Sony TV: A look at the remote control – these are the most important functions

HOW DO I SET UP MY SMART TV?

May 11, 2023 at 12:38 p.m

The remote control for Sony TVs is different from that of other TV manufacturers such as LG. It has significantly more functions, including some special features.

1. Pair the Sony remote control with the TV

2. Pair the touchpad remote control with the TV

3. Structure of a Sony remote control

4. Bravia premium remote controls

After buying a new Smart TV, it can be difficult to get used to the new remote control. To give you a better overview of the various buttons and functions on the Sony remote control, we have summarized them here.

Pair the Sony remote control with the TV

As soon as you turn on your TV, your Bluetooth remote control automatically connects to the device. However, if this does not work, you have to do it manually. We’ll show you how.

• 1. First you turn on your TV.
• 2. If the TV is black, you should check the correct source input with the Source button.
• 3. To pair, press and hold the volume down button and the Google Assistant button for a few seconds.
• 4. You should then receive a message on the TV screen about a successful pairing of your remote control.
• 5. If you continue to have problems, you should replace the batteries once.

Pair the touchpad remote control with the TV

When setting up your Sony TV for the first time, it is important that you pair your supplied remote control with the TV. Since many modern remote controls now work via Bluetooth and connect automatically, this step is not always necessary depending on the model. If this doesn’t work, we’ll show you how to do it in just a few steps. There are differences between an included and a separately available touchpad remote control.

Supplied touchpad remote control

• 1. Before pairing, make sure the batteries in your remote control are properly installed and charged.
• 2. Follow the instructions on your screen after turning on the TV for the 1st time. Move your finger back and forth on the touchpad
• 3. Move your finger back and forth on the touchpad until pairing is complete.
• 4. If this doesn’t work, press and hold the INPUT button for 5 seconds to register the touchpad remote control in the on-screen window.
• 5. If the Bluetooth function does not connect even after several attempts, you can also contact Sony service center.

Touchpad remote control sold separately

• 1. Make sure the batteries are properly installed and charged.
• 2. Press the home button on your remote control.
• 3. Then you go to the settings.
• 4. Then under “Network & Accessories” select the option “Touchpad Remote Control Settings”.
• 5. Then you look for the option “pairing the touchpad remote control”.
• 6. Finally, confirm with “Yes” and follow the further instructions on the screen.

Structure of a Sony remote control

With the newer Bravia models of its televisions, the manufacturer Sony is also adapting the remote controls. While models before 2021 still had 49 keys, the newer versions from 2022 will only have 25 keys. This is to ensure a manageable appearance of the remote controls.

Although newer models of remote controls have fewer buttons, they no longer lose any of their functions. If you still prefer your old remote controls, you can use them with your new compatible Sony TVs too.

• input: allows you to view and select the input source.
• Google Assistant / Mikrofon: With the voice assistant you can give commands to your TV.
• On and off button: turns the TV on or off.
• Snyc Menu: this takes you to the Bravia Sync menu on your TV.
• STB Menu: after the IR Blaster is connected and set up, the menu of the connected set-top box (cable/satellite) is displayed.
• Numeric key/Period key: You can use the 0-9 keys to select digital channels.
• Display: information about the channel or the program is displayed here.
• Google Play: here you get access to the online service “Google Play”.
• Netflix: This quick access button takes you directly to the “Netflix” streaming service.

• Power button: used to turn the TV on and off.
• number key: This calls up teletext or a series of numbers that you can use to enter a PIN or password, for example.
• Navigation pad button: the markers on the TV are moved in all directions.
• Enter button: a marked item is selected or launched.
• back button: allows you to go back within a menu or app.
• volume button: by sliding the button up or down, you adjust the volume of your TV.
• voice recognition button: hold down the button while the voice interaction starts and you utter a command.
• Home-Taste: this takes you back to the start screen.
• Pause-Taste: this button pauses current content on your TV.
• play button: the playback of media content can be controlled with this and the current TV program can be stopped.
• transmitter button: by pressing up or down you can change channels of the TV programme.

Bravia premium remote controls

The structure of the Sony remote controls differs depending on the model, country and region. However, most have the basic functions and buttons. There are differences between the old models and the newer ones. For example, the new remote controls have a navigation field, while old models still rely on individual number buttons. Here is an overview:

Illuminated buttons

Sony’s Premium Master Series, which includes the Bravia XR A90K, A95K and Z9K models, come with a premium remote control. A function of the new models, for example, offers illuminated keys if you tap them briefly. This is especially useful when watching TV in a darkened room.

Finder Function

The finder function is another practical help that the premium remote controls offer. If you lost your remote control on the couch, you can easily let Google Assistant find it. After your request to the language assistant, this emits a sound that you can then locate.

If you own a Sony television from the premium series, you can also use the multifunction button on the side of the device to activate the finder function of your matching premium remote control.

Differences between Premium and Standard Remote

The difference between Sony’s new Premium or Standard Remote is very small. In addition to the different colors, there is a feature in the lower half of the remote controls. There you will find four quick access buttons that lead to some streaming services.

The remote controls offer you Netflix, Disney + and Amazon Prime Video. The premium remote control also has a button for Bravia Core, its own streaming service, while the standard remote control has a button for the YouTube video portal.

If you lost your remote but don’t have finder function, we offer you alternatives for this problem. Do you want to connect to the WiFi? You can set this up with your Roku player without a remote control.