The principle is clear, the path to implementation is now also possible via app
Synchronizing the light with the picture: What started with LED strips behind the television can now be designed in a much more complex way. But the principle remains the same: the images are analyzed and the connected lights are then controlled accordingly. For televisions that do not have this technology, Signify introduced the Play HDMI Sync Box, official cost: 250 euros. The problem: Since the box only analyzes HDMI signals, use with smart TVs was only possible to a limited extent. This is exactly where a new solution comes into play – at least on Smart TVs from Samsung.
The Philips Hue Sync TV app costs 130 euros
As Signify recently announced, as of today, January 5th, a new application will be available in the Samsung TV App Store that makes any additional hardware for synchronizing Philips Hue Smart Lights with the television superfluous. The app goes by the simple name Philips Hue Sync TV App and controls all tasks that previously could only be performed by the Sync Box. For this much more convenient solution, Signify also wants a pretty steep price: 130 euros. It can be used with Samsung QLED TVs built in 2022 (from model Q60) or older.
The significantly better solution
Even if this price is high for an app, owners of a Samsung TV are offered a cheaper way of light synchronization than the hardware solution, which then also works much better. Since the app is not dependent on monitoring the HDMI inputs, but can analyze image content directly, all content is supported – including native apps such as Netflix and Disney+. According to the developers, the app supports all image formats including 8K, 4K and HDR 10+.
