Philips Hue Syncs TV Lights For $119
New camera and HDMI box make immersive viewing more affordable, with prices starting at $119.99 and $149.99 respectively
Philips Hue has introduced two new products to make syncing smart lights with TV content more affordable. The Hue Play Screen Sync camera and the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K are priced at $119.99 and $149.99 respectively.
The Hue Play Screen Sync camera uses a fisheye lens to capture the full content playing on a TV in real time and sync compatible smart lights in the room. This allows for customized lighting effects for native smart TV apps and broadcast TV content.
The Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K, on the other hand, supports 4K content at up to 60fps and has a slimmer profile with a single HDMI input. It is aimed at users with a single HDMI-based input for their TV.
The new products are part of Philips Hue's effort to make immersive entertainment lighting more accessible. The company has also launched a new Wall Light Module, jointly developed with Nanoleaf, priced at $40.
## What it means The introduction of these new products marks a significant reduction in the entry price for Philips Hue's entertainment sync offerings. The previous Hue Play Sync Box 8K was priced at $385, more than twice the price of the new 4K model. This move is expected to make immersive viewing more affordable for a wider range of consumers.
The new products also offer more flexibility in terms of content sources. The Hue Play Screen Sync camera can detect and sync with any content on the TV screen, regardless of whether it is played through an HDMI cable or a native smart TV app. This makes it a more versatile option for users who want to sync their lights with a variety of content sources.
## Why it matters The ability to sync smart lights with TV content can enhance the viewing experience, creating a more immersive and engaging atmosphere. With the new products from Philips Hue, more consumers can now access this feature without breaking the bank. The company's efforts to make immersive entertainment lighting more affordable and accessible are likely to have a significant impact on the smart home market.
