HomeKit Which app for Philips Hue?

[gigatoaster]

Hello there!

I just bought a Philips Hue bulb and I’m having a lot of fun with it.

Today I’m having only one in my bedroom.

Next week I’m planning to buy the Lightstrip Plus and put it on the TV console.

I’d like to have some recommendations regarding apps: I can’t find any free one and before trying one I’d like opinions of people who may have been satisfied or disappointed by it. Could you share your knowledge your favorite app, please?

Specifically, I’m looking for an app that changes the color on the music & another one that simulate Ambilight but the content is watched from an Apple TV & not a Mac (not sure it exists).

 

[bbednarz]

There is currently not an app that will simulate ambilight from the Apple TV. I really hope that one day they can do this though. Would be awesome. I tried it out by hooking my Mac up to the TV via HDMI and it worked, but it wasn't elegant enough to do long term.

The only app I have ever really used is the Hue Sync app. It is available on Mac and PC. It works super well at syncing lights up to the beat of a song. Its a cool party trick and something to do when you're bored, but not overly useful day to day.

 

[gigatoaster]

Hello there

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

I tried Hue Sync app but because I have a Mac mini, there is no microphone! I'll check if I can get one. Instead of going with the Lightstrip Plus, I'll go with Play Light Bar, as there is no need to sticky-tape it to the console TV. However, it is not available in my country.

I agree that it is just when being bored so maybe it's temporary.

What system do you or did you have and what was the reason for you to stop playing with it?

 

[bbednarz]

Hello there

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

I tried Hue Sync app but because I have a Mac mini, there is no microphone! I'll check if I can get one. Instead of going with the Lightstrip Plus, I'll go with Play Light Bar, as there is no need to sticky-tape it to the console TV. However, it is not available in my country.

I agree that it is just when being bored so maybe it's temporary.

What system do you or did you have and what was the reason for you to stop playing with it?

It took me a bit to understand how the Hue Sync app actually worked. What you need to do is go into the audio settings on the Mac and choose Hue Sync as the audio output source (I think, this is something I haven't done in a few months so my memory is a bit foggy. I just know I needed to go into the audio settings). Like I said, its something cool to play around with on a boring night.