Globalmegadiscount Signify, parent company of Philips Hue, has taken the covers off of a more affordable way to immersive TV lighting.
But it’s not another Hue Play HDMI Sync Box that’s been unveiled, instead its sister-brand Wiz getting in on the HDMI smart lighting action.
The new Wiz HDMI Sync Box with TV Backlight, to give it its full meaty moniker, consists of a control box and an LED light strip that sticks on the back of your TV, which work in tandem to create a light show that’s dictated by the visuals on screen.
Launching globally in May, the Wiz HDMI Sync Box delivers these real-time color-matching effects by reading the video signal directly from your HDMI source.
That means your lights will reflect what’s happening on-screen with zero calibration fuss, and no need for an additional camera; you can just plug in your streaming stick, console, or set-top box, and let the lights do their thing.
Instead, it analyzes HDMI input directly (up to 4K at 60Hz with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision) and sends out synchronized color effects to any Wiz lights on the same Wi-Fi network; it’s not just limited to the LED backstrip it ships with.
It also has a built-in mic for syncing with music too.
The box ships with a 3-sided segmented RGBIC LED strip in two sizes: one for 55 to 65-inch TVs and another for larger 75 to 85-inch models.
It offers four sync modes (Cinematic, Vibrant, Relaxation, and Rhythmic), plus manual controls for brightness and saturation via the Wiz app. Voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant are on offer too, along with an optional WiZ remote.
It’s HDMI 2.0 only, so while it can handle 4K and all the major HDR formats, it’s not the best choice if you’re trying to eke out 120Hz gaming on your PS5 or Xbox Series X; if that’s what you’re after then consider the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K, which launched last year… but is 5x the price.
Also, with just a single HDMI input, you’ll need an external switch if you want to hook up 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, due in September), it massively undercuts both Hue Play HDMI Sync Box models.
So they’re a great option if you’re after a budget-friendly way to dabble in immersive lighting without going all-in on Hue’s pricier ecosystem.
Signify also revealed two new lights that pair nicely with the Sync Box. The Gradient Floor Light (£79.99 / $89.99) is a slim, plug-and-play unit with a wide beam angle, designed to throw rich color washes onto walls and corners.
The Gradient Light Bars (£54.99 / $59.99) offer multicolor segment lighting in a compact design you can mount vertically or horizontally.
Both lights support music and video syncing and are Matter compatible.
Like the Wiz HDMI Sync Box with TV Backlight, they both go on sale in May too.
