FabianThe Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box has been around for a few years now. Following the launch of the expensive 8K model—which costs a hefty 349.99 euros—and the discontinuation of its direct predecessor, I’ve already said: There’s something missing for beginners. And that’s exactly what Philips Hue is now delivering with the new Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K. I’ve already taken a closer look at this device.
The first thing that stands out is the price, which is significantly lower. The new HDMI Sync Box 4K costs just 149.99 euros—well under half the price. Retail prices go even lower—on Amazon.de, the “Sync Box Lite” is already selling for 119.99 euros. That’s a whole different ballgame.
That’s the biggest limitation of the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K
Of course, at this price, you have to make some compromises. The 8K resolution of the more expensive model is really just a marketing gimmick anyway. It’s much more about 4K and 120 hertz for console gamers out there. The HDMI Sync Box 4K, on the other hand, only supports 4K at 60 hertz. Personally, that’s more than enough for me when it comes to TV, movies, and series.
A potential issue, however, is that the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K has only one HDMI port for external devices. Of course, I can’t decide for you whether that’s actually a deal-breaker.
I can only speak for myself here: I’ve always had an Apple TV connected to my small 43-inch TV—nothing else. So, these are perfect conditions for the HDMI Sync Box 4K to work in tandem with the Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip Pro, which I’ve already covered in my review.
Differences from the Hue Play Screen Sync TV Camera
The new HDMI Sync Box 4K isn’t compatible with various HDMI sources, and it doesn’t support internal TV content either. For newer TVs from LG and Samsung, you could use the Hue Sync TV app; for other TV manufacturers, the Hue Play Screen Sync TV camera would be an option.
However, my review showed that the camera mounted above the TV not only looks a bit odd—it takes some getting used to—but also causes the Hue lights to shine significantly less brightly. I therefore cannot recommend it.
Using the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K
Using the new HDMI Sync Box 4K is incredibly simple. In principle, it can even be used with one of the new TV light strips without a bridge. Power is supplied via a relatively compact USB-C power adapter, though you can also use your own power source. An HDMI cable for connecting to the TV is included in the package.
You’ll likely use the HDMI Sync Box 4K in conjunction with a Philips Hue Bridge (Pro). There are no surprises here either: Up to 10 lights can be part of the entertainment area and glow in sync with the TV picture.
In the Sync tab of the Hue app, you’ll find various options to choose from. These include the three modes—Video, Music, and Game—whose names are self-explanatory. You can also adjust the intensity of the effects and the brightness. In the Hue app, you can also specify what should happen to the connected lights once the sync ends.
No surprises in practice
Once set up, there are essentially no more surprises. In my test, the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K reliably turned on with the TV whenever I pressed a button on the Apple TV’s Siri Remote. After a few seconds, the Play Gradient light strip turns on and syncs with the TV picture. When I turn off the Apple TV, the sync stops automatically.
When sync isn’t active, all lights—including, of course, the TV light strip behind the TV—can be used for lighting as usual. In a Hue household, this is definitely a great feature compared to cheaper LED solutions.
Overall, I see the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K as a useful addition to the Hue portfolio. It’s significantly cheaper than the 8K model and should be a very good choice for most households that only use one HDMI device, such as an Apple TV, anyway. In general, however, Philips Hue should still work on addressing the current limitations, such as only one simultaneous sync per bridge or the maximum of 10 supported lights.
Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K
$149.99 / €149.99
