Sony's flat TVs malfunction due to software glitch

Iria · Feb 14, 2006, 11:55 PM

Japan's Sony said on Tuesday that about 400,000 Bravia brand LCD and rear-projection TVs launched last year may malfunction due to faulty software.

A Sony spokeswoman said that after 1,200 hours of use the TVs may not be able to be turned off or switched out of stand-by mode.

She said the TVs were sold in Japan, the United States, South America, China and other Asian countries.

The software for those sets receiving digital or cable broadcasts can be upgraded automatically but Sony must dispatch a person to fix those TVs that are receiving analog signals, the spokeswoman said.
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Read More / Source: News.com

kn0w1 · Feb 15, 2006, 01:22 AM

Oh.. wonderful...
TVs that can automatically update their software... from that gave us the wonderful rootkit on a CD and whatever other DRM software we think you should have

Tipstaff · Feb 15, 2006, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kn0w1

Oh.. wonderful...
TVs that can automatically update their software... from that gave us the wonderful rootkit on a CD and whatever other DRM software we think you should have

Actually, Sony BMG and Sony Electronics are infact 2 seperate enities. You can't blame Sony Elec. for something Sony BMG did.

From what I know you need a digital signal into the TV for the update to work (not exactly sure how the update is run though), which is why if the TV can only receive analog input then you need a technician to update it.

In any case, -->> HERE <<-- is the site to go to for the update, as well as info on what models of TV are effected (there are only 3 Bravia, and 2 Grand Wega listed). Just follow the instructions on how to find out if your TV requires just the software update, or if you need to schedule a technician to come in.

SecretAgentMan · Feb 15, 2006, 07:22 AM

Do you expect anything else from Sony?

kn0w1 · Feb 15, 2006, 08:54 AM

No, but they do have DRM in Blu-ray and they are probably going along with (if they didn't help develop them themselves like Blu-ray) the DRM (HDCP i think) built into new video interfaces such as UDI and DisplayPort, if they are not already in HDMI.
They may be separate entities, but Sony Pictures & Sony BMG will no doubt demand that Sony Electronics incorporate these "features".
You know somebody is going to screw up somewhere; accidentally flag a show as not viewable, not recordable, or something. (Didn't that happen recently with TiVo?)
Better yet since it auto-updates over digital signals... oooh, now we get to update the TV/DVD-player firmware! with every new movie or digital show we put out.
Just like with the PSP!
You MUST update to play it.
And certainly there won't be any viruses posing as auto-updates that can now break your TV.

Feb 14, 2006, 11:55 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Sony's flat TVs malfunction due to software glitch Japan's Sony said on Tuesday that about 400,000 Bravia brand LCD and rear-projection TVs launched last year may malfunction due to faulty software. A Sony spokeswoman said that after 1,200 hours of use the TVs may not be able to be turned off or switched out of stand-by mode. She said the TVs were sold in Japan, the United States, South America, China and other Asian countries. The software for those sets receiving digital or cable broadcasts can be upgraded automatically but Sony must dispatch a person to fix those TVs that are receiving analog signals, the spokeswoman said. _____________ Read More / Source: News.com

Feb 15, 2006, 01:22 AM	#2
kn0w1 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Oh.. wonderful... TVs that can automatically update their software... from that gave us the wonderful rootkit on a CD and whatever other DRM software we think you should have

Feb 15, 2006, 07:22 AM	#4
SecretAgentMan DriverHeaven Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 98 Rep Power: 0	Do you expect anything else from Sony?

Feb 15, 2006, 08:54 AM	#5
kn0w1 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	No, but they do have DRM in Blu-ray and they are probably going along with (if they didn't help develop them themselves like Blu-ray) the DRM (HDCP i think) built into new video interfaces such as UDI and DisplayPort, if they are not already in HDMI. They may be separate entities, but Sony Pictures & Sony BMG will no doubt demand that Sony Electronics incorporate these "features". You know somebody is going to screw up somewhere; accidentally flag a show as not viewable, not recordable, or something. (Didn't that happen recently with TiVo?) Better yet since it auto-updates over digital signals... oooh, now we get to update the TV/DVD-player firmware! with every new movie or digital show we put out. Just like with the PSP! You MUST update to play it. And certainly there won't be any viruses posing as auto-updates that can now break your TV.