A Fresh Perspective: Exploring the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror and Lightstrip Kit for an Immersive TV Experience

Key Takeaways

The Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit is a unique lighting product that can be synchronized with the colors displayed on your smart TV screen.

Positioning the camera and calibrating it with your TV during the setup process can be a demanding task that may require your patience.

With the Nanoleaf app, you can enjoy a range of lighting scenes, music-reactive mode, and seamless integration with smart home platforms such as Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. Nevertheless, occasional crashes may occur while using the app.

Nanoleaf, renowned for its unique smart lighting panels that effortlessly transform the atmosphere of any space, has introduced a novel product with a distinct twist—the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit.

Astutely engineered to generate dynamic light effects behind smart televisions, this kit illuminates the room with colors mirroring the on-screen visuals, thereby crafting an immersive experience in select scenarios. However, setting it up necessitates a certain level of patience and presents some challenges.

Introducing the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit, a revolutionary lighting solution designed for your smart TV. This one-of-a-kind product enhances your viewing experience by emitting vibrant colors that perfectly synchronize with the content displayed on the screen. Like all other Nanoleaf products, this kit offers exceptional functionality and versatility.

Brand: Nanoleaf

TV Size: Up to 85 inches

Lighting: Illumination on all four sides

Connectivity: WiFi (2.4 GHz b/g/n)

Remote Control: Via the Nanoleaf App

Music Reactive Mode: Available

Max. Brightness: Up to 1122 lumens

Integrations: Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, SmartThings, Razer Chroma

Pros: Simple hardware setup, Various lighting modes.

Cheaper way to experience Nanoleaf products

Cons Software setup is lacking

Camera is noticeable, which you might not like

App crashes

$120 at Amazon $99.99 at Best Buy

Set Up Works, Until It Doesn’t

Bryan M. Wolfe

You have two options when it comes to the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kits, depending on the size of your TV screen. The first kit is designed for smart televisions up to 65 inches, while the second kit is suitable for televisions up to 85 inches. The only difference between the two is the length of the light strip. Along with the strip, the product box includes a controller, camera, mounts, and brackets.

When unpacking the Nanoleaf, it is important to create a clear workspace behind your smart television. It is advisable to allow ample space for movement. Prior to attaching the lights to the back of your TV or monitor, ensure that the surface is free from dust and moisture. The light strip is equipped with removable tape on its back, and your task is to position the lights in a rectangular shape behind the television, leaving a minimum of 2 inches of space on all sides. Do not worry about the flexibility of the light strip, as it can be shaped to fit the available space. Press firmly along the entire strip to ensure maximum adhesion. The inclusion of corner brackets simplifies the installation process and provides added security.

Once the strip is securely attached, it is important to trim any excess length to avoid any loose ends. When doing so, take care not to cut into any of the LED lights. Once the strip is cut, it cannot be reconnected. Your next step is to connect the light strip's USB-C to the controller.

Positioning the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit's camera is the main challenge during installation. With dimensions of 31 x 28 x 34mm, the compact camera can either be placed below the screen without the included mount or at the top center with support. The camera is essential for the light strip to react to the screen's activity.

Initially, I was worried about the camera detaching from my TV, so I considered placing it in front of the screen. However, that position looked awkward. Therefore, I opted for a different approach and used the mount to position the camera at the top. When installed in this manner, it slightly protrudes from the top back of the TV and resembles a light hanging over a billboard sign by the roadside.

After installing the camera, connect its power cord to the controller. Then, place the controller behind the TV and plug it into a power outlet. Now, let's move on to something a bit quirky.

Bryan M. Wolfe

To pair the light strip with the Nanoleaf app for iPhone or Android, you need to follow the app's installation steps. Once the lights are paired, you will need to calibrate the camera with your TV.

During the calibration process, you must use the app to position the camera correctly so that all four corners of the TV are visible. The app will display a video of the TV screen on your smartphone to assist you with this. However, I found this process to be frustrating as the Nanoleaf app crashed twice. Eventually, I managed to position the camera in a way that captured every angle of my TV.

Something Extra

To enhance your experience with the Nanoleaf panel lights and the light strip in the room, you can utilize the Sync+ feature. This innovative functionality allows for a digital connection between the panels and the light strip, enabling them to react in synchronization with the content on your screen. The setup procedure for Sync+ is hassle-free and can be easily managed through the Nanoleaf app. If you own compatible Nanoleaf panels, they will automatically appear in the Sync+ section of the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit. Simply use the app to indicate the position of the panels on your TV, utilizing a convenient diagram and adjusting the lights accordingly by tapping on the screen with your finger.

No Surprise, Nighttime is Best

After conducting tests, it was observed that the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit delivers optimal performance when used in a pitch-dark room during nighttime hours. The lights were employed while watching various forms of visual entertainment such as cartoons, movies, and TV shows, revealing that they excelled particularly during scenes with highly concentrated colors, such as vivid animations. Remarkably, the lights effectively replicated the colors in all directions with great precision. However, in darker scenes of movies where the colors were more subdued, the lights did not perform as admirably due to the limited range of colors available to replicate.

Using the App: What the Nanoleaf 4D Lights Can Do

Nanoleaf

The Nanoleaf app is essential for using Nanoleaf panels and the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit. You can perform various tasks using the app, available for mobile and desktop. These tasks include controlling the lights, adjusting brightness, grouping lights by room, and scheduling on/off times. Additionally, the app allows you to use pre-existing lighting scenes or create your own. These lights can even sync with the music in the room. Furthermore, Nanoleaf can be controlled using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri.

Treating the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit is similar to other Nanoleaf products, such as the Nanoleaf Lines Squared. You can assign lighting scenes and have the lights react to sounds in the room. However, the primary reason for purchasing this kit is its ability to synchronize with what is playing on the TV screen. Nanoleaf provides varying levels of immersion in this feature.

The Nanoleaf app offers four screen mirror modes for the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit, each offering a unique level of immersion. Switching between modes is as simple as tapping a button in the app. The first mode, known as "1D," emits white light around the edges of your TV, occasionally reacting to the screen's movements. The second mode, "2D," identifies the dominant colors on the screen and blends them with white light, making it perfect for those seeking a less immersive experience. In both modes, the lights move in sync on all four sides of the TV.

Taking it a step further, Nanoleaf introduces its "3D" mode, which combines colors from the screen and applies different movements to each side. The ultimate level of immersion comes with the "4D" mode, where the colors appear to leap out of the screen. For example, during an action-packed car chase scene at night, the car headlights are projected beyond the TV's edges, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The 4D mode truly caught my attention with its vibrant and immersive experience. While the other three modes were pleasant for setting the room's mood, they couldn't captivate me as much as the 4D mode. In fact, they seemed to divert my focus from the on-screen action.

Extras: What Else Can the Lights Do?

Sync+ is a valuable enhancement to the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit experience, although it may be overwhelming for some. The addition of light panels can detract from the visual experience on either side of your TV, thus diminishing the immersive effect. Nonetheless, it is a smart feature that many will appreciate.

Additionally, it should be emphasized that the camera is equipped with a detachable privacy cover. This cover can be utilized when the camera is not in use, providing peace of mind and protection against potential hacking incidents that can occur with smart devices.

Drawbacks: Yes, There Are Some

Bryan M. Wolfe

The Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit is a valuable addition to Nanoleaf's product lineup, with the added advantage of being more affordable compared to other Nanoleaf options on the market. Starting at $99.99, this kit offers a great deal. However, there are a few obstacles that prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Initially, the setup process for the camera appears needlessly complicated due to unclear directions. To ensure optimal functionality, it is crucial for the camera to capture all four corners of the screen. Although the intention is clear, Nanoleaf could enhance the user-friendliness of this process, making it easier for consumers. Additionally, resolving the issue of frequent app crashes would greatly improve the overall user experience.

Other lights using Sync+ face the same issue. The app randomly resets the position of these lights, causing me to reset them as well. It seems like a problem with the Nanoleaf app rather than the lights themselves.

The camera hardware is another concern. It's inevitable that not everyone would want a small camera positioned in front of their TV or hanging above it. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a solution to this. The camera itself has a beautiful design and blends somewhat into the background due to its black color. However, it is still noticeable, especially when the TV is not in use. Perhaps with time and advancements in technology, a camera may become unnecessary for the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit. But for now, it's a feature that must be accepted or considered before purchasing.

Should You Buy the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit?

Bryan M. Wolfe

The quality of televisions has significantly improved over time, with advancements in technology leading to better picture and sound quality. The Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit offers a novel way to enhance the viewing experience. While it does have some drawbacks, it is a worthwhile option to consider. The "4D" mode, in particular, provides an immersive experience, especially when viewing colorful content. Despite a slightly frustrating setup process, the product is reasonably priced and functions as expected. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with existing Nanoleaf panels. In conclusion, I recommend this product to anyone seeking to enhance their TV viewing experience, even if it requires some additional effort during setup.

Introducing the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit, a remarkable lighting solution compatible with your smart TV. This innovative product seamlessly synchronizes colors emitted by the light strip with the on-screen display, creating a captivating visual experience. In addition, the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit showcases similar functionalities to other outstanding Nanoleaf products.

NanoleafTV offers a brand of televisions that are available in sizes up to 85 inches. These televisions feature lighting panels on all four sides for an immersive visual experience. The connectivity options include WiFi (2.4 GHz b/g/n), and the television can be controlled remotely through the Nanoleaf App. Additionally, the television has a music reactive mode and supports integrations with popular platforms including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, SmartThings, and Razer Chroma. You can purchase this television for $120 at Amazon or $99.99 at Best Buy.