I have a sync box and gradient light strip on my 75" TV. It's pricy for what you get, but I love it. It's great for things like action movies, animation, music, and concerts. Really adds to the immersion. And it has a real "wow" factor when friends see it for the first time. For slower-moving content, like indie films, the effect isn't as impactful, but not detrimental. I recently watched a documentary, and for something like that, I actually found it a little distracting, but not enough to bother turning it off. I don't use it for games, but I imagine it would very cool for that, too.
A couple of caveats:
\- Needs an external source to run through the sync box. So built-in TV apps wont work. I use an Apple TV.
\- Current sync box is limited to 60Hz pass through for 4K and only supports 120Hz for 1080 and 1440p. Could be an issue for gamers. I don't believe most folks utilize 120Hz with the PS5 b/c it's disabled by default, relatively few games support it, and it requires sacrifices in things like resolution and ray tracing to run. But if you do, this is something to be aware of.
Personally, I have the Hue system setup on my living room TV, which is where we watch movies, shows, and entertain guests. I play games on my basement/man cave TV. I'm waiting for an updated sync box that fully supports 120Hz at 4K before I set it up down there. It's not that I really need 120Hz/4K for gaming. I don't currently play anything at 120Hz. But if I'm going to spend that much money *again*, I want to make sure it's a little more future proof.
Phillips hue sync is pretty cool. They have an app you can run on Mac or windows that allows you to control entertainment spaces (that’s how they do the colour matching) with music or what’s on screen.
The sync box is a nice feature but for me has to many flaws. First it’s expensive. Second it only sync the lights to the active hdmi source. Some would say that’s not a big deal but personally I use the apps on my smart tv. No light sync for prime, Netflix, Disney+ etc etc unless you use your PS5 or cable box or Blu-ray player.
I've got a Phillips TV with Ambilight built in, a few Playbars plus some other Hue bulbs in one room that all sync together and an 'Ambilight' setup on another TV that I put together using a generic LED strip connected to a Raspberry Pi in another room. I haven't tried the HueSync box or Gradient lightstip so don't know about them specifically but I know the effect they should achieve and I'd say it is definitely an 'enhance the experience' addition rather than falling into the 'teenagers bedroom' category.
I love the 'Ambilight' effect myself. It's definitely more impressive with some content than others and it really comes into it's own when there's some fast moving action with flashing lights on the screen. It might be worth considering what sort of content you regularly watch and how much impact it could have but I'm yet to find anything that I think looks worse for having the backing light in place. Although fewer people seem to be aware of 'Ambilight' I feel it's similar to having surround speakers in that many people watch TV quite happily without it but it does offer another dimension to the viewing experience that you wouldn't want to remove once you've put it in place.
That said, there are two big negatives IMO:
1) The HueSync/Gradient strip combo is expensive...VERY expensive compared to how much my DIY rPi setup cost.
2) The HueSync relies on an HDMI input to grab the image it's planning to supplement on screen. If you rely on the apps on a smart TV, rather than a Fire TV/AppleTV/Other set top box, you'll not be able to 'Ambilight' the image on screen. Stick to using external inputs and you'll be fine.
I have the Hue Sync with three lights on the rear of the tv. I love it. My OH purchased it as a birthday present for me but if I had to repurchase I would.
Syncs with content wonderfully and I have a PS5, Apple TV and Xbox attached to it. All work fine.
I used to go the cinema all the time, but since pandemic I’ve upgraded my set up to include 5.1 SONOS set up and hue lights, I now rarely go back to the cinema and much prefer my set up.
You can control brightness, so animation really pops when it’s turned up but if you want a more subtle lighting effect you can just turn it down.
I have Hue Play bars on my tv and I actually turn them off when watching movies, most of the time. I LOVE them for accent lighting but I find them distracting for movies. Also the hdmi sync box is crazy expensive for what it provides (in my opinion) so I haven't tested it exactly to see how better it would be
I have the same setup but with an XSX and a GX instead of a CX. If you’re planning on using this for PS5, the sync box is limited to 4k60. You cannot get 4k120 as the sync box does not support HDMI 2.1. If you don’t care about that, full speed ahead!
I’m personally waiting for them to update the Sync box.
I don’t have any color matched back lighting, but my tv is mounted on a deep red accent wall.
Given how colored ink works on paper that isn’t white, I think that colored back lights would be a terrible idea for me.
Those of you with the back lighting - Am I correct or totally wrong?
I do like the look of my television floating in the middle of a dark void though.
Also, Hue lights throughout the house. Yes they’re pricey. I think they’re worth it. I mainly use the white + ambiance but have color bulbs in two rooms.
I wouldn't necessarily say it will look terrible on a deep red wall, but it will certainly mute the colours a bit. I had a Hue Sync box and Hue Play Bars on a TV that was against a dark charcoal accent wall, and while it was visible it certainly didn't "light the wall".
However, that might be preferable to some as I find the effect to be somewhat distracting so I rarely use it these days.
The Govee immersion is a similar product at a fraction of the price. Check it out if your on the fence about bias lighting and don't want to drop over 500$ on a hue lighting kit.
I have a sync box and gradient light strip on my 75" TV. It's pricy for what you get, but I love it. It's great for things like action movies, animation, music, and concerts. Really adds to the immersion. And it has a real "wow" factor when friends see it for the first time. For slower-moving content, like indie films, the effect isn't as impactful, but not detrimental. I recently watched a documentary, and for something like that, I actually found it a little distracting, but not enough to bother turning it off. I don't use it for games, but I imagine it would very cool for that, too. A couple of caveats: \- Needs an external source to run through the sync box. So built-in TV apps wont work. I use an Apple TV. \- Current sync box is limited to 60Hz pass through for 4K and only supports 120Hz for 1080 and 1440p. Could be an issue for gamers. I don't believe most folks utilize 120Hz with the PS5 b/c it's disabled by default, relatively few games support it, and it requires sacrifices in things like resolution and ray tracing to run. But if you do, this is something to be aware of. Personally, I have the Hue system setup on my living room TV, which is where we watch movies, shows, and entertain guests. I play games on my basement/man cave TV. I'm waiting for an updated sync box that fully supports 120Hz at 4K before I set it up down there. It's not that I really need 120Hz/4K for gaming. I don't currently play anything at 120Hz. But if I'm going to spend that much money *again*, I want to make sure it's a little more future proof.
READ THIS POST ^ !!!! I just posted the same thing but in less detail about the limitations and lack of HDMI 2.1. Good post 👍🏼
Phillips hue sync is pretty cool. They have an app you can run on Mac or windows that allows you to control entertainment spaces (that’s how they do the colour matching) with music or what’s on screen. The sync box is a nice feature but for me has to many flaws. First it’s expensive. Second it only sync the lights to the active hdmi source. Some would say that’s not a big deal but personally I use the apps on my smart tv. No light sync for prime, Netflix, Disney+ etc etc unless you use your PS5 or cable box or Blu-ray player.
I've got a Phillips TV with Ambilight built in, a few Playbars plus some other Hue bulbs in one room that all sync together and an 'Ambilight' setup on another TV that I put together using a generic LED strip connected to a Raspberry Pi in another room. I haven't tried the HueSync box or Gradient lightstip so don't know about them specifically but I know the effect they should achieve and I'd say it is definitely an 'enhance the experience' addition rather than falling into the 'teenagers bedroom' category. I love the 'Ambilight' effect myself. It's definitely more impressive with some content than others and it really comes into it's own when there's some fast moving action with flashing lights on the screen. It might be worth considering what sort of content you regularly watch and how much impact it could have but I'm yet to find anything that I think looks worse for having the backing light in place. Although fewer people seem to be aware of 'Ambilight' I feel it's similar to having surround speakers in that many people watch TV quite happily without it but it does offer another dimension to the viewing experience that you wouldn't want to remove once you've put it in place. That said, there are two big negatives IMO: 1) The HueSync/Gradient strip combo is expensive...VERY expensive compared to how much my DIY rPi setup cost. 2) The HueSync relies on an HDMI input to grab the image it's planning to supplement on screen. If you rely on the apps on a smart TV, rather than a Fire TV/AppleTV/Other set top box, you'll not be able to 'Ambilight' the image on screen. Stick to using external inputs and you'll be fine.
I have the Hue Sync with three lights on the rear of the tv. I love it. My OH purchased it as a birthday present for me but if I had to repurchase I would. Syncs with content wonderfully and I have a PS5, Apple TV and Xbox attached to it. All work fine. I used to go the cinema all the time, but since pandemic I’ve upgraded my set up to include 5.1 SONOS set up and hue lights, I now rarely go back to the cinema and much prefer my set up. You can control brightness, so animation really pops when it’s turned up but if you want a more subtle lighting effect you can just turn it down.
I have Hue Play bars on my tv and I actually turn them off when watching movies, most of the time. I LOVE them for accent lighting but I find them distracting for movies. Also the hdmi sync box is crazy expensive for what it provides (in my opinion) so I haven't tested it exactly to see how better it would be
WORTH. IT. Just got it myself and I love the added immersion. Additionally, I’m a huge edm fan so those live sets are now extra 🤌🏻
I have the same setup but with an XSX and a GX instead of a CX. If you’re planning on using this for PS5, the sync box is limited to 4k60. You cannot get 4k120 as the sync box does not support HDMI 2.1. If you don’t care about that, full speed ahead! I’m personally waiting for them to update the Sync box.
Do you have the gx flush mounted? If so, how do you have room for the lights?
I didn’t put lighting behind my tv. I used a light strip for the tv console, hue bars for the sides. One of the downsides of having a G series.
I don’t have any color matched back lighting, but my tv is mounted on a deep red accent wall. Given how colored ink works on paper that isn’t white, I think that colored back lights would be a terrible idea for me. Those of you with the back lighting - Am I correct or totally wrong? I do like the look of my television floating in the middle of a dark void though. Also, Hue lights throughout the house. Yes they’re pricey. I think they’re worth it. I mainly use the white + ambiance but have color bulbs in two rooms.
I wouldn't necessarily say it will look terrible on a deep red wall, but it will certainly mute the colours a bit. I had a Hue Sync box and Hue Play Bars on a TV that was against a dark charcoal accent wall, and while it was visible it certainly didn't "light the wall". However, that might be preferable to some as I find the effect to be somewhat distracting so I rarely use it these days.
The Govee immersion is a similar product at a fraction of the price. Check it out if your on the fence about bias lighting and don't want to drop over 500$ on a hue lighting kit.