Customer Ratings & Reviews

I finally decided to get this little box, I have 4 play bars and 1 hue light strip behind my TV. Updated the firmware connected all my devices to my soundbar and my soundbar to the hue box, and it worked just fine. Zero Issues. It looks awesome (See link below for YouTube video). Now, this thing is definitively waaay overpriced, I got this as a Father's Day present to myself. YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FohMwPXwmbs If you do not mind the price, get it. It is totally worth it.

At first glance this hue hdmi box seems very expensive for the features but when put to use you see the power of cool that this device adds to your room to tv set. I paired this sync box to a hue gradient strip and it hasn’t disappointed. Without the sync box the gradient light strip only gives solid colors with the sync box basically any game or signal from a connected hdmi source gives a tailored scene to whatever is on the screen.

Box synced to my Samsung note 8 without notice thinking it wasn't just have to follow the instructions. loving this box already and not having to use my computer make the lights pair with the tv is a blessing and now can run all streaming services, games or whatever displays a video with my hue accessories makes my investment with hue more complete

This is truly one of the only times I’ve ever complained about hue pricing then took it back. I always complain, but can’t find cheaper with the same quality/compatibility. The pros appear to outweigh the cons if you’re confused on the 4 stars. The added effect is weighed extremely heavily, and the cons are somewhat nit picky because I expect those basics from a company with this price point reputation by now. Ultimately trivial, but I’m not letting them off so easy just because I still think the box is awesome. Pros: -Lights are in sync with the tv. always (when in use obviously). This is my second box. After months with the first I’ve not seen a lag, delay, sync issue after over 100 hours of use. -the effect is extraordinary -compatible with things like harmony remotes to offset one of the cons (see below) Cons: -Lack of remote means either getting another expensive device or limit to the app....the app sucks....slow refresh times....not integrated in the hue main app (can’t leverage in scenes). -the auto switching/signal detection is overly aggressive/inconsistent/and ANNOYINGLY difficult to keep in check if limited to app control...didn’t take long to get turned off since I have a smart remote to compensate. While this IS an issue with this box, it’s not really that frustrating considering I’ve never seen any hdmi switch do it very well. -while not a limit of the DEVICE, the 10 light limit is a true pain. Yes, 10 lights is plenty in most cases but with the total lack of gradient strip availability, you have to use 7 slots just to match the strip, 2 at minimum on the bottom if your tv is mounted.....very little buffer to fill out the room with lights placed to replicate ambience over direct image aligned responses -music component sucks: this is trivial. There are amazing mobile apps that can “outshine” hues music integration by miles. Just including it to be thorough -also more of an app thing, but if you plan to use lights other than the light strip, you have to get creative with how you set up the entertainment zones to get what you like. The best configurations I’ve found are counter intuitive because the [current] design for the 3d placement is VERY limited. For the “nerd alert crew” it’s almost fun, but could make it feel less impactful if you’re in the “praying it’s easy” user-base....luckily, once you get it right, you’re good (I was lucky enough to snag the gradient light strip and THAT setup is super easy....this just applies to non-gradient lights)

very cool product, not a lot like it on the market. Can get a little tricky setting it up with multiple inputs but once you have, it works pretty seamlessly when automatically switching beteen inputs. The effect while watching a movie or playing a video game is very cool.

Still early on in the lifespan of this but no complaints thus far. Easy to connect and use right out of the box. I plugged it in, opened the app and things the setup wizard did the bulk of the work in connecting it to my bridge and light strip. Definitely the best part of getting the Philips Hue light system set up, the lights syncing to your TV really rounds out the immersive viewing experience.

I had always been interested in Phillips Ambilight TV's backlight feature but liked other TV's quality better. This way I could add that feature that 'extends' the color on the screen around the TV for hopefully a different kind of immersible feeling. This does accomplish that with the Hue Play Bars. The physical setup was easy, but you have to use the app for everything. Not just one app but two! The first is for Hue bulbs, then you have to download and use a Hue sync app which connects to the first Hue app. It would be nice if I could figure out a physical button or remote to start and stop the syncing. It would also be nice if when you shut the TV off the lights would go off instead of having to open the app (and go on too). The only caveat is that you really need your TV to not be flush mounted as the light then shines on the TV some or is too far from the screen to create the immersion. It was not a good experience with my Samsung Frame but when I put it on my Pionneer ZT which is about three inches out from the wall, it worked like advertised. I finally moved it to my gaming PC and it seemed to be the most immersive there because the bounced light filled my entire field of view.

The Hue Play HDMI Sync Box works fantastically and was simple enough to set up. I'm enjoying it and will absolutely keep it. Two things that are pretty major to me keep me from getting this to 5 stars, though. One, The HDMI ports are only HDMI 2.0b. I have a PlayStation 5 and don't really want to sacrifice the full capabilities of my console just to make some lights run in sync with my games. The 120Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution is the only thing the Hue Sync Box *can't* do (it maxes at 4K 60Hz), but it's a pretty big demerit point personally. I'd willingly pay a bit more for a new version of this box that has HDMI 2.1 ports instead, even if just 1 or 2 of them. Two, smart TV app compatibility. This is less of a sticking point as it's easily solved with a streaming device and a couple more button presses to switch inputs, but it would be great to only need my TV to sync with content via apps. To those with new model Samsung TVs, rejoice, because you don't have this limitation, but as most people's TVs are smart nowadays it's disappointing that only a single brand can work directly with the box. Criticisms aside, I'd like to reiterate that this is still a fantastic product and adds a whole new dimension to a home theater or gaming space, and I do recommend it.

At first i was skeptical about purchasing the synx box because of the price. I had the lightstrips by themselfs but kept feeling like it was missing something. Dont get me wrong the lighstrip by themselves are great but paired with this box it is beautiful. The way the lights pair to whatever your watching is wonderful. Its so easy to set up. You just have to download the app and follow the steps. It comes with 4 hdmi ports and supports 4k for gaming and tv. Definately catches the eyes of my guest when they come over for a movie. It is honestly my favorite device in my home next to my gaming systems of course. Thanks again Phillips for your amazing products.

First off—the product is awesome! However, I took off a star bc in order to sync with gaming, tv, movies, anything, you can’t use it with just your smart tv. The signal must go through a gaming system, firestick, or something of the sort in order to actually sync. You can use the lights with your smart tv but they just won’t truly “sync”. Now there is a faux sync effect (probably bc of the complaints lol) so that helps. I believe I did read where if you pay extra (& per tv), you can sync without an external source but I stopped reading the details because the idea of doing that (& it wasn’t cheap!) was so insane that I just didn’t consider it. Phillips should really make this clear for non-tech gurus that to truly sync, it’s not necessarily as simple as it first appears (unless again—you’re watching via a gaming system or another external plug-in like Firestick, etc.

Since first seeing Hue lights at a friends home, I’ve slowly converted my NYC apt to a Hue Smart home beginning with my entertainment center. The Hue Play HDMI Box is the last piece to complete the project started 3 years ago. I’d read a lot of bad feedback but decided I had to try it for myself. Despite having a 2016 Samsung 4K TV with One Connect, setup overall was easy. Minus one star for inability to get my Fire TV stick and Hue Play HDMI Box to turn on 100% of the time. For some reason it works with Alexa, but not the remote. Overall, am thrilled.

Hello! I have around 60 Hue bulbs around my home both inside and out, so naturally I was curious about incorporating them into my cinematic experience. I’m a techie with a ton of toys and tend to explore and push them to their limits. Here’s what I found concerning the Phillips Hue HDMI Sync Box. 1. Yeah, not cheap. I looked at this unit on the shelf 25+ times before I pulled the trigger. 2. Super easy to setup and has an HDMI out so you can daisy chain the unit. No issues with the downstream devices so far either. I’ve found some HDMI devices that have a throughput can jostle the signal or won’t repeat the same quality of signal downstream. This unit doesn’t seem to have that issue. One thing to remember on this though is that if you place the unit in standby, it will terminate the signal downstream. 3. Definitely works. You know when it’s up and running. Additionally the lights you’ve designated to the sync box cannot be otherwise controlled until you turn off the sync. (Just the sync, not full standby) 4. Tuning it may take a little time, I like that there are different modes, some aggressive and others lackadaisical between color shifts. So you’re able to find and tune a mode that works for you. Lights changing color in a dark room can catch your eye and distract you from the screen, but it can also transform your theatre, placing you IN the scene more so than you’re used to. 5. Pay attention during setup of your “entertainment areas”. This will really make a difference when watching. The device does a good job of deciding what colors should be where, dependent on what’s showing on the screen and where the bulbs are in the room. Not just in front or behind, but above and below as well. 6. 10 bulb max. I didn’t know this initially, but when I found out it obviously didn’t stop me. Also, not all HUE bulbs are alike. Make sure you have the full color range bulbs or play, or strip. Best to have the 16 million color bulbs and/or the play lights or strips if you want a full/immersive experience. The app points this out when selecting your entertainment area devices by referring to “preferred” bulbs. 7. Reiteration, $250 seems a little hefty, but if you’ve spent $50/bulb and have 10 of them in your theatre area, you can probably afford this addition and won’t be disappointed. I’m keeping it. Happy Hue-ing!

really cool product. only issue is it wont work with a smart tv. You have to have a roku stick, amazon fire, or apple tv and stream through to really enjoy the light show. All in all its great and fun to use. EXPENSIVE! If you have the residual income or if you are a fan of the lights I would encourage the purchase.

I bought this sync box to use with my new Hue Gradient Lightstrip. Works perfectly, and syncs my Hue Lights with my TV. *Keep in mind this doesn't support 120hz, so it won't work with new Xbox/PS5 @ 120hz!!!* As for Dolby Atmos, I found it easy to get Dolby Atmos by hooking everything up to my soundbar, then output the video into the Hue Sync Box, then to my TV. Works fine that way, but would be better if it supported HDMI 2.1. Great product overall, but overpriced for what it is.

I have fallen in love with the Philips Hue lights. I find myself continually adding to my already large expansion of lights. This Hue Play is great for syncing them all up and play along with the movies / shows. The applications was easy to use / setup with a great tutorial walk-through. I do recommend at least 2 lights this way there is some cycle when playing along with a movie. Everything looked great and bright. Highly recommended

I was so hesitant to buy this because the price never went down, and it was hard to justify it in my mind. I now know why the price never really drops for this - because it’s a great product. Setup - super easy - cable and network wise App - it has some basic adjustments you can make but I’m fine with what they have Performance - the only bad thing is that you need to run apps like Netflix, Disney Plus, etc on an external device and NOT through the app on your tv. For me, I use my PS5 to run all of those apps if I want the lights to sync. I’ve also used my 4K dvd player and it works great! The reason you need an external device is that the signal needs to run from the PS5➡️ Hue Sync ➡️ TV. The sync box won’t read what’s on the tv without an input signal - it needs to receive signal from another device. Besides that, this box has worldly perfectly for the month that I’ve had it. It provides an immersive experience while watching movies, playing video games, or listening to music. My kids love it as you can imagine, and even my wife is stoked about it.

I had a couple weeks with the hue play and it was fun to use. I think it might be a little over priced. It made watching moves more immersive but I did notice that there is the tiny bit of lag to the lights that made it a little weird at times. Scenes would transition and then the lights would transition and with fast action sequences it was a little jarring. I just turned the response curve down to the lowest setting and it made it okay. Overall it was a fun product.

It’s a little pricey, but far more capable then cheaper alternatives. Works great with 4K / HDR / Dolby Vision content. SetUp was easy. Just wish you didn’t need a separate app for the sync box. Would be nice to only have 1 hue app for all products

I set it up, and it was working just as it should right away. I have no issues with the item itself. but the way to go about it is a little tedious. Pros: looks really nice when set up Not too bulky adds a lot of hdmi ports (4) set up is straight forward Cons: really expensive...its hard to justify the costs you need the app to turn on the actual function each time, it will not just automatically start from the get go the set up takes a while to actually do

When it works it's amazing but it randomly shuts off for a few seconds every few hours (I think it might be overheating?) but when it works, and it does mostly work, it's pretty incredible and enhances movies and games well. For the price and the 'Hue tax', you'd think the bugs would be worked out but it's cool enough when it works that I don't mind the occasional glitches. I'd still shop around for cheaper alternatives if I was buying again.