Philips releases Hue Sync for PC and Mac

[HEXUS]

Software helps create an immersive PC or Mac powered environment.

Read more.

[Ozaron]

But, why though? What does this really improve or offer someone? I think this comes under "interesting at the time, but it got annoying quickly", and worse, it has to know everything you're displaying, hearing, and seeing to be able to function. So that's pretty creepy. All for lights.

[Ttaskmaster]

But, why though? What does this really improve or offer someone?

Well, for music that'd (potentially) mean flashy disco lights, which means you'd be able to go clubbing without leaving the comfort of your swivel chair.... Some songs might also benefit from mood lighting.

Games... I guess bright white-ish flashing all around you when you shoot in an FPS would be one somewhat immersive example, as would red flashing when you got shot or progressive red when you were low on health/bleeding out.
Maybe a couple of other similar effects.

Movies.... Dunno. I'm still old school on that one, which means surrounding lights are OFF and I'm in cinema mode!

However, some people are far more receptive to and affected by colours than others. Case in point, the LED strip light threads, where people more au-fait with such things told me all about how I'd want Warm White, Daylight or Cold White tube lights.

This all reminds me of a drummer I used to know, who said that he doesn't play rhythms or beats or anything - He listens to the music and 'sees' colours in his head, so he just closes his eyes and plays whatever colours he sees.... Don't unnerstan' it myself, but he was a bloody good drummer so I can't really argue!

worse, it has to know everything you're displaying, hearing, and seeing to be able to function. So that's pretty creepy. All for lights.

Disco lights, even piddly DIY ones that you buy from Maplins, have had the function that sequences their flashes based off the music you play. This is no creepier than that. It'll just read the same sort of info from your audio and/or monitor outputs and do something similar.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

So a red hue for watching Pornhub then??

[peterb]

So a red hue for watching Pornhub then??

I have Hue lights and I find a red background good for watching any TV. I don’t like watching TV in total darkness, but red light doesn’t affect night vision and is (for me) more restful.

[Ttaskmaster]

So a red hue for watching Pornhub then??

Tut tut - Their logo is orange.... So is the HEXUS one. Coincidence?

[Ozaron]

.. This is no creepier than that. It'll just read the same sort of info from your audio and/or monitor outputs and do something similar.

But Mr RGB man, what can it see? What can it know? How long will it know it for? Until these things are defined I can't bring myself to trust its judgement, not even if it played a hypnotoad style strobe.

Irrespective, although I'm not against lighting, this seems like overkill. If you really wanted a light show you could do better and do it yourself, I bet.

Maplin's

Uh, who?

[Ttaskmaster]

But Mr RGB man, what can it see? What can it know? How long will it know it for?

Why, what are you doing that you're afraid it might see? What should it know? How long have you been doing this and what is the maximum prison sentence for doing it?

Until these things are defined I can't bring myself to trust its judgement, not even if it played a hypnotoad style strobe.

Probably just sound levels from instant to instant, like on a graphic equaliser. Same for what the predominant colours are on screen.

However, I notice you didn't actually ask what it does with the information, where it stores it and/or who it send the data to.....

If you really wanted a light show you could do better and do it yourself, I bet.

Not so much overkill as just badly-killed. Overkill would be full-wall panels with individual addressable LEDs everywhere.....
And yes, a person might be able to do better, but this is more toward plug & play for those who can't be bothered with the faff.

[peterb]

I've just tried it - I'm underwhelmed, but then my set up probably isn't optimal.

[6700K]

Do you have a Philips Ambilight TV?
Yes > Then you will like the HUE update as it mimics the same style of effect from your PC screen
No > Then this is the closest you can get to emulating it. Not for everyone true but worth having the option since many people have HUE lights on their desks. Extra functionality is always welcome then just an expensive multi colour lamp fixed on a single colour.

I have been waiting for this update for ages. The software is quite responsive unlike other options that were out there already so am pretty pleased so far.

[Kimbie]

While it is not likely to happen would much rather some sort of open API for RGB so you can mix and match RGB hardware, without needing to have 2 or 3 different apps running, plus controllers etc

[Ozaron]

Why, what are you doing that you're afraid it might see? What should it know? How long have you been doing this and what is the maximum prison sentence for doing it?

Don't need to do something morally ambiguous to worry about other people creeping on you.

However, I notice you didn't actually ask what it does with the information, where it stores it and/or who it send the data to.....

I fully expected that it wouldn't be smart enough to hatch its own evil plans, but the answer would closely match its spec anyway I believe - "can connect to the internet/network" or "has X volume of memory storage" would be ample answers to this question.

[Ttaskmaster]

Don't need to do something morally ambiguous to worry about other people creeping on you.

That's the only time I worry about it!!

[Lord Midas]

I can't watch TV or my monitor in a totally dark room, or with no light behind the screen. It really strains my eyes and I end up with a headache pretty quickly. Watching TV I have a lamp on in a far corner, leaving the room with a nice subdued light. And my monitor has a small lamp behind it, glowing the wall.

Something like this HUE sync system would be brilliant. Though it's possible the constant changing colours will either be very immersive or quickly annoying. So long as you can make this simply glow with whichever static colour you choose then that will be perfectly fine. I'd personally like a red glow. Not for porn - eh, Cat the Fifth but for the soothing and non-stressful effect it would have on my eyes. Though I'm sure I'd be trying all the colours (my Corsair K65 kb and Razer Naga Molten mouse both glow red and they're lovely).

[peterb]

I can't watch TV or my monitor in a totally dark room, or with no light behind the screen. It really strains my eyes and I end up with a headache pretty quickly. Watching TV I have a lamp on in a far corner, leaving the room with a nice subdued light. And my monitor has a small lamp behind it, glowing the wall.

Something like this HUE sync system would be brilliant. Though it's possible the constant changing colours will either be very immersive or quickly annoying. So long as you can make this simply glow with whichever static colour you choose then that will be perfectly fine. I'd personally like a red glow. Not for porn - eh, Cat the Fifth but for the soothing and non-stressful effect it would have on my eyes. Though I'm sure I'd be trying all the colours (my Corsair K65 kb and Razer Naga Molten mouse both glow red and they're lovely).

Yes, I have a couple of Hue lights and for watching TV, I often use a preset low red light in the room. Red light doesn’t affect night vision and is quite restful. I also use a lower level white light.

My parent have a Philips TV with Colour changing LEDs on the back, so they illuminate the wall behind the TV with the predominant screen colour. I thought it was a bit of a gimmick, but it does make the screen seem bigger and is quite restful. I don’t know if that (or a later generation) would sync with Hue lights - if so it could be quite good.

Syncing to sound did nothing for me though - lasted about an hour (as I posted earlier!)