Cannot access iPlayer while also recording tv

[Mikej62]

Hi.

We have recently bought a Bravia 4K UR3 v9 (KE-75XH8096), which overall I'm very happy with. (Bluetooth headset pairing would have been good, but apparently it can't do that).

Anyway the question is does anyone know a fix for not being able to access the iPlayer app when the TV has started recording a Freeview program?

iPlayer works fine if the TV is not recording, also works fine if we start it and while watching it, the TV begins a scheduled recording.

The block only occurs if iPlayer is launched while recording has already commenced.

Apologies if this has already been covered. I've searched, but it's a bit of a complex search string.

Thanks in anticipation

Mike

[HannahEd01]

Hi Mikej62, so what you're describing is unusual, I can't see any mention of it in the Manual or any other database. The only logical explanation is that the TV is considering the catchup apps as TV channels, and since your TV doesn't have a twin tuner, it won't be able to record and display a channel at the same time. 

So here's what we can do, first, we need to understand more about the issue. 

When did it start? 

How often does it happen? 

How do you access iPlayer? 

Was the issue present since date one? 

In the meanwhile, try unplugging the TV from the mains for two minutes while disconnecting any external device, including the aerial. 

[Mikej62]

Hi Hannah - thankyou for your reply. Answers to your questions below

When did it start?  About 3 weeks ago, which was the first time I tried to access iPlayer while a recording was in progress

How often does it happen? Every time I try to access iPlayer while the TV is recording to HD.

Interestingly if I am already watching iPlayer and a scheduled recording starts while I'm already in iPlayer, it works fine. NB I've not tried exiting and restarting iPlayer in this scenario

How do you access iPlayer? From the home screen under Sony Select:Featured (The TV will not let me add iPlayer to favourite apps - it doesn't appear in the pick list if I try to edit favourites)

Was the issue present since date one? Sorry, I don't know. I didn't try this until I'd had the TV for a few weeks.

In the meanwhile, try unplugging the TV from the mains for two minutes while disconnecting any external device, including the aerial. - I tried this, in fact I tried it a couple of times and it makes no difference.

Thanks for your time, best wishes, Mike

[HannahEd01]

Hey Mikej62, all the answers point out that there shouldn't be anything wrong. However, are you using a satellite? There might be some sort of copy rights thing going on as recording isn't possible from youview apps. 

[Mikej62]

Hi Hannah - thanks for your reply. 

I'm not using satellite - we have freeview via a digital aerial, which works fine. 

iPlayer and the rest of the online stuff on the TV is via ethernet gigabit cable to my switch/router - and again all works fine except for this odd quirk. 

I can live with the problem, I have a workaround - just it's odd. My background is a 30year career in IT (programmer->team manager->consultancy including assignments managing test teams) and I find it hard to let go of issues like this! But it's really not a big deal!

[Kenbmwman]

Hi, I have a XR55A80K and have exactly the same issue.  Its not just iPlayer but all catchup services.

I have been discussing this with Sony for about 4 months.  I made a video to explain to tech support exactly what was happening.

The end result is that tech support were unable to help and it was escalated to Customer Services. The situation is that this is not possible on Sony sets. It is the way that they have ensured you do not have the capability to record catchup programs.  You may not have tried it, but you may find that the "red button" features do not work in iPlayer either.   They have also barred using the browser app and accessing iPlayer that way whilst recording.

I have checked out the LG C2 set and it is possible to record and watch catchup on that set, so its the way that Sony have implemented this, not some industry wide enforcement. 

Customer Services are the final arbiter and they have offerred me a refund of the purchase price of the set, but I have decided not to return it, as I like the other features of the set. 

They can give me no assurance that this will change at any time in the future with any new software release. 

The only way to overcome this is to use an external recording box like a Freeview or Freesat box with a HDD connected via the HDMI interface. The stupidity of this is that we have paid for this function in the tuners on the TV and cannot fully utilise it.

Sorry not to have a better reply, I am as frustrated as you are.

Regards

Ken

[SkyNet404]

This model: KE-75XH8096. Is a singe tuner TV, so you cannot record and watch another channel at the same time, and since you're relying on catch up apps, I think the same rule applies. 
However, this model XR-55A80K, is a dual tuner TV but only in satellite. So in theory this can work if you have 2 satellite cables. 

You may check the specs for both models to confirm that as well, cheers. 

[royabrown2]

@Kenbmwman 

Don’t raise the bridge, lower the river.

Get a Roku Express or Amazon Firestick, and use that to watch the catchup apps. You’ll get better and faster versions of the apps, which will include live TV streaming.

And if you are one of the people that Sony has decided to leave behind and not implement itvX for, you don’t have to fume in frustration, as the device will have that provided also.

[Mikej62]

Thanks Ken. Much appreciated 

[Mikej62]

Thank you for your reply