Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Review. Is it still worth it in 2021?

Рет қаралды 65,413

Күн бұрын

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 satellite/cable box, PlayStation, Xbox, blu-ray player (anything HDMI) to your TV and sync with your smart lights!
Having lighting behind your TV is great for bias lighting which takes the strain of your eyes when watching TV in a dark room. Adding the Hue Sync Box turns that lighting into adaptive lighting as part of your smart home which syncs it with the content on your screen.
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:43 - What is it?
2:28 - Lowest intensity setting
3:10 - Highest intensity setting
3:30 - Side by side comparison
3:46 - What's bad?
5:47 - My setup
6:27 - The conclusion
- - - -
My setup:
Philips Hue HDMI Sync
- geni.us/huesync
Philips Hue Play Bars
- geni.us/hueplaybars
Philips Hue Gradient Light Strip (on the wish list - future upgrade)
- geni.us/huegradient
Sonos ARC
- geni.us/sonos-arc
- - - -
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Пікірлер: 123

@JordanLIENO 2 жыл бұрын

Really enjoying your content. Subscribed. Keep it up!

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

🙏 Thanks Jordan, appreciate that!

@The_Lost_One 2 жыл бұрын

Great, high quality video, then I realised u only got 500 subscribers, definitely keep up the work man, u got the blue prints for a much bigger channel👍

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Really really appreciate that! Thanks so much! Been a bit slack recently but will get some more videos up soon, been a busy couple of weeks.

@Zilla12 Жыл бұрын

Here at 1,400

@diegog2679 Жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkindget to it

@justloading 2 жыл бұрын

I had a sync box and gradient strip with two playbars. I sold them and bought an ambilight TV, and guess what, I miss the sync box everyday, several times a day. The ambilight TV doesn't let you change the intensity of the light and my favourite mode was subtle. Basically, the sync box gives you more control (even with the positioning of where your lights are) but ambilight tv is just a lot more convenient because it's built in and works with more stuff (e.g. built in apps). I did find the sync box used to not always respond via the app, although apparently it was due to the my homekit having devices that use 2.4ghz wifi and 5ghz wifi rather than all using one band.

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

That’s really interesting to hear! I always imagined the ambilight TV’s would be better but like you, I tend to use my sync box on the subtle setting!

@davidedwards4088 2 жыл бұрын

YES!!!! It is🤣 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.

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Nice!

@davidedwards4088 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind Hey thanks for the reply and hello from California, take care.

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Hello from London!

@James-iz9ci 2 жыл бұрын

8 months on have you switched to the gradient light? Be interesting to see your thoughts and comparison mate. Good video and very honest and helpful review. Thank you

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

I haven’t yet. It’s still on the wish list but until HomeKit can control the gradient lightstrip properly I’m holding off. Right now HomeKit can only set one colour, I’d want to be able to set different gradient colours for different moods when not syncing the lights with my TV. Thanks for the kind words about the video dude!

@Goenie2005 Жыл бұрын

Very informative video, tx. Guess I won't be buying this any time soon, seeing I recently hung the LG G2 flush against the wall. The gradient light strip wouldn't be an option either since there simply isn't any room between TV and wall. Too bad though, we have a 43 "in the bedroom with ambilight which we really enjoy.

@McDade52 3 жыл бұрын

Love this Review, awesome

@foralltechkind 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! 🙏

@morells09 2 жыл бұрын

Great video but personally would have gone with the gradient light strip to test it as the hot-spot nature of the play bars does detract from the experience in my opinion

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Ditto! But I had owned the Play Bar Lights for a long time before the gradient lightstrip was released!

@morells09 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind very fair point!

@jayj613 2 жыл бұрын

Hey nice video. Very informative

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! 🙏

@annonymous3948 2 ай бұрын

It does support HDR10+ & Dolby Vision.

@rugososphotos3646 3 жыл бұрын

Watching a 4k video of a 4k monitor on my 4k monitor ;) ... nice looking setup :)

@foralltechkind 3 жыл бұрын

Haha, nice! Thanks, I'm pretty happy with the setup but would love to get the TV mounted to the wall at some point. Just holding off as we're thinking of moving soon!

@mark19698m 2 жыл бұрын

The picture quality is amazing on this tv, what’s the make an model, just subscribed keep up the great content

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

It’s a Samsung QLED from 2018, it’s the QE55Q6F but not sure they sell it anymore. Wasn’t even one of their flagship TV’s but had great reviews. I love it but it doesn’t have eArc so doesn’t support Atmos unfortunately!

@mark19698m 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks I asked cause I’m in the market for a new tv, I’m a Sony guy at heart but think I’m gonna go with LG getting the G1

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Good choice, I’d love the C1 or G1 but also like the look of the Sony a90j

@mark19698m 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks…I’m going with the G1 cause its has great picture quality and superb gaming features to go with it for my ps5… 4 hdmi 2.1 ports at 120hz… sold

@mark19698m 2 жыл бұрын

I love the A90J…just couldn’t justify the $5,000 price tag

@dandobi 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome review

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

@Night6436 2 жыл бұрын

For people thinking about it, its awesome. But! I would definitely get the gradient strip. This guy set up doesn't show it's full potential. If he had the strip and used his bars for the bottom, it would be so much better.

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed! I purchased all of this setup long before the gradient was released. I will definitely buy the gradient strip in time, just holding off for now as I would like to upgrade my 55 inch TV to a 65 inch one soon.

@mayankarora2460 7 ай бұрын

what is that ghost light thing next to your tv? it is very cool

@TheKiaiKid 2 жыл бұрын

My sync box does support HDR 10 and Dolby Vision.

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah my bad! I realised this after but can’t update the video. When first released it didn’t offer these features and I was unaware they had updated it. Finally, unfortunately I don’t have a TV with HDR10 or Dolby Vision to test it, otherwise I would have spotted it.

@greghicks8961 2 жыл бұрын

Can you do a video on the little Ghost? I need couple of those before October. Thank you

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I can try and do something on it. It’s just a lamp for tea light candles, but I put a light fixture in it and used a Philips Hue bulb with it.

@greghicks8961 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind That would be fantastic!!! I found it for sale, but obviously I would need to add a light and I've never done that . Thank you!

@guys8162 Жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind I have just bought the ghost light after seeing your video and want to turn it into a hue just like you did. Can you please post a video about how you did it and the parts involved.

@guys8162 Жыл бұрын

My ghost comes from Studio Arhoj in the UK, the Mini Screw Lamp Base E14 base from Ali Express, the electrical plug and hue bulb from my local electrical wholesaler. Took 3 months for everything to arrive. You need to put the base inside first, and then the bulb in separately and then screw the bulb into the base, as they won't fit through the hole at the back once screwed in. Mine looks freaking awesome and I even sent picture of it to the sales rep in my country for Philips / Signify to brag. Thank you to the creator of this video for the inspiration. Please share any other call idea like the ghost in your videos.

@carmineDeG Жыл бұрын

Hello to me skip the video on the  tv connected between amplifier and hue sync hdmi what settings did you use to not make this problem is to see it in hdr 60??? Thanks a lot

@sx7246 2 жыл бұрын

Not sure whether your info is updated. I read that Hue sync box started supporting Dolby Vision since last May.

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

I didn’t know that but I couldn’t test it either as I don’t have a Dolby Vision enabled TV. Great they’ve updated it but people should be aware it doesn’t support HDMI 2.1

@samuelgomez974 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind correct, it now support Dolby vision and HDR10+

@yummili7557 4 ай бұрын

Hi bro. Why i use sync box to play KZfaq music video Synchronization will automatically stop after about 15 minutes... Do I need to reopen the apps and click sync again?

@user-ho8eb6bq6q Жыл бұрын

can i add other hue lightbulbs (in the ceiling for instance) and tie those in as well?

@foralltechkind Жыл бұрын

Yup! Any hue lights can be added.

@P1X3L0V4 2 жыл бұрын

Can you please provide any info about ghost like lamp/figurine on the left side of the TV?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Had a lot of requests about this. Going to make a video about it in the next 2 weeks!

@P1X3L0V4 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind Any news?

@guys8162 Жыл бұрын

Ghost comes from Studio Arhoj in the UK, the Mini Screw Lamp Base E14 base (side entry space for the cord) from Ali Express, the electrical plug and hue bulb from my local electrical wholesaler. Took 3 months for everything to arrive. You need to put the base inside first, and then the bulb in separately and then screw the bulb into the base, as they won't fit through the hole at the back once screwed in. Thank you to the creator of this video for the inspiration. Please share any other cool ideas like the ghost in your videos

@jbnelson 2 жыл бұрын

I don't think you quite understood the Dolby Vision aspect of the sync box. You can still watch Dolby Vision content and the lights will still be synced, but the lights themselves won't be in Dolby Vision because Dolby Vision is for televisions and projectors, HDR on lights isn't really a thing/possible.

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Haha never claimed the lights were Dolby vision, that doesn’t make sense. My point was originally the sync box didn’t work with Dolby vision, so if you used the light syncing feature it would disable Dolby vision on your tv. But they have since updated the box so you can still enjoy Dolby vision on your tv with the lights on as well.

@jbnelson 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind ahhh makes sense. Didn’t understand the statement without the context of the software update which has been out since I purchased my sync box

@jarnojoensuu 2 жыл бұрын

What’s that little ghost on the table? And is it synced to Hue also?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

It’s actually a tea-light (for little candles) but I managed to fit a light fixture in it and use an e14 Philips Hue bulb!

@guys8162 Жыл бұрын

Yes! Noticed that straight away. Want one now!

@ruibatista6647 2 жыл бұрын

Could I run my sources (including my Xbox Series X which runs at 4K 120hz) through my 4K 120hz receiver, then one HDMI cable to my TV to preserve the 120hz, and another HDMI cable to the sync box? To clarify, my receiver has two HDMI outputs, for two displays.) Does anyone know if this setup will work? Thanks!

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

No idea to be honest, but I think all sources are meant to go to the Hue Sync Box before a receiver etc. so it might not work. I’d have a look around on Reddit, someone in the Philips Hue subReddit should be able to answer that specific question.

@flyguy7463 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind thanks!

@morells09 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t believe this will work as I don’t think you can use both display outputs on your receiver simultaneously. I do know that the sync box does not support HDMI 2.1 (120Hz) and the sync box does need to be the last source connected to your TV, and the signal has to pass through it - as in it needs to have at least one input and one output to work

@morells09 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind no the sync box needs to be the last device connected to the TV, so if you have a receiver with multiple inputs on it, you’d connect all your HDMI devices to that and then have output to the sync box and one output to your TV

@frankwhite8241 2 жыл бұрын

no unless you're willing to lose 4k youll have to run it at 60fps at 1440p i think its now 120hz but still not 4k

@slimray5681 2 жыл бұрын

so I'm confused about the HDR. If I have my PS5 plugged into the hue sync box, and then plugged into a tv that supports dolby vision and HDR10, the HDR affect won't appear?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Now, the Sync has been updated to support HDR. But when it was first released it didn’t work.

@ITSANGEL. 2 жыл бұрын

I have a PS5 and an LG C1 tv what will happen if I play threw the sync box since it doesn't support HDMI 2.1 I just get a lower refresh rate and it'll run at 1080 p ?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

You’ll just lose 120hz I believe

@Levy_PL 2 жыл бұрын

Oh, one more thing! On the left I can see a very pretty ghostish lamp... Where I can buy it? ;)

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

It’s a candle light but I bought a lamp fixture and put a small Philips hue bulb inside it! I get a lot of questions about it, so might make a video about it one day!

@guys8162 Жыл бұрын

@frankwhite8241 2 жыл бұрын

i want them but as the title says 2021 and the philips is still hdmi 2.0 and we're on 2.1 im still going to hold off on them

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah it is a shame it doesn’t support 120hz 4K, but when they released this product there wasn’t much use for HDMI 2.1 and many still don’t have 120hz TV’s. It’s inevitable they’ll release an updated box at some point though. For now, it suits my needs as I don’t have a TV with HDMI 2.1

@MrJonnyrocket10 2 жыл бұрын

Have you had any problems where the sync box looses signal for about a few seconds and then the signal appears back on

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Very rarely. I image that’s a HDMI CEC issue. Another source is temporarily detected. Could turn that off and see if it helps?

@MrJonnyrocket10 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind how do you turn it off, thanks for replying

@toostoned762 2 жыл бұрын

So I have to buy the sync box to sync with my philips light strips ?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it’s all proprietary unfortunately!

@denisskorikov6234 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the review! So, having 4k 120hz TV and using as a monitor of PC (RTX 3090) with Philips strip and Sync Box I will lose 120hz and the image will be displayed just as 4k 60hz? If so, I pass to purchase it :(

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, or it remains at 120hz and the lights won’t sync with the content on your screen unfortunately.

@K0nst4nt1n96 2 жыл бұрын

Use Hue Sync App on your PC?

@teclado-san 2 жыл бұрын

Whats that lamp on the left side that looks like a ghost?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

It’s a ceramic lamp for tea lights but I bought a light fixture and put a hue bulb inside it.

@kennymurphy4493 2 жыл бұрын

The sync box has supported Dolby vision this few months now.

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

I saw they updated it, I couldn’t test this as I don’t have a Dolby vision TV. Thanks for pointing it out!

@bigvin29 2 жыл бұрын

How do you switch between devices ?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

It has an app you can use to switch devices or if you have HDMI CEC it will auto swap when you turn on/wake up a device.

@Levy_PL 2 жыл бұрын

Hello there! I'm thinking about buying a whole set with sync box, bridge and led strip (as a starter kit) but now I have some doubts... I have PS5 and JBL 9.1 soundbar - both using ARC HDMI slot. Will it be compatible with Philips Hue? What about apps which I'm running on the android TV (like Netflix)?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

It’ll work with the any HDMI device but not the apps built into your TV. It works by reading the signal from HDMI devices.

@Fab97kaf 2 жыл бұрын

What is the movie at 01:45 please ?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

It’s episode 1 of series 3 of Stranger Things!

@Aggie1295 2 жыл бұрын

Do you lose any picture quality?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Not that I’ve noticed!

@gm2543 2 жыл бұрын

Its now at £180 on amazon lol i seen it 👍😉

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Nice! That's the first decent drop in price I've seen!

@gm2543 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind Yes wish philips allways made low prices would sell more and make more as more would grt there stuff lol insted of govee and wiz cheeper ones

@ThangTran-tg6rm 2 жыл бұрын

What’s the point of buying the hdmi sync box without buying the light strip??? How can you do this review without its must have accessory?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

What!? The HDMI sync works with any Hue lights and the gradient lightstrip was released a while after the Sync Box came out. So you can review it without it… Go watch a review on the Gradient Lightstrip if that’s what you are looking for.

@hrhpj4959 2 жыл бұрын

After spending almost USD $1000 - I still have so many glitches on this system and it usually DOESN'T work. After spending HOURS on the phone with their "technical Support" - it still doesn't work. The customer support people - ( I talked to numerous ) don't fully speak or understand ENGLISH which makes it even MORE FRUSTRATING! Am I sorry I purchased it - YOU BET!

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

Ah that sucks, sorry to hear it! How have you spent that much on a Hue setup for your TV? I can’t say I’ve experienced any glitches personally.

@hrhpj4959 2 жыл бұрын

@@foralltechkind What REALLY bothers me is that if they had people that spoke English - I possibly could get it going. I don't understand how a company as big as Philips has no USA based Customer Service! I have spent thousands more on their outdoor lighting and have over 75 bulbs and 2 hubs. When they first came out with the Hue line - they DID have support in the USA - but sadly - no more!

@mickeybreg1 Жыл бұрын

sucks. only 60fps? if it’s only 120 i’ll buy one for my ps5 gaming

@bear2xd 2 жыл бұрын

Is there any input lag when you are gaming?

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

It’s very minimal lag but yes there is.

@Hallkardia 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry, but the colours barely match what's on the TV. It's just a flickering distracting mess. Well, to me. I'm glad for everyone who wanted something like that and can finally enjoy it.

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

That’s fair! It’s not for everyone! My video doesn’t do the colour matching justice as I have dark green walls behind my tv.

@87Michael 2 жыл бұрын

NO HDR 10? 💔

@foralltechkind 2 жыл бұрын

With a new update it now supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision! I couldn’t test this because I don’t have a TV with Dolby Vision and I incorrectly stated it doesn’t support it, because I purchased this before the update.

@zZiL341yRj736 2 жыл бұрын

For over $500, nah, hell naw. Lytmi Neo destroys this in every way.

@dmo848 2 жыл бұрын

Govee for 50 bucks. No damn way will i spend that kind of money. Hell I'll jus buy a kick ass tv at those prices

@denodan 2 жыл бұрын

I got the New Govee emmersion kit with light bars included. Put situation right down and reasonably accurate colour only off at the odd time For the price it's great value. Philps has to many limitations no hdr, no 120 hz gaming of the new consoles. Snart apps on TV don't work. Over here would cost almost $1000, and Govee does everything. I can not only have emmersion tv, but can make my own coloyr setups and scene's I wish, almost Endless. With the new govee emmersion kit with included lightbars is great value. Watching TV have it set to white background anyway. Govee has Endless colour creativity Aldo, something philps does not have. All the reviews I see on govee they always have the saturation set to high, down low or saturation off it's accurate colour