Latest Vudu App on Sony Android TV = Trouble

[mjfoxtrot]

I have two newer model Sony Bravia TVs in my house: the XBR-65x850E and the XBR-55X700D.

Both are running the latest versions of Android OS. But ever since Vudu updated its app on these TVs, the Dolby Digital 5.1 surround will no longer function on either TV while playing a Vudu movie. The previous Vudu app provided flawless 5.1 surround sound. I've checked and found that surround works fine for other Android apps on both TVs, including Prime Video and Starz. But not Vudu.

Other problems with the latest Vudu app on both TVs:

- Stuttering issues. About every two to five minutes, HDX video playback freezes, sound gets choppy, and sometimes the app crashes altogether. On both TVs. I checked the internet throughput on both TVs, which use wired ethernet connections. The connections are fast and solid, so it is not a lack of bandwidth causing the problem. Other apps, such as Hulu and Netflix, run fine.

- This is more of a cosmetic concern, but the new Vudu app on both Android TVs looks like it is a pretty close copy of GooglePlay Movies. The menu is strikingly similar, including the left-hand column that has all the menu options. I much prefer the old Vudu app's appearance and functionality. It looks like GooglePlay, not Vudu, redesigned the app.

It's disconcerting that Vudu does not run well or efficiently on these high-end Sony Bravia TVs. I could always buy a Roku and stop using the Bravia Android TV Vudu app, but who knows if the app on the Roku wouldn't eventually get a make-over that messes things up.

Is there any hope that these problems might get fixed? Has anyone else seen similar trouble?

I'm also adding this link from another Vudu forum post, which has many people talking about Vudu not running reliably on newer-model Rokus, including the Ultra. https://forum.vudu.com/forum/technic...liably-on-roku

And more comments about trouble here, it is an older post but from what I can see, Vudu never fixed the problems that people were having: https://forum.vudu.com/forum/vudu/ge...h-roku-anymore

And yet another here: https://forum.vudu.com/forum/vudu/ge...painful-to-use

Seems like Vudu has some serious problems to work out with its interface.

Thanks for any input or advice.

[Kappa123]

The Rokus issues you pointed out are old, they have been resolved and have been for a while. The few folks who are reporting issues on their Roku most likely are having a local issue with their network. Roku has been pretty solid for me and I'm sure for many others. I don't own a Sony Android TV so I can't speak on that.

[mjfoxtrot]

Yes, I acknowledged that those Roku posts were older, although one of them still has people saying they are having trouble as of early September, so it sounds like some issues may remain. One of the links I posted is for Android TV, so it seems I am not alone in the problems I'm seeing. I sent a note to googleplay@vudu.com, which is where Android informs users to ask for troubleshooting help. But I've gotten no response, just crickets.

[thekich]

I guess TVs and sticks aren't the way to go here. Play Vudu via a bluray player. My Oppo and Sony play Vudu fast and flawless.

[mjfoxtrot]

The main reason you have not had trouble with the Sony or Oppo bluray players is because Vudu has not "upgraded" their app on those devices. If they do, you will probably have the same trouble.

But I agree that the Android TV is a bit of a mess when it comes to many apps. I have had generally good success with Vudu on the Xbox 1, the PS3, and the PS4, mainly because they still run the older, reliable, rock-solid Vudu app. I guess I should give up on trying to run Vudu through Android TV . . . It works lousy with the "upgraded" Vudu app and I can't get Vudu or Google to provide any insight into fixing the problems.

The "upgraded" Vudu app is what is causing trouble.