FabianYesterday I skipped my little weekly Hue recap because I wanted to enjoy my Formula 1 trip to Zandvoort to the fullest. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out with Max, but I have the next new product for you today: I spotted the Hue Play Sync Box Lite on social media as early as last night. It’s already appeared at a British retailer ahead of its official launch.
In addition to the Hue Play Screen Sync—a small camera that sits on top of the TV—the new Hue Play Sync Box Lite will be another product in the Hue Sync and Hue Entertainment lineup. It’s also safe to assume that Philips Hue will introduce new light strips designed for installation behind the TV.
The Hue Play Sync Box Lite is also labeled as the Hue Play Sync Box 4K on the packaging and is likely the direct successor to the original Sync Box. After the 8K model hit the market two years ago, the “standard” Hue Play Sync Box has slowly disappeared from store shelves in recent months.
The new Hue Play Sync Box Lite offers only one HDMI input
While the top-of-the-line model and the original Hue Play HDMI Sync Box allowed for the connection of four HDMI devices, the significantly smaller box that has now surfaced has only one HDMI input and one HDMI output for connecting to the TV. This means you’re limited to a single device, such as an Apple TV or a PlayStation.
Performance is also limited. At 4K, the supported frame rate is 60 hertz; only at Full HD is a higher rate of 120 hertz possible. Additionally, the Hue Play Sync Box Lite lacks the infrared interface. In previous models, this was primarily used to switch inputs via the TV remote control, which is no longer necessary with a single HDMI input.
However, the price is quite attractive. The stripped-down 4K model of the Sync Box is listed in a British online store for 109.99 pounds, which is the equivalent of just under 130 euros. This makes the Hue Play Sync Box 4K significantly cheaper than the 8K model, which officially costs well over 300 euros.
