- Wiz has launched a new device to compete with Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box
- WIZ HDMI SYNC BOX uses the same technique but is less than half the price
- It comes with an LED light strip and can also be synchronized with extra light
Wiz makes some of the best smart lights for homeowners on a budget, and now it takes the fight to Philips Hue with a new synchronization box that mirrors the colors of your TV screen and mirrors them using a connected light strip or rods.
It’s the same principle as Philips Ambilight Technology, and ‘blur’ the edges on screen for a more immersive movie or gaming experience.
Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is the best Ambilight alternative around today, but it’s also the most expensive. Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K, launched in September 2024, has a list price of $ 349.99 / £ 299.99 (approx. AU $ 520), while the 4K version is $ 249.99 / £ 229.99 (approx. AU $ 390).
That’s before you add the cost of the lights, whether it’s a set of Philips Hue Play light beams, or a gradient light strip to adhere to the back of your TV.
There are several affordable options available from brands like Nanoleaf and Govee, but even the best Ambilight alternatives are struggling to match the performance of the Philips Hue Play system. This is because most budget -friendly color piracy systems use a camera mounted on top of your TV to monitor what appears on the screen, and then repeat these colors.
While this can work well, it often results in more latency than using HDMI and may be affected by reflections and lighting conditions in space. It can break the immersion or even become a distraction.
More immersion, less cash
The new Wiz HDMI Sync Box uses HDMI input instead, eliminating these problems and means there is no need to spend time calibrating the system.
WIZ HDMI SYNC BOX supports HDMI 2.0 and video formats up to 4K, and unlike the Philips Hue Play Sync Box 4K, it comes with a light strip included. To expand the lighting through the rest of your room, you can also pair it with Wiz Gradient Light Bars and Gradient Floor Light.
The WIZ HDMI synchronization box with TV background lighting is available in two sizes. The set to 55-inch to 65-inch TVs is £ 79.99 (approximately $ 110 / AU $ 170), while the version for 75-inch to 85-inch TV is £ 99.99 (approximately $ 130 / AU $ 210).
The smaller set is available now in England and Europe, while the larger set will be sold in September. Prices and liberation dates for the rest of the world have not yet been announced.
We test the Wiz HDMI Sync Box very soon and bring you a full review so you can see how it compares to the more expensive Philips Hue alternative and decides what is the best companion to your home entertainment setup.
