Smart TV Apps

ten0G · June 02, 2020, 10:35:41 AM

I bought a 24" smartTV from Amazon to see how I got on with it over Xmas.

Even allowing for my own health problems and Covid-19, I don't seem to be doing very well at all!

My broadband contract expired just under a month ago and I changed to a different provider for double the speed, indeed Speedtest results seems to confirm this. It appears to have solved problems experienced with the Netflix App, but not with the YouTube one.

I wonder if any of the Forum members have any knowledge of smart TV Apps which might enlighten me please, whilst I await for "Technical Support" to contact me as supposedly arranged by Amazon last week.

It would help if I knew where the App is located, whether it can be replaced by a later version, whether the remote may be faulty and hold the answer, or whether it's a built-in incurable "feature," etc.

I'm reluctant to have the set replaced as suggested by Amazon without knowing the cause of the problem which may waste a lot of time if this is common to all.

The set is a Toshiba 24WD3A63DB 24-Inch HD Ready Smart TV with Freeview Play and Built In DVD Player - Black/Silver (2019 Model)

Basically, the set often switches itself Off then back On again whilst I'm using the YouTube App selected from the Menu row (there's no dedicated button). The time interval varies from a few minutes to about 5hrs 30mins.

This is frequently, but not always, preceded by sticking sound and/or picture.

It always defaults the the last channel selected (normally BBC News 231), except when playing a YouTube playlist when it defaults to BBC 2 (first digit of 231?).

As I don't require a model larger than a 24" one for a number of reasons, my choice of an alternative would seem rather restricted.

Thanks in advance.

tutenkhamunsleeping · June 02, 2020, 10:48:33 AM

I use the YouTube app a lot, both as a resident app on 2 Panasonic TVs and also on an Apple TV box. I've never had any problems like yours, for what it's worth. Worst case scenario is a spinny-whirly thing when either YouTube or my connection are below par, nothing ever switches off.

port perran · June 02, 2020, 10:50:19 AM

We use You Tube a fair bit and have never had a problem.

Philip. · June 02, 2020, 10:54:38 AM

Are you able to do a factory reset on the TV, may be a glitch with the software?

njee20 · June 02, 2020, 11:09:56 AM

We have a very similar Toshiba television and it is a bit flaky - ours often crashes if you're too quick, and start searching for or playing a video very quickly after turning it on. We haven't had issues with it turning off once playing I must say though. Our "main" Samsung TV is faultless in comparison. I think it's a failing of the firmware of the TV.

ten0G · June 02, 2020, 11:18:39 AM

Quote from: Philip. on June 02, 2020, 10:54:38 AM
Are you able to do a factory reset on the TV, may be a glitch with the software?

I've tried deleting the App and re-installing it, the problem still persists. Of course I've no guarantee that I did in fact achieve that as it may just be a function to remove unwanted choices from the Menu bar.

Similarly, I can't be sure that the reset option actually does a Factory Reset as there appears to be very little documentation provided.

After my last attempt at both, I had about 5hrs30mins trouble-free which made me wonder if there's some memory issue involved, but there's no mention of memory in the spec or the manual.

Since then, it's been as erratic as always again!

ten0G · June 02, 2020, 11:44:57 AM

Quote from: njee20 on June 02, 2020, 11:09:56 AM
We have a very similar Toshiba television and it is a bit flaky - ours often crashes if you're too quick, and start searching for or playing a video very quickly after turning it on. We haven't had issues with it turning off once playing I must say though. Our "main" Samsung TV is faultless in comparison. I think it's a failing of the firmware of the TV.

I have noticed that the set's a lot less responsive to the remote keys when using Netflix & YouTube, but assumed it was to do with internet access. However, that "feature" still persists with the faster line.

A workaround may be to try a YouTube subscription, but apart from the reluctance to pay, can I be sure the upgrade wouldn't be affected by the same issue(s)?

Papyrus · June 02, 2020, 12:30:14 PM

Do you have another TV or can you borrow one? If you can try another TV you should at least be able to determine whether it is an issue with your internet or the TV.

That's the limit of my "technical assistance", I'm afraid!

Good luck,

Chris

Malc · June 02, 2020, 12:51:18 PM

It sounds like a fault on the set. Do you have any issues with YouTube on a PC or tablet?
Personally, I'd take up Amazon's offer to replace it.

ten0G · June 02, 2020, 12:55:20 PM

Quote from: Papyrus on June 02, 2020, 12:30:14 PM
Do you have another TV or can you borrow one?

Thanks Chris, but that would be very unlikely, even without lockdown restrictions.

ten0G · June 02, 2020, 01:07:51 PM

Quote from: Malc on June 02, 2020, 12:51:18 PM
It sounds like a fault on the set. Do you have any issues with YouTube on a PC or tablet?
Personally, I'd take up Amazon's offer to replace it.

Thanks Malc,

Before I upgraded the line, I had issues with Netflix & YouTube on the 2010 MacBook and did doubt its ability to cope generally but since I've not noticed any issues with either, although it doesn't mean some don't exist. Likewise with the 2013 iPod.

But as all the Apps' interfaces are different, is it really a meaningful indicator?

Malc · June 02, 2020, 03:01:26 PM

Although the interfaces are different, the underlying systems will be similar. If you are not seeing difficulties with either bit of kit, I would still suspect the set. I don't know who your provider is, but lots of hubs allow you to log on and check how things are performing. You might be getting lots of errors communicating with the TV. If you are using WiFi to connect your TV, you could be in a bad reception spot in your house. Try holding your iPad near the set and see if that has problems.

njee20 · June 02, 2020, 03:08:01 PM

I think the underlying issue is just that the TV is a bit buggy. Definitely nothing to do with needing a YouTube sub, don't pay for that. In our case I'm confident it's not related to the speed either (we get c160mbps). In our case the TV was very cheap, and I think it's just reflected in that. For us it's livable, definitely find the buttons aren't as responsive in Netflix/YouTube - an also the 'home' or input buttons are ineffective in those apps, you must exit the app first. We've had some remote control keys reverse function in certain apps too. However, if the television was randomly turning off I'd definitely be looking for a replacement.

Delboy · June 02, 2020, 04:08:54 PM

I would agree with Malc and njee20.
Sounds to me like the set has a fault.
It is one thing having a few streaming problems which could be internet related but TV turning itself off and on etc. That should not be happening.
Take up Amazons offer to replace it. Better still if they would let you swap it for a different brand smart TV that would be even better.
you would then have eliminated that particular TV model, if you were still having problems. Not likely to be your internet though since you imply that other streaming services such as Netflix are behaving relatively speaking.

Markthetog · June 05, 2020, 07:50:54 AM

Toshiba don't actually make cheap TVs, they licence their name to manufacturers of cheap chinese sets. With the lowest cost memory chips and processors, both of which are prone to causing issues. I would suggest either return it under warranty if possible or if not then buy a cheap Smart TV "Stick" such as a Roku, Fire or Chromecast.
These stream independent of the TV's memory and network connection and are far more reliable.

During 9 years in Management teams with Currys & PC World neither I or anyone under me would ever suggest Toshiba TVs to customers. Several other big names do the same thing (Kenwood for example) and to my mind it's dishonest - people think they're buying quality.