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Philips Hue Sync with Sonos Arc, ERA 300's and Gen 3 Sub - Struggling understand how to Implement?

  • September 4, 2025
  • 7 replies
  • 299 views
A
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Afternoon all. Appealing to experienced hands as always as I’ve had no success to date with this one

Previously I purchased a 1st gen Hue Sync to add to a Panasonic GZ2000 running with a Sonos Arc, Pair of Sonos One’s and a Sonos Sub. The TV also had a Roku stick, A Nivida Sheild and an Apple TV box. But I could never get it to work and returned it. This was maybe three or four years back.

Now I’m in the fortunate position of being able to set up a new room, again with a new flagship Panasonic, a Sonos ARC Ultra, a pair of Era 300’s and a new sub and would again like to try at adding add a Hue Sync. Most likely we will add the same Roku, Nividia, Freesat and Freeview boxes. Not sure how many HDMI’s are on the Panasonic …. I think 4 … its the Z95B.

Possible to get any set up guidance from those having success here please? Or any limitations? Or is it even possible? 

I know there was a 2nd gen Sync launched a while ago but can’t see any real data on what sets that one apart.

I also read that Philips announced a relationship with Sonos yesterday at an event in Berlin. But details don’t seem so detailed on that.

I have mixed feelings about the Hue Sync and lots of flashing lights but still feel like giving it a try 😁

Input and suggestions very welcome.

Best answer by jgatie

I appears the Hue Play is meant to connect between the input sources and the TV.  Since the Sonos Arc is an output device, it shouldn’t enter the setup at all.  Just make sure the Arc is connected to the TVs ARC/eARC via HDMI and setup as normal.  Then follow this pretty extensive video to set up the Hue Play, connecting it to one of the other HDMI inputs on the TV:

 

 

7 replies

jgatie
  • jgatie
  • Answer
  • September 4, 2025

I appears the Hue Play is meant to connect between the input sources and the TV.  Since the Sonos Arc is an output device, it shouldn’t enter the setup at all.  Just make sure the Arc is connected to the TVs ARC/eARC via HDMI and setup as normal.  Then follow this pretty extensive video to set up the Hue Play, connecting it to one of the other HDMI inputs on the TV:

 

 

A
Stanley_4
Airgetlam
AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • September 4, 2025

At the moment the details of the rumored partnership between Sonos and Philips Hue is still sketchy so on that front we all have to wait.  In the meantime you might try the link below for assistance.

 

Also, you can follow the instructions in the Hue App to sync with a source;

 

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
A
Airgetlam
D
  • dicklyn
  • Lyricist I
  • October 15, 2025

That makes sense. The Hue Play really just sits between your input sources and the TV, while the Sonos Arc handles sound through the eARC port. As long as you connect everything in that order and follow the Hue setup steps, it should work smoothly. The second-gen Hue Sync also seems to have better latency and color accuracy compared to the older one, so it’s worth considering if you’re setting this up again.

Airgetlam
Wuastr
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  • Wuastr
  • Lyricist III
  • December 12, 2025

In my case I will most likely be returning the 8K Sync box due to WAF ( wife acceptance factor). Design issue. With the Sync box now being HDMI switch between HDMI sources and TV, the source selection requires use of HUE app - instead of using TV remote to select sources.

So instead of the TV remote, and visual choices of sources on the TV, one now has to have the App on and Sync selected and select HDMI sources within the Hue App with a tablet or smartphone.  Result is wife yelling at me that either no sound is heard when she turns on TV.

We use one source - Vodafone cable box (and rarely DVD player) plus built in TV apps for streaming sources. When up and running and audio is heard and sync works it all goes out the window when my switches to Netflix on the TV - as she is used to doing. The sync stops working of course.  Frankly easier to return as to retrain….

The only TV video output, which contains all video within and outside of the TV, is found in the eARC. Using the Sync box between TV and my SONOS Beam 1 doesn’t work unfortunately.

Any suggestions welcome. 

Stanley_4
Wuastr
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  • Wuastr
  • Lyricist III
  • December 12, 2025

I see no way to edit previous posts so I will just add this.
 

I now understand that no TV made today outputs any video on HDMI. The ARC and eARC only contain audio.  My idea is to use an HDMI splitter for my inputs to the TV and Sync box. This theoretically would retain using the TV as a hub instead of the Sync box. I will try it out.

Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • December 12, 2025

Sometimes the three dots at the bottom right will offer an edit menu.

Can't edit titles or I think the first post.

Wuastr
106rallye
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  • 106rallye
  • December 12, 2025

You cannot get around having to use sources outside of the TV with the Sync Box, but it should have a setting to switch sources automatically.

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