FabianIf you are thinking about buying a Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, you might want to be patient. There are very strong indications that Philips Hue is planning to introduce a new model.
Two product images have appeared on the web that show a new Sync Box. On the first picture you can see a new packaging with the inscription “HDMI Sync Box 8K”. At first glance, the sync box itself looks identical, but there is a small offset bezel on the top, which is not present in the previous model (see cover picture).
The first pictures of the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K
You can also see this bezel in the second picture. Here, another difference to the previous generation is visible: The power supply of the “HDMI Sync Box 8K” has only one connection. In the previously known model, there are three connections to be able to connect, for example, two Play Lightbars in addition to the box.
Unfortunately, apart from the two product images, there is no further information about the new generation of the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box. However, I could well imagine that the new generation is not only about 8K resolution, but also about HDMI 2.1 support and formats such as 4K with 120 hertz.
I ordered this yesterday, overnight, got here this morning, it’s not 8k, still the old version. I’m assuming a new one is coming soon, perhaps weeks or months.
https://imgur.com/a/SuyV1hb
“The power supply of the “HDMI Sync Box 8K” has only one connection. In the previously known model, there are three connections to be able to connect, for example, two Play Lightbars in addition to the box.”
That’s a bit of a cheap-out for a genuinely useful feature that could save a power point. Hopefully the old three-connection plug pack will still work with the new version.
Biggest disadvantage is that an external box doesn’t work for streaming apps on your TV, which makes them useless most of the time.
You can always stream them from a Fire Stick or similar instead of the TV
Get and a Nvidia shield it will change your life. Especially with 4K upscaling and lossless audio.
If you’re broke, grab a Chromecast 4kwTV HDMI 2.1 and you can expand with a dock. Even hook up a camera and extra storage.
I fell like Hue is lately just releasing same old products with no significant change or improvement made to them, while upping the price in the process, just to make more money on “new” products.
This one is a perfect example. Who needs 8K capable sync box? What 8K content is available out there, except demos that you see running on TVs in the shops? 8K consoles? No. 8K gaming PCs? No. 8K blu-rays? No. The price of this one will be even higher than the already available and overpriced sync box, while not having additional power connectors (so a downgrade) and still not working with anything that’s not connected directly to it.
As the article mentioned it will probably have HDMI 2.1 on all ports and people will pay a premium price to get that, not because it’s 8K. They should focus on making the app work on all (Android?) TVs and not just latest Samsung’s, so it actually works with what people use the most, their TVs inbuilt streaming apps. Knowing Hue they will not even reduce the price of the current sync box to give us a “choice”, but probably discontinue it all together so we have only one choice, a more expensive “8K” box.
Can’t wait to see what they’ll stuff up with bridge v3 when it finally comes out in 2045.
I agree. I’m only interested in the HDMI 2.1. I’ve avoided the Sync since I lose the 4k120 coming from my AVR to my LG C2. I couldn’t agree more on releasing the app for other brands/OS besides Samsung. Its way expensive, but I would still pay for it since I have a whole house full of Hue. I really don’t want another box in my AV cabinet.
Hey, I’m one of those mythical customers who owns the original sync box, but stopped using it on my main TV because it can’t do HDMI 2.1. I have an xbox series x and love gaming with Dolby Vision + VRR + 4k. I won’t settle for running through an HDMI 2.0 box that reduces the bandwidth from 48gbps to 18gbps. I believe the “8K” descriptor is a simple way of communicating to customers that this is “real” hdmi 2.1 since the standards body that controls naming for HDMI has made a rather controversial decision to allow any HDMI 2.0 technology that includes any single feature from the HDMI 2.1 spec to call itself HDMI 2.1. This means that there are manufacturers using the term HDMI 2.1 for their products that don’t actually support all of the HDMI 2.1 features. By pointing out the 8k feature, it tells us that they are actually using a chipset capable of the full 40/48gbps bandwidth required for all of the HDMI 2.1 specs. This is the one feature I’ve been waiting on for years and am very excited.
You’ve completely missed the entire point of this.
It’s HDMI 2.1, thus it supports 8k. If you don’t care about HDMI 2.1 then stick with your current box.
Yes, people game in 8k on PC, myself included.
people using 4k 120Hz gaming consoles need this 8K box
^ Forgot to mention that if all 4 ports are indeed HDMI 2.1, this solves another big problem some people face with many TVs coming out with only 2 HDMI 2.1 connectors (and 2 x HDMI 2.0 connectors). Typically, the eARC port also uses one of the HDMI 2.1 ports, meaning you can only really have a single HDMI 2.1 source connected without using an expensive receiver. For those of us using soundbars or no receivers, getting an extra couple HDMI 2.1 ports could be worth it alone (assuming the sync box continues to support CEC).
I’m hoping this one has an Ethernet port!
Yes, that would be good. Also an indicator as to which HDMI port is active.
I’m hoping this one has an Ethernet port!
I also hope they include an Ethernet port, it reduces latency, is more reliable, and many people have wired Ethernet around their TV for things such as IPTV and streaming boxes already.
They should even go the small extra step and support getting power through PoE.
As we have more and more devices that need both connectivity and power, people will realize an Ethernet switch with a good power supply is both more energy efficient and practical than a lot of small power adapters for low power devices.
Same goes for the Hue Bridge, I had to modify mine to power them through PoE, and I would never go back to using a separate power adapter for such devices. I hope their v3 supports PoE.
Side but parallel topic they could even have internet over HDMI itself!
The name sync box always make me chuckle (sarcastically!) as I can never get my Android phone or iPad to sync to the current model. So, I hope the new version sorts this out, may be by adding Bluetooth connectivity. Also, hope they fix the random drop outs that I keep getting with mine. Another nice feature would be is to have more than 10 lights (even just another 2 would be good), which should be achievable with a processor upgrade. Also, an indicator so which port is active when your cycling through the ports.
For anyone looking for an HDMI 2.1 sync box… this just came out recently.
The Lytmi Fantasy 3 – 8K@60Hz or 4K@120Hz. HDR/Dolby Passthrough. Reviews look outstanding. Something the Philips Hue Play isn’t capable of doing.
Lytmi Fantasy 3 does not support broad range of HDMI 2.1 features like HDMI CEC, VRR, ALLM, QMS, ARC, eARC making it obsolete from the start. Just check their manual.
I really hope Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K will support this or it would not be useful for many people who play games.
the color is bad