Philips Hue FAQ

PMC999 · 25-10-2020 11:18am

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

No Hue is Bluetooth!!!!!

It’s all Zigbee

And the V3 1m extension is there, just pick the 2m base, and then change the option to the 1m extension...

Version 3 is not compatible with the version 4 Bluetooth enabled hue light strips. I checked with Amazon customer support and they could not provide a date of when or if the older version 3 would be back in stock.
There is one available from a third party seller on Amazon but the £28 delivery charge is a rip off.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ambiance-Lightstrip-Extension-Synthetics/dp/B0148NMVJW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=philips+hue+light+strip+v3+1m&qid=1603621081&sprefix=philips+hue+light+strip+v3&sr=8-3

acalmenvoy · 25-10-2020 7:25pm

PMC999 wrote: »

Version 3 is not compatible with the version 4 Bluetooth enabled hue light strips. I checked with Amazon customer support and they could not provide a date of when or if the older version 3 would be back in stock.
There is one available from a third party seller on Amazon but the £28 delivery charge is a rip off.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ambiance-Lightstrip-Extension-Synthetics/dp/B0148NMVJW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=philips+hue+light+strip+v3+1m&qid=1603621081&sprefix=philips+hue+light+strip+v3&sr=8-3

I'm about to send back 3 v3 extensions, unopened, to amazon, Im in Limerick, maybe we can arrange something?

AndyBoBandy · 26-10-2020 8:14pm

Well then....

I sent my Lily PSU back to Philips last week, and looks what shows up on Amazon today!!!

They actually didn’t have a replacement PSU to send me so will send me a full Lily spot set (I sent back the PSU as well as 3 of my 5 spots).

Nedved85 · 26-10-2020 8:19pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Well then....

I sent my Lily PSU back to Philips last week, and looks what shows up on Amazon today!!!

They actually didn’t have a replacement PSU to send me so will send me a full Lily spot set (I sent back the PSU as well as 3 of my 5 spots).

Interesting, just got the same email from Amazon - must check mine tomorrow.

AndyBoBandy · 26-10-2020 8:31pm

Mine simply stopped working a few months ago, and I thought they were out of warranty, but alas I contacted Hue on Facebook and to their credit, said I was still in warranty and they’d be happy to replace whatever was not working....

It also mentions 2018 to 2020, which is basically the entire time they’ve been selling that PSU with outdoor lights....

And I now also don’t see the Lily base set available on Amazon!! Only the single extensions...

PMC999 · 27-10-2020 8:03pm

acalmenvoy wrote: »

I'm about to send back 3 v3 extensions, unopened, to amazon, Im in Limerick, maybe we can arrange something?

Thanks Acalmenvoy but I managed to get one from Amazon warehouse today.

BoardsMember · 28-10-2020 9:35pm

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

I've two rooms with Hue Colour bulbs in them. Each room also has a Hue Smart Button on the wall, and an Echo Dot.

In each room, if I set the bulb to say green, then switch it off with the Smart Button, then turn it back on with the Smart button, it comes on as a default warm white.

However, if I switch the light off with the Echo, then tell Alexa to turn the light on again, it comes back on green (or whatever colour/shade it was before it turned off).

Looking through the settings of both Alexa and Hue apps, I can see that in the Hue app, the Smart Button is specifically set to use "Bright" (which is a warm white) - so this ability to reset to a default is attached to the button itself, and not the bulb. Is there any way to set a default colour at the bulb level? I don't see it in the Hue app.

Ideally, I'd like it to always reset itself to a default when turning back on via the Button, Echo or any other means.

You need to go into the Hue App -> Settings -> Accessory Setup....select the button you want to program. On the button, you can set what happens for first press thru to 5th press. When you select first press, the top of the list in each room linked to that button is Last On State. If you select that, it will come on as green if it was last green when on.

That probably requires that there was power to the bulb while off, not sure about that.

Gregor Samsa · 28-10-2020 9:56pm

BoardsMember wrote: »

You need to go into the Hue App -> Settings -> Accessory Setup....select the button you want to program. On the button, you can set what happens for first press thru to 5th press. When you select first press, the top of the list in each room linked to that button is Last On State. If you select that, it will come on as green if it was last green when on.

That probably requires that there was power to the bulb while off, not sure about that.

No, I know about those settings. They work. I only mentioned the button as it contrasts with the issue I’m having with the Echo.

The issue is when I turn it in via the Echo: “Alexa, turn on the light”. It comes on as the last colour used. And there’s no way to set it as a default colour (the way there is with a button press). The last state must be stored in the bulb itself (or maybe the hub) . The button lets you override it, but the Echo doesn’t (unless you give it an explicit instruction like “Alexa, turn the light on warm white”).

BoardsMember · 28-10-2020 10:01pm

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

No, I know about those settings. They work. I only mentioned the button as it contrasts with the issue I’m having with the Echo.

The issue is when I turn it in via the Echo: “Alexa, turn on the light”. It comes on as the last colour used. And there’s no way to set it as a default colour (the way there is with a button press). The last state must be stored in the bulb itself (or maybe the hub) . The button lets you override it, but the Echo doesn’t (unless you give it an explicit instruction like “Alexa, turn the light on warm white”).

Can you use a scene name?

IK09 · 29-10-2020 6:50pm

Hey

Just wondering does anybody know of a smart lamp like the Philips Hue Go light that is cheaper and works with the Philips hub? £60 is an awful lot for it. I have one already but my daughter has commandeered it.

Bluefoam · 29-10-2020 7:44pm

IK09 wrote: »

Hey

Just wondering does anybody know of a smart lamp like the Philips Hue Go light that is cheaper and works with the Philips hub? £60 is an awful lot for it. I have one already but my daughter has commandeered it.

You could buy a regular lamp and a Hue bulb.

AndyBoBandy · 29-10-2020 7:47pm

Bluefoam wrote: »

You could buy a regular lamp and a Hue bulb.

Poster is presumably looking for a battery powered lamp though......

IK09 · 29-10-2020 8:12pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Poster is presumably looking for a battery powered lamp though......

Ya I'm looking for something portable like the go light

The Black Oil · 29-10-2020 10:11pm

IK09 wrote: »

Ya I'm looking for something portable like the go light

They're pricey alright. Bribe the daughter to get your Go back and give her something like this instead? :P:)

Link or this.

Pete123456 · 02-11-2020 8:10pm

Does anybody know how to interpret model numbers or how to know if the model is the latest one on Amazon?

I take it the following is an old model?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LF9G9HC/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_dlC_rCfOFbNTA3RF2

punisher5112 · 02-11-2020 8:13pm

Pete123456 wrote: »

Does anybody know how to interpret model numbers or how to know if the model is the latest one on Amazon?

I take it the following is an old model?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LF9G9HC/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_dlC_rCfOFbNTA3RF2

This one would be latest as Bluetooth symbol.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SS38CVG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nPfOFbDFW4FS9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Pete123456 · 02-11-2020 8:21pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

This one would be latest as Bluetooth symbol.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SS38CVG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nPfOFbDFW4FS9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you... what other than Bluetooth am I missing out on? £90 for three colour bulbs and a hub seems like a decent deal?

punisher5112 · 02-11-2020 8:34pm

Pete123456 wrote: »

Thank you... what other than Bluetooth am I missing out on? £90 for three colour bulbs and a hub seems like a decent deal?

Richer colour is the ones you want and that's them.
They would be latest up to Bluetooth which to be honest don't really need anyway.

Good price yes, £89.99 in 2017 when I bought 2 lots.

ablelocks · 08-11-2020 9:26pm

rodneytrotter15 wrote: »

I ordered an extra 2M and 1M extension colour lightstrip. I've enough for the kitchen under counter lights and am wondering if anyone has any suggestion where I could stick the extra light strip. I see some people go with behind the TV but it seems like a shame to waste 3M for a 43" TV ? Anyone got any clever suggestions ?

another suggestion for a lightstrip - on the edge of your working from home desk....

kaisersose77 · 09-11-2020 1:23pm

Anygone know of a good flat ceiling light that has the energize colour option and can light up a living room on its own? Obssessed with the energize colour!

Have this at the moment

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07KXMLKC4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

AndyBoBandy · 09-11-2020 1:50pm

kaisersose77 wrote: »

Anygone know of a good flat ceiling light that has the energize colour option and can light up a living room on its own? Obssessed with the energize colour!

Have this at the moment

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07KXMLKC4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Any Hue light that is White Ambiance or Colour Ambiance will do Energise..

As long as its an Ambiance bulb with will do the 4 Ambiance colours (Read, Relax, Energise & Concentrate)

FastFullBack · 16-11-2020 10:44pm

maxamillius wrote: »

Bought the below GU10 from Ali express 3 weeks ago, delivered yesterday.

I have hue all over my house but decided to try these out as they are ridiculously cheaper than hue GU10.

Very happy with the colour output and also easier to connect to hue app than hue lights.

I got these (120 degrees)

€ 16,96 51%OFF | ZIGBEE smart home LED gu10 bulb RGB+CCT color change 5W smart led spotlight AC100-240V led dual white light work with echo plus
https://a.aliexpress.com/_dZNzE0G

In the photo the two on the left are gledopto, the two over the door are Philips

I decided to try these. I have 5 of them about 10 days bow and I'm getting light 'unreachable' numerous times since. At least 5 times on one particular light. Did you get the same? Having to delete, re-add and recreate the scenes is a frigging pain.

rodneytrotter15 · 17-11-2020 4:20pm

So I setup an Ambilight Tv for the folks today was blown away by the picture. I've a Samsung QLED that I've yet to unbox and was hoping to see if I can replicate the Ambilight effect somehow with a Hue product. I've a spare 2M lightstrip with I'm almost certain won't to the job. Is there something I can run at the back of the TV that connects to it to give the Ambilight effect ( colour changing to match what is on the screen )

Gregor Samsa · 17-11-2020 6:17pm

rodneytrotter15 wrote: »

So I setup an Ambilight Tv for the folks today was blown away by the picture. I've a Samsung QLED that I've yet to unbox and was hoping to see if I can replicate the Ambilight effect somehow with a Hue product. I've a spare 2M lightstrip with I'm almost certain won't to the job. Is there something I can run at the back of the TV that connects to it to give the Ambilight effect ( colour changing to match what is on the screen )

there's the new Play Gradient Lightstrip specifically made for this

https://www.philips-hue.com/en-gb/p/hue-white-and-colour-ambiance-play-gradient-lightstrip-55-inch/8718699784751

It's supposed to work very well, but there's a couple of caveats.

It's made in three lengths for 55, 65 and 75 inch TVs, and you can't cut it. You might get away with some other TV sizes - I think I read about someone making the 55" one fit on the very edges of a 49" TV, but it seems it certainly wouldn't fit on anything smaller.

It required a Hue Sync Box (https://www.philips-hue.com/en-gb/p/hue-play-hdmi-sync-box/8718699704803) which is pretty pricey (over €200). This passes the HDMI signal from a set-top box to the TV, analyses it, and creates the illumination . It had 4 HDMI ports, so you can have input from 4 boxes, but, it cannot analyse the signal from the TV itself - so you you have a standard aerial or apps that run on the TV itself, the box can't see that signal, and so it can't create the illumination. However, I think there's PC software that you can use instead of the box that's free, so if you're streaming from a PC or laptop to your TV, you can set it up without the costly box. There's some people that have done complicated casting from their set-top box to their computer to process the illumination and not need the HDMI box, but that seems to be fraught with difficulty.

It supports HDMI 2.0b, and not the newer 2.1. This probably isn't much of an issue now, unless you have a very high end TV that you want to run at top spec, but may be if you want to support the latest and greatest picture and sound quality in the future.

Gooey Looey · 17-11-2020 6:34pm

rodneytrotter15 wrote: »

So I setup an Ambilight Tv for the folks today was blown away by the picture. I've a Samsung QLED that I've yet to unbox and was hoping to see if I can replicate the Ambilight effect somehow with a Hue product. I've a spare 2M lightstrip with I'm almost certain won't to the job. Is there something I can run at the back of the TV that connects to it to give the Ambilight effect ( colour changing to match what is on the screen )

If you have a Fire Stick or an Android TV box like a Nvidia shield, Mibox or the new Chromecast you can use the hue stream app to sync an area of your screen using hue entrainment areas and the hue led strip. You may need a few more lights as you will get the same colour as the way around the led strip, not a gradient of different colours like official ambilight strip
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bullbash.huestream

rodneytrotter15 · 17-11-2020 7:16pm

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

there's the new Play Gradient Lightstrip specifically made for this

https://www.philips-hue.com/en-gb/p/hue-white-and-colour-ambiance-play-gradient-lightstrip-55-inch/8718699784751

It's supposed to work very well, but there's a couple of caveats.

It's made in three lengths for 55, 65 and 75 inch TVs, and you can't cut it. You might get away with some other TV sizes - I think I read about someone making the 55" one fit on the very edges of a 49" TV, but it seems it certainly wouldn't fit on anything smaller.

It required a Hue Sync Box (https://www.philips-hue.com/en-gb/p/hue-play-hdmi-sync-box/8718699704803) which is pretty pricey (over €200). This passes the HDMI signal from a set-top box to the TV, analyses it, and creates the illumination . It had 4 HDMI ports, so you can have input from 4 boxes, but, it cannot analyse the signal from the TV itself - so you you have a standard aerial or apps that run on the TV itself, the box can't see that signal, and so it can't create the illumination. However, I think there's PC software that you can use instead of the box that's free, so if you're streaming from a PC or laptop to your TV, you can set it up without the costly box. There's some people that have done complicated casting from their set-top box to their computer to process the illumination and not need the HDMI box, but that seems to be fraught with difficulty.

It supports HDMI 2.0b, and not the newer 2.1. This probably isn't much of an issue now, unless you have a very high end TV that you want to run at top spec, but may be if you want to support the latest and greatest picture and sound quality in the future.

Thanks for that. It's actually only for a 43" inch TV so I might be snookered. Anyoo I ain't paying that much to get it setup but thanks again.

copacetic · 17-11-2020 9:27pm

rodneytrotter15 wrote: »

Thanks for that. It's actually only for a 43" inch TV so I might be snookered. Anyoo I ain't paying that much to get it setup but thanks again.

It’s not very practical anyway, as it doesn’t work with smart TVs apps, we haven’t used a hdmi feed to watch a movie, series etc in a few years.

Gregor Samsa · 17-11-2020 10:22pm

copacetic wrote: »

It’s not very practical anyway, as it doesn’t work with smart TVs apps, we haven’t used a hdmi feed to watch a movie, series etc in a few years.

That is a big limitation, it’s a pity there isn’t an Android app that could run on the TV itself to drive it (I’ve no idea of this is technically possible - I suspect that Android TV apps can’t run low level enough to be able to parse everything that the screen displays).

Personally, I run everything from an Apple TV 4K (even though I have an Android powered TV), so it would actually work perfectly for me. But it’s too expensive and like the OP, my TV is 43”, so it wouldn’t fit anyway.

AstraMonti · 23-11-2020 8:41am

Question for you guys. Can i get something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Linkable-Cabinet-Lighting-Dimmable-Showcase/dp/B088M98YJT/ with this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07XPJ22W3/ ? Would I be able to connect these two and control the lights through the hue app?

stesaurus · 23-11-2020 9:55am

Anyone got some experience of a large lightstrip project?
I want to downlight each step on a staircase from under the nosing.
From what I can see v3 stock seems to be gone so I'd need to go with v4. The max length is 10m according to Philips.
I have 13 steps total at about 90cm width.
So my questions, if I use a generic extension to loop under each step does that count to the overall max length? These would not contain LEDs.
Has anyone come across 3rd party v4 extensions yet?
Either way I think I'd need two bases to manage 13 steps. What's the best way to setup? Create a room containing the 2 sets or is there a better setup?
Anything else I'm missing?

RobbieTheRobber · 23-11-2020 11:21am

AstraMonti wrote: »

Question for you guys. Can i get something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Linkable-Cabinet-Lighting-Dimmable-Showcase/dp/B088M98YJT/ with this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07XPJ22W3/ ? Would I be able to connect these two and control the lights through the hue app?

No I don't think so.
And those lights will only ever be dimmable using the remote\on light controls provided with them.

But you could use them connected to a smart plug linked to your smart assistant rather than the hue app and would have On/Off functionality via voice command and time based scheduling.

I would suggest using a different light for integration with Hue though.

copacetic · 23-11-2020 1:29pm

stesaurus wrote: »

Anyone got some experience of a large lightstrip project?
I want to downlight each step on a staircase from under the nosing.
From what I can see v3 stock seems to be gone so I'd need to go with v4. The max length is 10m according to Philips.
I have 13 steps total at about 90cm width.
So my questions, if I use a generic extension to loop under each step does that count to the overall max length? These would not contain LEDs.
Has anyone come across 3rd party v4 extensions yet?
Either way I think I'd need two bases to manage 13 steps. What's the best way to setup? Create a room containing the 2 sets or is there a better setup?
Anything else I'm missing?

The only thing to be aware is that the max brightness falls off a lot as you go longer. I.e you will have the same power available as you add more and more lights to one supply. Basically half the power for every extra strip. Should be fine for your application though. An extension without lights shouldn’t add to the max length and its only max because you would get very little light out of even max brightness at 10m off single power supply. Then I’d create a room called steps or stairs, maybe with sensors top and bottom to have them very low except when someone approaches them and have them come on full then.

Your main issue may be making it look like a strip rather than individual leds.

stesaurus · 23-11-2020 3:02pm

There doesn't appear to be any extensions available. I could try to create my own using CAT6 cable. Other option would be to lose about 20cm behind each step.
If I use 2 sets with about 7-8m total on each that should be enough.
Will that be bright enough or any other way of safely increasing the power input to the strips?

punisher5112 · 23-11-2020 3:07pm

stesaurus wrote: »

There doesn't appear to be any extensions available. I could try to create my own using CAT6 cable. Other option would be to lose about 20cm behind each step.
If I use 2 sets with about 7-8m total on each that should be enough.
Will that be bright enough or any other way of safely increasing the power input to the strips?

Extensions can be got on eBay also....

AstraMonti · 23-11-2020 3:08pm

RobbieTheRobber wrote: »

No I don't think so.
And those lights will only ever be dimmable using the remote\on light controls provided with them.

But you could use them connected to a smart plug linked to your smart assistant rather than the hue app and would have On/Off functionality via voice command and time based scheduling.

I would suggest using a different light for integration with Hue though.

Thanks for that. I was trying to find the easiest way to add 4 "smart" shelves lights without too much hassle.

Any recommendations for something similar maybe?

stesaurus · 23-11-2020 3:17pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

Extensions can be got on eBay also....

That work with v4? From looking around and reading online I didn't think they existed yet

rodneytrotter15 · 25-11-2020 4:02pm

So I've added a good few hue products downstairs and the setup is something like this.

3 colour Gu10 outside front door
4 colour in hall with a sensor setup
10 colour GU10 in kitchen with 3 colour strips under kitchen units ( have another sensor ordered for these )
4 colour GU in extension part ( and another sensor ordered to turn these on )
4 outside white lights and sensor that I've yet to setup.
Also have a remote that I have tired out but am thinking with the sensors it will become somewhat redundant.

Outside of setting up the 2 other sensors which I think are great. Are there other smart things I could be doing here to get the most
out of what I have. Have to admit I'm hugely impressed how easy they are to setup and seem to have worked seamlessly.

AstraMonti · 25-11-2020 4:10pm

AstraMonti wrote: »

Thanks for that. I was trying to find the easiest way to add 4 "smart" shelves lights without too much hassle.

Any recommendations for something similar maybe?

Just to update my own post, I ordered the innr recessed lights, we ll see how they perform.

AstraMonti · 25-11-2020 4:11pm

rodneytrotter15 wrote: »

So I've added a good few hue products downstairs and the setup is something like this.

3 colour Gu10 outside front door
4 colour in hall with a sensor setup
10 colour GU10 in kitchen with 3 colour strips under kitchen units ( have another sensor ordered for these )
4 colour GU in extension part ( and another sensor ordered to turn these on )
4 outside white lights and sensor that I've yet to setup.
Also have a remote that I have tired out but am thinking with the sensors it will become somewhat redundant.

Outside of setting up the 2 other sensors which I think are great. Are there other smart things I could be doing here to get the most
out of what I have. Have to admit I'm hugely impressed how easy they are to setup and seem to have worked seamlessly.

You can look at IFTTT, there are hundreds of recipes there for further automation for Hue. You can also check HUE labs that have a lot of extra tools.

AndyBoBandy · 25-11-2020 4:46pm

rodneytrotter15 wrote: »

Outside of setting up the 2 other sensors which I think are great. Are there other smart things I could be doing here to get the most out of what I have. Have to admit I'm hugely impressed how easy they are to setup and seem to have worked seamlessly.

Honestly the best thing you can do is just set up routines for everything, and then forget about it.

My house has been 100% Hue for the leat 3-4 years... (45+ bulbs). Routines turn on the front porch, hallway, sitting room & upstairs bedrooms as well as turning them all off at a set time. Then for ad-hoc control, every room has a dimmer switch, and the kitchen, 2 offices, and 2 bathrooms also have sensors which work excellently.

The only time I need to go to the app is if turning on the room centre lights, or selecting a particular colour for a room that's not preset into that rooms dimmer switch..

Alkers · 25-11-2020 4:48pm

rodneytrotter15 wrote: »

So I've added a good few hue products downstairs and the setup is something like this.

3 colour Gu10 outside front door
4 colour in hall with a sensor setup
10 colour GU10 in kitchen with 3 colour strips under kitchen units ( have another sensor ordered for these )
4 colour GU in extension part ( and another sensor ordered to turn these on )
4 outside white lights and sensor that I've yet to setup.
Also have a remote that I have tired out but am thinking with the sensors it will become somewhat redundant.

Outside of setting up the 2 other sensors which I think are great. Are there other smart things I could be doing here to get the most
out of what I have. Have to admit I'm hugely impressed how easy they are to setup and seem to have worked seamlessly.

Are you planning sensors in all rooms? I only find them useful for the hall and landing, bathroom maybe but the switch is right at the door so it isn't a massive usage case for smart lighting.

The IKEA button switches are very inexpensive (although only give on/off functionality) but you don't seem afraid to spend a few quid

so I'd recommend the HUE dimmer switches which allow on/off/dimming and cycling through scenes. This is what we use most with our lights, other than telling google to turn them up/down/on/off. We don't find routines really work for us all that well.

AndyBoBandy · 25-11-2020 4:52pm

Alkers wrote: »

Are you planning sensors in all rooms? I only find them useful for the hall and landing, bathroom maybe but the switch is right at the door so it isn't a massive usage case for smart lighting.

I would disagree and say a sensor is a great addition for a bathroom/ensuite....

When one of us goes into the bathroom during the night, the nightlight routine comes on (which is the dimmest a Hue bulb can go). It would be fairly annoying for a light to come on full brightness.. getting back into bed at 3am having only been exposed to a very dim light is much better than being exposed to a very bright light!!

25-11-2020 9:49pm

Yeah I now have sensors everywhere but the bedrooms. Once you have them you start deleting some routines.

Bluefoam · 25-11-2020 10:35pm

Bedroom is the best place for a sensor. I have one under the bed that senses when you enter the room... If it doesn't detect movement after a minute the lights turn off... So you can get into bed and a minute later the lights slowly turn off, without fumbaling for a switch... In the morning I set the lights to slowly come on before the alarm, so that you wake up gradually. Then when you leave the room the sensor turns off the lights again after a minute of no activity...

I also have them in the hall and landing...

FastFullBack · 25-11-2020 10:48pm

Bluefoam wrote: »

Bedroom is the best place for a sensor. I have one under the bed that senses when you enter the room... If it doesn't detect movement after a minute the lights turn off... So you can get into bed and a minute later the lights slowly turn off, without fumbaling for a switch... In the morning I set the lights to slowly come on before the alarm, so that you wake up gradually. Then when you leave the room the sensor turns off the lights again after a minute of no activity...

I also have them in the hall and landing...

What about if you want to lie on your bed during the day with the light on? Or your just in your bedroom and wants the lights on, but your not triggering the sensor.
Won't the lights go out after 1 minute

Bluefoam · 25-11-2020 10:55pm

FastFullBack wrote: »

What about if you want to lie on your bed during the day with the light on? Or your just in your bedroom and wants the lights on, but your not triggering the sensor.
Won't the lights go out after 1 minute

No, you have to trigger the lights with the sensor in order for them to go out with the sensor... So you can switch them on/off as with any hue bulbs... Hence the placement of the sensor under the bed... If you stay in bed you don't trigger it...

You can also set times when it is active...

Bluefoam · 25-11-2020 10:58pm

One of my favourite setups is having the living room lights set up with my remote control... When I turn on the TV it also turns on the lights and also when I switch off the TV, they go out. I also have 4 buttons on the remote that I have programmed to hue bulbs and an up down button to increase/decrease light levels... All via harmony hub.

25-11-2020 11:17pm

Bluefoam wrote: »

Bedroom is the best place for a sensor. I have one under the bed that senses when you enter the room... If it doesn't detect movement after a minute the lights turn off... So you can get into bed and a minute later the lights slowly turn off, without fumbaling for a switch... In the morning I set the lights to slowly come on before the alarm, so that you wake up gradually. Then when you leave the room the sensor turns off the lights again after a minute of no activity...

I also have them in the hall and landing...

Interesting, I might move a sensor onto a bedroom to try this out.

Soarer · 26-11-2020 10:27am

Morning lads and lassies.

Can someone recommend a good, non-subscription (don't mind paying upfront) app for hue lighting?

At the minute I'm using the official one and it's grand. Current annoyance* is we've the lights at the front of the house grouped together and set to the "Savanna Sunset" theme. But when we turn them off in the morning, they're reverted to standard that evening. I know you can set the "power on" options, but that doesn't allow you to set a theme.
I used a trial of OnSwitch (I think) for Halloween. That was a brilliant app with the themes available. But I think it's something like €8 a month for the privilege, and shag that! Plus it had this annoying thing that whatever device you had the app on (my phone in this case) had to be in constant contact with the hub!

All help appreciated.

* - I know I could get a Hue Switch, but the more things I can get into the house without herself noticing, the better for me!

AndyBoBandy · 26-11-2020 10:30am

Soarer wrote: »

Morning lads and lassies.

Can someone recommend a good, non-subscription (don't mind paying upfront) app for hue lighting?

At the minute I'm using the official one and it's grand. Current annoyance* is we've the lights at the front of the house grouped together and set to the "Savanna Sunset" theme. But when we turn them off in the morning, they're reverted to standard that evening. I know you can set the "power on" options, but that doesn't allow you to set a theme.

It does though...

How are you turning them back on? if its by a timed routine, you can set them to come on to any scene you want (in any colour combination you like).

The 'Wake Up' & 'Go to Sleep' routines cannot be adjusted in terms of what the lights do, as those routines are linked to particular scenes, but in the 'Other Routines' you can get them to do whatever you like, and set any scene you've created to go on/off at any given time.

If its by a dimmer switch, same thing, they'll come on to whatever preset scene you choose in the app.

Philips Hue FAQ

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