In the Netherlands, Philips TVs are extremely popular, perhaps not always because of the image quality and image functions of the TVs, but especially because of the special Ambilight function. Nanoleaf has a unique 4D LED strip in their range that allows you to create an immersive and impressive viewing experience.
Nanoleaf 4D projects light onto the wall behind the television, in colors that match what is displayed on the screen. This essentially extends the image beyond the screen, providing a more intense and immersive experience. Nanoleaf uses a camera and advanced LED strip for this.
Nanoleaf 4D in short
Nanoleaf 4D is a Screen Mirror kit that synchronizes the colors on the screen with the linked gradient LED light strip mounted behind the TV. This allows you to experience an immersive “4D effect” and the room is illuminated by the vibrant backlight with the colors of your favorite shows, movies or video games.
The included camera looks at the screen so that the colors can be played on the LED strip behind the TV. You can also further extend the effect to other Nanoleaf products such as the Nanoleaf RGB lamps, shapes and lines.
Nanoleaf 4D starter kit
To use Nanoleaf’s 4D function, it is best to purchase a starter kit. This contains a camera, LED strip and mounting system for the light cord and camera. It is not necessary to purchase the starter kit, as you can also purchase just the 4D camera and connect it to your existing Nanoleaf lighting.
Installation LED strip
Attaching the Nanoleaf LED strip is quite easy, if you can place your TV on a table or sofa. The box contains corner profiles that you can place at the corners of the screen at the back of the TV. It is best to place the LED strip a few centimeters inwards from the edge, so that you cannot see the LED strip from the side of the device. The corner profiles that you stick on the TV help to place the corners in a streamlined manner.
The LED strip is connected to the Nanoleaf 4D receiver and transmitter, which is a ‘mini computer’ that you place between the camera and LED strip and is responsible for controlling the LED strip based on the view of the camera.
Install 4D camera
The Nanoleaf 4D bundle contains a camera that you can attach to the top of the screen or place at the bottom, for example on your TV cabinet. While both placements provide a reflection of the screen, mounting the camera above the screen can improve color accuracy slightly.
If the camera is placed under the screen, make sure it is not in an area where it is constantly moving as this may affect the accuracy of color sync.
Link to the app
Once you have everything installed, you can connect the LED strip and camera to the Nanoleaf app. As an Apple user, the connection is established with HomeKit. In the box and on the 4D computer you will find a QR code that you can scan from the Nanoleaf app. Follow the steps on the screen and then the camera can start calibrating.
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Calibrate 4D camera
Calibrating the 4D camera with the screen is not easy. First of all, I would like to give the tip not to indicate and use exactly the edge of the screen. It is best to place the calibration points a few centimeters away from the edge so that the colors stand out better. If you really use the edge, it will quickly register many black tones and the color reproduction will be less beautiful.
Colorful entertainment experience
Once the camera and LED strip are paired with the Nanoleaf app, you can start the colorful entertainment experience. You can switch on the LED strip in the app and the camera will automatically be activated and the colors of the screen will be projected onto the LED strip.
1D, 2D, 3D and 4D
After selecting the LED strip in the Nanoleaf app, you have the option to open the 4D tab. Here you can make a selection between 1D, 2D, 3D or 4D, but what is the difference?
- 1D: Mainly white light is used while the camera’s view determines the brightness of the LED strip based on the content on the screen
- 2D: The color that appears most often on the screen is used, the brightness is quietly adjusted to the display of the screen
- 3D: Multiple colors visible on the screen are processed in the LED strip, the brightness is adjusted faster to the display of the screen
- 4D: Immersive viewing experience where the colors of the screen are matched with the LED strip and follow the content on the screen, the brightness is intensively adjusted.
Basic colors and scenes
If you find one of the 4D modes too busy, you can also choose to display only one basic color on the LED strip or use colorful scenes. These do not take the colors on the TV screen into account.
Using Sync+
Sync+ is a feature that allows you to virtually connect all Nanoleaf RGB lamps in the same room, so you can expand the lighting effects on these lamps. This way you can not only display the synchronous display on the LED strip behind the screen, but also on the Nanoleaf Canvas, Shapes, Lines, for example.
Does the camera record video images?
Putting a camera on your TV, it’s a bit strange. Nanoleaf assures the user that the 4D camera does not record anything. No images are stored on the device, online, paired smartphone or anything else. The camera is only used to adjust the colors of the lesson strip to create the sync view in real time. Additionally, the camera is only activated during the first calibration step and thereafter only when a 4D mode is selected.
For added peace of mind, a magnetic privacy cover is included so you can cover the camera when not in use.
Nanoleaf 4D in practice
Over the past three months we have extensively tested the Nanoleaf 4D setup. We placed the camera on top of the TV, but we also tried at the bottom of the screen. In principle, it makes little difference where you place the camera, but if you attach it at the top of the screen, there is a greater chance that it will always remain in the same position. The camera is sensitive, so recalibration is necessary when moving.
In principle, the operation of the system is very simple, a camera looks at the screen and translates the colors and brightness with the linked LED strip and possibly additional lamps. This works well, there is hardly any delay and works well, provided the camera is positioned correctly.
You can adjust the display between 1D, 2D, 3D and 4D via the Nanoleaf app. In the video above you can watch the 4D effect, what is immediately noticeable is the busy interplay between the colors. It is an effect that is difficult for me to get used to because it is quite busy. A few years ago we had an Ambilight TV from Philips. Although this also translates the colors one-to-one, with Philips it is much more measured and calmer.
Nanoleaf 4D is too eager to show all colors and does not choose to ‘mix’ colors or give a suggestion. Naturally, green must be visible when the side of the screen shows a green color. But if this is only a small percentage, then it may be better to leave it out. As a result, the LED strip sometimes shows up to 10 colors on one side, which quickly appears unsettled.
3D is an alternative
If you want calmer lighting, the 3D option is an alternative, in which case the colors of the screen are also projected onto the LED strip, but at a calmer level. This way, the most important colors are shown and minimalistically matched to the screen.
Adjust vibrancy
As a user you have the option to adjust the vibrancy of the colors. Via the ‘Vibrancy’ option you can choose between Cinematic, Vivid or Custom. This mainly ensures the intensity of the colors and unfortunately this does not determine how dynamically the colors should change. That’s too bad. I deliberately gave the Nanoleaf 4D setup a few months, also in the hope that the algorithm would be adjusted, but unfortunately this is not (yet) the case.
Black and white
Many TV shows and films have more subtle colours, these are not always vibrant and bright, even in 4D mode. For black tones, Nanoleaf does not seem to choose a color by default and turns off the LEDs in this area. This makes it very restless because the LED strip is constantly switching on and off. In some cases, black appears dark red.
If there are often subtitles on the screen, the white of the text is also projected onto the bottom of the LED strip, causing it to show largely white colors. You can solve this by placing the calibration points higher on the TV screen during calibration.
Conclusion: Nanoleaf 4D
REVIEW SCORE
The Nanoleaf 4D camera and LED strip is a smart solution if you want to add extra dynamics to watching films and series. The colors are projected at lightning speed on the LED strip, which provides an intense and immersive experience. The light output is large and spreads well on the wall behind the screen.
Unfortunately, the 4D effect is very busy because Nanoleaf’s algorithm likes to project a one-to-one representation of the image onto the LED strip. This can cause an uneasy viewing experience with many color differences, flashing lights and movements. You can solve this by adjusting the brightness and vibrancy of the colors, but opting for a 2D or 3D scene is also possible.
The camera works well without any delay, and the placement of this camera is also very easy with the supplied mounting system. For extra privacy, you can cover the camera with a magnetic cover.
Is the Nanoleaf 4D recommended? That’s difficult to say. Personally, I find the effect far too busy and restless, but that is personal taste. This effect is probably special while gaming, but while watching an exciting series it quickly becomes redundant and causes unnecessary distraction. However, watching with the 2D or 3D effect is more pleasant and an addition while using the TV.
Buy Nanoleaf 4D
The Nanoleaf 4D is available in three versions with only the camera, with a suggested retail price of €79.99. In addition, there are two starter sets for sale with the camera including LED strip. For example, you have a bundle suitable for a TV with a maximum size of 65 inches for € 99.99 or one for a maximum size of 85 inches for € 129.99.
