About the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box
Reactive light show
Reactive light show
Your Philips Hue color lights react to whatever you send through the HDMI Sync Box into your TV.
Don't let the Play HDMI Sync Box's unassuming appearance fool you. This plain-looking black box holds amazing potential. When properly set up, the Sync Box will enhance your gaming or viewing and listening experience by coordinating your connected Philips Hue lights to react in sync with the action.
Requirements
The Sync Box requires a Philips Hue Wireless Bridge and at least one Philips Hue color light. There's an art to lighting, and that's worth keeping in mind when you are setting up lights to work with the Sync Box. A pair of Hue Play light bars placed carefully behind your TV would be a good place to start, but any Hue color lights will work.
A pair of apps
You'll need two free apps to operate the Sync Box: the Philips Hue app, and the Philips Hue Sync app. You'll create a new "entertainment area" in the Hue app, and control light automation parameters with the Sync app.
Control it with your remote or your voice
You can configure your TV's IR remote to control the Sync Box. It also works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. That means you can switch inputs, turn your lights on or off, dim them, and recall your favorite presets just by asking.
Product highlights:
- sync lights with your audio/video components or gaming console and TV
- requires Philips Hue Wireless Bridge
- requires Philips Hue color lights
- will not work with a TV's internal smart apps; to sync with streaming content you'll need a streaming media player
- control with Philips Hue Sync app and Philips Hue app
- four HDMI inputs for a gaming console, streaming device, Blu-ray player, and more
- input switching is automatic, but can also be controlled manually with your TV's IR remote or within the app, or with voice commands
- one HDMI output to your TV
- built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
- supports HDMI 2.0b with HDCP 2.2
- supports video resolution up to 4K at 60Hz
- supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) content including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision
- 7-3/16"W x 15/16"H x 3-15/16"D
- weight: 1 lb.
- warranty: 2 years
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # 555227
What's in the box:
Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box owner's manual
- HDMI sync box
- AC adapter with 3 DC barrel outputs (DC output: 24V 0.83A)
- 2-prong AC plug adapter
- 4' DC power cord (barrel connectors on both ends)
- 39" HDMI cable
- User Manual
- FCC statement
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Features
Overview: The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box enhances your TV experience by synchronizing your color-capable Philips Hue lights with the content on the screen. You can connect up to four HDMI devices to the box, including set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, game consoles, and streaming sticks, then connect the box to your TV. Your Philips Hue lights will dance, flash, dim, brighten, and change color along with the action on the screen. You can control the HDMI Sync Box on your smartphone or tablet using the Philips Hue Sync app, or use your voice or TV remote. The Sync Box requires a wireless connection to the Philips Hue bridge, sold separately or as part of a starter kit. The package includes an AC adapter and a 1-meter HDMI cable.
HDMI Sync: The Play HDMI Sync Box is equipped with four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. The HDMI ports support HDMI version 2.0b with HDCP 2.2, and video resolutions up to 4K 60Hz, with HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The box supports HDMI devices, such as Apple TV and Chromecast, which support subscription services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, and Spotify. It is compatible with HDMI-based gaming consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox. The Sync Box automatically detects which input is actively playing and switches to it. It does not work with Smart TV apps which run directly on the TV.
Compatible Devices: The following TVs have been tested for compatibility to the Play HDMI Sync Box and Dolby Vision: LG (2017 and later), Sony, Vizio (2018 and later), TCL (2018 and later), Panasonic, and Philips. HDMI sources that support Dolby Vision include: Apple TV 4K, FireTV 4K, Chromecast Ultra, Nvidia Shield (2019 models), and Xbox One S/X (only apps).
Light Sync: The Sync Box reads the HDMI signals from your video sources and sends them to your Hue Color Ambiance lights (up to 10). It is particularly effective with Hue Play lights, including Play Gradient Lightstrips and Light Bars, that mount behind your TV to paint your walls with colored light. As you watch TV shows and movies, the on-screen action directs the lights to enhance the mood. The lights amplify every in-game car chase or explosions when you're on your game console. If you're listening to music, the Sync Box heightens the music's intensity or creates a romantic atmosphere with light.
Philips Hue Sync Mobile App: The special Hue Sync mobile app (different from the regular Philips Hue app) helps you set up, configure, and use the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box. In the app, you can sync up to 10 color-capable Hue lights, control the brightness and speed of the light effects, and switch between video, game, and audio modes. The Hue Sync desktop app does not work with the Play HDMI Sync Box--you must use the Hue Sync mobile app. The Hue Sync app is available for free download for Apple iPhone/iPad/iPod touch with iOS 12.0 or later, and Android devices running version 7.0 and up.
Voice Control: The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box can be controlled by voice commands through your favorite Virtual Assistant. The Sync Box is compatible with Siri (Apple HomeKit), Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. You can start/stop light syncing, switch between modes, switch HDMI sources, and power on/off using your voice.
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