Question 1

Which TVs or HDMI devices are compatible with Dolby Vision while syncing my lights using the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box?

Accepted Answer

The following TVs have been tested and found to support Dolby Vision while syncing your lights with the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box:

Brand Models

LG 2017 and newer

Sony All

Vizio 2018 and newer

TCL 2018 and newer

Panasonic All

Philips All

The following HDMI sources have been tested and found to support Dolby Vision while syncing your lights with the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box:

Source Model

Apple TV 4K All

Fire TV 4K All

Chromecast Ultra All

Nvidia Shield 2019 and newer

Xbox One S/X Apps only

Blu-ray players are not compatible with Dolby Vision while using the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box.

Question 2

Does the existing Hue Sync desktop app work with the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box?

Accepted Answer

If you have the sync box, you can use the Philips Hue app to control it. The Sync desktop app is only used if you want to sync your lights to a computer screen.

Question 3

What do I need to sync my smart lights with the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box?

Accepted Answer

Follow these steps:

Install Philips Hue color-capable smart lights and a Bridge with the Philips Hue app.
Connect the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box to your HDMI devices and your TV.
Open the Sync tab in the Philips Hue app and follow the instructions.

Question 4

What is the best way to set up my Entertainment area?

Accepted Answer

You can create an Entertainment area in the Philips Hue app, which illustrates how many lights you have, where and at which height the lights are located, and how your system should use them while syncing.

For the best results, we recommend using several Philips Hue color-capable smart lights. Try Play light bars placed around your TV, a Play gradient lightstrip attached to the back of your TV, and lights such as the Go accent light or Signe floor lamp in and around your seating area.

Question 5

Does Music mode on the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box work with AVR/ARC/soundbars?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box functions as an HDMI splitter and transfer device, meaning that you can connect it to your receiver or soundbar.

If you have an audio receiver or soundbar in your media setup, follow these instructions to enable Music mode:

Setup 1: HDMI media device > sync box > receiver/soundbar > TV

Disable ARC bypass

Setup 2: HDMI media device > receiver/soundbar > sync box > TV

Enable ARC bypass. If Music mode doesn’t work, set your receiver’s audio output to both speakers and TV.

Setup 3: HDMI media device > sync box > TV > receiver/soundbar

Disable ARC bypass

Question 6

Does the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box work with smart TV apps?

Accepted Answer

No, because smart TV apps run directly on the TV itself, meaning there is no HDMI device to plug into the sync box. In order for your Philips Hue smart lights to respond to the content on your TV screen, the content must pass through the sync box via an HDMI input via an external device.

If you want to use your smart TV apps, you may be able to use the Philips Hue Sync TV app , provided you have a compatible Samsung TV. The Philips Hue Sync TV app is available on 2022 and newer Samsung QLED TVs in the Q60 or higher range. If your TV supports the Philips Hue Sync TV app, it will appear when you search for it in Apps. Alternatively, check the product specifications of your TV model on www.samsung.com.

Question 7

Does the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box support Dolby Atmos?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Dolby Atmos is supported in Pass through for all syncing modes. Light sync for Dolby Atmos content is supported for Video and Game mode, but not for Music mode.

Question 8

Does the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box support 3D?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but your lights will not sync to the screen. 3D content is supported in Pass through mode — your content will display on your TV screen, but your lights will not react.

Question 9

Does the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box support HDR?

Accepted Answer

Yes. HDR10 and HDR10+ are supported in pass through and light sync modes.

Question 10

Does the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box support 8K?

Accepted Answer

No, 8K is not supported. The 8K signal will be downgraded to a 4K signal. Keep in mind that in order to watch 8K content, both the content you watch needs to support 8K as well as the TV itself.

Question 11

How do I restore my Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box to its factory settings?

Accepted Answer

Restore your Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box to its factory settings with these steps:

Unplug the sync box from power.
While the sync box is still unplugged, press and hold the button on the front.
Continue to hold down the button while you plug the sync box back in to power.
When you see the LED indicator on the front of the sync box light up, release the button.

Question 12

What do the different LED colors on the front of the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box mean?

Accepted Answer

The Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box has an LED indicator on the front. The indicator shows different colors for different things:

No light: Powered off
Purple: Booting up
Red: Standby
White: Passthrough mode (not syncing lights)
Flashing white: Light sync mode (syncing lights)
Flashing blue: Wi-Fi setup (this mode only appears during setup)
Flashing yellow: Wi-Fi error

Question 13

I can't find my Wi-Fi network when setting up my Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

If you can't find your Wi-Fi network when setting up your sync box, try the following:

Make sure your Wi-Fi network is set up and functioning correctly.
Make sure your Bridge and mobile device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
The sync box is only compatible with 2.4 GHz networks. If your Wi-Fi is operating on a 5 GHz network, switch to the 2.4 GHz network instead.

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FAQ list