The biggest downside to the Sync Box is some of its technical specs: It will output 4K, but is limited to 60Hz and HDR10. (Its HDMI spec is listed as 2.0b with HDCP 2.2.) Once all plugged in you just load the Hue app and add them as you would with any other Hue bulb. Once added, add them to a room and then you can add them to an entertainment area. To use Hue sync you need an entertainment area set up, here you can position each of the Hue play bar lights as they are positioned behind your TV. Read our guide here to setting up Hue Entertainment areas via the app.

That said, the constant glow on every show, movie, or onscreen content could be distracting depending on if you keep the lighting effect on all the time.

I love Hue lights and these are great, they are designed really well, nicely built and the light effects are really good. While the Philips Hue Play light bars clearly have a variety of uses, let’s focus for now on how they function as bias lighting for a TV. For this particular setup, I set the light bars horizontally behind my set, which managed to throw a relatively large swath of light on the wall.

If you've already got a few Philips Hue bits and pieces in your smart home, then the Philips Hue Play Gradient Light Strip is a bit of a no-brainer option. That's because it works brilliantly alongside Hue bulbs, and it requires the use of the Philips HDMI Sync Box to work correctly with your TV content. The Sync Box creates bursts of color during explosions and dramatic ambiance during tense scenes is unlike other things people do to enhance the movie watching experience. Adding pricey rear speakers, a sub, or other things to a TV area might not even be as worthwhile as adding a Sync Box would. The effect the Hue Play Box creates is stunning and makes certain movies and shows really fun to watch. It will engage you in a way that should delight most people. The setup was simple enough for anyone who already owns Hue lights and feels comfortable unplugging an HDMI cable or two. This box draws no attention to itself and is all about the presentation it creates.The light bars themselves are well designed and built, the base of them have a rubber angled base so they are titled towards a wall to shine up against, ideal for use on a desk or table top if they are not mounted. One thing that stands out is the light itself, it is well diffused so there is no sign of any of the LEDs inside, unlike the Hue Light strip where the LEDs are obvious and isn’t really diffused at all. Although Hue Sync is a cool app, it only works with content that comes from your Windows or Mac PC and doesn't work with content streamed directly to your smart TV, nor does it work with Blu-ray players and gaming consoles. Installation and Performance So the Philips Hue Play Light bar has landed, lights that are designed specifically with Hue sync in mind, the Philips app that syncs on-screen action and music with your lights. Philips Hue Play Review Are they worth it? Yes and no, if you are into gaming then yes, they certainly add a new dimension. If you want to use them on the big screen for watching films on Netflix or with your TV, then not at the moment, until there is official support making it easier to work with these services it doesn’t seem worth it. Since I went with the lights to complement my room lighting and desk setup, I utilized the included stands to place both lights in a vertical position on each side of my monitor. The plain, thin, design makes the lights look like speakers on my desk and doesn't scream "smart connected lighting", which is exactly what I was trying to avoid. The lights "face" the wall behind my desk, and when illuminated, they give off just the right amount of light, and do not cause any visual distractions.