I have 2 sets of HUE play, it’s great.
For many of you wondering how to get the HUE SYNC (pc and mac) to work with things like ROKU (Netflix), gaming consoles (PS4, Xbox, Switch)...etc etc, let me walk you through this extensive process of making it happen along with the devices you’ll need:
******5/2/2019 UPDATE******
(If you get confused, grab a piece of paper and draw it out lol)
1) HDCP2.2 HDMI Splitter with at least 2 Outputs
(Look for splitter that has auto step down to 1080 from 4K for second output)
If your TV is 4k, then make sure the Splitter you get is 4k and HDCP2.2 ready. It must say HDCP 2.2 and not just 4K or HDCP1.4 in the description of the splitter! As For input side, you only need the amount of devices that you have (no you shouldn’t run multiple splitters into one splitter). For me, I have all of my devices going into my AVR, so I just need 1 input with 2 outputs HDMI Splitter (1x2). If you have just a ROKU, then that’s what you need. If you have ROKU and a XBOX/PS4, then you’ll need a HDMI switch that has 2 inputs and 2 outputs (2x2). No matter how many input you need, you must have 2 outputs and the second output has the feature to convert 4K to 1080. This is not a feature you need if your TV is 1080p, but very important for the 4K people because it’ll save you a lot of headache in adjustments.
2) HDMI to USB Video Capture Device
Most HDMI video capture only captures 1080p, there’s absolutely no reason for 4K just for HUE Sync if you are simply trying to pick up the color from the video capture. Connect the video capture device to the Output 2 of the HDMI splitter on one side via HDMI cable, and the USB side connect it to your PC/Mac.
3b) STOP!
Before doing anything else, download the Philips Hue smartphone app, and connect the lights you want to sync with your TV to the Hue Bridge first. Update everything and make sure it’s ready BEFORE you setup with the HUE Sync software on the PC/MAC.
3c) On your PC/MAC, download “OBS Studio”, install the driver/software. I’m running Windows 10 here, so I don’t know if it will work with Chromebook or any other OS. With the OBS Studio software, what I did in the setting is to make sure the canvas screen is set to 1080 so the screen ratio of the video capture is correct. You don’t need high frame rates and you don’t need high resolution here! Lower left side of the OBS Software you’ll see the sources box, select + and select OEM Video capture. Set the PREVIEW screen to full screen, and make sure there’s no black cutoff portions.
4) HUE SYNC
Install HUE Sync, there’s plenty of YouTube video telling you how to setup the HUE Sync on your computer, so just go ahead and do that and you’re good to go. What I did do is turn off music sync, intensity to subtle. NOTE: Under Settings/General-Preference/Background-lightning: Turn off background lighting. It messes with the HUE Sync with this low white light when the same section of the display is showing black.
Optional: I bought a mini windows PC to run as a dedicated TV PC. Please install a CCleaner and run it automatically at start up so you won’t ever see the infamous Windows “slowing down” issues. In the HUE SYNC PC software, you can set specific buttons on the keyboard to start Syncing. I have to say, that I did end up buying 3 different mini PC and returned two of them because they simply can’t power 4K without freezing. I ended up getting a MSI cube n with a 5000N processor with 8GB ddr4 ram. I changed resolution down from 4K to 2048x1152, and refresh rate to 60Hz. It runs very smoothly all day without issue.
If you do all of this correctly, you now can watch or play everything on your TV and enjoy HUE Play, regardless of the source.
Remember to check your 4k setting in your Xbox/PS4 pro/ROKU to make sure it’s able to output 4K on your 4K tv. If the splitter you use or any parts you use besides the video capture is NOT HDCP2.2, you will not be able to watch 4K. If you force 4K output on your ROKU, it may work but the video capture will show a black screen. Make sure your HDMI are at least 2.0, amazon’s cable works fine, there’s no benefit with more expensive HDMI cables.
I’ll take my 2 cents, thanks.
| Brand | Philips Hue |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Material | Acrylic |
| Style | 1-Pack with Plug |
| Light fixture form | Ceiling |
| Room Type | Living Room |
| Product Dimensions | 9.97"L x 1.74"W x 1.41"H |
| Specific Uses For Product | Home |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Special Feature | Color Changing |
| Control Method | Voice |
| Light Source Type | LED |
| Number of Light Sources | 1 |
| Voltage | 240 Volts |
| Light Color | Hue White |
| Included Components | 1x Philips Hue Play White & Color Ambiance Bar Lights, Black, 1x Power Supply |
| Lighting Method | LED |
| Item Weight | 1.4 Pounds |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Wattage | 6.6 watts |
| Controller Type | Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, nest |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Connectivity Protocol | Wi-Fi |
| Brightness | 530 Lumen |
| Mounting Type | Floor Mount |
| Shade Color | White |
| Fixture Type | Non Removable |
| Assembly Required | No |
| Model Name | Hue Play |
| Manufacturer | Signify North America Corporation |
| Part Number | 7820130U7 |
| Item Weight | 1.43 pounds |
| Item model number | 7820131U7 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | Base Kit - 1 Pack |
| Pattern | Base Kit |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Plug Format | A- US style |
| Special Features | Color Changing |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 2 years. |
