Home LivingSmart HomeI think the Philips Hue Play Sync Box is the perfect PS5 and Xbox Series X accessoryPS5 and Xbox Series X owners should really consider picking up a Philips Hue Play Sync Box – here’s whyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingSmart HomeI think the Philips Hue Play Sync Box is the perfect PS5 and Xbox Series X accessoryPS5 and Xbox Series X owners should really consider picking up a Philips Hue Play Sync Box – here’s whyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
PS5 and Xbox Series X owners should really consider picking up a Philips Hue Play Sync Box – here’s why
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Philips Hue)
(Image credit: Philips Hue)
When my friend told me she’d bought aHue Play HDMI Sync Boxfor herPS5, I scoffed. As much as I likePhilips Ambilight TVssuch as their new OLED models, for me the cost of adding a sync box and a gradient light strip seemed far too much for some flicky lights around the edge of the screen. But then one evening the combination of a really good Hue deal, boredom and poor impulse control saw me hitting the order button on a sync box of my own. And as much as I hate to admit it, it’s brilliant.
I reckon if you have the space around your TV, this is a fantastic upgrade for the PS5 orXbox Series Xin particular. That’s because while the box will take an HDMI from any source, the current generation of the Play Sync box also supports some HDMI 2.1 features including 120Hz refresh rates (at 1440p) so you’re getting full speed from your next-gen console. If you’ve ever had a breakout box take away a prized feature you’ll know how important it is. I’m still annoyed at my first-generationPSVRover it.
Here’s how I’ve hooked it up.
(Image credit: Philips Hue)
(Image credit: Philips Hue)
Why Hue Play Sync means more gripping gaming
I already have my Xbox and PS5 going through an AV receiver – theSonySTR-DH790, our budget pick of thebest AV receivers– and I already haveHue lightsand a Hue Bridge. So connecting it all up was really simple: one HDMI cable from the receiver into the sync box, and one cable from that into my Samsung TV’s ARC HDMI socket. Installing the lightstrip on the back of my TV took five minutes, and I was able to plug it into the same power unit as the sync box so I only needed a single plug socket. Then it was just a matter of getting the Hue app to say hello and telling it what lights to include in my new Entertainment Area.
In games, it’s a hoot. There’s a little bit of lag when you’re moving around in very bright games like Horizon Forbidden West, but you get used to it quickly – and when you go into the water and your room turns green or you enter a dark space and your flashlight splashes your walls with colour you’ll laugh out loud. And you’ll laugh even more in arcade games: lightning storms and explosions fill the room. It’s tremendous fun.
I’m still messing around with it – at first it was a bit much for TV until I dialled down the intensity and cut the brightness too – but I’m having a lot of fun already. It’s very much like surround sound: you can manage fine without it, but having it really does add something valuable.
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Today’s best Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box deals$249.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box deals$249.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box deals
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