Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be mistranslations.
https://www.4kfilme.de/philips-hue-play-table-und-floor-lamp-fuer-das-gaming-zimmer-im-test/
Philips Hue Play Table and Floor Lamps for the Gaming Room Released and Tested
We tested the new Philips Hue Play floor and table lamps in a real setup.
Philips Hue Play floor lamp and table lamp test: The new desk and stand lamps are designed to enhance immersion in home theater and gaming environments through ambient lighting that matches the TV screen. We used both Hue Play models with the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K to see how well the colors, brightness, and synchronization worked in a real-world setting.
We combined the desk and stand lamps with the well-known Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K. The goal was to create areas of lighting that change color according to the screen content, allowing you to enjoy movies, dramas, and games more immersively. At the same time, Signify positions the Hue Play table and floor lamps as a more affordable alternative to the significantly more expensive Gradient Signe model.
Technical specifications of the Philips Hue Play table and floor lamps
The Philips Hue Play Gradient floor lamp is available in two sizes. The compact model has a total height of 1,225mm. The large version is 1,350mm tall and costs €149.99 instead of €139.99, which is €10 more. Apart from that, the technical specifications of both models are almost identical. The only difference is that the compact model has a brightness of 925 lumens, while the large version has 1,040 lumens. However, since both products are primarily used for ambient lighting, this difference is hardly noticeable in everyday use.
The following are the lighting characteristics provided by the two stand lamps.
• Color rendering index (CRI): 80
• Color temperature: 2,200K ~ 6,500K
• Warm-up time to 60% brightness: less than 1 second
• Nominal luminous efficacy (Nom): 69 lm/W
• Luminous flux at 4,000K: 925 lm
• Luminous flux at 2,700K: 880 lm
• Lighting color: Gradient colors and white light (RGBICW)
Next is the Philips Hue Play table lamp. This product is available as a single model for €79.99.
The following are the lighting characteristics provided by the Hue Play table lamp.
• Color rendering index (CRI): 80
• Color temperature: 2,200K ~ 6,500K
• Warm-up time to 60% brightness: less than 1 second
• Nominal luminous efficacy (Nom): 64 lm/W
• Luminous flux at 4,000K: 400 lm
• Light output at 2,700K standard: 380 lm
• Light color: Gradient color and white light (RGBICW)
The key specifications are as above. These lights are designed to be used in combination with the Hue Sync TV app or the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K or 4K. When connected this way, you can create a lighting atmosphere that perfectly matches your TV viewing experience. In other words, you get ambient lighting for home theater and gaming rooms that reminds you of Ambilight. Of course, when added to an entertainment area, it can also sync with other Hue lamps and lighting fixtures.
The ideal way to use it is not to use a single table lamp or floor lamp, but to place two on either side of the screen. When you set up a synced entertainment area, if you specify the position, all elements will fit perfectly. Since the Hue app guides you through the setup process step by step, anyone can set it up very easily.
Philips Hue Play Floor Lamp Practical Test
Let me start by looking at the floor lamp. Since the two versions are identical except for the size difference, this applies to both the compact and large models of the Philips Hue Play Floor Lamp. Overall, I feel that this product is suitable as a complementary means to a table lamp or a compatible Hue light strip attached to the back of a TV.
This is because unless you have a very narrow cabinet and sufficient space right next to it, you need to install it at some distance from the TV. When that happens, naturally the immersion enhancement effect will be reduced.
The Hue Play Floor Lamp is primarily aimed at gamers, but it is worth considering for other users as a cheaper alternative to the Gradient Signe. However, the Hue Play model is only released in black design. Since the Gradient Signe is also sold in white color, design can be an important selection criterion. Also, the Gradient Signe is much brighter at a maximum of 2,550 lumens.
However, this brightness difference is merely a numerical one. This is because the maximum brightness value is based on daylight color (cool white) lighting. However, ambient lighting rarely uses daylight color. Therefore, I judge that the price difference between the Gradient Signe, which costs 200 euros more starting from 339 euros, is difficult to justify technically. For home theater or gaming room use, the Hue Play Floor Lamp alone is sufficient.
The compact floor lamp uses 18 individually controllable segments, and the large version uses 20. Through this, it creates natural and atmospheric color gradients. What makes installation somewhat troublesome is that the power cable is connected to a large transformer adapter that you'd want to hide in your living room. The lamp itself is made primarily of plastic, so it doesn't feel premium to the touch, but considering that it's used as auxiliary TV lighting anyway, it's at an acceptable level.
Synchronization with the TV screen was done, as mentioned earlier, through the Philips Hue HDMI Sync Box 8K. Accordingly, it worked very quickly without noticeable delay. The Hue Bridge Pro helped ensure smooth operation during this process.
Philips Hue Play table lamp real-world test
The Philips Hue Play table lamp was also used with the Hue Bridge Pro and the Philips Hue HDMI Sync Box 8K. Therefore, we were able to confirm that the synchronization delay was minimized to the point where it was hardly noticeable in this test environment. The table lamp also has a more expensive competitor within its own product line: the Gradient Signe stand-type model. While priced more than twice as high, it boasts a better finish and is technically superior in specifications.
The table lamp is more suitable for home use. It can be placed next to or slightly behind the TV, creating ambient lighting right next to your smart TV. If you want to invest in ambient lighting most efficiently within the Hue ecosystem, we recommend purchasing two Philips Hue Play table lamps. This alone will create a great atmosphere.
The stand base of the compact Philips Hue Play table lamp is quite heavy to ensure it stands stable. However, the rest of the product is made of plastic material. The brightness is 400 lumens. While this may seem low on paper, it felt sufficient in practice.
After all, the purpose of this lighting is not to illuminate the entire room but to create a subtle ambient backlight. Like the stand model, the table/living room model also displays beautiful color gradients.
The Philips Hue Play table lamp also requires an external adapter, but it is much smaller than the stand model and can be plugged directly into a wall outlet. In actual use, it significantly enhances gaming immersion. Thanks to synchronization through the Hue box, the colors almost perfectly match the content on the TV screen, reducing eye strain in dark environments. This makes gameplay much more enjoyable.
Overall review of Philips Hue Play table and floor lamps
The Philips Hue Play table and floor lamps can be used alone (ideally in a set of two) or combined with other lighting products in the Hue ecosystem. The ideal combination is to attach a light strip to the back of the TV. However, older OLED TVs often have uneven rear housings, making it difficult to attach a light strip. In these situations, the new Hue Play lights are a great alternative.
Whether to choose the compact model or the large model among the stand lights depends on the size and structure of your room. The price difference between the two models is only 10 euros, which is negligible. If you want a more premium finish and higher brightness in white light, the Gradient Signe model, previously released, could be an alternative. However, it is significantly more expensive.
In conclusion, we were highly satisfied with the Philips Hue Play table and floor lamps for both gaming and watching movies and TV shows. If you want a higher level of immersion in your living room or gaming room, these products are worth adding to your wishlist.
▶ Original source: https://www.4kfilme.de/philips-hue-play-table-und-floor-lamp-fuer-das-gaming-zimmer-im-test/
