Philips Hue Sync TV App for Samsung TVs Gets Subscription Option and Music Mode

[MacRumors]

Philips Hue parent company Signify today announced an expanded relationship with Samsung, bringing the Philips Hue Sync TV app to additional countries, adding a Music Mode, and introducing a monthly subscription option.

As of last year, Samsung TV owners have been able to download a Philips Hue Sync app that allows Samsung smart TVs to be linked to HomeKit-connected Hue bulbs and lighting products. With the integration, content played on Samsung TVs is synced to the lighting in the room.

When the feature launched, it was priced at $130 for Samsung TV owners, but starting this spring, there will be a lower-priced subscription option. Customers can choose to pay a monthly fee of $2.99 to use the Hue Sync app on up to three TVs, or a one-time fee to unlock it on a single TV. The Philips Hue Sync TV app is launching in Brazil, Hong Kong, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, so Samsung TV owners in those countries can use the functionality.

On compatible 2024 Samsung TV models, there is a new Music Mode option that allows the lights to react to the audio of what's playing on TV rather than the content of the screen. It is compatible with any music played on the TV, and will also be coming to Samsung TVs made in 2022 and 2023 later this year.

For those without Samsung TVs, the $250 Hue Play HDMI Sync Box paired with a streaming device like an Apple TV is the only way to get TV content that's synced to lights, so the Samsung TV app provides a simpler solution for those who have Samsung TVs.

The Philips Hue Sync TV app is available for Samsung Q60 series or higher QLED TVs that were made in 2022 or later.

Article Link: Philips Hue Sync TV App for Samsung TVs Gets Subscription Option and Music Mode

 

[Cranslove]

Ffs.. yet another subscription based model thing for something that should come as a feature.

Now it’s Samsung with Phillips but it wont’t be long till we get to the point where you own an iPhone, subscription based. Like the payment plans they have in the states but then actually never get to own the device.

 

[nicolas_s]

Your light bulb subscription has expired 💀

 

[kiranmk2]

I wish Apple would launch this kind of feature for Apple TV that supported any brand of Homekit-compatible lights.

 

[Mailia]

Ffs.. yet another subscription based model thing for something that should come as a feature.

I had a Philips TV that got the Hue sync feature as a free update a couple of years into my ownership of said TV. I imagine that Philips considers this feature a competitive advantage for their TV lineup and thus charges to use it on non-Philips TVs.

Not that I imagine many people are buying Philips' TVs just because they have built-in Hue sync.

 

[cookiemonster89]

Why the heck only for Samsung? Why not make it availabale on LG and Sony as well? I mean they leave out a lot of the customers right from the start. This is not the smart way if you want to make money, right?

 

[Bearxor]

I wish they would expand this to other TV manufacturers. I would buy this and the light strip for my TCL, but it’s not enough of an advantage to buy a Samsung TV.

But the external solutions by Philips, Govee, and Lytmi leave a lot to be desired.

 

[lucasajackson]

I have the sync box. It's junk... We had to unhook it, because it turns off after 10 minutes. It also does work with some streaming app DRM like Spectrum.

 

[Kylo83]

When can it come to LG

 

[Silver78]

Soon all the smarthome devices will be forced on subscription from google and alexa

 

[ShadowJade]

Even though I have an 80” Samsung, I bought the Hue Sync box for my gradient strip. I also got 1 for my living room TV. It is game-changing graphically. I also got a strip for each of my kids PCs (oddly the app is free for each of them). The only drawback to theirs is that it cannot sync content on 2 devices on the same bridge, so I needed to get a 3ᴿᴰ bridge. One child shares syncing with the living room TV, but we never really use that one except during parties.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Now it’s Samsung with Phillips but it wont’t be long till we get to the point where you own an iPhone, subscription based. Like the payment plans they have in the states but then actually never get to own the device.

This model works quite well in the UK where we usually lease boring German cars, pay a monthly fee (plus the costs of running and keeping it roadworthy), then you hand it back to the finance company after usually 3-5 years.

 

[Jamie0003]

I never understood the purpose of sticking RGB to your TV. It’s distracting and gimmicky, and who in the right mind would pay a subscription for it?

 

[Starflyer]

Does the sync box still only support HDMI 2.0?

 

[Shasterball]

I dunno. This $2.99/mo fee is not going to feel good when I charge them my rate of $850/hr whenever I have to tech troubleshoot it with them. So, they are playing a dicey game!

 

[sw1tcher]

Ffs.. yet another subscription based model thing for something that should come as a feature.

Now it’s Samsung with Phillips but it wont’t be long till we get to the point where you own an iPhone, subscription based. Like the payment plans they have in the states but then actually never get to own the device.

An iPhone subscription plan like the one from Hewlett Packard and their printers. Stop subscribing to ink deliveries and your printer stops working.

 

[whiteashsaturday]

Ffs.. yet another subscription based model thing for something that should come as a feature.

Now it’s Samsung with Phillips but it wont’t be long till we get to the point where you own an iPhone, subscription based. Like the payment plans they have in the states but then actually never get to own the device.

I had Phillips a long while back, and stopped. The issues with blue light alone, messed with my sleep. Samsung TVs are blue light centered to mess with your sleep patterns. People would be wise to avoid these things, but no, they are advertised on MacRumors.... kinda wish it were Mac Related more.

 

[tothemoonsands]

FYI: Don’t buy the current Hue Sync Box.

It suffers from a myriad of issues, including intermittent brief cut-outs, and doesn’t offer 4K/120hz HDMI 2.1 for the latest video game consoles.

There’s been rumors for well over a year that a new 8K (HDMI 2.1) sync box was soon releasing. Pics even leaked from an Amazon listing. But no news yet.

Many Hue costumers, myself included, are frustrated by the lack of update to support HDMI 2.1 given that we are almost to a new gen of consoles.

It’s a horrendous buy at $250 right now. Even on steep sale, I would highly recommend waiting.

 

[jonnysods]

Seriously? A subscription - that's bonkers.

 

[k1121j]

By far the best HomeKit lights. I have 43 of them bulbs, fixtures. Best in response and smoothness, reliability. Also they rely on WiFi.

They are spendy so I tried every other alternative I can find and I’m still sticking with hue.

 

[csdesigns]

FYI: Don’t buy the current Hue Sync Box.

It suffers from a myriad of issues, including intermittent brief cut-outs, and doesn’t offer 4K/120hz HDMI 2.1 for the latest video game consoles.

While I too wouldn't recommend someone purchase the current Sync Box model (at the current price) due to the somewhat dated hw capability, I haven't noted any HDMI handshake issues in well over a year with my setup (which is extremely custom and complex). The issues of the initial fw releases with HDMI handshakes, and especially Dolby Vision (which is still limited – it is just that the limitations are now known and can be easily avoided in most setups), seem to have been ironed out – for me at least.

I never understood the purpose of sticking RGB to your TV. It’s distracting and gimmicky, and who in the right mind would pay a subscription for it?

It can certainly be gimmicky for certain types of content. A serious film drama will not benefit much from bias lighting (IMHO), but a fun poppy movie like Barbie or pretty much any summer blockbuster can feel more immersive. Especially in completely dark rooms. I love gaming with bias lighting enabled. And it helps reduce the strain on my eyes when gaming for long sessions with HDR-capable games. But yeah, a subscription to enable a feature on what are already the most expensive lights on the market in what is considered a premium TV lineup? F' OFF Samsung and Signify!

 

[k1121j]

I wish Apple would launch this kind of feature for Apple TV that supported any brand of Homekit-compatible lights.

i have not seen one light that was responsive enough for this to work besides the hue lights. Not to mention most lights just switch colors and don't fade from one color to another... But yes it would be cool.

 

[k1121j]

I had Phillips a long while back, and stopped. The issues with blue light alone, messed with my sleep. Samsung TVs are blue light centered to mess with your sleep patterns. People would be wise to avoid these things, but no, they are advertised on MacRumors.... kinda wish it were Mac Related more.

what light are you referring to.... Mine hue lights with home kit adaptively change based on the time of day....so its a non issue with blue light

 

[User 6502]

Another subscription I definitely will NOT be getting.

 

[philstubbington]

Your light bulb subscription has expired 💀

I find it hilarious that our Withings bathroom scales want us to take out a subscription.

Mind you the turn indicator subscription for BMW and Audi drivers seems to have a complete failure. Hardly ever seen one indicate…..