FabianExactly 20 years ago, the first Philips TV with integrated Ambilight was presented at IFA 2004. Since then, 35 million TVs have been sold and 80 percent of buyers do not want to do without the backlight on their next TV. I feel the same way, so today I would like to take a look back and ahead.
A brief look back at the 2000s
Ambilight came onto the market in 2004 and used Compact Cold Fluorescent Lamps that shone in the same color on both sides of the screen. It was not until 2006 that the “Stereo” version followed, which could show different colors on each side, as well as the “Surround” and “Full Surround” versions, which were arranged on three and four sides of the device respectively.
Over the course of time, Philips tried out a number of things with its televisions. In 2007, LEDs were used for the first time, thanks to which colors could be output more precisely in certain areas. In addition, the Aurea design model was launched on the market, in which Ambilight was also used in the frame of the set facing forwards.
The current developments of Ambilight
Since being taken over by TP Vision, the development of Ambilight has continued in recent years. Just two years ago, the next-gen version was introduced, with which each LED could be controlled individually, further increasing the accuracy, intensity and size of the Ambilight effect.
The new top model, the new 65OLED+959 with Ambilight plus, was then shown at IFA 2024. Ambilight plus can create a more dynamic, more accurate halo with higher resolution and project up to four different halos from different areas of the picture with different depths to give the halo a new two-dimensional effect. Future models are also likely to use this technology, which looks really impressive.
Unfortunately no longer included: Ambilight+Hue
The first televisions with Ambilight+Hue were available almost 10 years ago. This made it easy to extend the effect from the TV to Hue lamps in the living room. A particularly popular function that is unfortunately no longer available in the latest devices.
Because even if it says Philips on it, there is now something else inside. The company Signify is now responsible for Philips Hue, while TP Vision is responsible for Philips Ambilight televisions. And there hasn’t always been the same opinion here recently.
There are so many great ideas for a possible collaboration between the two manufacturers, who continue to use Philips’ trademark rights. Just imagine if you could simply control the Ambilight LEDs of a switched-off TV via the Hue app. I would actually celebrate that.
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