Philips AmbiScape smart lighting system builds on universal Matter platform

Philips Ambilight TV lighting system just got a little smarter.

At Philips Unboxed trade showcase in Berlin, the TP Vision brand unveiled its new AmbiScape platform, the latest evolution of its long established Ambilight system. The idea is to broaden the scope of immersive lighting beyond the screen itself, and create new opportunities for custom installation and interior design.

Ambilight remains one of Philips’ most recognisable features. An integrated LED array on the rear of the display projects a dynamic halo of coloured light onto the wall behind, matching the on-screen image in real time. Originally conceived as a way to reduce eye strain and improve perceived contrast during prolonged viewing in low-light, the system has steadily evolved into a more experiential feature.

With more than 35 million Ambilight-equipped sets sold, and internal data suggesting over 80 per cent of users would choose it again, it continues to resonate with buyers.

The new Ambilight platform enables compatible Philips TVs to control up to four external smart light sources, effectively extending the visual effect into the wider room. At launch, this includes E27 bulbs from brands such as WiZ, Nanoleaf, Philips Hue and Ikea, with additional partners expected to follow. The system mirrors on-screen colour and intensity with a latency of less than half a second, maintaining visual cohesion between the display and external lighting.

A key element underpinning AmbiScape is its use of Matter, the emerging smart home interoperability standard backed by a broad industry alliance that includes Meta. Matter is designed to simplify device compatibility across ecosystems, allowing products from different manufacturers to communicate reliably over a unified protocol.

For installers, this reduces the friction typically associated with integrating multi-brand smart lighting systems, while offering greater flexibility when specifying components.

In practice, AmbiScape is straightforward to deploy. Pairing is handled via an on-screen QR code, which links to a list of compatible devices and guides the user through setup. Once connected, installers or end users can assign the position of each light within the room and select operating modes, including video-follow, music sync or static colour.

Activation is via a dedicated remote control shortcut or through the Ambilight settings menu, with additional control planned through the Philips Smart TV app.

This ability to mix and match lighting brands within a single setup is likely to be of particular interest. The platform allows up to four bulbs from any supported manufacturer to be combined, providing scope for tailored room layouts without being tied to a single ecosystem. This flexibility, coupled with Matter compatibility, positions AmbiScape as a relatively open solution in what has often been a fragmented category.

AmbiScape was initially trialled in a limited form on select 2025 models, but for 2026 it will be rolled out more broadly across Philips TVs from the 8000 Series upwards, including all 2026 OLED models and the brand’s new RGB Mini LED range.

I had the opportunity to experience AmbiScape in operation at the Berlin event, and the effect is notably more enveloping than Ambilight alone. By pushing synchronised lighting further into the room, the system creates a more cohesive visual field that’s immediately apparent, particularly in darker viewing conditions.

Commenting on the launch, Anette van Dijk, Head of Marketing Europe for Philips TV, said: “We have been receiving a lot of feedback from Philips Ambilight TV customers that they would like an easy way to extend the immersive effect of the Ambilight system further into their room. The AmbiScape feature provides that solution but also allows the consumer the freedom to choose from a wider selection of compatible smart bulb brands. It is proof of how we continue to improve Ambilight to ensure the system remains the true distinctive feature in the premium TV market, and even after 20 years, continues to grow in popularity”.