I synced my smart lights with my TV - and it blew my mind Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. I synced my smart lights with my TV - and it blew my mind By Anthony Spadafora published 29 August 2022 Gain a new level of immersion by syncing your lights with what's on your screen (Image credit: Future) The right lighting can often make all the difference, which is why the best TVs now feature OLED panels and mini-LED backlighting. However, adding a lightstrip behind your TV can take things up a notch, especially when you're able to sync it with the content being displayed on your screen. Even if you can't sync your lightstrip with your TV, bias lighting - where a light source illuminates the wall behind your TV or monitor - adds a number of benefits such as reducing eye strain. By raising the surrounding light levels without introducing glare, bias lighting increases the contrast of whatever you're watching which makes the picture look better. Another great thing is that it works on any TV, even one of the best budget TVs. If you have the resources for a more expensive lightstrip and a few of the best smart light bulbs though, you can bathe your entire room in colorful light. With a Philips Hue Sync Box, one of the best mini PCs or even a Mac Mini set up in your living room, you can sync your lights with whatever content you're watching for an even more immersive experience. This also works for PC or Mac games but for consoles like the Nintendo Switch, PS5 or Xbox Series X, you will need a Philips Hue Sync Box to pull off this feat of magic. Regardless of what TV you have, this is everything you need to know about mounting a lightstrip behind your TV and syncing it with your favorite TV shows, movies and games. Mounting the lightstrip (Image credit: Future) Although I would recommend mounting any lightstrip this way, I'll be focusing on doing so with a Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus ($90 (opens in new tab), Amazon (opens in new tab)) since we'll be using the company's software on PC or its Play HDMI Sync Box to sync content. In order to get this to work though, you will also need a Hue Bridge which can be purchased separately for $59.99 or with several Philips Hue starter kits. (Image credit: Future) Most lightstrips come with an adhesive backing that you can use to stick them to a wall, desk, table or any other surface. However, instead of using the lightstrip's adhesive backing, I instead used Command Outdoor Light Clips (opens in new tab). This way I could have the lightstrip wrap around the corners of the TV without having to purchase any adapters or additional hardware. And, it makes it a lot easier to reposition the lightstrip this way, too. These light clips are also clear so they won't block any of the light coming from the lightstrip. Before you begin mounting the lightstrip, I recommend you take your TV off its stand or off its wall mount and lay it flat on a bed or couch with a blanket underneath it to prevent any scratches. If you leave your TV mounted to the wall, it's still doable but much easier with the TV lying flat. You also want to test the lightstrip first to make sure it works before mounting it. (Image credit: Future) In addition to light clips, you will also need strong, double-sided tape to attach the adapter that comes with the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus to the back of your TV. Once the adapter is fixed in place on the lower side of the middle of your TV, you then can start placing clips and running the lighstrip. You will need to leave ample space at the corners so that you can bend the lighstrip without damaging it. Also, I like to have the clips facing upwards to help hold the lightstrip firmly in place. Once your lightstrip is installed and your TV is back in place, it's time to begin syncing content which is easier as well as free if you have a Windows PC or Mac on hand. If not, don't worry, but you will have to spend quite a bit more on a Play HDMI Sync Box from Philips. Next: There's a new new Netflix No. 1 show with Echoes. And the reviews and audience scores are downright awful. Today's best Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus deals7 Amazon customer reviews (opens in new tab)☆☆☆☆☆ (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$53.46 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$74 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$104.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Syncing content using a PC or Mac (Image credit: Future) If you've added a Philips Hue Lightstrip behind your monitor or can connect a PC or Mac to your TV, syncing your lights with TV shows, movies or even games will be a whole lot easier. (Image credit: Philips) In fact, you just need to download the Hue Sync app and install it on your PC or Mac. However, you will also need to set up an Entertainment Area in the Hue mobile app for where in your house you want your Hue lights to sync with video, games or audio. You can position each of your lights anywhere in your room as well as adjust their height. (Image credit: Philips) Once this is done, just choose the type of content (games, music or video), how fast you want the lights to sync (subtle, moderate, high, extreme) and click on Start light sync. You can also enable the toggle for Use audio for effect to have the audio of the content you're watching or playing determine effects. Syncing content with your TV may be the better option, but adding a lightstrip to a monitor and using a PC or Mac is certainly easier and faster. Also as monitors tend to be smaller, you likely won't have to buy any lightstrip extensions to completely wrap a lightstrip around your monitor. Syncing content from game consoles and streaming devices If you want to sync content from a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch or one of the best streaming devices instead, you'll need a Play HDMI Sync Box (opens in new tab) to do so. The device itself isn't cheap with a retail price of $249 though it often goes on sale for $20 less. (Image credit: Future) Essentially what the Play HDMI Sync Box does is take the video feeds from up to four devices connected via HDMI and syncs them with your Philips Hue lights based on the content on your TV screen. Another HDMI cable runs from the box and connects it to your TV. After testing it out on my own for the last couple of weeks, the Play HDMI Sync Box can be finicky and doesn't always work - after looking online, it appears a number of other people have similar issues. However, when it does, it's a sight to behold. The pictures in this article really don't do it justice and it's the kind of thing you need to see with your own eyes. Also keep in mind that it will look even better in a room with white walls as opposed to on my own black, chalkboard wall. It's up to you if you want to go all in and get a Play HDMI Sync Box but I highly recommend testing out Hue Sync with a PC or Mac first before making your final decision. $215 (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)$249.99 (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)$249.99 (opens in new tab)View at Dell (opens in new tab)$249.99 (opens in new tab)View at Adorama (opens in new tab)Low Stock$499.98 (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)See all prices (8 found) A new level of immersion (Image credit: Future) Having the content you're watching or playing sync with a lightstrip or other smart lights definitely adds a new level of immersion to your favorite TV shows, movies or games. However, it's not without its flaws and likely won't be for everyone. Also creating a setup like this can get expensive fast. Fortunately, you don't have to buy everything at once and if you wait for Black Friday, Prime Day or other big sales, you can save a lot. Adding a lightstrip to your TV or monitor is a great starting point and you can always expand your Entertainment Area with more lights down the road. Even if you can't sync content with your lights right away, bias lighting can certainly improve your viewing experience. I for one am quite happy with my setup but I don't have everything synced up all the time. When I do turn on Hue Sync though, I remember just how magical the experience is and am still taken aback by how it looks in person. Next: You can also check out how I made my mailbox smart - so I'll never forget to check the mail.Today's best Philips Hue 562982 Hue Smart Bulb deals (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$59.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$64.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$64.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)Show More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Be In the Know Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Anthony SpadaforaSenior Editor Security and NetworkingAnthony Spadafora is the security and networking editor at Tom's Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to password managers and the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. Before joining the team, he wrote for ITProPortal while living in Korea and later for TechRadar Pro after moving back to the US. Based in Houston, Texas, when he's not writing Anthony can be found tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home. Topics Smart Home See all comments (4) 4 Comments Comment from the forums MichaelBierman "or can connect a PC or Mac to your TV, syncing your lights with TV shows, movies or even games will be a whole lot easier. " the most crucial part and you give no detail about how to do this? Reply z0_ MichaelBierman said:"or can connect a PC or Mac to your TV, syncing your lights with TV shows, movies or even games will be a whole lot easier. " the most crucial part and you give no detail about how to do this?Try using an HDMI cable.... The app will know what video you are displaying to the tv and can adjust accordingly Reply MichaelBierman So you have the PC/mac whatefver... but the content is playing on the TV. How does it sync? Reply Dinud admin said:Make your smart lights even smarter by having them sync up with your favorite TV shows, movies and games. I synced my smart lights with my TV - and it blew my mind : Read moreSo, i bought Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus , I bought the Play HDMI Sync Box. How do you set these to sync? I guess you actually cannot, as the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus does not have an HDMI connection, right? So you actually synced your led strip attached on the back of your TV with a laptop??? Reply View All 4 Comments MOST READMOST SHARED1Rick and Morty season 6 episode 6 release date and time - How to watch online tonight, channel and more2House of the Dragon episode 8 release date and time - how to watch online tonight3MLB Playoffs live stream 2022: How to watch Wild Card baseball online right now4Nvidia RTX 4090 leak points to killer performance and plenty of stock5I just tested the AirPods Pro 2 for workouts - and I was surprised1Daily Quordle #258 - answers and hints for Sunday, October 92The best luxury mattress in 20223Rick and Morty season 6 episode 6 release date and time - How to watch online tonight, channel and more4House of the Dragon episode 8 release date and time - how to watch online tonight5MLB Playoffs live stream 2022: How to watch Wild Card baseball online right now