Updating old KDL-26EX320

[Iain-Hu]

I have inherited a Sony KDL-26EX320. Quite nice ... Sony and smart tv 🤗

In experimenting with it I have it connected to the net, however, it is unable to connect to services:

1. Trying to connect to BRAVIA Internet Video gives error <2200>
2. The browser, which seems to be based on Opera, fails on attempting to connect to http://rd1.sony.net/tv1/, with an error that https://www.sony.co.uk/locale-selector (note: httpS) failed as there is no mutual TLS cipher. This tells me the tv is on old software running an old IP stack and doesn't support any current cipher suites, and so the TLS handshake failure due to server enforced cipher negotiation
3. I note that http://rd1.sony.net/tv1/ redirects to https://www.sony.net/, but this will undoubtedly fail due to the lack of current TLS ciphers and may explain the <2200> mentioned above
4. Connecting to the 'Opera online support desk' (over http) does work and offers various Opera downloads
5. The tv can also see the local router and NAS and so this absolutely confirms the network setup is fine, the issue is in a current TCP stack

The obvious thing is to update the tv, then things might work, however, attempting a 'Software update' fails with: "The TV could not check for updates over the network" and error (2103) ... in brackets rather than angle braces this time. This is most likely linked to the out of date TCP stack and so the connection to the the update server (over https) failing.

So the problem seems to be that the set firmware is too old to enable it to update itself. I'm therefore wondering if it's possible to download to a network location or USB stick and update from there. That would then get the set back to being able to keep itself up to date.

Thanks for any advice 🙂

[Marino.Manolo]

An advice? If you want to use this old "SMART" TV you have buy an Android TV Stick, like a Chromecast, or an Amazon Fire Stick TV.

[royabrown2]

@Iain-Hu 

Amplifying what @Marino.Manolo has said, here is the update status of your 2014 HD Ready TV without, apparently, any capability to watch HD channels, only SD ones:-

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/televisions-projectors-lcd-tvs/kdl-26ex320/downloads?nick...

Marino doesn’t mention the Roku Express (HD or 4K) that would be my choice of smarts to add to this TV, if you really wanted it Smart, but his point that a 2014 TV, even one updated to a later software status, just doesn’t have the hardware to cut it in today’s environment, stands.

Fortunately the oldest TV can exhibit all today’s smarts, within the limitations of the spec of the TV, as long as it has an HDMI input. With a modern stick/device - Roku, Firestick or Google Chromecast* - doing all the heavy lifting, all the oldest TV has to do is show the picture and play the sound.

And hey, it’s 3D. I’m keeping an old, old 32” TV going because you can’t get 3D on a TV for love or money these days. Though you can still buy Anadin 😛

*The Chromecast can’t play the Channel Four app. In this household of Countdown aficionados, that would rule it out completely . 😢

[Iain-Hu]

Ah, so updates for this set ended 2 years ago.

I think the conclusion is the set is EOL and not as current as I'd wondered, but thank you @royabrown2 for the Roku Express suggestion. As I understand it, this is connected to the tv via HMDI or composite, needs a USB power supply from either the tv or USB power supply, and then connects via WiFi (presuming it's not a wired model) and you're good to go?

Does the Roku Express run the apps, e.g YouTube, iPlayer, ITV X, whatever, and then just stream the output via the HDMI?

Clearly I need to do a little more research, but wold saving using an old PC/laptop as the app host 🙂

[royabrown2 · Accepted solution]

@Iain-Hu 

HDMI, but not composite. Your TV has two HDMI inputs, so it will take one of those.

Yes, it’s USB powered, but Roku do supply a suitable power supply and cable. I like to run mine from the power supply; when I ran it from a USB Socket on my LG TV, it worked fine, but as that powered down every time I put the TV in standby, so I had to wait for it to boot up again each time.

And yes it’s WiFi, and yes it has all those apps (Roku call them channels, but they are apps) and yes the Roku runs them, so all the TV has to do, in effect, is be a monitor.

The Roku Express 4K (but not the HD) can be run wired, with extra equipment, but who would want to, normally, if your WiFi is any good?

One thing about the Express is it’s not a stick, it’s more of a stick-on, and they give you the tape. Here’s mine, attached to an LG TV. Bottom left, under the bezel with UK TV above it, if you look closely.
It's very neat, and just looks like part of the TV 😛

[Iain-Hu]

Thank you again @royabrown2 , that is all really helpful, so thank you 🙂

And yes, your installation is indeed very neat. As you say, it's hard to notice it. You have given me some ideas 😀

Thanks again for your kind help