Sep 15, 2020
Active Ambient Lighting with Phillips Hue Lights
Around a year ago, Philips released the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box for 229.99 I’m assuming this is global pricing S & D as we know it. Those of us who are Social Economic and Bus 101 Supply and Demand in tech can fluctuate if there’s no Supply. Though it’s a tough price to pay for Thanksgiving's Day and Christmas Period viewing; sharing new visual and entertaining movies for Family and Friends.
There has to be an alternative to buying an expensive box as a trick pony for eye-popping visuals especially the movie is the first time viewing. Sort of how we migrated from 1080p to 4K really not missing much it’s the content that counts. (I’m quite sure a knock-off is on its way as long as DRM does not get in the way. More on this later).
While I’m a big fan of android TV or Google TV as it was called almost ten years ago don’t quote me. I decided to search the google play store for a Philips hue app that can recreate the same synchronize lighting display for my YouTube and movie viewing pleasures. I came across an APP called Hue Stream there were plenty others this one had the name Stream in it. Its creator must like working with Tech companies API to pull this one off. I’m using an NVidia shield TV 2nd Gen with the same processor as the 1st just smaller body frame. I’m sure this app can download to any modern android TV set-top box.
Once opened there’s a setup screen for connection to the Phillips Hue Bridge this only works with 2nd Gen Hue Bridges glad I waited until this tech have improved dramatically. A new bridge would fetch you 50$ now your global location may vary. Now both the Hue Bridge and NVidia shield (Android-TV) must be on the same Wi-Fi/Ethernet network in your home to enable perfect connection for both. Pressing the button on the top right will find the bridge and finalized sync by pressing the button on the Bridge. The rest of the menu in the Hue Stream is straight forward placement preview that all depends on how many lights are on display around your viewing area the more lights the more intensity you can make your viewing pleasures more exciting. For example, color sensitivity can be more relaxed on what you’re viewing whether it’s viewing gaming on twitch or YouTube and watching personal movies on a thumb drive or on your network. Now back to the question of DRM. The Hue Stream does not work with Netflix and other paid streaming APPs I’m sure there are other ways around it but this DEMO it’s not going to work for us as of now. This video shows how I set up the hue stream with my NVidia Shield TV and Ipad.
These are the lights I have around my active viewing setup.
Philips — Hue Play White & Color Ambiance Smart LED Bar Light (2-Pack)
Philips — Hue White & Color Ambiance LED Starter Kit — Multicolor
Philips — Hue Play Starter Kit — Black
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