Iplayer KDL-42W705B "internet download failed'

[lycraofthelane]

I bought this TV in May 2015, it  has a manufacture date of 03/2015

For sometime now we have had problems with  Iplayer, (which we use a lot and is really the reason we bought this tv) slowly it has got worse and now when accessing  gets the no memory message. We have fast cable broadband from Virgin and have tried all the advice from Sony, wired connection, factory reset, unplugging, refresh internet along with check software version v3.006. Try hot spot connection and wired HDMI connection (Which work.).   

The BBC tell me.

"We're investigating this with Sony and we really appreciate your patience."
We're aware that some people are seeing an 'Internet download failed because content size exceeds system memory limit' error message when they try to use the BBC iPlayer app on their Sony TV.  "In the meantime, check the Sony devices certified for BBC iPlayer page to check that the BBC iPlayer app is supported on your model."

It is listed as supported.

Meanwhile  Sony tell me....Thank you for contacting Sony support.
With reference to your enquiry regarding your Sony KDL-42W705B, please note that this is being investigated by BBC and this is a third party application Sony is not responsible for.
If you are looking for workarounds please find the link below:  Unplug and wait..etc.

The television is fine apart from this issue but this issue becomes extremely frustrating and in all honestly it is not what I expect from Sony, the BBC or John lewis.

 Why is it OK for a tv to become obsolete in 5 years?

Why do the BBC say they are working with Sony? They must know the cause and equally if it can be corrected?

Were Sony aware of this future issue when the tv was sold?

Are John Lewis content for TVs to be sold by Sony that are unfit for purpose?

So why buy a smart TV from Sony?

Not a happy Sony fan....

[Peter_S.]

Hi lycraofthelane,

Since apps have to follow new technologies, demands and also being improved over time there's a chance that older hardware isn't capable of handling these new apps any more (same as with newer software running on older PCs).

However, there's a chance that your TV isn't running the latest app version. Can you please try to update the app by refreshing your internet content? (Home > settings > network > refresh internet content).

Hope this will solve the issue.

Cheers

Peter

[lycraofthelane]

Thanks for the advice, I have tried this to no avail.
It would appear that Sony build in obsolescence.

The big factor to me is why not own up..?

Thanks anyway.

[lycraofthelane]

It would appear that Sony "smart" TV's are obsolete after less than 5 years, I do not feel that 5 years is environmentally  friendly why are Sony not  trying to solve these problems?

[Joe_Dohn]

They are working on solving the issue if they confirmed along with the BBC that it is being investigated. It's just a matter of patience for now.

[lycraofthelane]

I appreciate what you are saying but for now and the unforeseeable  future I am left without Iplayer and with Netflix perpetually crashing, I feel sadly disappointed that a brand that I trust and have supported for years has become disposable and not fit for purpose. This shows a lack of foresight in design something I always believed that Sony were to be trusted and experts in their field.

[Joe_Dohn]

Honestly, I disagree with you on that last point.

According to your own words so far, the TV has been working perfectly for 5 years and this issue you're facing is confirmed by both concerned parties to be in active investigation as we speak, and this happened after 5 years, generally speaking, it might look like a short time, but technology improves exponentially quickly. A new phone is released on a yearly and sometimes every 6 months even (looking at you Samsung) and in the PC world (still a newcomer) new parts are released every 2-3 years.

To be clear (and fair) I'm not saying you should expect less or that 5 is too long, but given that it HAS been 5 years and you're still not in any way inclined to replace it and you just have to wait for the ongoing investigation's results, I'd say this is acceptable honestly.

Though this will change if the investigation proves to be meaningless, but I have faith based on my experience and I think you should too. But that's my personal opinion.

- J.D.

[lycraofthelane]

Hi JD,

Whilst I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I must take acception to your comments and  stand by my own.

I have not stated "The TV worked perfectly for 5 years"  this tv was produced in March 2015 in 2019 it started to drop iplayer, I tried to resolve the issue with changes from wireless to wired, power supplies, reboots and even router and Internet providers. This took me several months to attempt to resolve, If you think I came to this conclusion in a hurry you are mistaken. It was only after some months of frustration that I started to believe the TV was at fault, with Sony not admitting any problem and sending out "Try this" and "send me details of all your device and providers"  emails in response, eventually finding others on the Sony community opened my eyes.

The Smart Tv was bought with iplayer preinstalled and I think it would expect it to be useable for a considerable period, I have amongst my devices a 2009 MacBook that is still perfectly capable of playing iplayer so I would naturally expect this tv to be capable.

I find your attitude toward  the expected life of a tv somewhat bemusing as though it is perfectly acceptable for modern technology to be thrown on the tip after a comparatively short life, I am not surprised the oceans are polluted.

As for "it might look like a short time, but technology improves exponentially quickly. A new phone is released on a yearly and sometimes every 6 months even (looking at you Samsung) and in the PC world (still a newcomer) new parts are released every 2-3 years."

I am aware that "new models and upgrades are part of the new marketing strategy but surely that does not make it right and personally I have not found that I had to by new just because the manufacturer did not future proof or plan, as I stated I have up until now always felt Sony to be market leaders and cutting edge but this has opened my eyes.

In the mean time I await "News from BBC and Sony and hope I do not die of old age waiting.

You are of course entitled to your view and your faith, mine is somewhat tainted now.

LoL

[pragmatec]

I've been experiencing the exactly same problem with my 2015 KDL42W705B for many weeks now. It went away after a factory reset, but only for a week or so. I've also been a loyal Sony AV product purchaser for decades. Very disappointing and frustrating. I doubt that the BBC or Sony will give a d**m but I'll try contacting them anyway.

[lycraofthelane]

Hi, I am sure you find this as frustrating as I do.

It seems all we can do is sit and wait while these corporate machines decide if we are worth bothering about.

It seems customers are now just punters to be discarded and any protests are met with derisory comments. Just because a TV is 4 to 5 years old it should not be discarded, nor should the technology be such that obsolescence is built in.

I will wait a while longer, then if no solution is forthcoming I shall not be be buying Sony again.

Take care and thank you for contacting, I do know we are not alone.