Philips Hue Lighting - owners thread

[dmsims]

Hobnobgti said:

Having some trouble lately with devices at the back of the house. I have two E27 lights outdoors, plus the Welcome floodlight, plus an indoor switch and outdoor sensor. All are occasionally having trouble communicating with the Hue bridge, despite no previous problems. Unfortunately I can't move the bridge to a different location.

I understand the devices can communicate back to the bridge via other Hue stuff. As such if I replace a random bulb in between with a Hue one, should that act as a 'bridge' between everything and fix my problems? Anyone done this before for this situation?

Have you tried changing the Hue Zigbee Channel ?

[JimbobVFR]

Hobnobgti said:

I understand the devices can communicate back to the bridge via other Hue stuff. As such if I replace a random bulb in between with a Hue one, should that act as a 'bridge' between everything and fix my problems? Anyone done this before for this situation?

I had exactly that situation, my bridge is down stairs and my bathroom light and sensor would t work reliably at first. There's the airing cupboard with the boiler directly in between. Swapping the landing bulb for a Hue cured the issue and essentially created a dog-leg path round the boiler.

[twinturboz]

starter kits are on amazon deal of the day today just fyi.

[Hobnobgti]

dmsims said:

Have you tried changing the Hue Zigbee Channel ?

I did not know you could do that...problem solved it appears from an initial test

If not I'll get a single E27 bulb and put that in between

Thanks a lot

[Trevatanus]

Just decorating the bathroom, and thinking, as the Hue light Switch is battery operated, is there any reason I cannot use one in the bathroom and dispense with the light pull?

[dapprman]

Trevatanus said:

Just decorating the bathroom, and thinking, as the Hue light Switch is battery operated, is there any reason I cannot use one in the bathroom and dispense with the light pull?

Nope aside from the risk of battery corrosion due to damp ingress.

[Digger]

Is the Hue bulb suitable for bathroom / high-humidity use?

[dickymint]

Trevatanus said:

Just decorating the bathroom, and thinking, as the Hue light Switch is battery operated, is there any reason I cannot use one in the bathroom and dispense with the light pull?

I use a Hue Sensor in my bathroom but doubt if a Hue light switch would be a problem.

[dickymint]

Digger said:

Is the Hue bulb suitable for bathroom / high-humidity use?

Had three GU10's in my bathroom for about three years.

[JimbobVFR]

Trevatanus said:

Just decorating the bathroom, and thinking, as the Hue light Switch is battery operated, is there any reason I cannot use one in the bathroom and dispense with the light pull?

I've had a Hue Bulb, motion sensor and a dimmer switch in my bathroom for a while now. The bulb and motion sensor have been there since November 2017 and the switch for about 18 months. Still all absolutely fine and on original batteries as well.

[dxg]

A bunch of new lights this morning:

https://www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/news/philip...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3EnQmwh9Pg


I'm interested in the gradient strip, but I already have a couple of Play lights for bias lighting. I've split the HDMI and run the desktop sync to make them react to the screen, but there's just too much lag. But the promise is there...

So, if I want the ambilight effect, it's £160 for the new strip and £200 for the proper Sync box to drive them? Too expensive...

[Russ_H]

dmsims said:

threadlock said:

I've just had a look at Gledopto's Aliexpress site to try and find what I need. The Aliexpress site reminds me of the clusterfk that is Lings Cars.
It seems they only sell individual components? I just don't have the time to try and understand their product range and which things work together at the moment. Once I've installed my kitchen and I get to that stage maybe I'll be in the mood but not right now. I don't need extra problems to solve

LMGTFY

https://www.instructables.com/id/Gledopto-Cheap-Ph...

I've installed a few long runs of RGB and white LED strips both inside and outside and have used this place for the parts - a hell of a lot cheaper than Philips Hue for longer lengths and made to measure applications

https://www.ledspace.co.uk/collections/smart-led-c...
https://www.ledspace.co.uk/products/colourstrip-rg...

[BigBen]

dxg said:

So, if I want the ambilight effect, it's £160 for the new strip and £200 for the proper Sync box to drive them? Too expensive...

I really want the sync box but am waiting for a cyber Monday / prime day offer before ordering. £200 is a bit rich for me. Also slightly annoyed it only has one HDMI output so can work with a projector OR TV

Ben

[ecsrobin]

dxg said:

A bunch of new lights this morning:

https://www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/news/philip...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3EnQmwh9Pg


I'm interested in the gradient strip, but I already have a couple of Play lights for bias lighting. I've split the HDMI and run the desktop sync to make them react to the screen, but there's just too much lag. But the promise is there...

So, if I want the ambilight effect, it's £160 for the new strip and £200 for the proper Sync box to drive them? Too expensive...

Nearly cheaper to buy an ambilight TV.

[dickymint]

ecsrobin said:

dxg said:

A bunch of new lights this morning:

https://www.pocket-lint.com/smart-home/news/philip...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3EnQmwh9Pg


I'm interested in the gradient strip, but I already have a couple of Play lights for bias lighting. I've split the HDMI and run the desktop sync to make them react to the screen, but there's just too much lag. But the promise is there...

So, if I want the ambilight effect, it's £160 for the new strip and £200 for the proper Sync box to drive them? Too expensive...

Nearly cheaper to buy an ambilight TV.

But then you end up with a stty Philips TV



I got lucky and Wifey bought me the real deal last year for my birthday

[Digger]

How are you all controlling Hue when you are at your PC, controlling the lights from your PC. Only just realised there is no native Windows Hue app for Windows 10!

Best free Windows 10 app which includes controlling the basics ?

[dapprman]

Digger said:

How are you all controlling Hue when you are at your PC, controlling the lights from your PC. Only just realised there is no native Windows Hue app for Windows 10!

Best free Windows 10 app which includes controlling the basics ?

I use Huetro for Hue, which is free and works well.

[dickymint]

Digger said:

How are you all controlling Hue when you are at your PC, controlling the lights from your PC. Only just realised there is no native Windows Hue app for Windows 10!

Best free Windows 10 app which includes controlling the basics ?

Google Assistant - not set it up yet as I'm happy to just use Alexa or Siri.

[Digger]

dapprman said:

Digger said:

How are you all controlling Hue when you are at your PC, controlling the lights from your PC. Only just realised there is no native Windows Hue app for Windows 10!

Best free Windows 10 app which includes controlling the basics ?

I use Huetro for Hue, which is free and works well.

Thanks, seems to work well.

[threadlock]

Russ_H said:

I've installed a few long runs of RGB and white LED strips both inside and outside and have used this place for the parts - a hell of a lot cheaper than Philips Hue for longer lengths and made to measure applications

https://www.ledspace.co.uk/collections/smart-led-c...
https://www.ledspace.co.uk/products/colourstrip-rg...

Thank you. I've just about given up on Hue as an option for what I need and had started to look at the non-Hue stuff on Amazon and the Gledopto stuff recommended here, but have struggled to find suppliers offering compatible strips and connectors. LEDSpace seems to do it all, and at comparable prices.

Have you been happy with the quality of the stuff you've bought from them?