Google’s plans in relation to Android seem fairly simple and sound in a nutshell: “it pressed wherever possible”. In this way we lived to release on watches, cars, and televisions. It was the latter came to office Antyweb. After testing the Sony X8505C Android TV I can confidently say that such opportunities do not currently offer any Smart TV.
So far, the market only benefit from Philips’ Android on their TVs, moreover, already I described in the pages Antyweb. I must admit that it brought positive results, although it reflected very negatively on the stability, reliability and performance. Android TV based on release 5.0 of the system is quite different, because from the beginning designed by Google for televisions and appetizers. The platform so far attracted the attention of three major manufacturers: Philips, Sharp and Sony.
As Android Wear, Android TV can not be modified by the manufacturers, therefore, on any TV and snap TV software will look the same. The differences boil down properly only to the list of preinstalled applications. In the case of Sony X8505C we were put at the disposal of our programs such as: IPLA, TVP.pl, Player.pl, as well as several video platforms English speaking clients. More’ll find, of course, the Google Play store, but more on that in a moment.
Features and Capabilities
The main menu screen looks very clear and aesthetically. The individual categories (featured apps, apps, games, inputs, settings) were divided into groups stacked vertically. Each such group is made up of a row of colored tiles. All of this crowned recommendation system programs, which did not cooperate with the Polish service providers (at least in my case did not cooperate), so we may just creep clips from YouTube or Google Movies.
In the upper left corner shows the characteristic of the microphone icon. As you might guess, Android TV to a large extent can be controlled using voice commands. Here, very important it is the fact that Google Now, which is based on this mechanism, better communicates with us in Polish. This mechanism over time gaining its usefulness and attractiveness. Currently, there is nothing, eg. The way, to give the command to set the alarm for a given hour or save notes. It is of course also a simple way to get an answer from a Google search on nagging issues and questions.
The setting screen is organized in much the same way as the main panel. We find here a few separated from each category, each of which covers a different aspect of the operation of the TV. We get the same total control over communications modules, and even such trifles as the LED below the screen.
Enter the text from the Android TV is not particularly comfortable, but on-screen keyboard has been significantly modified for televisions. Fortunately via a dedicated Android TV Remote Control we can help to onscreen keyboard on your smartphone. Besides the application itself fully a few other functions and transforms our smartphone in the pilot. Just that it will be connected to the same network as the Smart TV.
Android TV supports technology Google Cast, which you can associate mainly with Chromecast. It allows mobile applications work seamlessly with TV and display certain content on the screen. In most cases this is not a mirror image of what we see on a smartphone or tablet, and quite different, adapted to large diagonals interface. In this way you can. Display presentations with Google Slides, watch broadcasts of Twitch, view photos from Flickr and even play games. The possibilities are enormous, and Google cast is supported by hundreds (if not thousands) of popular applications. Most importantly, this mechanism requires no configuration – just the smartphone / tablet and TV are connected to the same WiFi network.
Of course (as opposed to Chromecast) TV does not need external mobile device and he can also run the same applications. Here we have full access to the Google Play store, though it is worth noting that its content has been truncated for application adapted for television. These are relatively large and constantly occurring more (ensuring there is a particularly big challenge for developers). Everything is at the same time synchronized with our Google account, so if we already have a program on your smartphone, you probably have it also on TV (although there are shameful exceptions and developers are preparing separate versions – these Android TV are more expensive).
Google Play gives us access to dozens of video players, and thus actually the maximum possible compatibility with formats and codecs. This is good news, because factory-built player is mediocre. VLC, MX Player and other fully a reward.
Access to Google Play is of course also possible to install games. Specifically with them in mind, moreover, we have a dedicated section on the Home screen. This is especially cool because Android TV supports various types of gamepads. In theory up here as many as ten, but did not find the game allowing simultaneous play so many players. Anyway, here there is still a lot of titles that rains do not support at all. I do test, I used the controller of the Xbox One – worked without hesitation. Probably each other with support for XInput will also be. The sale also appear already the first devices of this type dedicated for Android TV, for example. Razer Serval.
What performance, liquidity and stability operations? Unfortunately, here Google is still much room for improvement. Unfortunately, Sony has not revealed what processor is used in this model. Nor do we have access to information about RAM. We only know that is built here 8 GB of internal memory of which remains available to us 5.8 GB. This relatively low and in practice allows us to simultaneously install up to 2-3 “big” game and some (teen) applications.
During tests, animations liked klatkować, and a more challenging game not working at 100 percent. Seamlessly. Sometimes there were also longer breaks in response – especially in situations when the TV has received several orders simultaneously. The last straw surged occasional mistakes and closing automatically programs. I had the impression that I’m using a beta version, not the system introduced to the consumer market. As I mentioned – Google is here a lot of room for improvement.
But what of the TV and offered his experience?
The first thing that strikes the eye after unpacking the Sony X8505C a slim design . The TV is only 5.1 cm thick. The frame around the screen while measuring only 1.3 cm wide. It’s a great performance that impressed me. This positive impression, however, effectively spoiling delicate and petite stand. On the one hand, it fits well with the slim TV, and the other looks uneasy and gives the impression of not very stable (especially in conjunction with 55-inch diagonal). Fortunately, at the back we screw holes on the VESA standard, so you purchase the right arm / handle, we can hang equipment on the wall.
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On the back we find a basic set of connectors, including 4 x HDMI (one of which MHL), 3 x USB ( one being a standard 3.0), 2 x input composite component 1 x 1 x Ethernet, 1 x optical output, and slot modules CI +. The TV also has Bluetooth and WiFi modules (with support for WiFi-Direct).
In the set we find two remotes. The first of them not particularly different from what Sony long been attached to their television. My attention was particularly caught here Netfliksa dedicated button, which proves the growing strength of the platform to the west and is completely useless to Polish users (although it may soon …). The second of the pilots, the One-Flic Remote is the embodiment of frailty and trash, and it looks a bit oddly. It serves primarily as the TouchPad, and you can access to basic keys “to record sound, power, back, discover, home, switch channels and adjust the volume. An interesting fact here is the built-in NFC module, for which, however, have not found any practical application (although I can think of hundreds of cool ideas for its use) to urgently displaying pictures from your smartphone on the TV screen. Although the TV supports 3D image display, the corresponding glasses will not find in a box.
Image, What we see is a very decent level. When using this 55-inch display with a resolution of 4K VA provides deep blacks, a satisfactory level of contrast and a very high ratio of brightness. The upside is a very wide range of colors and their great representation (although here, just a lot depends on calibrations). The disadvantages include the need but not very wide viewing angles, and problems with a single display shades of gray. Backlight (Edge) also could be more even, because the seats can be seen slight clouding.
Sony emphasizes that the new TV series has been equipped with X1 image processor that scales and processed content before displaying them. In practice, this translates into very good results. Recorded at a lower resolution presented on the screen X8505C very well, having a low coefficient of great focus, a lack of artifacts and great masked imperfections. It is therefore not only a marketing slogan – processor X1 piss off a pretty good job.
The plus you need Also included sound system. The manufacturer has equipped televisions with two speakers with a power of 10 W. These solutions are a Long Duct, which are characterized by support for the full frequency band. In practice they sound very satisfactorily, serving devoid of major distortion sound with significant power. Fans of music, concerts and powerful explosions they shall deal but not without a subwoofer or soundbar good.
Sony X8505C is also a great TV for the players. In addition to a dedicated gaming mode (which, in fact, is the standard), it can boast of input lag of 35 ms. It’s a great result, which allows comfortable playing the most dynamic productions.
Summary
Android TV is a young platform that segment Smart TV undoubtedly awaits a bright future. So far, since no manufacturer TVs (maybe except Samsung) he was not able to offer access to such a large (though still modest in comparison with smartphones and tablets) application base. The system is at the same time functional and well copes with voice commands, which are one of its greatest strengths (or weaknesses, if one does not intend to talk to the TV). The interface itself deserves the praise for minimalism, transparency and intuitive operation.
Unfortunately, the Android TV suffers from the same ills as most Android and or choke, unresponsive and hard to slow down, which often give you a lot of frustration. Problems with the stability and performance require, in my opinion, relatively quick update. Complain, it can be for a small amount of internal memory, but that’s jibe towards manufacturer.
He Sony X8505C is a solid choice for those looking for a TV that offers good image quality, which has a very effective Upscaler lifting artificially image resolution up to 4K and a well-radzącego our games. And in fact, these three elements are here for an excellent summary.
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