Philips Hue Lighting - owners thread
Discussion
DoctorX said:
I’ve just bought the hue play lights, do I need this box now as well? Matt Cup said:
DoctorX said:
I’ve just bought the hue play lights, do I need this box now as well? I use it with a couple of play lights and it's good. But there is a bit of a delay, which I think is to do with the wifi connection. Can't imagine the Hue box will solve that problem so I'm waiting to see what's what...
Matt Cup said:
DoctorX said:
I’ve just bought the hue play lights, do I need this box now as well? Still might get one for Wifeys Xmas pressie
Can somebody confirm that it works for ‘normal’ tv viewing?
DoctorX said:
Q: I’ve only used the Hue app to control my lights - can I also use a third party app at the same time without affecting my routines etc? If so, any that are recommended? Thanks.
Yes you can, although some of the apps do a much better job with routines and programming than the stock app does anyway. For simply controlling lights any app can be used at any time.I've got 4 different Hue apps including the official one.
Your choice of apps rather depends on what sort of phone you have.
If you have an iPhone I see iConnectHue being recommended often but I'm not an apple user so haven't actually tried it.
If you're an Android user there's a few apps available that I like.
My favourite is Hue Essentials, especially the interface to program Hue accessories like the motion sensor and dimmer switches. Way more options and flexibility than the stock app.
Hue Dynamic is also quite good but takes a different approach to controlling stuff that may or may not suit you.
Finally I use All4Hue. TBH the interface for controlling your lights leaves a bit to be desired but the flexibility offered for creating and editing rules is unsurpassed even if the learning curve is steep. For example I normally program the basics for a dimmer switch using Hue Essentials and then edit the created rules using All4Hue
Matt Cup said:
DoctorX said:
Matt Cup said:
I’ve just bought the hue play lights, do I need this box now as well?
Of course! Reacts to the inputs. 
The app works just as well but is limited to using your PC as a source.
TBH I've recently got an ambilight TV so have no want for the sync box, ambilight has much finer control over individual lights all around the TV, my 55" 3 sided ambilight has 41 individually controlled LEDS but you can also link any other bulbs you have to extend the effect.
JimbobVFR said:
DoctorX said:
Q: I’ve only used the Hue app to control my lights - can I also use a third party app at the same time without affecting my routines etc? If so, any that are recommended? Thanks.
Yes you can, although some of the apps do a much better job with routines and programming than the stock app does anyway. For simply controlling lights any app can be used at any time.I've got 4 different Hue apps including the official one.
Your choice of apps rather depends on what sort of phone you have.
If you have an iPhone I see iConnectHue being recommended often but I'm not an apple user so haven't actually tried it.
If you're an Android user there's a few apps available that I like.
My favourite is Hue Essentials, especially the interface to program Hue accessories like the motion sensor and dimmer switches. Way more options and flexibility than the stock app.
Hue Dynamic is also quite good but takes a different approach to controlling stuff that may or may not suit you.
Finally I use All4Hue. TBH the interface for controlling your lights leaves a bit to be desired but the flexibility offered for creating and editing rules is unsurpassed even if the learning curve is steep. For example I normally program the basics for a dimmer switch using Hue Essentials and then edit the created rules using All4Hue
JimbobVFR said:
Matt Cup said:
DoctorX said:
Matt Cup said:
I’ve just bought the hue play lights, do I need this box now as well?
Of course! Reacts to the inputs. The app works just as well but is limited to using your PC as a source.
TBH I've recently got an ambilight TV so have no want for the sync box, ambilight has much finer control over individual lights all around the TV, my 55" 3 sided ambilight has 41 individually controlled LEDS but you can also link any other bulbs you have to extend the effect.
Matt Cup said:
DoctorX said:
Matt Cup said:
Damn it. That’s what I thought the lights did
They’re still pretty cool. I’ve got those.
) Pretty colours though, I have mine on a colour loop from Hue Labs which constantly changes. Looks great behind TV. Having said that, I couldn’t resist the 3m light strip on half price from Amazon so this will replace the Play Bars which will be relocated somewhere else. Pretty good deals
£31.99 Echo Dot (3rd Gen) + Philips Hue White Smart Bulb Twin Pack LED
£61.99 Echo Dot (3rd Gen) + Philips Hue White & Colour Ambiance Smart Bulb Twin Pack LED
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=echo+dot+3rd+gen+phil...
£31.99 Echo Dot (3rd Gen) + Philips Hue White Smart Bulb Twin Pack LED
£61.99 Echo Dot (3rd Gen) + Philips Hue White & Colour Ambiance Smart Bulb Twin Pack LED
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=echo+dot+3rd+gen+phil...
Think I did alright over Black Friday I got the following for my mother’s house to go with 3 white bulbs that she has:
Hub V2
3 colour bulbs
6 white ambiance bulbs
2 light sensors
Lightstrip plus 1m extension
All for £245
I still need about 15 GU10’s but the house is still in build so without seeing the exact fittings I don’t want to click the button.
I’m also interested in the outside spots (Hue Lily) for her new garden and seen a good deal on amazon this weekend so may go with that.
Hub V2
3 colour bulbs
6 white ambiance bulbs
2 light sensors
Lightstrip plus 1m extension
All for £245
I still need about 15 GU10’s but the house is still in build so without seeing the exact fittings I don’t want to click the button.
I’m also interested in the outside spots (Hue Lily) for her new garden and seen a good deal on amazon this weekend so may go with that.
I just picked up 4 Lilly outdoor lights for 210. Bizarrely the base 3 unit ranged from 235-250 but on amazon they have an option to add a 4th light (which is what I was after) and it dropped the price to 210 for all of them ?
I've only just set them up and there's no leaves to shine the spots on but they are lovely and bright at 100%. Having the colours to play with is cool, it's amazing how a difference in colour affects how the plant looks.
I've only just set them up and there's no leaves to shine the spots on but they are lovely and bright at 100%. Having the colours to play with is cool, it's amazing how a difference in colour affects how the plant looks.
Motion sensor down to £27.95 on amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Indoor-Motion-Sen...
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