Philips Hue Lighting - owners thread

[AB]

B17NNS said:

The GU10's are useful but you don't really need colour changing for those, just dimming.

You clearly haven't discovered the firework setting within the OnSwitch app, along with sound

[Steve_W]

Quick question for anyone with the Hue Tap Switch.

As I understand, it can control 4 different options/settings?

So, if we had the following 3 groups of GU10 ambience ceiling lights in our kitchen/diner:

1 - Dining ceiling
2 - Kitchen ceiling
3 – Worktop-focused task lighting

Could I use a tap switch to turn each one of those groups on (say, tap 1, 2, and 3) and then use tap 4 to turn all off?

[Scott W]

You should be able to do that mate. You would have scenes setup that would control which lights are on and which ones are off. The first tap would call Scene 1, the next tap would be Scene 2 and so on.

We have this setup up on two Hue Dimmers and I can show you how it works on Saturday.

[Steve_W]

Thanks Scott - just need the bulbs and tap switch first!

[Scott W]

It might be cheaper (and this is what we've done) to get the dimmer and white bulb combo. We have the white bulbs used as outside lights that come on with sunset or if motion (triggered by our Ring doorbell) is detected between certain times.

Then the dimmers are used in the kitchen, hallway and landing as ways to control scenes for each respective area. Plus, IMO the dimmers look better than the tap.

[ecsrobin]

Hue V2 hub is down to £25.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Personal-Wireless...

[s2kjock]

How easy are these to set up and use if you are not tech savvy?

I am thinking of getting them for my folks who can just about use a laptop and smartphone for basic stuff, but would struggle with (for instance) installing and setting up a smartphone app. They would just want basic on and off, so no dimming or fancy colours.

I could set up for them, but could I adjust it remotely using my smartphone, and can they be used as normal with light switches if the tech proves too much?

[B17NNS]

s2kjock said:

They would just want basic on and off, so no dimming or fancy colours.

Doesn't get much more straightforward than an existing light switch for plain old on and off.

If you don't intend to use Hue for the things it's good at then it wouldn't really serve much purpose.

[s2kjock]

I think they would use it for voice control (ie turn on a series of lights in a room at the same time, corner lamps instead of main ceiling light etc), plus on at dusk/off during day as well as random security type switching.

[TartanPaint]

I tried one one of the basic white "innr" bulbs from Amazon. It seems ok, had no problem adding it using the Hue app, and it seems to be working fine with SmartThings routines too.

At £10 each (in the 2x pack) I think I'll get a few more for garage/shed type use.

[B17NNS]

s2kjock said:

I think they would use it for voice control (ie turn on a series of lights in a room at the same time, corner lamps instead of main ceiling light etc), plus on at dusk/off during day as well as random security type switching.

The you're into getting an echo dot (or a few of them) as well so they'll need to be willing to get to grips with the apps and associated Alexa skills.

Maybe do one room for them to see how they get along with it.

If you're just after white the Hive kit is a lot cheaper than Hue.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hive-Active-Light-Starter...

[JimbobVFR]

TartanPaint said:

I tried one one of the basic white "innr" bulbs from Amazon. It seems ok, had no problem adding it using the Hue app, and it seems to be working fine with SmartThings routines too.

At £10 each (in the 2x pack) I think I'll get a few more for garage/shed type use.

I've also got some innr bulbs which I'm happy with. However in my experience the innr bulbs don't have as good a range as the genuine ones so I'd suggest testing the ones you have before purchasing more for the garage and shed.

I've seen speculation that the mesh network that Zigabee uses might only be between same brand bulbs, I have a Philips bulb that was shielded from the hub by the boiler and cupboard full of copper pipes, adding another Philips bulb on the landing sorted this bulb out, the previous innr bulb on the landing didn't help.

Edited by JimbobVFR on Tuesday 12th December 19:22

[LeadFarmer]

Anyone know of any physical shops selling the BC to ES (bayonet cap to Eddison screw) light fitting adapters? Ive ordered some from ebay but Id like to grab a few before they arrive.

I got a very good deal on the Philips Hue starter pack, but they are screw in bulbs, but I need bayonet.

Edited by LeadFarmer on Tuesday 12th December 16:21

[sgrimshaw]

LeadFarmer said:

Anyone know of any physical shops selling the BC to ES (bayonet cap to Eddison screw) light fitting adapters? Ive ordered some from ebay but Id like to grab a few before they arrive.

I got a very good deal on the Philips Hue starter pack, but they are screw in bulbs, but I need bayonet.

Edited by LeadFarmer on Tuesday 12th December 16:21

Maplin sell them.

If you've an Ikea close though, they are much cheaper (and nicer) in there:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/lighting/light-...

[ecsrobin]

All my adaptors come from ikea. Dirt cheap and I can get daim bar chocolate and meatballs.

[ceebmoj]

B17NNS said:

ceebmoj said:

Would be interested to see how you get on with the motion detector i could do with one in the hall.

Does any one know how to apply a difrent light profile at night. I.e. if i stuble in at mumble mumbel time in the morning it would be great if the oh was not wokken by the laser like ilumination as i do my best ninjer impersination trying to get in to bed.

Could probably do something like this with IFTTT.

The hue stuff work much better than ITTT you get a several profiles.

im strugeling a bit with ITTT and you d and terms? i.e. telly on and lights to a profile?

[B17NNS]

Hue colour starter kit (3 bulbs and bridge) down to £100 (you need to buy an echo too, also reduced to £70).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077LSRNZG?th=1

[djdest]

Am I right in thinking someone posted a link somewhere regarding a sound to light type device for hue devices?
We have a lightstrip that is behind the tv and unit which would be excellent for PS4 and films if it reacted to what was on screen.

I know it’s possible with 3rd party apps but I don’t want to have to mess around with those

[Scott W]

Philips have actually opened this functionality up to a number of third-party developers to work on. Take a look at their blog post here and you'll see them explain their plans.

[theboyfold]

ceebmoj said:

Would be interested to see how you get on with the motion detector i could do with one in the hall.

Does any one know how to apply a difrent light profile at night. I.e. if i stuble in at mumble mumbel time in the morning it would be great if the oh was not wokken by the laser like ilumination as i do my best ninjer impersination trying to get in to bed.

You can do this in the app




I have it setup so my boys can use the loo at night and don't get blinded and as they are too short to reach the light pull, they don't have to do it in the dark.