Smart Man Cave | Phillips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box and Gradient Light strip Set Up
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I always wanted a light strip behind my TV to create an experience for my Man Cave. One day, the Phillips Hue Play Sync Box popped up on my Youtube recommended feed. I watched some videos on it and thought this was perfect for my needs and even more than I initially wanted. I'd need to connect to a Phillips light strip, and my gaming experience would go to the next level! At a price tag of $250, I decided to hold off a little. Then naturally, when I was ready to make the purchase, it was sold out everywhere and completely marked up on places like eBay. So, I had to wait even longer, and boy, it was worth the wait.
A few months later, Phillips came out with the Gradient Lightstrip specially made go to behind the TV with an even better lighting experience. They came out with three different sizes (55', 65', and 75'). They're on the pricey side, but after watching the reviews on YouTube, it was time to make it happen.
After a few more months of waiting for the product to become available, it was time to get this party started. The first items I got were the Sync Box and a regular light strip (to go under the entertainment center). The size of the box was smaller than I thought it'd be. I was able to hide it behind the doors in my entertainment center. Getting the Sync Box installed and set up was an easy experience. It was straightforward, and the setup was complete in the Phillips Hue and Hue Sync Apps. Then I connected my Playstation 5 to one of the HDMI inputs and connected the HDMI output to my TV, and I was off and running.
After that was set up, it was time for the main event. It was time for the 65' Gradient Light Strip installation! The installation was easier than I thought it was to be. It looked super simple on the YouTube videos I watched. I had an idea of how it was going to work. There are five connector clips you stick (double-sided 3M tape) on the back of the TV. The light strip going through those connectors, and you plug in the power outlet. That's it! In the Hue Sync App, the gradient light strip shows, and you can make adjustments for the lights in the room and location. It helps the Sync Box control the lights to what's being displayed on the screen at the moment. The gradient strip can't adjustment because it's already in the correct location on the back of the TV. However, the strip light under the entertainment center needed to be relocated to the correct location.
Set up is complete, and it was time to enjoy the show! The whole Sync Box experience has been a bundle of joy for my late-night video gaming sessions. It was worth every penny spent, and it's added personal value to my “Smart Man Cave”. At the end of the day, that's what matters most to me.
Check out the other videos in the “Smart Man Cave Series”.
