What is a Philips Ambilight TV? And should you buy one? If you've been searching for a new TV, you may have discovered Philips' exclusive range of screens, combining ambient lighting and home entertainment for a dazzling movie night. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the way, and a plethora of Black Friday TV deals already kicking off, it's time to find out which TV will really kick up your home theater setup, too, given the deep discounts. . to enter new screens. Simply put, Ambilight is TV technology unique to Philips TVs, and in a saturated market full of nearly identical boxes of glasses, it really helps Philips stand out. Ambilight is basically the inclusion of an LED matrix on the side of a TV, which projects color onto the wall behind a TV. Sounds like a gadget? It is not. While a bright screen isn't crucial to your viewing experience, it has an incredibly stunning effect that you won't see with any other manufacturer. Projected colors match the hues that appear in your on-screen content, increasing your perception of contrast and creating an immersive, brilliant screen that seems to escape the TV itself. All of the cheaper Philips TVs these days use Ambilight, and can also be connected to Philips Hue smart bulbs, to allow the colors of the TV picture to flood your room, rather than just bleed behind the screen. Be aware though: a company called Funai holds the license for Philips in the US, which means you won't get anything quite like Ambilight. But for those in the UK and Europe who have their eye on an Ambilight TV, this is the guide you need.
Should I buy a Philips Ambilight TV?
Philips TVs may not deserve as much attention as the latest OLEDs from Samsung or LG, but Ambilight is a pretty compelling reason to pick one Philips model above the rest. However, not all Ambilight TVs have the same design. Lower-end models have double-sided Ambilight, meaning color emanates from the left and right of the TV. Mid-range models have a three-sided Ambilight, with LEDs facing up as well. Some very high-end models, like the 2020 935 OLED+ flagship model, now come with a four-sided Ambilight, meaning the LEDs shine from the bottom edge of the TV too. While Ambilight separates Philips TVs from the rest, there's still a lot to consider in the company's lineup. It has many models, from budget LCD screens to high-end OLED TV models, which tend to offer excellent onboard sound thanks to Bowers & Wilkins. The entry-level Philips 55OLED754 is just $999 these days, which is a great way to break into a once-prohibitive technology. Advanced models include the 55OLED805, which is also worth checking out. High-end Philips TVs use Android TV software just like Sony TVs. It's known to be a little wonky at times, but it does provide access to plenty of apps, many of which are the ones you can download for your phone. Most Philips LCD displays tend to have rather poor built-in sound. But there's nothing to worry about if you plan to use your own speakers or a surround sound system, which we always recommend.
![Philips Ambilight TV]()
(Image credit: Philips)
Do you want Ambilight without the TV?
It should be noted that you can technically upgrade your current TV to include Ambilight, even if it's not a Philips TV. Philips has released something called the Philips Hue Play Gradient Light Strip, which is available in sizes for 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch TVs. It effectively mimics the three-sided Ambilight, but not four, which seems to prevent any extraneous reflections from non-Philips manufacturer TV stands or soundbars. We're told it features five-channel LED elements, for a variety of colors and combinations, and is "optimized to mount to the back of a TV for an entertainment experience." Easy adhesive mounting brackets. " The lights will project at a 45 degree angle from where they are mounted, to really project the colors into the room. Using it in conjunction with the Philips Hue app will allow you to calibrate it with all the other Hue products in your home, although you do need the bridge Hue and the Philips Hue sync box to make it work.Price starts at €159 / €199 for the 55-60 inch waist, going up to €179 / €219 for the 65-70 inch and €199 / €240 for the one from 75 to 85 inches, respectively.