Philips Hue Play Screen Sync

Hue Finally Watches the Screen Directly

Philips Hue Play Screen Sync uses a fisheye camera mounted above the television to read the colors on screen. Because it watches the finished picture instead of intercepting an HDMI signal, it can react to built-in streaming apps as well as consoles, cable boxes, and external players. That input independence solves a major limitation of HDMI-only sync hardware.

A Lower-Cost Route Into Reactive Lighting

At $119, Screen Sync undercuts both the new $149 HDMI Sync Box 4K and Hue's much more expensive 8K box. The visible camera will not suit every room, but the tradeoff is a setup that does not need each video source wired through a separate box. It brings Hue into the same practical category as popular camera-based systems from other lighting brands.

One Strip Now, Ten Lights Later

Bluetooth support lets the camera work directly with a compatible Hue light strip without requiring a Bridge. Owners who add a Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro can expand synchronization to as many as 10 lights around the room. Philips is also introducing gradient strips sized for televisions up to 100 inches.

Native Apps Join the Light Show

Screen Sync is most compelling for viewers who spend most of their time inside a smart TV's own apps, where an HDMI box cannot see the picture. Its camera-first design makes the lighting source-agnostic while lowering the entry price. The system is available now through Philips Hue and retailers including Amazon.