The Play Bars use the same Hue Android and iOS app as the Hue Lily Outdoor Spot Lights, the Hue White Ambiance Being Ceiling Light, and other Hue lights. The Hue Play Bars delivered rich colors and a nice range of white color temperatures in my tests. So you need the bridge to do anything with them. Youll need a Hue Bridge for the lights to work, however, while the Hue Plays ability to sync with the TV in your living room is hobbled by its reliance on mirroring the image on your computer. The bars are neater and if in black easier to hide from the eye. Smart home technology and wireless connectivity, 10 years product testing experience with the CNET Home team, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Use the Hue dimmerswitch, motion sensor, and other smart accessories tocontrol the light bars. That's why I tend to like the Philips Hue Play light bars and the kid-friendly, battery-powered Philips Hue Go fixture a little bit better than the bulbs. 530 Lumens. Despite a high price tag, the starter kit doesn't come with the mandatory Hue Bridge. Free delivery for many products! *. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking. If you need to reset your bulbs, then read our guide on how to reset your bulbs without a bridge here. Copyright 2023 IDG Communications, Inc. Integrates with the comprehensive Philips Hue ecosystem. Don't worry, we're here to help. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/philips-hue-play-light-bar. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. (Anything much warmer or cooler than 6500K, which is a standard used across the video industry for what the color white should look like, can distort the colors on your screen.) I got a huge kick out of blasting Dregs on Destiny 2s Tangled Shore with my controller rumbling, my PC speakers cranked, and the Hue Play popping with every muzzle flash. I have to mention I was a newbie to the Hue ecosystem and therefore did not have a bridge (and didnt think of ordering one.) The play bars aren't Bluetooth enabled. My IFTTT applet to have the Play Bars light up when a Nest Cam IQ camera detected motion worked perfectly, as did my Alexa voice commands to turn the bars on and off. Supports multiple voice command platforms. While the Philips Hue Play light bars clearly have a variety of uses, lets focus for now on how they function as bias lighting for a TV. Will this work without the HDMI box just using the Sync app on PC and Hue Bridge? Once your Phillips Hue bulb has been discovered you can select it and assign a name. The Philips Hue Play Bar offers some of the best color reproduction around (minus that pesky dark green), and is bright enough for most scenarios. I ended up picking a Hue Play Bar Starter Kit, which also included the most important piece of the puzzle, the Hue Hub (opens in new tab). Once you set up your Philips Hue bulbs with the app, you can then connect them to your Alexa and Google devices. So depending on your set up, where your power socket is, how large the TV is, there isnt a lot of cable to get from the power socket, up to the TV and into position. The Bluetooth bulbs do work with a Hue bridge too, so if you get one in the future you can continue to use them, however the Bluetooth bulbs are the perfect and easiest way to use Hue without . Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. RELATED: How to Get the Most Out of Your Philips Hue Lights. Overall they are another great addition to the Hue eco system, however to maximise there use and potential the key needs to be found to link them to your TV and streaming services. Lay it on the floor, let it stand on the cabinet or mount it on the back of the TV and paint your wall with light. Easy to set up and ready to integrate with your other Philips Hue smart lights, the Hue Plays attractive bias lighting can help improve your TVs picture while easing eye strain, or you can use it in tandem with your computer display for synchronized lighting effects. We take a look at the Philips Hue Play, what you get, how it works and if it is worth buying. The plug transformer has sockets for 3 lights to be plugged in, this set comes with two, you can buy an individual light that doesnt come with the plug which would just plug in to make up the 3 lights. Philips Hue lights are a creative way to enhance any room with smart accent lighting. Now head to the . The maximum brightness for all three models is 1,100 lumens. All Rights Reserved. Have ordered mine, have ordered a 3rd to go across the top too. At $60 and $80 per light respectively . If you already have a Philips Hue Bridge, the Philips Hue Play makes for a nifty way to add bias lighting to your home theater setup, or (even better) as a responsive bias light for your computer monitor. You can change the name of your bulbs by tapping the Settings icon in the bottom-right corner of the app. You can also put them behind your computer monitor (I used the vertical mounting brackets for that purpose), or artfully arrange them near any wall or surface that needs a bright swath of color. How can I mount the Philips Hue Play light bar behind my TV? The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Choose from 16 million colors to experience different light effects. That includes behind your TV or computer, where they'd be a decent fit for Hue Sync, the free software that links your lights with whatever's playing on your screen. Tap "Create Area" at the bottom. With a directional design that draws attention to the pool of light that these fixtures cast instead of drawing it to the fixtures themselves, the Play light bars offer an interesting change from the usual bulb-based Philips Hue approach. A light on the front of the Bridge will blink repeatedly. The Philips Hue Play light bars are well designed and easy to mount in a variety of ways, making them a good fit for spots where bulbs aren't an option. This item Philips Hue Play PC Gaming Starter Kit (2 Play Bars, Hue Bridge, 6ft Lightstrip), Sync Lights with PC Monitor, Music, and Games Philips Hue Play White & Color Smart Light, 2 Pack Base kit, Hub Required/Power Supply Included (Works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit & Google Home), Black, Base Kit - 2 Pack Once all plugged in you just load the Hue app and add them as you would with any other Hue bulb. https://hueblog.com/2021/01/08/hue-play-lightbar-has-received-bluetooth-as-a-silent-update/. This base kit provides 2 light points and power supply. Since I went with the lights to complement my room lighting and desk setup, I utilized the included stands to place both lights in a vertical position on each side of my monitor. They are big, so maybe seen, depends how you plan to use and fit them. You can also create IFTTT applets to have the bars interact with other IFTTT-enabled devices and view a list of third-party apps you can use to control them. Place or mount beneath a TV to cast a blend of colorful light. A smart home gadget addict and also enjoys the odd bit of DIY, Join for Hue Inspiration, Latest News & Great Deals. Philips Hue Lights: 2 E12 Bulbs (Ikea rice paper lamp shade helps with these), 3 Light Bars, 1 HDMI Sync Box, and 1 Hue Bridge TV: 77 inch OLED LG, the CX series I wish I can find a gradient strip. Add Hue Bridge to unlock more; 29.99. Use the Explore button to find out about controlling the Play Bars with Amazon Alexa, Microsoft Cortana, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant voice commands, and how to make them work with other smart home platforms including SmartThings, Vivint, Logitech Harmony, and Nest. So you need the bridge to do anything with them. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. To set up your Philips Hue bulbs, screw them into a light socket and download the Philips Hue Bluetooth app. The bulbs are dimmable and rated to last up to 25,000 hours. In this guide we look at the different ways to set up and use Hue in your home without a bridge. When asked tap . That said, this feature works with any other hue lights and I have used a hue go until I purchased the bars. Like any Hue color light, Play can . First, I borrowed the settings of the Energize Hue theme, a color and brightness preset that comes reasonably close to the 6500K color temperature recommended by video experts for TV bias lighting. HelloTech editors choose the products and services we write about. Compact design, full light experience. Free shipping for many products! Overview. Of course, the Play Bar does require the Philips Hue Hub for things such as turning them on and off, dimming, and changing colors, but if you are in the market for colorful lighting, then you should already be looking in the direction of Hue. That sounds more realistic to me. Any purchases that you have or will make really help support my channel. Your email address will not be published. Why does Philips Hue not offer replacement parts? So needless to say, I lost a little color in my life when making the transition. If you are adding more than one bulb, select Add Another. No Time To Go To The Gym? Note: If you are not able to connect your Philips Hue bulbs to Google Home, try moving your Google smart speaker close to your bulbs. HelloTech Provides Help, Installation, Setup and Repair, How to Set Up Philips Hue Without a Hue Bridge, Save $99 on eero Pro 6 + Install. If you want to go the bias lighting route for your TV or PC monitor, you can attach the Play Bar around the back using the provided mounting clips which utilize double-sided tape. They give a good clear glow and as said before they are well diffused so there is no sign of any LEDs like on a light strip. Hue HIIT is the best app for High Intensity Interval Training and features compatibility with Philips Hue Devices, like bulbs or play bars, guiding you via color changes according to exercise or res Philips recommends moving your device within 3 feet of the bulb, so it can connect. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Please refresh the page and try again. They come with small screws that attach the mount to the light using a small included Allen key. BRING THE MOVIE THEATER TO YOUR HOME: Choose from 16 million colors, including warm to cool white light, to create an ambiance to suit every mood. Additional light bars cost $60 (65) each. Then follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account and discover your bulbs. Community question of the week: How do you create your own scenes? Christopher spends most of his time writing and dreaming about all things HomeKit and the Home app. This all adds up to the Philips Hue line having rock solid reliability and extremely fast response times, which is exactly what I am seeing with the Play Bar. EXPAND YOUR SMART HOME EXPERIENCE: Philips Hue Play Light Bar requires Hue Hub (sold separately) for full smart lighting experience; up to 25,000 hours of life. Mike is the founder of Hue Home Lighting, a huge Hue fan with far too many lights, covering home and garden. At its longest, the Play Bar comes in around 10 inches in length, and sits at about 1.7 inches wide, which makes it easy to fit into most spaces without a stand. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 E26 LED Smart Bulb, Bluetooth & Zigbee Compatible (Hue How to Install a Nest Learning Thermostat, How to Set Up Routines on Your Alexa Devices, How To Use Alexa Guard to Monitor Your Home for Free, How to Create Custom Scenes for Philips Hue Smart Lights. I installed floating shelves behind my sofa and placed the light bars on the shelves. But before I start, here is a glimpse of the Hue Lightbar. By the way, the Play Lightbar is not the only product where Philips Hue clarifies the Bluetooth thing in this way. The stands and mounts do not need to be used, the bars can be placed on a flat surface without the need for a mount. Rather than tapping Search, you now need to tap Add serial number, then enter the six . I was under the impression that I could actually sync these with my tct, but just like regular Hue products, this is only possible through Hue sync. Ensure you have the Philips Hue Bluetooth app downloaded. Each bar measures 10.0 inches long, 1.4 inches high, and 1.7 inches wide, and has a white translucent lens covering, a rubberized base with three mounting holes, and a 78-inch power cable. Hi, I was wondering if I can change the hue play bar colors on the app without needing the bridge? If you buy a dimmer switch with a Hue bulb in the pack then they already come connected, so out of the box the Hue dimmer will control the bulb once fitted. Whether it is installing smart light switches, testing the latest door locks, or automating his households daily routines, Christopher has done it all. This base kit provides 2 light points and power supply. Do we expect Thread to be added with a firmware update? The Philips Hue Play kit makes for a nifty, if expensive, way to add bias lighting to your TV or PC monitor. The fun part of the setup process is deciding which Philips Hue lights you'd . With the Philips Hue Play Lightbar, the focus is on the entertainment functions, such as the synchronisation of the computer screen. Philips hue home assistant without bridge. You can also tap Lights on the Devices page and select a bulb to change its color and brightness. Select options. You then get two pairs of different stands, one is upright, the other flat. SKU: PHUELGHBAR. Hue. Pair it with the Philips Hue bridge (sold separately) then place it almost anywhere to create unique lighting experiences you can control with your smartphone, tablet, Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit, or Google Home. Wonderful! Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Smart Play Light Bar Dual Pack Black IP20. The Hue Play lights look pretty good behind a PC gaming setup -- and they can sync up with games like Overwatch. Too bad, but i have to send them back now. The means to using them via your TV still isnt here other than using Hue Sync via a computer like you say. E POSSIBBILE? Next, set up your account and follow the onscreen instructions. Its a cumbersome setup, to say the least, and I noticed a slight but distracting lag as the Hue Play light bars struggled to stay in sync with the colors on the screen. Maybe in ten years hue light bars will come with a bluetooth update. - Learn about Philips - Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip 75" with 5 Answers - Best Buy. If you are adding more than one bulb, select Add Another. Tint Globeform: Extra bright E27 lamp with 1,520 lumens, New outdoor products from Innr are available now, Philips MyCreation: Create your own ceiling lights from the 3D printer, Major update: The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box finally gets better, Philips Hue working on luster bulbs with colour, Philips Hue Go Portable: Portable table lamp is now available in Europe. Attached them to the back of you monitor or computer to create lighting effects when used with the Hue Sync App, they can also be used as lights in your home or office just like other Hue lamps. Locate the reset button, which is recessed beneath a small hole. Nature video showing the deep blue and strong colors. Connect it to Hue Bridge for full smart experience. Then go to Set up device > Set up new devices > Light bulb > Set up. Thanks. TechHive helps you find your tech sweet spot. . In 2019 Philips released Hue bulbs with Bluetooth built in, this connection instantly removes the need for the Bridge. Another option is to use one of the two pairs of plastic mounting brackets, which you can easily attach to the light bars using the included screws and an Allen wrench. You can also place the Play Bars behind your monitor while gaming to have them change colors that match the action. 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