Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box - Why I'm Returning

I've really wanted a TV backlight system for a long time, so I couldn't resist when Philips Hue announced that they were making dedicated hardware for the job. But I'm having second thoughts... here's why...
In this video, I have two Philips Hue Lightstrips around the perimeter of the rear of my TV. I have a 65" TV and I couldn't quite wrap both of them all the way around, so there's a small gap at the bottom of the screen.
One more note, the flicker from the lightstrips is not visible to the human eye. I set my camera to 30fps and 1/60 for my shutter speed, but still couldn't completely eliminate the flicker in camera. This effect is totally invisible in person.

[@carlosguzman7227]

I don’t make comments AT ALL so you are the first I ever left a comment but I really like that you are honest and true to what a review is. Honesty, accurate information and presentation is key as a blogger. Thank you!

[@hightechhouse1488]

Thanks Carlos! That means a lot to me, and is motivation for me to keep making videos. Haven't seemed to been able to find the time lately, but I've got some more that I'm working on. Really appreciate it!

[@shuriken4852]

For those watching this, he just did not take the time to set it up properly, I have seen other videos where they figured out how to use high intensity and the light at 20-30% and it works fine on both dialog and action scenes. Also it now supports both HDR10+ & Dolby Vision.

[@Javasius]

Can I watch Netflix with it?

[@shuriken4852]

@@Javasius As long as Netflix is not a TV app. It needs to come from an external device sending the picture through HDMI.

[@PokiNewbTCG.Official]

@@shuriken4852 so for instance, netflix via the skyQ system will function fine?

[@shuriken4852]

@@PokiNewbTCG.Official Yes as long as there is a HDMI cable that you can connect to the Hue Sync box. What does not work is if the Netflix app is running directly on a Smart TV with no HDMI cable to connect to the Hue Sync.

[@futbol1972]

@@shuriken4852 but all my apps are in my new 75 inch sony tv?? if I use chromcast will that work?

[@danielpereira5314]

The lightsaber battle looked pretty epic!

[@NoHeartAnthony]

Yeah and the conversation in the desert was distracting af. Totally understand where the dude is coming from. Very informative vid thanks

[@juicetonT]

Just an FYI. Through software updates the hue play box does now support HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. That was the only thing holding me back from purchasing so thought i would share.

[@eventhorizon2873]

Do i need the lastest philips sync? I can buy one from last year. So it now works with netflix?

[@safouanezourak5786]

I’ve heard that when you play Netflix in your TV, the colors don’t sync with the series played. Is that true ? Thanks

[@Isaiahisnotonfire]

Safouane Zourak I wouldn’t see why it wouldn’t, it’s connected through Ethernet to the let’s say Apple TV or HDMI to a Tv, it’s already connected, so why would it just magically stop ?, I am pretty sure it will work just fine, worst case scenario, you can just return it or figure it out

[@Z8pwu142]

FYI it doesn’t support HDMI 2.1 as I’ve read

[@operamatthew]

it is hdr10,10+ & dolby vision compatible, but the video quality is not the same using hdr.

[@Barthenessey]

Surprising how low key this channel is, super well put together

[@hightechhouse1488]

Bart Henessey thanks! Appreciate it! I’m working on more videos. Just hard to find time to work on them lately.

[@shaneLegend40]

I have an 82 tv, with 3 separate lights for up top, and one light strip for the bottom, it's freaking epic, light strips just show one light at time, that's why I bought separate lights for different zones. Cost more, but much better experience.

[@delic83]

Great video and agree with you mostly. I bought the HDMI sync box few days ago, meant to buy this for like a year now and finally did. I’m big fan of Hue lights and i really wanted to like this. I started with few trailers and it look so good! I think the problem with many videos showing this product is that they only show the good part of this setup, which is action scenes and the scenes where happening a lot, but when you actually watch a full movie with this you understand what is wrong with this product. Just like you said, it’s those moments when not much happening in scene except dialogue and lights shouldn’t change with them or flickering, even smallest change of light hue feels very distracting and not needed. As much i wanted to like this product i already returned it after watching 3 movies, because mostly watching the whole movie it’s more bad than a good. It should be lot smarter by what happening in the screen for to be really useful and enjoyable. It’s mostly a show off product! Also something i want to share. If you have tried the free computer sync software. There’s option to use audio as a effect also with the video. I was really surprised to know that this HDMI sync box app doesn’t have that! It only detects screen colours or audio, but not both sametime like what is option with the pc sync software! So the free software offers lot more immersive experience if you really want to see what this hue lights + movie etc. can be at it’s best.

[@trentonlabiche3174]

Just watched this video, and I can agree with you on this, I also have the hue sync box and I enjoyed it but the points you made I agree. Now with the hue gradient coming out I’m ready to see how that is with my tv and sync box. Waiting for mine to come in. Can’t wait to see how this new strip performs. Good review bro.

[@theevilspanky]

I think this is the most honest review i have ever seen....

[@AB-yv3yf]

How should i place them in the back of my monitor? Should I place them on the stand and left right or on the middle back of the monitor slightly to the left and right? I have an ultra wide 32 inch monitor

[@maxallen9750]

I have a question the lights around the tv do you need like four lights if you want to be able to four different (zones) around the tv or does it change the color around the tv like blue in left corner and red in other corner with on led light strip and controller so in essence do you need more lights if you want different colored around the tv or can you use one light strip and it does that please help

[@admissionsaaron]

I can't seem to get clarity on one thing. Does this gradiant light with the HDMI sync box work if I'm streaming KZbin TV (via TV), Amazon Prime (through Samsung TV) and Netflix (through Samsung TV)

[@ammroyal6049]

Which ambilight system did you set up on the back of your TV on this video?

[@hnbzk]

How many strips did you use on your tv? And how do you makje your light strips change colour on idle like that?

[@Evil_Chronic]

To each his own. I’ve watched about 3 movies so far and about 4-5 episode of Avatar The Last Airbender, and I love it so far. So far my best experience with it was on the Lake Laogai episode of Avatar. When they hypnotized Jet, the light as it rotated around him did the same thing in my room. Then switched to his face and the light flashing by it, and I almost felt like I was the one getting hypnotized. An amazing experience so far. Worth the $1,000+ I’ve spent just on the gradient strip, 9 other lights, hub, and sync box. Although it is pretty pricey, but I knew that going in. So I decided to focus on the setup I wanted, and I couldn’t be happier. Unfortunate that you and your wife didn’t have a similar experience.

[@bradford-vts]

Do you think it would be better if you connect the box to Philips led strip lights than the light boxes? Can u link it to the led strips?

[@WilliamSchwartz]

Is that 2 light strips on the back of your TV to get the 2 sides different? How do you tell the device which light is right, left, back, etc. so it knows where to show each color?

[@dee9631]

Very professional video, ur gonna go far on here. Subscribed 👊🏼

[@RomboutVersluijs]

PS arent there splitters which could solve this issue, so you can still run the hi-def directly to the tv and the second goes into the sync box?

[@XxMrWink3rxX]

I found it beneficial to change the sensitivity when using the Sync app on my computer, did you try? Is there a way to modify those settings with the Sync Box?

[@tij9190]

Mr Winker with the mobile hue sync app i thought

[@futbol1972]

do do I need the sync box for watching movies or is it only if Ima playing games? I dont play games so.... Also will the 75 inch gradieng lights, bridge and chromcast will be enough while watching movies..Iam still kindda holding back because all the coments i have read about lights been so distracting while watching a movie???

[@Payton32]

What were you using to display 2 different colors backlit? Are their 2 different lightstrips?

[@AzioneNatura]

Hi, thanks for your video. I'm in Italy, but I'm sorry I didn't understand very well how I have to make the whole kit work together with the TV. Can you write to me what I have to buy and how to connect them. thank you very much.

[@metallicaj123]

Just got this for Christmas and so far I’m impressed with the product. Only pet peeve so far is that in order for me to use my devices, o have to turn sync box on first THEN. Everything else will come on. It’s totally a small thing but since I use Alexa for most of my devices, telling her to turn on Xbox and it doesn’t turn on the tv next is just a growing pain I’ll adjust too. Great video! Btw, how do you get the slow changing effect on your lights in the background?

[@bellbellbell15]

You got me when you said this was distracting. I heard the same thing from an associate at Best Buy. I don't want to be distracted either. Now the million dollar question...If price wasn't an issue would you continue to watch your movies this way? If your answer is no do you still recommend a solid led light source behind the TV?

[@darrylmilne9661]

How did you connect the sync box to your Disney plus. I cant get it to connect ??

[@psssjonny]

This question is unrelated to the sync box but I thought maybe someone might be able to help me with an issue that I can't figure out. I've been using the hue sync app on my desktop to use the video setting so that when I watch movies and listen to music the light would flash and change to the color and sounds. But out of nowhere the Video sync setting stopping reacting with audio. I've been using the video setting without any issues for about a week until this happened and the thing I dont understand is that the Music sync works with audio but not video sync with audio. I need help ive tried everything from reinstalling the sync and hue app on my phone and pc to resetting my bridge. Help please :((((

[@bernieschau]

Nice informative video, thanks for your time to make it.

[@Technology4Life]

When you used the strip lights, does it change them all at the same time to the same colour? OR did you have a few strip lights on the back of your TV?

[@nordbyrylan]

I have a philips hue lightship and the whole light strip is always the same color. Based on the background of his video, I would guess that he has two light strips on the back. This is why the most recommended setup would be using the philips hue plays on each side of the tv but with a low profile that just isn’t realistic.

[@MtnMonsterGaming]

The make a new strip called the Philips hue gradient. $219 usd for a 65 in tv. Does a lot better job if your looking for this effect.

[@axelbonilla5181]

Soooo since the sync box sucks what would the alternative be that’ll be much better?

[@chugchug2621]

Summary: My wife made me return this and get the money back that I had thrown away

[@Owaysblowinginsmoke]

💀😂💀😂

[@hightechhouse1488]

Hahaha! No, but she didn't miss it. Like me, she thought it looked neat on some scenes, but also didn't like the effect overall.

[@eventhorizon2873]

WHY!? oh wait you forgot to mention her, you need more products.

[@moeranyc]

Return the wife keep the hue!!!

[@elishmuel1976]

false. hope people watch the video regardless. It was very informative. I was about to buy one and even though it now supports HDR10+ but it's $500 Canadian, wtf

[@OmairSheikh]

Kindly let me know if, 1. You have installed 2 strips on the back of the Tv? 2. How are the lights changing there colour automatically while you talk? 3. Sync Box and a Hub Bridge both are required to set up a Tv Xbox and Sonund Bar? Appreciate if you can rp for me to understand.

[@RomboutVersluijs]

PS you can dimm so its less destracting or was that still to much?

[@idie123]

The new gradientight strip is going to be epic

[@jameshepburn81]

I have this with the 75 inch gradient lightstrip and play bars and it works great I love it.

[@bluetorcher01]

Have you review the govee ambient sync lights? I would love to know your thoughts vs Phillips hue sync box

[@dmo848]

For the price n function govee is damn close. I went with the cheap dream color strips. 20 bucks does it for me. This is a waste cause it will get annoying

[@LSSS82]

How did you create 2 different colors with the hue strip? i have the same strip at the back of my tv.

[@elbrujomaya]

2 strips

[@CubamusPrime]

Bro thank you for convincing me. It's true, it's great but distracting where I wanted to be dark in my room.

[@rosendomedina65]

Just turn it off ?

[@futbol1972]

So if I get this gradient lights the lights wont be able to sync with the tv apps for example..netflix, hbomax, amazon prime movies etc...eventhough I have the sync box, bridge and chromcast? dont play games so I wont be using xbox.. I Justwanna use my tv apps with the gradient lights, sync box, bridge and chromcast.

[@423mrjones]

Can you not sync them without the sync box?

[@mozboy76]

Great video I wanted to get it but the price way to high I’m glad u posted this thanks 🙏

[@heat1259]

Liked your honest review. You’re right as far as being too expensive without offering Dolby 10 plus

[@ryans_gu7905]

How big is your tv?

[@Knoxtolen]

Yeah you're right! Here in Singapore it'll cost me S$628++ it's too expensive. Is there anymore alternative that will go with my HomeKit as I already purchased Play Bar? Thanks man! Cheers.

[@73richg]

How many light strips are connected in the back of your tv? If you are only using one light strip how does the strip know what colors are utilized on the left, top, and right side of your tv? Also, how are you hiding the wires to the light strip I don’t see any wires. By guessing it looks like you are using 2 light strips. 1 striip goes top, left side and bottom. Then the second strip goes top, right side, and bottom. It looks good.

[@kristfur]

All that extra motion will likely cause eye fatigue. Whereas a static light behind the TV helps frame the picture for you eyes, keeping it inside the square. Which helps reduce eye fatigue.

[@thomastims6763]

I was browsing on BestBuy when i came across the Philips gradient light strip. Decided to look into it further and wow was I ever disappointed when i found out that you not only needed the hub but the sync box too. In Canada for the light strip, sync box and the hub it comes up to almost $800... that's ridiculous even by Philips standards! Sure it looks cool but not $800 cool!

[@guillandanthony711]

I'm getting the new Hue Play Gradient, and it looks really really cool. Maybe you should have waited for them before sending your Sync Box back. But you were right back at the time, it was too much money. Now it's pretty worth it.

[@chrisedwards5447]

It's not worth $500+ dollars. I'm sorry

[@DuuhhhBitch]

@@chrisedwards5447 it is

[@chrisedwards5447]

@@DuuhhhBitch it really isn't. I get the exact same immersion effect with my gove lights all across my room and paid less that $200. The sync box alone is $300 with no lights at all. That just makes no sense.

[@FreshxNYC]

Do you have to use hue lights strips or can I use another smart led strips???

[@anthonycaggiano8211]

hue only works with hue. they got you by the balls basically

[@edwinosei1332]

Can you use the philips hue hub to sync the lights bars to your TV?

[@TomBammann]

No, but you can use the Hue Sync software if playing from a PC. Regardless, you will need the hub, whichever method you use (software or sync box).

[@TheOmarTech]

Hmmm deciding out of a 70" Philips TV with Ambilight built in or a 75" TV without for £50 more

[@darkknightforU]

The problem for me with it is that it to damn pricey, shouldn't cost more than 100$

[@TeresaMartinez-gp4dw]

Download the Hue Sync App. Is for the PC and as long as you run everything by the PC they will sync

[@darkknightforU]

@@TeresaMartinez-gp4dw but for me I have a philips tv with ambilight so I will have to use that way but maybe I just start out with the pc and wait for a sale on the sync box because the price on it is way to high for me

[@tsunamitube3351]

@@darkknightforU why on earth would you buy this if you have an ambilight tv?? I'm very confused.. The ambilight built into your tv is so much more efficient. This is for people who don't have ambilight tv. Am I missing something?

[@darkknightforU]

@@tsunamitube3351 isn't the sync box to sync all of the philips hue system in the movies and stuff like that but hey if I just can connect my pc to my tv and run it it that way through for free then I would do it that way

[@tsunamitube3351]

@@darkknightforU most models now have what they call ambilight+hue. So you can connect any hue lights/strips/bars and they will go in sync with the tv. Just a hue bridge is required for the tv to communicate with the lights... I guess the pc lighting is what threw me as I dont have a need for it. I've just done a 6 light setup in the living room with tv and hue lights and looks amazing! It's a mix of blooms, lightsrips and e27 in lamps. Really wanna add the play bar now but it's getting really pricey !

[@serhatyildirim1989]

So if you have the most recent Apple TV that supports Dolby Vision 2.0 this device won't work?

[@hightechhouse1488]

I have an Apple TV 4K which supports Dolby Vision. My TV also supports Dolby Vision, but when I put the Hue HDMI Sync Box between them, the Apple TV automatically detects that the Sync Box can only do HDR10, so the Apple TV switches color spaces. So yes, it does “work”, in the sense that you can still watch stuff. But you won’t actually be seeing Dolby Vision. The Apple TV outputs it as HDR10. That is actually the exact setup in this video. The shows I was streaming were Dolby Vision, but only being displayed in HDR10 on my TV.

[@Epaminondas32]

Wait a minute.. can't one just connect the lightstrip directly to the tv so it sync with whatever the tv is showing no matter what app or input the tv shows? That is dumb if that is the case..

[@futbol1972]

yea thats whats holding me back about getting this gradient lights. A lot of people have mentioned that they are distracting when whatcing movies:(

[@beardedelephant3023]

Did you take it back?

[@GentleImpressions]

Typically I dont comment on youtube videos, especially ones that have what I would consider clickbait titles like why Im returning this. However seeing that youre not sponsored and you brought up some really solid points against it, I think you might have saved me about $230. I think I am going to still get a strip or a couple play lights for my monitor because I believe theres a free app that reads the pc monitors colors and does the same job, but I really need the lights to support all the video codecs I have especially for that much money.

[@bbrucet3]

Very well made video. Very intelligent and coherent breakdown. You have a new subscriber.

[@lampingromeo]

Thanks for your honest opinion, I agree with you. Subbed!

[@johnathonlee3878]

Your issue is you don't have a gradient light strip so the colors don't really work how you want them to

[@rafael-tn6tq]

Why do you only have lights behind the tv? I guess it comes down to price

[@ThaBEN_NL]

Great video! Still debating myself if i should get this or not. Main reason not to get this (other than the price) is that it works only with HDMI devices and not with internal TV apps. At the moment i use the free official Hue Sync app on my laptop. I just start my Netflix/D+ movie on my laptop at the same time as on the TV internal app. It's a bit of a hassle to get the timing right, especially when you're also pausing the movie during play, but it works and the end result is the same exact effect as with the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box. Another tip in regards to the lighting problem during slow dialogue scenes, when you choose a less intense mode in the app, the speed at which colors change will be the same in all modess, but the speed at which the peak and lowest brightness changes will occur will be slower/less noticibale. I believe that at the lowest setting (Subtle) the brighness output doesn't even change at all and the lights will continue to be on even during a completly dark transistion shot. Instead of turning the lights off they will continue to give a low brightness white light. I''m not sure if the Hue Play HDMI Snc Box has the following options as well, but on the Free PC app you can draw a square on your screen from which the colors should be taken. This is tremendously important when watching movies in letterbox mode (with black bars). You should draw a square without incorporating the black bars. Only then the colors shown by the Hue lights will be 100% accurate. Otherwise i will get strange colors like purple that aren't even displayed on the screen. You can download the offical PC or Mac app for free over here: www2.meethue.com/en-us/entertainment/sync-with-pc

[@DV.Digital]

does lighting box works if i connect HD from my mac laptop?

[@casavera]

now days, is there any changes? can it works with internal TV apps and HD channels?

[@ThaBEN_NL]

@@casavera The new Samsung TV's have a official HUE app. On those it works with all content.

[@Zaine22]

Nice video keep up the good work..

[@alexandergoodenough2450]

Thanks for the review, this was really helpful! I was just considering this product, but I'm of a similar disposition to you when it comes to distractions while viewing, so I think I'll pass!

[@vinct7023]

Thanks for feedback. I was thinking about adding ambilight to my TCL TV but looking at this box + Led effects, I think it is not equal to true ambilight built in Philipps TV. Second, the price of Box + lights is way overpriced. I could afford it but I use to not give my cash to companies selling overpriced devices. Unless there is a better solution in few years, my next TV will probably a Philipps with Qled + 100hz. It will be more expensive than the equivalent TCL model at this time for sure but better get the true ambilight quality rather than a not so satisfactory solution.

[@razotong]

I had similar setup but only has one light strip and add 2 extension for 70” TV instead sync two light strips left and right. I found this way is less distraction and more subtle just sync one strip !! Maybe u can try sync ur two strips as center instead of left and right !!

[@joelwaterman1551]

Did the system recognize what part of the light strip is on the left vs right with 1 continuous strip? Basically like the light saber battle example, will it have red on one side, blue on the other? Or 1 continuous color?

[@mellofello808]

How many strips did you use?

[@hightechhouse1488]

mellofello808 Good question! I have 2 here. Left and Right.

[@Charlie_Underscore]

We need Americans like you to do more of this, call out the over priced gimmicky crap that's should on Amazon. I'm behind you man. Hell, I do the same thing. I'm just way rider unfortunately. Way to go sir

[@alessandroromo168]

i"m a gadget geek. And I have to say... I love my HUE. It does what I want and I feel that it enhances the movie experience without taking focus from the subject/movie. But everyone is different and easily distracted and thats a factor. This is an "individuals" situation. But I think this a relatively fair review on his personal experience.

[@stroshow5]

What’s it like with sports?

[@marlonm1596]

Great vid, thanks !

[@redrackham9003]

Great vid man! Pretty much the only reason I won’t get this is because of the price, $500 here in Australia 🤯🤯

[@TristynRusselo]

I run the app Hue Essentials on my Sony Bravia AndroidTV for hue sync functionality for watching Emby/Plex. the gradient lightstrip is much better for TV backlight.

[@arjanvandermeer6310]

ambilight?

[@BasedPajeet]

Nice video i wish there was a link to the work around in the description

[@bradoberry]

You should have at least 4 lights-- top, bottom, L and R. I also added 2 uplights, one in each corner of the room on the left and right. It looks amazing!

[@Chaoitcme]

I want the Sync Box for video games. It is worth it when you have 10 individual lights in your entertainment environment setup.

[@Kiddingyoumust]

I’ve been debating getting it but the price... in Canada it’s 170$ for dual Hue play, then another 300$ for the box. Then had the sync box and another hue play. I just can’t justify paying that much for some lights.

[@superryo008]

Great video. Can you use the box as a HDMI switch as well? Its pricey but if it can be used as a switch then that helps.

[@preezy1981]

Yes it can. It also supports 4k hdr10+ and Dolby with new update! The box is amazing. Just have to make sure you have the right amount of lights for your set up to really maximize the use out of it . The more lights the better to enjoy and fully the experience it. Hope this helps

[@mountain.spider]

I know this is from 2019 however I wanted to say the things for the honesty. I was going to buy one currently but I've been in the middle because they have not updated the box to a proper HDMI 2,1. Instead, all they did was firmware update but the full capability is lacking behind. Plus some have said it tends to over heat and they have not released a newer one for 2022. They updated the unit to be able to pass through HDR 10 and Dolby vision but the problem is in my situation I'm only using a PlayStation five applications as well as the TV applications. The TV apps can display DV/Atmos 3-D sound to send it to a receiver. But the apps for the PS5 lack HDR10+/DV etc only basic HDR and 4k because sony does not want to pay royalties. It can on a disk (pass threw) in my situation I use amazon/Apple tv+ yet on the PS5 it defaults to 4k/hdr and regular surround sound. Because everything needs to be connected for the box, the television cannot pass the signal backwards only the audio. Hue even said built in tv apps it wont work, only connected devices. Since the PS only does 4k/hdr and regular surround. It makes no sense to use the box with it when the tv apps have it all. I wont be using this for gaming. How you say too distracting. I could however use it for videos and movies. Just makes no sense to pay $250 for a machine that has not been updated properly and has tiny little issues here and there. I even heard it has problem with 120 Hz signals from games. There seems to be too many negatives unless the person just needs something very basic and in my case all my A/V stuff is up-to-date because it's my side hobby. I feel like I'm crippling myself getting this an older model. Might as well wait for gen 2.

[@charlesspidell1447]

Can’t use led strip leds on tv need gradient light strip

[@Tvede2613]

Really nice and honest review. i liked you alot. Im gonna sub2y, cos you should have a couple of thousand, and not hundreds with this content.

[@JPaulyD]

You can't really review something without having the right equipment. He needs the hue gradient play lightstrip which is an additional 200.00 that displays the light way better then a regular lightstrip. But when your worried about cost this isn't for you. My set up cost 4 Grand because all of my lights. It's to each their own.

[@Tvede2613]

@@JPaulyD it seems a bit like you are only writing this comment because you need to brag about how much money you have spent. The next thing is that there have been far better products on the market following a Phillips, if we compare lumen / watt / cost. I think that was a good review. so stick your smart ass comment up where the sun never shines

[@JPaulyD]

@@Tvede2613 nope but if you want a good set up you're gonna spend money. Cheap lights aren't good and good lights aren't cheap. That's just a fact. Sorry you got but hurt. Others are allowed an opinion of their own. I'm glad you found that. Lol. Ya 🤡

[@CatcherNTheRyan]

Great video. The lack of rhyme or reason for the lighting made me lean away aswell.

[@asm_canucks]

Two lightstrips may just not be enough to obtain "accurate" results. I think the more lights you have around the screen the better.

[@WeirdEdz]

Check out smarthome solver. He got this done right and it looks amazing. Multiple hue lights and lightbars.

[@eventhorizon2873]

Also his tv is to close to the wall, or the strips not at the edges of the panel. 2 strips indeed is not enough. So i guess this vid is just a act of dissapointment, but its actualy stupidity.

[@MovieViking]

The Gradient with 6 zones is uimpressive as well.

[@anthonycaggiano8211]

@@eventhorizon2873 meh i don't think it is stupidity ...moreso I think its preferences and interests. Ambient lighting is really supposed to be between 6 to 6500k or else its starts affecting the colors on your screen. Those that are more interested in the filmography, picture quality, and the overall focal point of the tv. This review is basically stating that these lighting effects don't offer enough to warrant the high price tag. I have to agree with this review. Seems like its great to show friends but gets old fast.

[@VictorTorresSFNY]

I was going to say the same thing! He needs the correct lighting (Hue gradient-style) and he needs to sync them up correctly in the app. I got my box and lights for Christmas and it looks a million times better than his set-up.

[@you0neville0tube]

that space behind the TV is enough for the Play

[@MarcoChapita]

The main problem with this for me is that my TV has all the apps I need, apple TV, netflix, disney plus, and this only works connected to an external source,doesnt work with TV apps, so for me is a no go

[@lrobert4097]

That’s what I’m dealing with right now. So if you ha e a smart tv this won’t work for it? My tv has been broken for a while just got a smart tv and lights don’t work anymore!!!

[@schemkesa]

Get the Light Mi Neo syncbox for 100,- its great! Just set it to slow and about 20-30% and it will enhance the experience not distracting at all.

[@ev868]

I returned mine after a week. It was ok but not good enough to justify the insane price plus the automatic HDMI switching rarely worked.

[@ultimategamingtv2122]

Ev yes I’m experiencing the same thing. Did you sync box keep disconnecting?

[@yellowmonkee0]

If you want this effect, just get a philips TV with ambilight. You can set it to work to match scene colors, set change speed and intensity or as simple white or any other color static backlight.

[@HarryWitzig]

Of there only were 85“ models🥲

[@ChantingInTheDark]

I don't have the HDMI Sync Box, but I do have the Hue Play Bars behind my PC and use their Hue Sync desktop app (on Windows 10). When watching movies I agree with the distraction part, but that was only when I had the intensity set to 'Intense' or 'High', at 'Moderate' or 'Low' it was fine for me, and I liked the immersion. For gaming it's also excellent. But back to the HDMI Sync Box, price wise, yeah, it's massively overpriced, and the HDMI support issues are a deal breaker, it needs to support _everything_ and 4K. But for me, the delay would be the killer (looking at your clips) it's noticeable. While not perfect, the Hue Sync Desktop app is nowhere near as bad as the HDMI Hue Sync box for that.

[@vitalistwal9516]

5:18 it is possible if you only would search your appstore! @thoseones: "Happy editing"

[@ccze7963]

Love mine whey it works but unfortunately it works about 30% of the time it keeps disconnecting from the light and sometimes it won’t find any HDMI source at the moment I rather use the tv without the box anyone who has experience the same?

[@Bogdanri]

mine is doing that all the time. Did you manage to get it fixed, somehow?

[@ccze7963]

Bogdan Rusu No still same problem really annoying the free pc program works a lot better the this 240$ box sadly (My experience)

[@ultimategamingtv2122]

Yes!!! Mine won’t stop disconnecting

[@preezy1981]

Mine works amazing. It never misses a beat. it’s very very consistent. I have 10 lights in my zone and they work brilliantly! never had any issues with connectivity or It disconnecting ever.

[@adelphia9999]

I think it's because you had it set to extreme. For video games I set mine to extreme and for movies I set it to high. Extreme is way to sensitive to anything going on in the frame.

[@chirpingbirdy8914]

The Philips Hue Sync Box looks just like the DreamSceen device I bought a few years ago. I checked and DreamScreen is out of business.

[@omarrahim995]

Any cheaper alternatives? Not dropping $230 + $150 + $50 on this

[@Partinaire]

The Govee Immersion kit does this, works way better and cost way less. You can get it on Amazon for like $70-$80, comes with the lights and everything you’ll need. Also the Philips Hues box downscales whatever you’re watching. If you have a 4K 120hz display, the box will downscale to 60hz. I honestly think that and Govee’s TikTok popularity had a hand in this device basically being discontinued.

[@weAreNotAloneHere]

I think when you mix these with ceiling lights ect, your going to get more

[@Msigw]

This setup is asking the light strip to do something it wasn't meant to do... The Play Gradient strip will do a lot more. It also costs 4X as much. A 230$ device matched with a 60$ lightstrip is as silly as it sounds.

[@RomboutVersluijs]

plus it needs a $60 hub or else none of them work together. Its a super expensive ecosystem

[@RaheemMcdermott]

You needed at least 3 lights left right and top. This 2 strip setup makes it put the wrong color along the entire side of the TV where the color won't match.

[@MovieViking]

You need at least 6 lights but I'm using the Gradient with 6 zones and it sucks as well, so I'm returning it.

[@kemoblue4u]

@@MovieViking why does it suck?

[@volcalstone]

I think it's your light setup that is at fault. If you're going to use it behind your TV then you want to 4 sides vs your 2 sides. You have the same color for your side as you do the bottom and top of the TV and not only that your top and bottom aren't separate either. I believe the box will sync better if you have a good setup. Maybe use the hue bars on the side instead. If you're gonna use the light strips then you have to do it only to one side at a time. Usually people just use one zone just for the TV as well running one long strip instead of two or three. Also you might want to change the brightness so it won't be so distracting as well along with setting it to high but not the max action level.

[@Theshizlenizle]

Couldn’t even change the screen ratio to not have any black border, it’s nicer when the screen colour is pretty much seamless.