of consumers will never pay for calibration, so they need to know how a TV performs to the standards. Again, I believe this is an area you disagree with and enjoy soap opera effect and standard picture modes? So, I'm not sure we will agree on much. I happen to believe we are the only technical review site that actually reviews the TV as a TV and not a monitor. As such we will cover the OS and smart systems as well as providing the most comprehensive picture assessment that means something to end users and not just calibrated image assessment.I just happen to believe that most peoples' primary interest, by FAR, is picture quality...& I don't believe the editorial team at AVForums necessarily feel the same way.
It is our number 1 interest. And that is accurate picture quality to the standards and correct pulldown of low frame rate content. We are also the only review site which points out the accuracy of the out of the box picture modes, as the majority of consumers will never pay for calibration, so they need to know how a TV performs to the standards. Again, I believe this is an area you disagree with and enjoy soap opera effect and standard picture modes? So, I'm not sure we will agree on much. I happen to believe we are the only technical review site that actually reviews the TV as a TV and not a monitor. As such we will cover the OS and smart systems as well as providing the most comprehensive picture assessment that means something to end users and not just calibrated image assessment.
I very much respect the point that it does need highlighting (Sony may listen one day, right..?) and I completely agree that Sony are trailing behind the competition in this area. I would however, still argue that there's too much emphasis on it all.
If you are going to spend that kind of money on a TV you would expect an effort to be made on the OS that drives it.My partner's £400 samsung has a smoother OS than my Sony OLED, as does a friend's C8. I'm frequently in front of both TVs so I see and 'appreciate' the differences. Regardless, it doesn't really matter...& just because their TVs will load an app a second or quicker than mine, that shouldn't play such a huge part in assessing a TV's worth.
It's a fine line. I'm glad you highlight it & I agree it's not good enough of Sony. I also believe it's very misleading to place so much emphasis on a TV's OS though. I remember you docked last year's AF8 for similar reasons and, after a year of ownership now, i can safely say that none of the 'drawbacks' you highlighted have bothered me, or been a hindrance, whatsoever.
You have your approach and I respect it, for the most part. I just happen to believe that most peoples' primary interest, by FAR, is picture quality...& I don't believe the editorial team at AVForums necessarily feel the same way.
Not really acceptable, poor from Sony.
It's not the first time Sony has had issues with Android, read the official Sony community support forums, they made a hash of software updates as well by breaking other features that were working in the first place. I love my Sony Cameras, but TVs, I wouldn't touch at the moment at that price. I will say it again, they really need to pull their finger out, can't make excuses.
I really do like this site and, if I didnt like the way you did things, I wouldnt have frequented the place most days for well over a year now. I think you get a LOT right. Just not this particular element...
Guess I'm just a little bemused by some people's priorities. Feels like someone turning down a Ferrari because they're not keen on the stereo.
Anyway, I appreciate your responses irrespective of whether I agree or not. Cheers.
Weird! The Oreo update has turned my TV into a very usable smart TV. From what I have read, I wouldn't begin to compare it with WebOS, but for me at least it is now very quick and responsive. I press a button and something actually happens. For Android TV that is amazing lol.Great review, shame the Sony has the same woeful software issues as per. Time they ditched Android for TV's and come up with something to compete with LG WebOS.