Android TV Problems And Solutions When Switching to a Smart TV

Published on: 23/04/2022 | Updated on: December 22, 2023

Are Android TV Users Getting A Truly Seamless Experience? What Android TV Problems are found randomly? In this article, we will discuss some common android tv problems and solutions. OTT platforms have started replacing cable TV. The consumption of OTT content is moving from small screens to television. It has given rise to a massive demand for smart TVs.

There was a time when users faced many teething issues when switching over from feature phones to smartphones. And today, similar television lovers face similar problems as they switch from their regular TVs to smart TVs. So, what are these challenges, and how do you resolve them? Let’s find out.

Android TV Problems And Solutions

Boot-Up Time

It is a prevalent problem in almost every smart TV. Most consumers are used to having their TVs boot up instantly. On the other hand, smart TVs take anywhere from 20 seconds to a minute to become usable.

Imagine trying to catch your favorite live sports event at the last moment. You might end up missing some very crucial action at that time.

Solution

You can avoid this issue by keeping your TV in standby mode, but that does waste energy.

OS Updates

Your android tv firmware needs updates just like your smartphone’s OS does. The hardware in your TVs, such as the Wi-Fi and the H.264 decoder, depends on it to function. The updates ensure that your TV delivers the optimum performance.

However, you would be hard-pressed to find a TV that runs the latest Android TV software right off the shelf.

Google has been systematically releasing new operating systems and new features for its TV ecosystem. The end-user only gets to experience these features after a significant delay. It is due to the gap in implementation by the manufacturers. Unfortunately, this is true for even the biggest brands.

The biggest issue, though, is the life of the product itself. Many TV models stop receiving updates after a certain period. It is known as “planned obsolescence.” If you’ve spent a lot of money on a television, you’d like to keep it for a long time.

However, many of the apps on your TV would stop working if you could no longer update the firmware.

Solution

A potential solution to this issue would be to buy a regular television and get a Chromecast or Fire TV-type device. These don’t cost nearly as much as smart TVs, and you can replace them every couple of years.

Another advantage of these devices is the integration of software and hardware. Since the device is made by the same company that makes the software, you will get frequent updates. It automatically increases the life of the product.

Software Bugs

When you look at smart TV specifications on paper, it highlights most of the hardware features. It gives the impression of a top-notch product. What it fails to showcase is the software experience. The firmware in a smart TV is what makes or breaks your viewing experience.

Faulty software and crippled features are far too common on smart televisions. For example, many native smart TV apps don’t allow you to play 4K videos.

Another example is the Dolby Atmos sound. Many televisions come with this feature as a highlight. But they do not mention that the TV speakers cannot reproduce that sound.

Solution

You can download several 4K players from the Google store. These are often available for free. If you want to use the Dolby Atmos feature, get an HDMI arc cable and connect it to a compatible speaker.

Android TV vs. Android AOSP

Many manufacturers confuse consumers by sticking an Android label on their products. They do not mention the Android version. Many manufacturers confuse their customers with this mislabeling, especially with their cheaper models. Android TV and Android AOSP are different software packages.

If the TV software is loaded with the regular Android OS instead of Android TV, many features will not work. Things like Chromecast and the Google Play Store for TV will not be compatible.

Solution

When you are in the market for a new TV, check to ensure that the TV you are buying uses Android TV. You may want to buy a TV with the regular Android OS for some special reasons. That set of users would be in a small niche. Most end-users will find Android TV to be a far superior and user-friendly experience.

These are a few common Android TV Problems And Solutions that many end-users face when switching to a smart TV. The hardware in TVs has improved leaps and bounds. You can now get a theatre-like experience while sitting at home. Manufacturers need to shift some of their attention to software as well. It will help increase the adoption of smart TVs.