Breaking the confines of your screen with a splash of synchronised RGB is a great way to enhance immersion. Whatever game you’re playing spills out onto the wall behind your monitor in flashes of colour. Unfortunately, most come with the compromise of HDMI 2.0, including Philips Hue. In a twist, Govee has launched its second-generation AI Synch Box 2 at CES 2024, beating the market leader to the punch.
HDMI 2.0 gives you the option of 240Hz at 1080p resolution, 144Hz at 1440p, and 60Hz at 4K. This isn’t too bad for most but cuts out the full potential of console users as Xbox Series X and PS5 can both hit up to 4K 120Hz. HDMI 2.1 raises the bar much higher, including 4K at 144Hz, and even 8K at 60Hz should you find a display and GPU capable enough. Hint: even the best graphics cards would struggle here.
Govee AI Sync Box 2 isn’t quite the first HDMI 2.1 sync box, mind you. That honour goes to Lytmi, shortly followed by Fancy LEDs. Still, it’s quite a feat making it to market before the biggest brand there is. Considering HDMI 2.1 has been on the market for the best part of two years, it’s long overdue in this writer’s opinion.
The first Govee AI Sync Box is pretty impressive in itself, all things considered. The second, however, is simply better. It supports four screens instead of three, each with HDMI 2.1. With 75 LEDs, I can see it’s also noticeably brighter than the original.
You can customise it to your liking in the mobile app if it shines a little bright for you. Paired with two light bars, it’s more than enough to flood your back wall. And, once again, it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. To make the most of your lights, it’ll fit easiest on a 27in monitor to a 34in ultrawide. Anything smaller will see lights tangled and anything bigger means you won’t be able to coordinate the lights properly.
We’re not sure when it’ll be available or how much it’ll cost just yet. The original launched for $300 with light bars and $150 without, and we expect this will be in a similar ballpark. For now, though, you can grab the original 63% cheaper at $74.99 for the full kit. Provided it works with the refresh rate and resolution of your setup, this is a steal.
Govee AI Sync Box Kit
“Transform your gaming experience with the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box. These RGBIC gaming lights have customizable AI lighting effects and are compatible with popular titles such as Apex Legends.”
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