Philips launches cheaper Wiz-based Screen Sync with Lightstrip in UK and Europe

The system is sold in two sizes. The smaller model is designed for 40- to 50-inch TVs and costs £79.99, about $110 or AU$150. The larger model is designed for 55- to 65-inch TVs and costs £99.99, about $140 or AU$190. The only difference between the two models is the size of the strip, TechRadar reported.

Unlike the Hue version, the new Screen Sync runs on the WiZ platform and app over a home Wi-Fi network, and it is branded under Philips Smart Lighting rather than Philips Hue. TechRadar reported that it is not intended for people who want to add syncing to an existing Hue setup, but it is positioned as a cheaper way to get a Hue-like sync system.

The hardware centers on a camera with a fisheye lens that captures the entire TV screen. After calibration in the companion app, the system syncs on-screen colors to a four-sided RBGIC strip mounted behind the TV. A built-in microphone also allows the lights to sync with music if the user chooses.

The appeal, apart from price, is simplicity: attach it to the TV, use the calibration tool, and the colors extend to the wall. TechRadar reported that this works even when the content is not coming from an HDMI source, including native streaming apps, a PS5, or an Apple TV 4K, as long as the image is on the screen.

The price undercuts the Hue Screen Sync, which also requires a separate light strip, and TechRadar reported that the Philips Smart Lighting kit is more affordable than any Hue option or the TV strips and AI sync box from Govee. For buyers without an existing Hue system, the new bundle is presented as a lower-cost route to TV color syncing.