Philips Hue 8K Sync Box Review

[@SirMopy]

mine will arrive today. will install it later. can’t wait! 😊

[@ArmandoChevez-q6n]

Thanks for posting! I have a Samsung TV and this box's latency is definitely way better than the native Samsung Hue software - I will purchasing when it is back in stock!

[@GhostOfSparta305]

Great review sir! The light transitions at 3:36 while gaming really sold me on this box!

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@GhostOfSparta305 thank you! Wish they were cheaper but they are awesome!

[@zenlunatic25]

Also, having a completely white, flat wall behind your tv/monitor makes a huge difference. It makes the lights look great when it’s white and clean from clutter

[@l0rdstrontium]

Great review , thank you. I have the 4K version on an 83 inch lg and it is fantastic, but it is very expensive! Philips are also now asking you to provide your details to allow the app to work and soon it will be mandatory. 😮. The good thing about the competitors is they will hopefully drive the hue prices down.

[@brettrussell6282]

Love the lights and i'm replacing my 4k box with the 8K when back in stock. Good review.

[@coneyislandftw]

Its back in stock I just ordered

[@karenorgan6203]

And back in stock again, I just ordered as well

[@coneyislandftw]

@ Sweet, enjoy!!!!

[@Turbotobi79]

Waited super long for a device that ticked all boxes. Especially with Dolby Vision Capabilities there is not much competition. The price tag is ok for me because I also think that's gonna last a while until it's obsolete. And I have 8 Hue RGB bulbs already spread around the room, so it hopefully is as good as I expect.

[@WooDeWow]

Well if it supported Dolby vision why in his Apple TV did it not show it ? If the Apple TV was in Dolby vision it would not allow you to choose the Chroma 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 because Dolby vision removes that setting if ur Apple TV is in Dolby vision and no body is talking about this expect I found one other thread on Reddit that Dolby vision on Apple TV not working with the sync box

[@JKB-UK]

Just to note, the Philips Hue Sync app has been deprecated on iOS, so if you were using that, then this needs to be set up using the Hue app, and you can safely delete the sync app.

[@WooDeWow]

So on your Apple TV and your Sony TV , when connected to the sync box under video does it give u the DOLBY VISION option because I can see ur not in Dolby vision and prolly on 4k 60hz because it showed your chroma and when Dolby vision is on or when I have the Apple TV connected straight to my A95L Sony it does dolby vision . Also when watching Dolby vision content on Netflix or appletv+ if u go to ur picture profile on ur Sony tv , ur should say “Dolby Vision Vivid” or “Dolby Vision Bright”. Please confirm you’re able to use Dolby vision with the sync box on the Apple TV !!

[@ahmedsahmadi]

Thanks for the review, question could you please pair the HomePod to the the Apple TV and check for the option for audio settings on the Apple TV and then click on audio return channel and let us know if it’s gonna work. Thanks

[@markitos1967]

I have mine but having problems to connect can’t find my lights set up from my previous box one , errors with my hue bridge is whats showing me when setting up,, I chasing up customers service to help

[@bradleys.cooper7665]

Great Review. I am still on the 4K version and love it. I just don't feel like 8K is taking off as fast and the prices haven't gone down much. Nice fluidity in the color transitions I must stay!!!!! Great review and I would recommend this to anyone with an 8K TV and trying to get into the Philips Hue Color immersion.

[@TenthMarigold]

Does this have Auto Switching? And can I change the scenes through google?

[@gstevenson7781]

I bought one on release, and have had several issues. I’m running a 4k Apple TV and a PS5. The Apple TV I have had little problems with, occasional signal cutting out, but I have had to disconnect my PS5 from it as it was unusable as the signal would cut out constantly. Hue customer service on Facebook (only way of contacting them is social media) where next to useless as basically kept telling me to reset it, and then switch off things like Dolby vision and HDR so it would work.

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@gstevenson7781 This is 100% due to the settings you had selected on your devices or TV. I’ve had 0 issues with Apple TV 4K or PS5 which is important as we have the exact same devices, but different TVs. On some new Sony TVs like mine, if you want Dolby Vision to work you have to go into the external input settings on the TV, then HDMI signal format, and turn off VRR as VRR is a feature locked only into the TVs Game mode and it disables Dolby vision by using it. The box has nothing to do with that though, that’s just the limitations of some TVs. Some TVs need the Apple TV Box to be set to 4:2:2 chroma in the settings because they have VRR enabled instead of high colour grading. The sync box is working as it’s supposed to, it’s just the TV settings thats the issue in 99% of cases

[@waysbcn]

​@@finnaflexofficial I have the box connected to an LG c2 and I have the same problem of micro cuts with my Ps5 Pro. I have not tried what you say about disconnecting the VRR. But then what sense would there be in disconnecting when we just bought it for the freedom of frames at 120hz. Has it happened to anyone else? My cables are latest generation 2.1.

[@waysbcn]

@@finnaflexofficial Another question I want to ask you is if there is any special port for gaming. For example, I have my Fire TV on port 1 and the PlayStation on 2.

[@Boyer316]

As far as I can tell, not a single one of these sync boxes hasn't got issues, I got the Fancyleds HDMI 2.1 Syncbox and it can be amazing but then you realise things like the PS5 needs to have it's video transfer rate set to -1 which downgrades the output from RGB to YCBCR in order to stop loss of signal when loading into games or watching films, it also stops TV Led Dolby Vision from working and so limits it to the lower quality Source Led version amongst other niggles. You can easily tell if the box is affecting Dolby Vision on LG sets by repeatedly pressing the green button to bring up the VRR information window, it will show you either RGB 8 Bit or YCBCR and I'd be interested to know whether this expensive piece of equipment suffers from this also.

[@sidewinderr]

How does this work with your audio if you have a soundbar using earc

[@MicheleLanari]

Is there a way to sync light on what TV shows natively? I mean if I use a streaming service directly on tv or I am seen something on normal TV antenna, how can I sync lights if no HDMI is in use?

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@MicheleLanari doesn’t work on native TV sorry it only works with HDMI devices

[@_ST4KZ_]

good vid im about to trasnform my whole setup and saw the govee smart sync box does more for gaming. for example when u take damage in cod the lights turn red

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@_ST4KZ_ as I said I had govee before and it sucks and gets the colours wrong all the time. On my screen there would be yellow and it puts out purple for no reason. Philips lights do way more for gaming you can even make it so when you fire your weapon the lights flash yellow from the muzzle flash. The lights match whatever is coming through HDMI so the screen turning red from blood on the screen is literally standard for any lights

[@SwallowBish]

@@finnaflexofficialtry and use the new govee sync box

[@Sincer3]

Does the lights work with streaming apps? (Netflix, Disney, Hulu)

[@vybz6502]

Only if the apps are being fed through the box via HDMI so you will need a fire stick, Apple tv or Roku

[@Sincer3]

@vybz6502 Thank you

[@vybz6502]

@@Sincer3 You're welcome

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@Sincer3 yes it does work with these apps as long as you are viewing them from a HDMI device plugged into the sync box e.g. PS5. It won’t work if you are using Netflix directly from a smart tv app as it’s not passing through the HDMI sync box

[@Sincer3]

@@finnaflexofficial Thank you bro!

[@ferrari2000g]

Can this box work with a Fury Vroom box ? Or can actually be a replacement and act as additional hdmi 2.1 ports. Sony tv only have 2 etc

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@ferrari2000g I don’t know what a Fury Vroom box is but yes it does act as additional HDMI 2.1 ports. In my Sony TV the box plugs into 1 of my 2 available HDMI 2.1 ports. On the TV it uses the picture and colour settings for that particular HDMI port. The box then splits it into 4 available HDMI 2.1 ports all with the same picture and colour settings

[@ferrari2000g]

@@finnaflexofficial auto switching ?

[@ferdind1]

So does it work with the inbuilt apps on the TV?

[@SwallowBish]

Nope just use Apple TV

[@sokratis9549]

I have one question regarding the capability of the device to pass Dolby Atmos sound from a connected device to a soundbar directly connected to the TV. This is one testing scenario to verify that the set up is capable: Connect the Apple TV to the Philips Hue 8k Connect the Philips Hue 8k to the TV via HDMI 2.1 port. Connect a Dolby Atmos capable sound system to the TV via the eArc port. Start a movie that supports Dolby Atmos. Check that the sound signal on your sound system is Dolby Atmos

[@finnaflexofficial]

I can't test it as my home theatre system does not have Dolby Atmos, but it does say in the product sales page under the specifications tab that the new Sync Box 8K does indeed support Dolby Atmos

[@sokratis9549]

@@finnaflexofficialthanks for your immediate response! Let’s see if someone else manages to reproduce the reported scenario and inform us.

[@sokratis9549]

@finnaflexofficial It just came up to me another question regarding the sync box. Do the devices preserve the capability to control the tv when connected to the box (the TV is turning on by just turning on the tv?) Testing scenario: Connect the Apple TV to the Philips box and the Philips box to the tv via the HMDI 2.1 port of the tv. Switch off the Apple tv and the tv Switch on the Apple TV Does the TV turns on also? Additionally try to change the volume using the Apple TV remote Does the volume of the TV change also. Switch off the Apple TV Does the tv turn off also?

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@sokratis9549 yes it preserves the HDMI CEC function, nothing will change with your CEC devices. When I turn my Apple TV device on, even through the sync box, it still powers on the TV automatically. You can also set the sync box so that the lights automatically turn on and begin syncing as soon as the tv starts up. The Philips hue app is great it also remembers your sync settings for each device, for example if you set your PS5 to game mode it will preserve that whenever the PS5 is turned on. When you turn on the Apple TV it will automatically switch back to video mode and remember whatever light intensity you had selected on that mode.

[@sokratis9549]

@@finnaflexofficial thanks a lot for your response! Nice to know that this feature is preserved, I believe this is important for many users.

[@XO.Clinic]

Doesn’t work with the native smart tv apps though?

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@XO.Clinic that’s correct since the native tv smart apps do not use HDMI ports and the sync box is only working through HDMI

[@MARBOOMUSIC]

I was wondering the same. As long as the box does not support, I don't find it usefull.

[@XO.Clinic]

@@MARBOOMUSIC there’s a hue sync native app on Samsung tvs now, seems way more versatile than a box. We have a ps5 but Netflix on ps5 doesn’t support Dolby atmos and vision so it would be pointless.

[@SirMopy]

@@MARBOOMUSICi m not an apple guy, but the apple tv 4k is the best TV streaming device i’ve owned. it’s ridiculous fast, better quality in picture and sound than the native TV OS and apps. better updates AND no ads is imo the best thing of the small box.

[@kyleworrall]

Does it have earc pass through? So that if I plug an Apple TV into an input can I use the HomePod audio for other inputs?

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@kyleworrall yes it supports both ARC and EARC and all other AV receivers on the HDMI4 slot of the sync box. Instructions on how to set it up are on the Philips hue sync box support website if you want to see how it works before you buy it

[@zu5295]

How does it work if you have a home cinema set up with a AVR receiver?

[@finnaflexofficial]

It can be done with no problem. You plug the AVR cable into the sync box, it specifically has to be in HDMI4 on this new version of the sync box. Then in the hue app on the sync tab there is an advanced settings option to allow AVR passthrough

[@tuborice4571]

How does this work if my consoles are going via my Onkyo RZ50?

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@tuborice4571 yes but you have to connect the audio receiver onkyo system to HDMI 4 on the sync box and enable Dolby passthrough in the Philips hue app advanced settings

[@tuborice4571]

@@finnaflexofficial would that still be earc?

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@tuborice4571 yes the setting name is literally called ARC/eARC passthrough

[@tuborice4571]

@finnaflexofficial ah, so i put the hdmi in the 3arc on the box then pass through to the arc on my tv. I watch a lot of plex for my films. I guess I do that on the ps5 plex app to get the ,ights to kick in

[@arturo_lugo]

You're better off using the AVR's Monitor Out 2, and running a second HDMI cable to the sync box. That way you don't have to leave it on at all times.

[@karenorgan6203]

I felt flush and have gone pretty deep into the ecosystem, but you’re not kidding when you say the price is astounding. Still cheaper than Bill Gates $30 million home though.

[@rjboodell]

Does this finally work with full Dolby Vision. My last sync box didn’t and was sold!

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@rjboodell yes it supports all types of HDR including Dolby vision, HDR10 and HDR10+

[@rjboodell]

So did the last one but full Dolby vision was botched and not available through any format - Apple TV, bluray etc. if you test this out it’s important info for people to know

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@rjboodell it worked fine for me in the past but I just googled it and apparently some people with AVR receivers can’t get Dolby vision as some older AVR units don’t support Dolby Vision passthrough. I don’t know if that helps or if you have an AVR? But I would never promote it or talk about DV in my videos either as Dolby Vision sucks in general and should be avoided at all costs. I highly recommend ditching Dolby Vision entirely and disabling it on your TV and going with HDR10+ instead. I have it disabled on my TV just like this. There is a reason all modern devices including phones use HDR10+ as a standard. Using DV the colours look way too dark, it reduces your TV brightness for a silly dramatic effect that doesn’t work well with the majority of movies (and definitely not in video games), and the colours are washed out and look much darker and duller in an effort to create another silly looking dramatic effect. Its appeal is limited to a very select few movies. This is the opposite of what High Dynamic Range was built for. On the flipside with HDR10+ (used as default on modern laptops, PS5, Xbox, iPhones, Androids, and websites like KZbin) it makes your scenes brighter, the colours pop more and the colour pallet looks far better. It’s all down to personal preference but I have never met a single person that prefers Dolby vision. All Playstation AAA video games do not even support Dolby vision for this reason as it makes everything look bad. The top tier content games like The Last of Us, and Horizon Zero Dawn all use HDR10+. If you have a quick Google of ‘Dolby Vision washed out’ it will explain it. There are many threads on Reddit with users saying it makes things look worse and they actually thought their TV screen was broken with DV turned on. Considering Dolby are a huge company in the industry, they really screwed themselves over with Dolby vision and its overall support

[@jonathanlorenzocornejo9747]

Great video!I already have Apple TV 4K, do I also need the Sync Box to maximize the gradient light?or could be used with apple 4K?

[@finnaflexofficial]

I would say so yes. You can buy the gradient lightstrip and set it to any colour and use it as an ambient wall light for the TV. It has a couple of special effects also on the app like fireplace mode and candle mode where the lights will pulse and flicker. But without the sync box the lights won’t match what is on your screen. With the sync box it makes your TV feel bigger than it actually is

[@aaronluna198]

What TV/ monitor are you using?

[@finnaflexofficial]

@@aaronluna198 Sony A84K

[@bradmeyer13]

I’ve been keeping my eye out for a review on this so thank you! Quick question and if anyone gets it and can help a guy out I have a LG CX and Apple TV - dual HomePods through eARC and was hoping if I’d be able to plug my Apple TV into one of the sync box HDMI ports and it eARC and play audio to HomePods from all other Sync port HDMIs if that makes sense Cheers!

[@finnaflexofficial]

I have no idea sorry! Even after googling this I still don’t have an answer. My home theatre system is a single optical cable straight to the TV so none of that EARC stuff required. From what I know from owning the product though, there is an option for EARC bypass in the Philips hue app advanced settings options that allows audio passthrough. Not sure how it works with HomePods and other connections though seeing as the bypass feature is exclusive only to the HDMI4 slot on the sync box. Might be a case of doing it the opposite way around and having your devices plugged into the TV for audio and somehow fed into the sync box the reverse way. Hopefully someone else has the answer you are looking for, but if I were you I would email Philips customer support and ask them. That way if it doesn’t work correctly when you make your purchase you can always get a refund and say that the customer support guys mis-sold you the product under the pre-tense that it would work 🤣

[@bradmeyer13]

@@finnaflexofficial thanks man! 🙏🏻 Keep up the good work!

[@Csimon2429]

this whole kit is the same price a new 55" Hisense...ridiculous.

[@robertcowan9398]

Not really, a Hi Sense TV is a shitty product, this is not lol.

[@Dis2good]

@@robertcowan9398lol right. Why is he comparing this to a Hisense?!? 😂

[@augustogalindo8687]

If you own a Hisense TV, you are not the target audience for this product 😅

[@saffykamal]

5:02 With the ridiculous amount that Philips is charging for a sync box if they don’t give a superior quality they should just shut their company down

[@U_N_I_F_I_E_D]

Having tried others... This is the defacto only way to go.

[@chrisedwards5447]

Phillips hue sync box is completely over priced. They’re are other options out there that are cheaper, has more lighting options, and performs just as good. I see no need to pay more for less. Just because something is made in the US doesn’t mean it’s superior. I’m sure the camera he used to make this video was made in china 😂. Including his iPhone.

[@Theescamo49]

Syncing is free if you have pc.

[@ALI-soon1Milli]

Overpriced yes.. but non other options does it out stupid cameras wires needed.

[@chrisedwards5447]

@@ALI-soon1Milli you don’t even notice the camera once it’s up there after awhile. Paying 4x as much for something that does the same thing with less features is wild

[@LionPerfeKt]

​@chrisedwards5447 you don't notice a hole in the wall either 😅😅😅😅

[@zenlunatic25]

If you think the camera type light sync is on the same level as Phillips actual sync box, you have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about. The camera based system is dog shit compared to the actual sync box. It lags so badly , and is so off as far as color matching exact spot, the performance isn’t any where near the same. The camera based system is fine if you don’t have t the money, but if you can afford it, the performance is 10x better with Actial sync box.

[@thebigdoghimself]

Still only ten bulbs. That's disappointing.