Sony Support

System Software Update

    Applicable Models
    About this download
    System Requirements
    File Info
    Preparation
    Download & Install
    Questions and Answers

    IMPORTANT: This file is only for use with the models identified. Not all models are sold in all countries.

    This information is for the following models:

    • KDL-46V5100

    About this download

    Benefits and improvements

    Sony has designed the BRAVIA® Televisions software update process to be customer friendly. This utility updates the system software to version ER4.12-E3 and provides the following benefits:

    Improvements over version ER4.12-E2

    • Corrects an issue where an intermittent TV lockup occurs on a certain digital RF channels.
    • Corrects an issue where an intermittent audio dropout occurs with a cable or satellite box using an HDMI connection.
    • Corrects an issue where an intermittent red flash or flicker occurs on the face of people with certain videos.

    Benefits provided by previous upgrades and included in version ER4.12-E3:

    • Resolves an issue that may intermittently cause the TV to freeze and stop responding to the Remote Commander® control device when the TV is connected to a digital channel.
    • Addresses an issue where the picture brightness changes intensity on some scenes.
      Note: After the software update, please set Advanced Contrast Enhancer to LOW or OFF to further minimize this characteristic.
    • Addresses an issue with occasional intermittent operation when using favorites or HDMI-CEC functions.
    • Corrects an issue where the audio may infrequently be lost while connected via an HDMI connection.
    • Corrects an issue where there may be audio static when changing analog channels while connected via an RF (coax) connection.
    • Corrects an issue where the audio may be muted when resuming after using the timer.
    • Corrects an issue where there may be distorted blocks in the picture caused by incorrect encoding in the broadcast signal.
    • Corrects an issue where picture files may not show in the USB Photo Viewer after switching to a different input and then back to the USB input.
    • Improves menu navigation.

    System Requirements

    Operating Systems

    • System Software

    File Info

    File Name

    • KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046.zip

    File Version

    • ER4.12-E3

    File Size

    • 5.23 MB

    Release Date

    • 04-19-2011

    Before You Start


    How to Check if You Need the Update

    Please follow the steps below to check your television software version to determine if it needs this software update:

    1. Press the Menu button to access the TV Menu.
    2. Use the up/down arrow buttons () to select the Setup icon.
    3. Use the left/right arrow buttons () and then the up/down arrow buttons () to highlight the Product Support icon, and then press the Enter button ().
      Software Version
    4. If the Software Version listed is ER4.12-E328 or higher, your TV doesn't need this update.

    Important Notes about Downloading the Update

    • WARNING: After performing this update it is not possible to return to or install a previous version of the system software. By downloading and installing this update, you acknowledge that you understand this update cannot be reversed.
    • To download the update, a USB storage device, such as a Sony® Micro Vault® device, or something similar, is required to perform the update. Sony is aware that not all USB storage devices are compatible with our TVs. If you are using a USB device for playback of photos, music, or videos on your TV, the same USB device type should work for the update. If the software update is not successful after following the instructions, you may need to format your device to the FAT32 file system, or use a different device. View formatting instructions.
    • If you are unable to obtain or use a USB storage device, required to perform the update, you can purchase one from the True Manuals web site.
    • IMPORTANT: Software updates for BRAVIA televisions are different for each model and size TV. If the wrong version is accidentally installed, the TV may take longer than usual to power on, may have a distorted or discolored picture, or may have no picture at all. This can be corrected by installing the correct software update version. For more information see the After Updating the Software section below.
    • It is highly recommended that you print out these instructions for use as a reference during the installation process.

    Download & Install


    Instructions to Download and Transfer the File to Your USB Storage Device

    1. Download the KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046.zip file to a temporary or download directory (please note this directory for reference) on your computer.
    2. Go to the directory where the file was downloaded and extract the update files from the KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046.zip file.
      • For Microsoft® Windows Vista® or Windows® 7 operating system:
        1. Go to the directory where the file was downloaded and right-click the KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046.zip file, and then click Extract All.
        2. At the Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders window, click Extract.
        3. A new folder will be created called KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046.
      • For Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system:
        1. Go to the directory where the file was downloaded and right-click the KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046.zip file, and then click Extract All.
        2. At the Extraction Wizard dialog box, click Next.
        3. Click Next.
        4. Click Finish.
        5. A new folder will be created called KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046.
      • For Apple® Macintosh OS X® operating system:
        1. Go to the location where the file was downloaded and double-click the KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046.zip file.
        2. A new folder will be created called KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046.
    3. Connect a compatible USB storage device to your computer.
      Note: A USB storage device, such as a Sony® Micro Vault® device, or something similar, is required to perform the update. Sony is aware that not all USB storage devices are compatible with our TVs. If you are using a USB device for playback of photos, music, or videos on your TV, the same USB device type should work for the update. If the software update is not successful after following the instructions, you may need to format your device to the FAT32 file system, or use a different device. View formatting instructions.
    4. Go to the directory to which you extracted the file and locate the folder icon titled KDL-46V5100_ER412_E328_M046. This is the folder with the files you unzipped.
    5. Double-click the folder to open it, and select all the files in the folder.
    6. Right-click on any of the selected files and, from the menu, click Send To..., and then click the drive (EX: Removable Disk (E:)) that represents your USB device. The update files will be copied onto your USB device.
    7. Remove the USB device from your computer.
    8. Please continue to the next section.

    Updating the Software

    The software update takes approximately five minutes to complete. During the update process, the screen on your TV set will display progress information or may be blank, this is normal. Please do not remove the USB storage device until the update is complete.

    Note: If you are reinstalling the software update to correct the software version, and the TV has no picture, the TV will not display the updating screens and you will need to leave the USB device connected to the TV for at least five (5) minutes to allow enough time for the update to complete.


    WARNING: DO NOT TURN OFF THE TV OR UNPLUG THE POWER CORD WHILE THE UPDATE IS IN PROGRESS.

    1. Turn the TV off.
    2. Insert the USB storage device into the USB port labeled SERVICE on the back of the TV.
      Note: The USB storage device can only be inserted into the USB port slot one way.
      TV USP Port
      WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE USB DEVICE OR TURN OFF THE TV UNTIL THE UPDATE IS COMPLETE.
    3. Turn your TV on by pressing the POWER button on the Remote Control. Once the USB storage device has been detected, a message appears confirming your TV model name.
      IMPORTANT: If the model name that appears is not your model, remove the USB device and contact Sony Customer Support at 1-877-899-7669.
    4. If the model name displayed matches your TV, the software will automatically begin to update.
    5. A message will appear indicating that during the update process the screen on your TV will display progress information or may be blank, this is normal.
      Please Continue to Wait Screen
    6. When the software update is complete, a message appears instructing you to remove the USB device from your TV.
      Update Complete Screen
    7. Remove the USB device from the USB port on the back of the TV.
    8. Delete the update files from the USB device, or reformat the USB device.
    9. The update process is now complete.

    Questions & Answers


    Resetting the HDMI Input Source

    Updating the software may interrupt your HDMI input source. To ensure proper operation, we recommend that you perform a complete reset of your HDMI input source after completing the software update.

    Note: Depending on your setup you could have more than 1 source connected to your TV. This could be your Cable or Satellite box, Blu-ray, DVD, or gaming system.


    1. Turn the TV off.
    2. Disconnect the TV AC power cord from the wall outlet.
    3. Reconnect the TV AC power cord to the wall outlet.
    4. Disconnect the HDMI input source AC power cord from the wall outlet.
    5. Reconnect the HDMI input source AC power cord to the wall outlet.
    6. Wait for the HDMI input source to completely boot up.
      Note: This may take approximately 10 minutes depending on the HDMI input source.

    After Updating the Software

    If the wrong software version is accidentally installed, the TV may take longer than usual to power on, may have a distorted or discolored picture, or may have no picture at all. This can be corrected by installing the correct software update version for your TV.

    Note: If the TV has no picture, the TV will not display the updating screens and you will need to leave the USB device connected to the TV for at least five (5) minutes to allow enough time for the update to complete.


    If you find that your television is not operating properly after updating the television software, please reconfirm that the correct software version was used for your model. The software package for each model and inch size is different.

    1. Recheck your television model name. It is listed on the side and/or back cover of your television.
    2. If you find that the wrong software was installed for your model, delete the old software from your USB device.
    3. Visit the Drivers and Software support page for your television to obtain the correct software version for your television.
    4. Carefully follow the instructions on the System Software Update page to download and install the correct software version.