Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box - SETUP & REVIEW! | The Tech Chap

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box lets you sync your smart lights with what's on your TV screen - so movie night and gaming sessions become a lot more immersive! Connect your cable box, PS4, Xbox, blu-ray player (anything HDMI) to your TV and sync with your smart lights! 👉 Find out more: bit.ly/2NmwWT0
#PhilipsHue #SmartHome #Lighting
This video is made in partnership with Philips Hue.
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[@Thetechchap]

Hey Chaps! What movie or game would you love to try this with??

[@fabieng4693]

Hi ! Great video thank you :) could you detail the first option with sound bar please ? You mean to plug in each devices to The SB and then the SB to TV OR to plug in each devices and SB separatly to the box ? In that 2nd case, i Don’t see how it could work ?

[@ds90seph]

At the risk of sounding like your generic movie going pleb, I'd be down to watch Infinity War and Endgame with this tech. Similarly, I've heard that the Harry Potter films are pretty fun with this, and I'd love to play the new God of War or some Need for Speed Heat. Really cool, although expensive to be sure!

[@ricardombr]

To fix the problems with dolby vision and having a receiver, you could just use the hdmi arc port, instead of using it as an hdmi switch.

[@MuffinManIV]

Hi Tech Chap, do you still use this regularly? Could you provide some updated thoughts?

[@frankiesalcido2928]

I have a 55” Hue Play Gradient for my TV, 5 hue orbs, 8 Hue Strips (total ~25 ft.), 2 Hue Blooms and 3 hue light bulbs. I had to buy a Hue Sync Box off eBay for like $350 cause they’re sold out but it’s the final piece of my lighting journey 😂 it gets here Friday 🔥

[@victorvaldez6785]

They added Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support.

[@Deuxiit]

What about the atmos?

[@intacto123]

@@Deuxiit yep even atmos pass through is supported now.

[@TheTheNewGuy15]

@@intacto123 I don't know how to connect Atmos. Do we connect the soundbar to the box via an HDMI 1-4 port or the tv out port? Or sound bar to the tv arc and sync box into the soundbar?

[@Soner7676]

Hey, when i watch Movies on Ps5 ( Netflix ) it is only Play in HDR Not Dolby Vision. Is that normal?

[@intacto123]

@@Soner7676 Yes, as PS5 doesn't have dolby vision support but has the alternate HDR10 support.

[@davidedwards4088]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I finally have my Phillips Hue lights setup finished. My best examples are the Dolby Atmos demo and a car video with the music setting on

[@kayumust]

altho a bit expensive i am a HUGE fan of phillips hue

[@user-zc9zt2vl5s]

Is this required if you're using the hue play bars with a computer setup? I'm assuming not because it has a hue sync app that you install on your machine.

[@mob8502]

Man I wish I wasn't so cheap. Gotta start saving for this!

[@Joreyblake]

I’m trying to figure out how to maximize the play bar lighting when it’s behind a big screen TV. Should the lights be mounted on the wall, with the lighting facing the tv? I see your lights are facing outward, but it leaves quite a bit open space to fill in the back of the tele. Maybe I should’ve gotten the strip for the entire back of the tele.

[@sivaprasadsahoo2831]

Will you be able to get Dolby Atmos from external device such as Xbox one S , if you connect the soundbar to Hue Sync box?

[@blurred2483]

Thanks for showing me how to set it up very helpful

[@heartsineurope]

A lot of info in this video. Well explained good job.

[@davidalzate4943]

How the heck do you program the sync box to your tv remote. I have the same control (samsung 7 series 75 inch)

[@morells09]

Are you able to use a soundbar remote to control the inputs yet on the sync box?

[@almost104]

How does this work with the harmony hub?

[@6beezy]

*sees price* *cries*

[@SHADATSDAYOUT]

excellent video 🔥😍

[@jacqbx]

Great questions and thanks for the answers!

[@HailstormJones]

Would this be a choke hold for the new hdmi 2.1 or do they support that?

[@mayhanstudios4505]

Great review! I hope you or someone else can answer this question i have, but will the Phillips lightstrip lights react to all the movies and tv-shows i put on, if i have my Google Chromecast connected to the Hue Sync Box? If that made sense?

[@dlawj15]

Where can I find the long light stand shown in the first couple secs of video?

[@sirwoogie1987]

With the lightstrip and the play lights work with the sync

[@tapoutms5608]

The Tech Chap Nice Video I got a question do I need the Hub too or the box control the lights

[@abenpr.]

Hi , thanks for the video so is no need to have a bridge?

[@Del-Canada]

682,000 subscribers?! Damn man! I think I first subbed at around one hundred or so. Centons ago. Good job man!

[@dragonsxshadow]

Can I use this hub for all my main house lights as well as lights for tv Or would I need to purchase a second hub

[@PepijnSchoemakerWebinars]

Ok, so it also puts DD or Dolby Atmos signals through with no loss?

[@Tvede2613]

Where did you buy that tv table? i really like it

[@jaron7966]

HI, what light bars do you have around in the beginning of the video?

[@13dtigers]

Can I utilize the Philips Sync box with the lighting effects for music only? For example, if I Chromecast Spotify to my TV there is not a video and rather a single photo of the album. With this cause the lights to stay that one color or can you program them to change colors and create a rave atmosphere?

[@nickbaez6234]

Do you also have a philips bue bridge with thay setup or is it not needed?

[@manuelthallinger7297]

How did you montage those 2 playbars on the side of your tv? With adhesive pads?

[@OneManTagTeam]

Does this support Dolby Atmos? Is the limit still 10 for the entertainment area?

[@valentinesday7704]

Hey so question, I really want to buy this but am stopped by the fact that it needs the Hue Bridge to work and that the Hue bridge needs a constant connection to the Ethernet Cable is there a way to work around this?

[@EDK_love_for_perfume]

I have it but barely use it. The effects with music as with gaming are amazing but with watching tv or movies i find it very annoying. But if I am playing Spider-Man on the ps4 it is adding so much fun to the game. I am glad that I bought it with a discount but still paid €200 for it.

[@jbnelson]

I hope you’re still answering comments on this video! Can you see if there’s a setting in the sync app to enable “ARC” on any of the hdmi inputs? It’s critical for me because my Apple TV is connected wirelessly to my HomePods and the Apple TV needs to get an ARC feed over hdmi from the TV in order to play wirelessly. However, the Apple TV also needs to be sync with the lights, therefore it needs to go through the sync box. TLDR; I want my Xbox and Apple TV plugged into the sync box and audio being fed to the Apple TV through the sync box via ARC. Thanks! I hope you understand me wanting to confirm this feature exists before dropping $200+ on the sync box :)

[@Tony-gf3fy]

Can you use the sync box with the hue iris light

[@andreavitale2845]

I hope this question has not been addressed yet. Does it make sense to have both a modern Ambilight TV and the Sync Box? Or is this a waste of spending. I am planning on installing hue lights and hue plays with an Ambilight TV (probably Oled 804). In addition we have an a/v receiver connected to the TV. Thanks for the input.

[@hvahidi7458]

Dell XPS 13 (2020) review PLEASE

[@havuanhle]

Does it work with Neflix guy?

[@morells09]

What if you use your soundbar remote to control your TV and consoles?

[@LifeSized101]

Just released in Australia 499 Got 5 % off $475 yay!

[@TheWidowMaker.]

Does the sync box conflict with AVR's?

[@jonnathanmarcellus4456]

I he sets my assistant off one more time I’m done

[@TooEasyMal]

Does it create a lag with sound when using a sound bar?

[@mattjansevanrensburg9269]

Heya. Any tips on getting Hue Sync to work with Samsung One Connect?

[@timlavelle498]

What product are those skinny lights in the corners of the room?

[@cooper1953]

I am struggling to do the main set up for the sync box, I get as far as the blue blinking light and then it does not go any further, what am I doing wrong?

[@HoldenRiot]

So if I have a Roku TV (Built-in Roku not an HDMI Roku stick), would this not work with it watching movies on like Netflix ect? I use a soundbar that currently is running an arc hdmi cord from the soundbar to the TV. Let me know, thanks!

[@Shteev91]

Presumably it is just a consequence of the camera I taking light that the hue lights around the TV appear quite 'spotlighty' and its much more blended in real life?

[@Mr_M_IPSC]

Foi, You cant connect lightstrip to sync box power adapter,

[@LINX29X92]

So the sync pc app might contain hell of viruses but I installed anyway. Actually worked nice with my pc I watched Mulan (2020) with video sync enabled and it worked through out the movie. Fast forward not even a day later watched a movie on Netflix (nothing) then watched a movie on Amazon (nothing). Seems Disney so far is the only service that syncs with hue (video) wise. Any other suggestions or opinions? Thanks

[@NickiStaff]

Great video

[@turb06]

so if i plugged set top box, apple tv into sync box, then output from sync box to soundbar, then soundbar to tv via ARC that should work fine?

[@ChrisHide1]

Will this work with xbox series x and ps5 if it doesn't support HDMI 2.1?

[@jamkur]

What are the tall lamps placed around the room?

[@YourDriverMike]

Looks like the Signe Floor Light (from Philips Hue)

[@edgarporte3122]

Does this box works if you are playing from the tv app like netflix?

[@MsNurkay]

Nope he mentioned it at 2:23

[@angelcruz2197]

The bar on the top part of your TV, do you have it facing the wall or towards the ceiling?

[@HeidiPyke]

Angel Cruz I’m deciding on this right now lol.

[@Dixiit]

Hi, great test but I have some problem, I bought the box when it came out and I have a lot of problems with it, it forgets each time my synchronization box and disconnects on film, often after 5 minutes , I have all my devices connected to a home theater which is connected to the box hue which is connected to the video projector, have you ever had these problems, and would you have any solutions please? Ty for all

[@thanutz]

Does this work with KZbin tv running from a fire stick ?

[@JoshGaming]

Do you need the hue bridge to use trynna save 60$

[@MrPokeplayer]

so i don’t need the hue bridge for this?

[@b6s4shelter]

What about input output lag in gaming? Still crushes contrast in viewing tv with source around the tv.

[@aminalone]

Use gaming mode on TV yeah???

[@MusclesAVS]

Can you just use the 2nd output from an AVR to output all devices through your AVR to it with one cable? That would make setup so much easier and have much more inputs as well.

[@elbrujomaya]

Connect between tv and receiver.

[@totalplonker824]

@@elbrujomaya why is that what works for you

[@Scruklemush]

Hi Tom!

[@1VideoGameDude]

The sync box not having hdr10 or hdmi 2.1 and capped at 60hz pass through is such a huge bummer, important for this gens gaming consoles. Fingers crossed for an update 🤞

[@salttrader4113]

You can go around that limitation by buying a hdmi 2.1 switch that goes directly to the TV and bypasses the need to go in the Phillips box at all when sending the signal to your tv.

[@1VideoGameDude]

@salttrader4113 I'm trying to wrap my head around this: my xbox needs to pass through the sync box for the lights to work no? How would having a switch help if I'm still needing to go through the box

[@HigherQualityUploads]

I assume they'll be releasing a successor soon.

[@salttrader4113]

@@HigherQualityUploads they said they are not working on supporting HDmi 2.1, apparently the coding is very different from 2.0...guess time will tell if they stick to their guns.

[@PetrusB83]

Any update on this? I have a Xbox series X and would like that to work with the sync box.

[@olivermccarthy4675]

You said it has to come from an external source like a Roku or fire TV, do you mean the stick or an actual branded fire TV because that is what I have and I would want to make sure it connects with my fire TV directly vs having to get a fire TV stick for my Fire TV

[@bakergurl542]

So if I connect my sound bar in the way you described, would the smart apps on my TV work since the sound is routed through the sync box first?

[@m1guel.band3ras]

nice question, i want to do the same, play music or movies on my TV; i want lights that reacts to the music, or image (like this ones)

[@mayhanstudios4505]

@@m1guel.band3ras Just curious, but did any of you guys find out the answer?

[@JMB1891]

No good if you stream stuff directly via the in built app on the TV, so it’s a no from me.

[@dsweaponx1575]

That is a down side, but it still works really well. You're sacrificing a slight amount of crispness in picture quality in order to have the crazy light show.

[@salttrader4113]

Not the only issue, sync box does not sort HDMI 2.1 so no 4k 120 fps unless you buy a 2.1 splitter for 130$ Total for me was one over 600$ to get this working...

[@oreosk8ter]

They have an app now for Samsung tvs that will sync anything played on the TV

[@HaseebK0]

@@oreosk8ter Whats the app? I’ve also got a Samsung TV and was interested but the compatibility issue for built in apps on the tv put me off a little.

[@ethandeady9220]

@@oreosk8ter What’s the app called?

[@gtothee5723]

Please help! It seems like this product was discontinued ? Can’t find any for retail price. Is there any alternative products to pull of the same effect

[@kerirainock299]

Wonderful video...but you made my google alarm clock start blaring Santa Claus is coming to town 😅

[@niushababazadeh6411]

Question: I have my Xbox connected to my sync box through hdmi and then my tv. When I power off my Xbox, it turns off my sync box and TV. However, when I turn on my Xbox, it only turns on the TV and not the sync box. How to I get the sync box to “detect” that it’s input (the Xbox) is on. I’ve tried all the settings in the app and nothing works. Thank you in advance.

[@jeremysears8475]

Can I connect Philips hue sync box out/tv to sound bar HDMI 1

[@MrTekSuggest]

Great video! I actually just uploaded a comparison video on 2 alternative TV color Sync options. Nanoleaf VS Govee

[@JHayler7]

If the next gen consoles or even GPU from Nvidia etc use HDMI 2.1 will this box still work for games ?

[@ifoxX42]

only with 60Hz / 60fps in 4k - but the new consoles will for sure "limit" to 4k-60fps on most games... soo, yes it will work

[@SkyeDaMan]

For a product at this price point, aimed at people who care about their AV experience, it has to support Dolby Vision.

[@anthonyrubio1681]

Does the Sync box function if you're running apps directly from your TV, or are you required to use the passthrough ports for it to work?

[@craigblyth]

He answers that at 4:18 and unfortunately, it’s a no. It has to be coming from one of the passthrough ports

[@KingLeno]

Seems pointless. I did this recently through my PC (connected to the TV) and considered getting a box so I could use when im not on the PC. Since I play game on my pc, then this really offers no advantages

[@LinhPhan-yj5gw]

Well, I was planning on buying this too, but once he said it doesn't work with the apps on the TV, its a no for me now. There's really no need for me to purchase an external device to watch movies since all the movies can be watch with the apps on the TV. The only external device I can use is a game console but that is barely used. Until there is an update or new philips device that can sync with the apps on the tv, no buying it right now.

[@camomatic]

A little heads up: He says "Ok Google" around 2:43. Ended up triggering my home mini lol.

[@vGREENARROWv]

Camomatic Nooooo really?!

[@Lexfinity]

Do you guys know how to make it work with Google home?

[@aminalone]

@@Lexfinity in the home app

[@amilcarnaldo4575]

How do I connect the sync box with a receiver...

[@mhmdrzz._]

Where can i get it

[@vadiveluaristotle]

Is it compatible with a home theater amplifier ? (how do you make the connections)

[@elbrujomaya]

Just connect between receiver and tv, and all devices connected on receiver pass though sync box

[@simranbajwa9299]

So I have the same tv and I was able to setup the color buttons on the hue sync app to change the input and turn sync on and off, however when i push those buttons nothing is happening. Please help. Thanks.

[@kyleknight2570]

Probably a stupid question but does the light need a wall to work or is it bright enough that it can work without a wall?

[@dougburle6949]

Does 1 80” strip count as 1 light on the tv? Or does it have sections? For example if you were to mount the strip from left to right of your tv and it only covers left and top then you need to add an extension stip to the right side, how does that work on your app? Is that 3 different lights L , Top and R all separate or is it all 1 light? And does that affect the ability to shine that side of the tv colors on the wall? Basically I’m trying to decide between strips or light bars

[@JimmyHACK]

1 light and color. Philips has a gradient led strip coming out that does multiple color areas over 1 strip.

[@andrzejwojciak1527]

Hi. Can You tell me how I can connect philips play with amplituner AV? Xbox dvd and tuner tv I have conected to AV and AV conected to tv on hdmi eARC. Thx

[@northislandnow8858]

Will this encode in HECii?

[@ronin120]

would this work with a Roku Streaming stick? Would you just have to connect it to the box?

[@m1guel.band3ras]

yes, He said that the roku stick has to be connected to the sync box first, and the sync box to the tv

[@arafathlaskar8836]

How do you connect google home?

[@WooDeWow]

If you have a soundbar in your HDMI 3 ARC , do you keep it in the TV ARC ? Or do you put it into the HUE SYNC BOX ?

[@joshuacruzgarza64]

Can you use the ceiling lights and hue play with this?

[@fj209]

From my understanding, you need to have the philips smart hub first. The hub connects to your wifi. Without a hub, you won't be able to connect any hue light bulbs to the sync box.

[@eljohn55]

Do I need the Hue Bridge?

[@jamestaylor954]

Damn I need to find this on sale because 229 USD I think too much for this box!

[@themerijnio]

Does this also work with a projector ?

[@shanez1215]

This is so freaking cool! It's just that I don't make quite enough yet to justify Hue over the cheaper smart bulbs. Oh it's an HDMI Multiplexer too. I might need one of those in the future anyway. Does it pass Dolby Atmos (3 dimensional sound) through?

[@ANGERINSIDE]

Will I still need to use a Hue Bridge or is the Sync Box works as a bridge as well?

[@aminalone]

Need bridge for everything

[@StevieTV253]

Does this work with WIZ lights?

[@wooh1123]

Do I need the hue bridge for this to work ?

[@aminalone]

Yes. It makes any further upgrades possible

[@jeremiahzamora9395]

What lights do you have behind the tv?

[@martingignac4411]

Can you add other smart light then Philips Hue ?

[@evgenylytkin1294]

За счет чего он понимает каким цветом ему зажигать стороние лампы? За счет Play HDMI Syns Box?

[@AboutThatTho]

What are those light sticks you have at 3:38 called?

[@bubba7386]

Phillips hue bars I think every light is some sort of Philip device

[@dwyanematthew2628]

it’s philips due play bars