Signify, the parent company of Philips Hue, is removing the covers for more affordable TV lighting.
However, instead of another Hue Play HDMI Sync Box announced, sister brand Wiz has taken part in HDMI Smart Lighting Action.
The new Wiz HDMI sync box with TV backlight provides its complete moniker and consists of a control box and LED light strips that stick to the back of the TV.
The Wiz HDMI Sync box, which was launched globally in May, offers these real-time color matching effects by reading video signals directly from HDMI sources.
This means your light reflects what’s going on on the screen, with zero calibration and no additional camera needed. You can connect a streaming stick, console, or set-top box to let the light do your thing.
Instead, it directly analyzes the HDMI input (up to 4K at 60Hz using HDR10+ and Dolby Vision) and sends color effects synced to WIZ lights on the same Wi-Fi network. It’s not just limited to the LED backstrip it ships.
There is also a built-in microphone for syncing with the music.
The box will be shipped in two sizes with three sided segmented RGBIC LED strips. One is for 55-65-inch TVs and the other is for 75-85-inch models.
It offers four sync modes (movie, liveliness, relaxation, rhythmic), plus manual control for brightness and saturation via the Wiz app. Voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant are also provided, as well as an optional Wiz remote.
It’s HDMI 2.0 only, so it can handle 4K and all major HDR formats, but if you’re looking to announce a 120Hz game on your PS5 or Xbox Series X, it’s not the best choice. If that’s what you’re after that, consider the Phillips Hugh Play HDMI Sync Box 8K, which was released last year. However, the price is five times higher.
Additionally, there is only one HDMI input and an external switch is required when connecting multiple devices. Hue’s 4K and 8K boxes both have four HDMI inputs.
However, at £79.99/$89.99 (or £99.99/$109.99 for the larger version scheduled for September), it’s significantly lower than both HDMI sync box models.
So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to dabble in immersive lighting without having to all-in through Hue’s more expensive ecosystem, then they’re great options.
It also revealed two new lights that pair well with the sync box. The gradient floor light (£79.99/$89.99) is a slim plug-and-play unit with wide beam angles designed to throw rich color washes into walls and corners.
The Gradient Light Bar (£54.99/$59.99) offers multi-color segment lighting in a compact design that can be mounted vertically or horizontally.
Both lights support music and video synchronization and are compatible.
Like the Wiz HDMI sync box with TV Backlight, both will be on sale in May.
