X.400 once more.
X.400 failed because everyone implemented differing, incompatible subsets of the standard but they all passed the relevant subsets of the interoperability tests and that was enough to certify the product as compliant.
Kudos to the drive manuf for pulling out the stops in trying to diagnose the problem.
I am amazed that Sony did not even respond - they must realise that by ignoring the issue only fuels the tinfoil hat brigade.
Having said this, I suspect the TV will only talk to other Sony products or products that implement the specific subset of the standard that Sony have decided to implement. Once more the certification process will allow products that implement different incompatible subsets of the standard - allowing the big manufs to get away with being standards compliant and incompatible with cheaper products at the same time.
I am afraid this is how the standards process works.
The general rule seems to be don't buy Sony unless everything you own is Sony.