Google Play Movies & TV playback issues after recent update

[DaveH74]

Anyone else having issues watching Google Play Movies and TV after recent system update. Video does not play properly - picture jitters / freezes, sound carries on. Then catches up, does same at varying rates. 

Issue occurs whether on wifi or 4g, and whether streaming or watching downloaded!  As this happens even happens on downloaded, therefore think this has to be something to do with update / hardware. 

This happens on both my recently updated Xperia Z5 Premium and recently updated Xperia Z4 Tablet.  It does not happen on my Z3 Compact Tablet, which has not received the software update!! 

All other video playback on devices okay, just Google Play Movies and TV. 

A similar problem to this occurred on Xperia Z1 in mid 2014 after system update - the way to cure this, was to activate 'developer options', and go in and change back the type of video player that had been brought down in the system update....  Nuplayer or something like that.... Only thing,  developer options show nothing like that now???

Anyone got any suggestions?  Yes, restarted, cleared cache, cleared apps, updated etc.

The issue is clearly with the Sony update so there must be a solution? 

[Artybiggs20]

So what can we do about this? It's not really acceptable that Sony should be pushing updates for hardware that is not compatible with the updated software.

[rosspavitt]

Ah so it isn't just me then. 

I'm running an Xperia z5 compact. Netflix works pretty perfectly 99% of the time (briefly judders when I plug in power for some reason). Google play movies is unwatchable. I also can't find a setting in dev options to help. 

Any thoughts Sony on a solution? 

[Dave74]

Hi all - I've been chasing this issue with Sony Support since Decemeber and after numerous emails back and forth, still no further forward.  Essatially the hardware is incompatible with the vidoe player that was downloaded with system update - the issue is with Sony, not Google.

It would appear our devices have been 'broken' by the system update, as what was an original inherent feature of the device, has been disrupted by the update.  Sadly Sony don't seem to bothered by this.

I suggest you all email details to operatorsupport.uk@support.sonymobile.com and specifically mark for the attention of Ash Banks, who is a complaint manager.  He is aware of the siatuation.

If anyone has luck in sorting this out, please post on the forum.

Dave

[rosspavitt]

Thanks for that info, that's really useful. I've sent a message to that address marked FAO Ash Banks and asked if Sony could provide an update here. I'm really hoping something happens to fix this, I'm generally pretty happy with my phone but this is definitely a frustrating issue.

[JohnW1981]

My case has just been escalated to complaints department. But I've just read that an old 'C' series Xperia from 2015 has been given a new software update so maybe there's hope yet? 

[Mrirate]

I have the same exact issue you described with the GP movies App on two portable devices. A Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 and a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Works fine on Roku devices either streaming or downloaded or my wife's Ipad. I agree with you, it has to be app or an upgrade that is the issue.