FabianIn September, Philips Hue launched the second generation of its Sync Box. The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K costs over 300 euros and, unlike most other Hue products, I have not yet tested it myself. Not only do I lack a suitable TV, but also a suitable HDMI device to really get to grips with the new Sync Box.
Update is finally being rolled out
Philips Hue has probably taken its time with the distribution of the update. However, version 2.4.2 is now being rolled out to many users, so please check your updates again.
However, I can tell you that there is a first firmware update around three months after the launch of the new generation. With the update to version 2.4.2, the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K receives the first bug fixes and improvements. What exactly has changed?
Among other things, there is a bug fix, thanks to which the signal is retained regardless of the status of the Sync Box. I don’t know exactly how the bug has made itself felt in practice, but I could imagine that small picture dropouts can be fixed in this way. Philips Hue has also been able to fix a temporary problem with HDMI signals at 120 hertz with the update.
Another improvement concerns the ARC bypass mode. This now works smoothly when activated in the Hue app. Feel free to write in the comments if you are already using the new Sync Box and whether the update has brought any changes for you.
Incidentally, it is also worth taking a look at the settings in the Hue app for owners of the older Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K, as it has also received new firmware. However, the changes and improvements here are probably so minor that Philips Hue does not explain them any further.
Will the Sync app also be available on other TVs than Samsung?
Meanwhile, another question keeps coming up: When is the Sync app coming to other TVs? Philips Hue introduced the integrated Hue Sync function almost two years ago together with Samsung. So far, no other manufacturer has joined in. Will this change? Frankly, I don’t know yet. Of course, it would be desirable and theoretically there is also a chance that the manufacturers will use the upcoming CES in Las Vegas to make an announcement. However, I don’t expect any major hardware news from Philips Hue at the world’s largest trade fair for consumer electronics.
Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K
$349.99 / £299.99 / €349.99
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The 8k has been a bit of a nightmare for loosing signal. We’ve been resetting ours at least twice a day because the TV wouldn’t display any picture, even though the device it’s connected to was on. We’ve also seen signal lost when certain apps which use a different resolution.
It’ll be good to see if the new firmware addresses these issues.
My experience is the opposite. The new 8K sync box has so far been rock solid, while the old 4K model suffered from almost daily HDMI dropouts, crashes or whatever it was – hard to tell exactly what was happening really as the screen went dark…
Probably because you used the low quality hdmi cable the box came with. Get UES certified 8k cables like these.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFFFSFFN?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder_k2_1_6&=&crid=1WR0SF23GMNOT&sprefix=ugreen&th=1
Same here with an LG TV, Nvidia Shield Pro and Ziggo TV box. It drops signal and then switches to the other (Shield or TV box) available input stream. Then I try to switch back to the original source, but it won’t come active. On remedy is to turn off everything and start from scratch. To be honest, this became more of an issue after the firmware update… It’s even worse than my old 4k box.
The Philips page states that version 2.4.2 was released for both 4K and 8K:
https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/support/release-notes/philips-hue-play-hdmi-sync-box
However my 4K box is still on 2.3.0 and the app states it’s up-to-date (even after restarts and rechecks)
Has anyone been able to update their 4K box?
Haven’t had any issues since it was released, never had a dropout. Compare to the daily crash on 4K version. Sounds like your unit is faulty and need return Nick.
Strange that verion 2.4.2 is no out in the UK still shows as up to date with 2.4.1
Hello, firmware still at 2.4.1 here in the states as well. When is the release date?
Still stuck at Firmware 2.4.1 even though it says up to date. Someone isnt telling the truth…
Liar liar pants on fire. NO update past 2.4.1 has been released for the 8k philips hue sync box. IT DOES NOT EXIST! Did you have AI write this article for you in a preemptive strike to what it thinks will happen with an upcoming update??
Why be so mean? Maybe the update was launched in another part of the world before yours is soon to be receiving it. He isn’t a liar or using AI to write articles.
Still no 2.4.2 update here in Switzerland.
I don’t understand why Signify doesn’t try to make these devices more flexible…
Not including wired Ethernet is really a bad decision.
Imposing an extra power brick when user is very likely to already have a Gradient light behind the TV instead of providing a power brick that can support both is a pain when you want to keep cabling neat.
Not including a Miracast receiver when you already have a microcontroller and Wi-Fi in the device is really a missed opportunity to make that device more versatile.
I just purchased my Hue Sync box 8K.. I have successfully connected my PlayStation 5 and lights works fine.. But I couldn’t sync the TV lights with movies I want to watch in my TV..
Uhh, it should be completely obvious why that would never work. HDMI is not bidirectional, your TV only has HDMI inputs, it will not send video out by HDMI. You must get an external media player like an Apple TV, Google TV, whatever. Or change the Sync Box for the native app only available for Samsung TVs at this time but soon also LG.
Still no 2.4.2 update here in the UK either
Just received and applied the 2.4.2 update in Switzerland.
It has also been available in Germany since today 👍🏻
same in the UK finally !