Samsung TV Hue Sync App - Ridiculous Price or?

CtrlAltSpoods on 18/01/2023 - 13:50

The 2022 Samsung TV's now have the ability to install the Hue Sync app which changes the ambient lighting to match the colour of the TV, be it applications or HDMI inputs they will match the content on the screen.

Key points about this app
- They are currently charging about $200 AUD for this app.
- Only works on the Samsung TV it was purchased on. (I believe it cannot be transferred)
- The app has a limited supported lifetime (5 years, may or may not work beyond this)
- Communicates via Ethernet/WiFi to Hue Bridge (Faster? I do not know)

Key points about the Sync Box
- Works on any TV
- Doesn't work on built-in TV apps
- Communicates via Zigbee
- Unsure if it can sit between AV Receiver and TV due to eARC requirement (I don't know the HDMI version it uses)

See here for more info: https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/explore-hue/propositions/e…

I'm keen to hear everyone's thoughts on this app, and a have a few questions to throw in while we're here:
Do you think this app is good value?
Do you think it's worth the trade-off to not own the Sync Box but only be able to use it on one TV?
What do you think the chances are to see this apps price reduced in the future?

Does anyone here own a 2022 Samsung TV and is contemplating buying this? (I am keen to hear about real-world performance given that TV's have quite a small resource pool for the apps)

I have recently bought a 75-inch QN90B in the BF sales but think $200 for an app that cannot be transferred is quite steep.

I'm aware that this thread (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/749771) exists, but I want to speak mainly about the price and whether or not it's a good decision to purchase this app.

Poll Options

  • 31
    Yes, it's a ridiculous price
  • 2
    No, it's a great cheaper alternative to the Sync Box
Electrical & Electronics Samsung TV

Comments

  • Keplaffintech on 18/01/2023 - 13:57
    +4

    Really it's a luxury item, so I think it depends on what the $200 means to you. Like any software you're paying for the R&D costs of it not the cost to actually install it to your TV.

    I don't question people who choose to spend thousands on jewelry even though it's technically terrible value.

    • CtrlAltSpoods on 18/01/2023 - 14:08

      This is true; however, they have already completed R&D so the work is done, I believe it could be in their best interests to sell it for maybe $50-100 as they'd have a much larger audience that could justify that price; therefore, profits would be much higher. (Also, this could be a major factor in people choosing a smart light eco-system)

      Maybe they are just testing the waters as this is the first highly priced TV app I have ever heard of.

      • Keplaffintech on 18/01/2023 - 14:34

        they have already completed R&D so the work is done,

        They have to recoup that investment though, and that comes with selling the product.

        • CtrlAltSpoods on 18/01/2023 - 14:49

          But they'd have way more than double the customers at half the price resulting in higher profits.

          • Keplaffintech on 18/01/2023 - 15:12

            @CtrlAltSpoods: maybe you're right, but unfortunately you aren't the one getting paid to make those decisions at Phillips

            fwiw I reckon people who are going to shell out for this will do so regardless of whether it's $100 or $200

  • cheeksahoy on 18/01/2023 - 14:11

    Just installed the Hue Essentials app on my Sony TV last night and paid for the $10 upgrade to use the Sync function. Works well with anything playing on the in built Android TV (that isnt DRM protected).

    • djc on 18/01/2023 - 14:22

      DRM Protection affecting the Hue App? Interesting

      • CtrlAltSpoods on 18/01/2023 - 14:48

        I think the Hue Essentials app works as a fake screen-cast proxy and pulls the colour info from that stream.
        DRM content can't travel through the Android screen-casting feature AFAIK.

        • cheeksahoy on 18/01/2023 - 15:04

          However it works, it works. Is there a reason why this isn't an option for you? I mean, 10 bucks! Unless you plan on using it while watching Netflix, why wouldnt ya?

          • CtrlAltSpoods on 18/01/2023 - 15:32

            @cheeksahoy: What do you use to watch movies and tv shows?
            My understanding is that Netflix, Stan, Disney+ all use DRM?

            • cheeksahoy on 18/01/2023 - 15:44
              -1

              @CtrlAltSpoods: I can't really see myself using the Sync on movies and shows. More for music videos and concerts and other assorted YouTube shenanigans.

              If I did want to do movies and shows, however, I'd install Essentials on my Shield and then pipe that through my HD Fury to strip the DRM.

              If you have your heart on using the streaming services then, yeah, Essentials alone isn't really gonna work for you.

  • djc on 18/01/2023 - 14:21

    My general thoughts:
    * Most TV's processing power isn't great, I'm curious how this will work on lower-end TV. Not sure how poor your TV is? Try Apple TV and you'll realise how slow and janky your TV is, and you won't go back. With Netflix running in the forefront of your TV with the Philips Hue app in the background, I'm sure it will have moments where it will lag terribly. Perhaps, that's why it's not available on every Samsung either, who knows?
    * Not being able to transfer it to another TV on the same Samsung account is a total rip. Imagine if iPhones and Androids worked the same way?
    * $200 is steep, I'm a software engineer myself. Whilst I'm probably underestimating how hard it was to generalise/average a colour from a given set of pixels and broadcast the array of colours to another controller …. wait, that's easy, there's an abundance of ways this can be done in any language from Python, to JavaScript/TypeScript, Go and more. Google it and you'll have the answer within minutes.

    Having said that, if you're not using an external device to make your TV a smart TV (Apple TV, Amazon Firestick, Google etc) then you'll probably want the app.

    As above, both options are first-world problems haha

    DC

    • CtrlAltSpoods on 18/01/2023 - 14:42

      I'm currently using a Chromecast w/ Google TV while I wait for a decent shield or equiv device that supports 4k120.
      I'd uninstalled every app I could on the TV in an attempt to get the performance to be somewhat acceptable. However the Samsung menu/home screen system just appears to be unoptimised garbage filled with bloat that no one cares about. Like seriously, who TF cares about expensive NFT ambient screens?
      (I do wish I could jailbreak it the same way I did on my old LG)

      I can live without the apps working on Hue Sync Box method and I probably would if it weren't for the lack of support for 4k120 and eARC on the Hue Sync box, as I do find the ability to change TV's most appealing.

      Talking about it has made me realise that the app is really my only option for this TV otherwise I'll be sacrificing the some of the very features I bought it for. (eARC and 4k120)

      • spackbace on 18/01/2023 - 14:49
        +1

        I'm currently using a Chromecast w/ Google TV while I wait for a decent shield or equiv device that supports 4k120.

        But there's no movies etc supporting 120Hz, so what does it matter?

        Wouldn't your $200 would be better spent on getting a Shield, and getting the app through that? You just won't have the lighting for console gaming

        • CtrlAltSpoods on 18/01/2023 - 17:26

          My only counter argument to this is that if I'm spending that much on a sync box, I'd expect it to work with the latest technologies like HDMI 2.1, VRR, eARC etc. The thing costs almost as much as a next-gen console but falls short with so many features.
          Even if it still cost $300 I might bite into the temptation but $500 is a bit crazy for what it is.

          Also I like to sometimes utilise SmoothVideo Project to convert some movies/wildlife documentaries to 120fps as I find some of that content really satisfying, I just have to use a laptop currently to watch it on the TV (my fingers crossed for an android/cast device soon that does support 4k120 natively)

          • spackbace on 18/01/2023 - 17:29

            @CtrlAltSpoods:

            Even if it still cost $300 I might bite into the temptation but $500 is a bit crazy for what it is.

            Ah wasn't suggesting to get the sync box, rather the $200 towards a Shield Pro, get the app for that, and live with it as a workaround for a lil while

            After all, the Shield will give you a better 'tv' experience than the stock software

          • Gregors510 on 20/01/2023 - 21:11

            @CtrlAltSpoods: Is there anywhere I can read more about this 120FPS conversion business and maybe test some content out? I just bought a LG CS and would love to have a look

  • ToonarmY on 18/01/2023 - 14:32

    Hue Sync lighting has worked on Philips TVs for years as standard.

    They then released the Hue Sync box to work on none Philips TVs at a ridiculous price.

    Now they are releasing it in an app format, at a similar price to the sync box. Should be cheaper as the box is not needed…

    Then you need to buy the HUE lights which are massively overpriced too.

    I already have the HUE lights and I can't justify the box or the app to get it working. Needs a huge price drop

    • CtrlAltSpoods on 18/01/2023 - 14:45

      I'm in the same situation as you; I already have the lights (Play lights under TV) just frustrating to see the apps major slap-in-the-face price tag.

  • emblurr on 18/01/2023 - 14:38

    I think both solutions are viable. The hue sync hdmi box is minimum $360 (i bought mine off ebay for that much) and the app is $200.

    If i'd bought one of these Samsung TVs and found a good deal for the gradient light (75" was half price a couple of weeks ago) then i
    'd go the app. I'm likely to keep the TV for 6-7 years anyway. After that time who know where it will be. You might be able to download your app purchase on other TVs, a better sync box might finally be available, the app might cost $10 on any TV.

  • joolz50 on 18/01/2023 - 15:57

    If my 2020 85" TV supported the app, I'd buy it, even though I already own the sync box. Why? Purely because it works with anything that is being displayed on TV.

    I'm not concerned about it not being transferable, I don't buy TV's that often, and I'd say most people don't buy a TV more often than once every 5 years. My first TV lasted me 10 years, and it now serves as the TV in the spare room.

  • lint on 18/01/2023 - 17:41

    The only reason it may be reasonable is because it's compared to the insanely expensive Hue Sync box as the alternative option.

    But $200 with only five years of support and not being transferrable to another TV is an absolute joke.

  • Switchblade88 on 18/01/2023 - 21:00

    For comparison, I have a string of 134 LEDs hooked up to an Arduino Nano and a 12v 3A power supply behind my monitor. 100hz refresh rate with display data sent via the Prismatik app.

    Total cost $20 for all parts. Software is open source on Github.

    It'd be nice to have this flexibility on all TVs, as the backlight experience is unparalleled and I won't watch movies or game without it! It's probably not worth $200 if it's not a full kit though.

  • payless69 on 20/01/2023 - 07:22

    Looks like the Samsung CEO got a Bimmer and had to pay an extra subscription to heat his ass.
    Buy an LG and get a real picture!

  • CtrlAltSpoods on 20/01/2023 - 16:00

    Just for awareness, I have an update.

    Curiosity killed the cat, and I did buy the app. However, today I have refunded it.

    My reasoning is that the app just does not live up to the price and for a brand-new TV that is connected with ethernet to the same switch that the hue bridge is on, the noticeable delay really isn't acceptable, and I find it can be rather distracting.

    I've since thrown a spare old 1080Ti into a small HTPC and use the Windows Hue app for free to watch movies and stream games directly from my main rig (Moonlight Software), instead of using the TV App solution or the outdated Hue Sync Box.
    This has much less delay (basically realtime IME) and also supports the music function for the odd party we have.

    Honestly the TV app is extremely basic, it can't even sync to music. It only has movie mode or gaming mode. Really REALLY not worth that hefty $200 price tag.

    Oh well, was a learning experience.

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