The panel on the W800C is still gorgeous. Let the dongle handle the brain surgery.
No, your TV isn’t breaking. Sony has pushed a significant change to the firmware, and unlike the old days of adding "new features," this update is more about letting go. Firmware Change Update on SONY KDL-50W800C
The built-in Opera TV browser has been officially removed. If you try to open it, you’ll get an error message. Sony has deemed it "end of life" due to security vulnerabilities. If you used the TV to browse the web directly, you’ll need a streaming stick or an external device now. The panel on the W800C is still gorgeous
Install the firmware update for the HDMI stability fixes, then go buy a Chromecast with Google TV (4K) or an Amazon Fire Stick 4K . Sony has pushed a significant change to the
Here is what you need to know about the latest firmware update for the KDL-50W800C. In late 2023 and continuing through 2024, Sony released a "stability patch" for the W800C series (Build number PKG6.0610.xxxx). While the patch notes are famously vague, the community has noticed two major changes:
You are keeping the TV stock and only using HDMI devices (PS5, Cable box, Apple TV). No, skip if: You rely on the built-in browser for some weird legacy reason (you can't use it anyway) or if you have the TV rooted/jailbroken (this patch will break your root). The Verdict: Buy a Dongle Sony has effectively signaled that the "Smart" part of this Smart TV is end-of-life. The firmware change is a maintenance patch to make the TV a dumb monitor again.