Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K

Hue Sync Comes Down to One HDMI Port

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K is a simpler, less expensive way to make Hue lights follow the colors on a television. It sits between a video source and the display, reading the HDMI signal and translating on-screen changes into matching light effects. At $149, it costs far less than the company's existing 8K box.

Made for a Receiver-Centered Setup

This model has a single HDMI input rather than a bank of connections for consoles and media players. That limitation makes the most sense in a home theater where an AV receiver already switches between sources before sending one output to the television. Anyone connecting several devices directly to a TV will need a different switching arrangement.

Bluetooth Removes One More Barrier

The box can synchronize with a light strip over Bluetooth, so a Hue Bridge is no longer required for a basic setup. Adding a Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro expands the system to as many as 10 lights, allowing the effect to spread around a room. New gradient strips will support televisions up to 100 inches.

A Middle Ground for 4K Rooms

The HDMI Sync Box 4K preserves the direct-signal approach of Hue's premium model while trimming the port count and price. It is best suited to someone who wants reliable 4K light matching and already routes video through one device. The box is available now from Philips Hue, Amazon, and other retailers.