Philips Hue FAQ

Optimus Prime · 12-02-2017 9:51am

I've Blooms and a Go's and the Go's are way way brighter and throw more light out. I wanted them to throw light on my walls and for this I'll never buy any of them other than a go again. I'd recommend them.

You can unplug the goes and carry them around to different places. The battery lasts about two and half hours. Though I rarely do this anyways.

They where on sale at 48 each on amazon before Christmas I got a couple.

I think the iris is way more than 15 too. At least 50 I'd say.

The Black Oil · 12-02-2017 7:34pm

Ordered a Go from Apple.ie. Should have it by Tues, will see how it, er, goes.

AndyBoBandy · 12-02-2017 8:11pm

The Black Oil wrote: »

Ordered a Go from Apple.ie. Should have it by Tues, will see how it, er, goes.

I'd have waited for Amazon to have another sale, they've had a few over he last few months where the Hue Go was down to £46

wexfordman2 · 13-02-2017 10:31am

BoardsMember wrote: »

When you say bypass the wires as normal switch, can you elaborate? Do you mean having the switch there but it not actually doing anything when you might use it, i.e. its always on unless you wire it in? Sorry, not to0 familiar with wiring.

Yep, pretty much thats what I mean. The idea being that you can revert to normal functionality when/if you want to.

BoardsMember wrote: »

What would/could the neutral be for?

Lots of z wave in line switches require a neutral at the switch point to work, so if I was rewiring, I would ensure a nuetrual was present.

BoardsMember wrote: »

I'll probably go for 2 cat 5 or 6 in each living room and the master bedroom to allow for decent wired broadband and maybe hdmi (or whatever) over cat 5/6. Not sure I'd wire it to where I would usually put a light switch though.

What I was talking about was wiring a cat5 cable to each light switch point to allow for light control via other methods. For example, loxone, cbus, velbus type solutions etc.

jones · 13-02-2017 1:33pm

Folks has anyone used the Philips Hue 230 V Wireless Lighting Dimmer Switch as there main switch in a room?

My bedroom regular mains lightswitch broke (on off switch just fell off one day) so i was thinking this could be the perfect time to HUEify the room. Can i use the Philips Hue 230 V Wireless Lighting Dimmer Switch as my main switch? So basically Cap off the mains at the switch and install the Hue dimmer switch where the old switch use to be? They look a lot skinnier than the normal switch but i'm not sure if its just the photo that makes it look that way.

Anyone used them or any reason why this wouldn't work?

AndyBoBandy · 13-02-2017 1:46pm

jones wrote: »

Folks has anyone used the Philips Hue 230 V Wireless Lighting Dimmer Switch as there main switch in a room?

My bedroom regular mains lightswitch broke (on off switch just fell off one day) so i was thinking this could be the perfect time to HUEify the room. Can i use the Philips Hue 230 V Wireless Lighting Dimmer Switch as my main switch? So basically Cap off the mains at the switch and install the Hue dimmer switch where the old switch use to be? They look a lot skinnier than the normal switch but i'm not sure if its just the photo that makes it look that way.

Anyone used them or any reason why this wouldn't work?

You can use them, i have 6 in total. you'll just need to make sure the original broken switch is closed always on) and then you'll just use the dimmer switch for control.

bk · 13-02-2017 2:00pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

You can use them, i have 6 in total. you'll just need to make sure the original broken switch is closed always on) and then you'll just use the dimmer switch for control.

Yes, however they are a lot skinnier then the old switch, so they won't fully cover the old switch space, but it shouldn't be a major issue.

jones · 13-02-2017 2:04pm

bk wrote: »

Yes, however they are a lot skinnier then the old switch, so they won't fully cover the old switch space, but it shouldn't be a major issue.

I thought they looked a good bit skinnier alright. Thanks for the help guys i'll start looking into getting it

Irish Gunner · 16-02-2017 11:55pm

Is there no option for random lighting any more on the app.

What's best option for this if away on holidays and set random lighting

niallo27 · 18-02-2017 10:04pm

I'm looking for a starter kit with the b22's but I can only find the screw in ones as a starter kit. Is there a starter kit with b22s

AndyBoBandy · 18-02-2017 10:52pm

niallo27 wrote: »

I'm looking for a starter kit with the b22's but I can only find the screw in ones as a starter kit. Is there a starter kit with b22s

Yes, on Amazon

Select any starter kit, and once in, your can then select which type of fitting you want under 'Style Name'

niallo27 · 18-02-2017 11:27pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Yes, on Amazon

Select any starter kit, and once in, your can then select which type of fitting you want under 'Style Name'

Nice one cheers. Seems to only work for the expensive ones the normal ones you can't switch style.

Danbo! · 19-02-2017 12:23am

niallo27 wrote: »

Nice one cheers. Seems to only work for the expensive ones the normal ones you can't switch style.

Had the same issue. I didn't want colour or ambiance, just the standard whites. Ikea do bayonet to Edison adapters for €1.50 a pair.

glic83 · 20-02-2017 10:04pm

Hi all, quick question for you. I spotted the above starter pack on littlewoods http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/philips-hue-white-e27-led-starter-kit/1600034920.prd?gclid=CjwKEAiAxKrFBRDm25f60OegtwwSJABgEC-Zx1EVsmFH6aQkDivQ-Eqw6IlWefdxeMJOgGksaUsuPhoCnZvw_wcB#sku=sku18072721?cm_mmc=google-_-categorymissing-_-pushchairs-_-na_174701740765&utm_medium=cpc&k_clickid=_kenshoo_clickid_&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=*Shopping%20-%20Child%20&%20Baby&utm_term=na&utm_content=174701740765&profileid=491&keywordid=na&productgroupid=pg362163&device=m

A friend of mine is knocking through a bedroom wall and making two bedrooms into one. It's not possible without a lot of hassle to rewire the lights in the room so the plan was to maybe put in some form of smart lighting. The two lights would be left on and two philips hue light bulbs connected. The above starter pack just seems to have the 2 bulbs and the hub from what I can see. Does that mean he will always need a smart phone to turn on the lights in the room or is there a remote that can be got and used instead of the app?

GristlyEnd · 20-02-2017 10:36pm

Philips have a dimmer switch that you can use for this purpose.

http://www2.meethue.com/en-gb/productdetail/philips-hue-dimmer-switch#overview

glic83 · 20-02-2017 11:05pm

DarrenG wrote: »

Philips have a dimmer switch that you can use for this purpose.

http://www2.meethue.com/en-gb/productdetail/philips-hue-dimmer-switch#overview

If I'm understanding this correctly, you can use the dimmer switch to control the light without the need for the hub? So if it's just for the bedroom could you just buy the switch and 2 bulbs instead of the starter pack and the switch separate?

wexfordman2 · 20-02-2017 11:14pm

glic83 wrote: »

Hi all, quick question for you. I spotted the above starter pack on littlewoods http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/philips-hue-white-e27-led-starter-kit/1600034920.prd?gclid=CjwKEAiAxKrFBRDm25f60OegtwwSJABgEC-Zx1EVsmFH6aQkDivQ-Eqw6IlWefdxeMJOgGksaUsuPhoCnZvw_wcB#sku=sku18072721?cm_mmc=google-_-categorymissing-_-pushchairs-_-na_174701740765&utm_medium=cpc&k_clickid=_kenshoo_clickid_&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=*Shopping%20-%20Child%20&%20Baby&utm_term=na&utm_content=174701740765&profileid=491&keywordid=na&productgroupid=pg362163&device=m

A friend of mine is knocking through a bedroom wall and making two bedrooms into one. It's not possible without a lot of hassle to rewire the lights in the room so the plan was to maybe put in some form of smart lighting. The two lights would be left on and two philips hue light bulbs connected. The above starter pack just seems to have the 2 bulbs and the hub from what I can see. Does that mean he will always need a smart phone to turn on the lights in the room or is there a remote that can be got and used instead of the app?

Whatever your decision is, you should be able to get that kit for about 60 euro, not 85

glic83 · 20-02-2017 11:19pm

wexfordman2 wrote: »

Whatever your decision is, you should be able to get that kit for about 60 euro, not 85

Well it won't be for me , friend is the one getting the work done and was just looking to know his options, I was just using that link as an example of the kit. But thanks for the head up ref the price. So would this be the best solution or is there a better set up for his bedroom?

wexfordman2 · 20-02-2017 11:25pm

glic83 wrote: »

Well it won't be for me , friend is the one getting the work done and was just looking to know his options, I was just using that link as an example of the kit. But thanks for the head up ref the price. So would this be the best solution or is there a better set up for his bedroom?

As others said, you have a number of opyi9ns to control the bulbs including remotes etc.

However, if he is knocking walls and stuff, I would still suggest that he wires in a switch as normal in the location he would normally, just so he can revert to normal.

glic83 · 20-02-2017 11:58pm

wexfordman2 wrote: »

As others said, you have a number of opyi9ns to control the bulbs including remotes etc.

However, if he is knocking walls and stuff, I would still suggest that he wires in a switch as normal in the location he would normally, just so he can revert to normal.

It's the dividing room that he is knocking through so the switches will still be in the original positions but it would be a good bit of work to get the two lights wired up together.

bk · 21-02-2017 10:08am

glic83 wrote: »

It's the dividing room that he is knocking through so the switches will still be in the original positions but it would be a good bit of work to get the two lights wired up together.

Hue seems like a good solution for this so.

Here is a pack with a bulb and switch in it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Home-Kitchen/Philips-Personal-Lighting-Wireless-Dimming/B0148NMVRE/ref=pd_sim_201_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=14KBJ2CYZ0HKJJCNJBZW

AndyBoBandy · 21-02-2017 10:32am

A Hue Dimmer switch can pair with up to 10 Hue bulbs without the need for a Bridge/Hub

This however would only provide the most basic of functions, on/off as well as the ability to dim.

If down the line you wanted to add colour bulbs, a bridge/hub would really be needed as using a dimmer switch alone will only give the same basic functions as above (regardless if a colour bulb or not)

Roen · 23-02-2017 9:30am

Huelights wrote: »

I just bought the Philips Hue starter pack, I'm not sure though if I should buy the hue motion sensor or the samsung smartthings motion sensor. Advice welcome!

Might be a silly question but do you have the smartthings hub? The hue motion sensors aren't picked up by smartthings (at least not natively and they are flaky when hacked in) so if you use samsungs hub then they can't be used to trigger automations.
The smartthings sensor also can't be picked up by the hue bridge. So if you use the hue bridge then the Samsung sensor is similarly useless.

If you do have the smartthings hub then the smartthings sensor can be used to trigger hue lights and other automations.

The Black Oil · 28-02-2017 11:23pm

Bulb seems to have gone on the blink. Too tired to investigate in full tonight. Puzzled. It just went off and became unreachable. I deleted it, now it can't be added.

bk · 01-03-2017 9:28am

Amazons Cloud services were down for a few hours last night. Lots of the internet uses their cloud services, not just Amazon. Lots of the internet was broken last night. Could have been the cause.

The Black Oil · 02-03-2017 10:40am

bk wrote: »

Amazons Cloud services were down for a few hours last night. Lots of the internet uses their cloud services, not just Amazon. Lots of the internet was broken last night. Could have been the cause.

It's part of a set of 5 in one room. I tried it in a lamp the following morning, in non-Hue mode. Worked straight away. Glitch in the matrix. Re-added it to the 5 and added it again via the app. Was fine.

Irish Gunner · 02-03-2017 10:53am

Just got the Philips Lightstrip but there is not enough length for what I want so going to buy the extension leads. Using it for the back of TV but heard that they have a tendency to fall off. Was recommended Gorilla Double sided tape
Any views on their stick ability and what they have used to keep them stuck to surfaces

AndyBoBandy · 02-03-2017 11:16am

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Just got the Philips Lightstrip but there is not enough length for what I want so going to buy the extension leads. Using it for the back of TV but heard that they have a tendency to fall off. Was recommended Gorilla Double sided tape
Any views on their stick ability and what they have used to keep them stuck to surfaces

Their stickiness is pretty poor (and I'm using mine lying on the flat above my kitchen units), so I decided that it would be staying there forever and super glued it in place.

for behind a TV, I'd definitely superglue it, it's the only way you'll get good clean contact without it bubbling and coming away from the plastic frame

irelandrover · 02-03-2017 11:18am

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Their stickiness is pretty poor (and I'm using mine lying on the flat above my kitchen units), so I decided that it would be staying there forever and super glued it in place.

for behind a TV, I'd definitely superglue it, it's the only way you'll get good clean contact without it bubbling and coming away from the plastic frame

I have mine stuck under the kitchen cabinets and ive had no issues with the stickiness.

AndyBoBandy · 02-03-2017 11:23am

irelandrover wrote: »

I have mine stuck under the kitchen cabinets and ive had no issues with the stickiness.

the problem is though when he goes to turn 90 degrees at each corner, that stickiness will be about as effective as a chocolate kettle

Optimus Prime · 02-03-2017 11:28am

mine didnt really stick, but to be honest i didnt clean the dust off the top of the kitchen cabinets first! they tell you to do that for a reason! i ended up gluing down the ends to keep them from popping up.

Irish Gunner · 02-03-2017 11:41am

Cheers

Rather not use glue as new tv so may try double sided tape

AndyBoBandy · 02-03-2017 11:45am

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Cheers

Rather not use glue as new tv so may try double sided tape

New TV/OldTV, what does it matter, it's your TV!

Of course try with the already applied sticky that comes on the light strip, but as I said, going around corners will be a nightmare, and even double sided sticky tape won't help you if you want it to look neat & tidy

the heathen · 02-03-2017 12:59pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Cheers

Rather not use glue as new tv so may try double sided tape

Command strips?

Irish Gunner · 06-03-2017 11:28am

Got the strips and managed to stick them to back of tv and holding up well. Had to buy extension strip as would not fit around the TV. Only issue was getting the corners as but of a B... and they protrude but not concerned to much as well hidden.
Watching film last night and Pretty good. Pretttttttty, pretttttttttty, pretttttty good.

AndyBoBandy · 06-03-2017 3:01pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Got the strips and managed to stick them to back of tv and holding up well. Had to buy extension strip as would not fit around the TV. Only issue was getting the corners as but of a B... and they protrude but not concerned to much as well hidden.
Watching film last night and Pretty good. Pretttttttty, pretttttttttty, pretttttty good.

Get the SyncMyLights app,

It works with movies and adjusts hue to suite the scenes in a movie

Irish Gunner · 06-03-2017 3:58pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Got the strips and managed to stick them to back of tv and holding up well. Had to buy extension strip as would not fit around the TV. Only issue was getting the corners as but of a B... and they protrude but not concerned to much as well hidden.
Watching film last night and Pretty good. Pretttttttty, pretttttttttty, pretttttty good.

Get the SyncMyLights app,

It works with movies and adjusts hue to suite the scenes in a movie

Cant see it in the play store only on IOS......?

AndyBoBandy · 06-03-2017 4:16pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Cant see it in the play store only on IOS......?

Ah, apologies, I guess it's only available on iOS

Bluefoam · 06-03-2017 6:55pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Ah, apologies, I guess it's only available on iOS

There's similar apps on Android

Irish Gunner · 06-03-2017 7:21pm

Bluefoam wrote: »

There's similar apps on Android

Any that you would recommend?

Bluefoam · 06-03-2017 8:11pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Any that you would recommend?

Can't recall, but had one at one stage after I bought the lights, proved very impractical to sit the phone facing the TV... Used hue disco for a bit, but it's all a bit finicky and not so straight forward to use....

BoardsMember · 07-03-2017 5:04pm

Is it not distracting having lights behind a telly while watching it? Cant quite see the point, though happy to be shown that I'm wrong as then I'd have a reason to buy another strip!

Irish Gunner · 07-03-2017 5:24pm

BoardsMember wrote: »

Is it not distracting having lights behind a telly while watching it? Cant quite see the point, though happy to be shown that I'm wrong as then I'd have a reason to buy another strip!

I just turn off all lights other than these and lights just enhanced the viewing. Kind of gimmicky but no complaints so far.. like a small cinema

AndyBoBandy · 07-03-2017 5:32pm

BoardsMember wrote: »

Is it not distracting having lights behind a telly while watching it? Cant quite see the point, though happy to be shown that I'm wrong as then I'd have a reason to buy another strip!

I have a bloom behind the TV in our bedroom and it's a really nice feature behind the TV

Though it's only ever used in a low warm setting,

Roen · 08-03-2017 6:02pm

Roen wrote: »

In addition to the e14 bulbs. Does anyone have a Hue Being or a Hue Still ceiling light? Thinking of getting two for the hall. Hard to find a review for them anywhere.
R.

Well after three months wait the Hue Being lamp finally shipped today!

As far as I know the Being, Still and Fair Hue lights were all hit with recalls and Philips had to start over manufacturing of these products. They are hard to pick up.
Used DMlights in the Netherlands. They should also have them back in Amazon before long too, lead time says 1-2 months.

adox · 10-03-2017 12:15pm

Guys Im a ios user have been for years and use it on my iPhone to control my bulbs when home and away and also use the app with an iPad.

Im jumping ship most likely from an iPhone to an Android device and was just wondering is the official app the same on Android as ios?

Also would I have an issue having both an ios device(iPad)and Android device(phone)connected to it?

bk · 10-03-2017 12:21pm

adox wrote: »

Im jumping ship most likely from an iPhone to an Android device and was just wondering is the official app the same on Android as ios?

It is, though I find the third party apps for Hue available on Android to be far inferior to the iOS ones (iConnectHue, etc.)

adox wrote: »

Also would I have an issue having both an ios device(iPad)and Android device(phone)connected to it?

Non at all, I use iOS the other half uses Android. everything works fine. The settings are kept on the bridge, all the apps just interact with the bridge.

The advantage of still having the iPad is that you can still use the better third party apps like iConnectHue.

BoardsMember · 10-03-2017 12:23pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

I have a bloom behind the TV in our bedroom and it's a really nice feature behind the TV

Though it's only ever used in a low warm setting,

YNWA!!

Irish Gunner · 11-03-2017 8:24pm

Want to set up lights so they come on and off at certain times. Trying to figure it out.

Anyone help with assistance or best way?

Bluefoam · 11-03-2017 8:40pm

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Want to set up lights so they come on and off at certain times. Trying to figure it out.

Anyone help with assistance or best way?

Can be done with the Hue app...

Philips Hue FAQ

Comments