Sega Toys Homestar in the Press
20 October 2023 – Wired (United States)
The Best Smart Lighting Panels, LED Strips, and Ambient Lamps
Add some color to your life, find accent lighting to match your mood, and transform the feel of your home with these decorative devices.
Light has the power to set a scene. Warm, subdued light can instantly create an intimate feel; bright, cool light can help you focus; and splashes of changing color can bring the party atmosphere. It doesn't have to be static. Synced or reactive lighting can enhance music, help movie action burst off the screen, and make gaming more immersive. Smart home lighting has grown considerably smarter in recent years; it comes in more shapes and sizes and is much more affordable than ever.
In this guide, we’re digging deep into the world of decorative or accent lighting, the kind of smart lighting that isn’t designed to serve as your main light source but brings style and mood to your space. From panels to light strips, lamps to light bars, these are our favorites of the many we've tested. Be sure to check out our Best Smart Bulb, Best Smart Plug, and Best Smart Speaker guides for more smart home recommendations.
Updated October 2023: We added new smart lights from Twinkly, Philips Hue, Govee, Nanoleaf, and Sega Toys, plus several honorable mentions, and we updated prices throughout.
Best Star Projector - Sega Toys Homestar Flux
Few things are as soothing as lying back and gazing at the night sky, but most of us have to contend with weather and light pollution that spoil stargazing. We tried a couple of cheap projectors that beam stars onto the ceiling and found them fun, but they show fake nebulas, and the quality is limited. The Sega Toys Homestar Flux might be as close as you can get to a home planetarium, with more than 30 star discs showing accurate night skies and nothing to keep you from seeing the constellations in all their glory.
Sadly, this projector is pricey and only comes with two discs in the box. It also requires a dark room and some focus fiddling. It worked well projected onto our ceiling, but it can get blurry at the edges. The shooting star is lame, but you can turn that off. Ultimately, this is super relaxing when you’re unwinding for sleep, and the fact that you can pick out actual constellations gives it a considerable edge over cheaper alternatives.
29 August 2023 – CNN Underscored (United States)
Mercury retrograde 2023: Here’s everything you need to keep calm
On Aug. 23, Mercury will go retrograde in the sign of Virgo. During this stretch, which ends on Sept. 15, you may hear all sorts of things being blamed on the planet of communication’s retrograde period, from technology mishaps to misunderstandings with friends and loved ones.
But what exactly is Mercury retrograde, why do people make such a big deal about it and is there anything that can be done to avoid its pitfalls and blunders?
What is Mercury retrograde?
Dossé-Via Trenou, creator of the KnowTheZodiac app and author of “Signs & Skymates: The Ultimate Guide to Astrological Compatibility,” says, “Mercury retrograde is actually an optical illusion. For a period of three weeks, the planet of communication appears to be rotating backward due to its proximity to Earth, but it actually isn’t doing so. This optical illusion alters the way we communicate, travel, create and connect with ourselves and each other.”
Effects of Mercury retrograde
You may have heard people warn of electronics going haywire during the Mercury retrograde period, and that’s because of the planet’s connection to all things involved in communication.
“Let’s look at the meaning of Mercury and then see how we can use his mercurial power,” Constance Stellas, an astrologist and author of the Little Book of Self-Care series and the Guided Astrological Journals, says. “Mercury was the messenger god, and he ruled all communication and thought-filled connections between people as well as documents. Thinking clearly, thinking slowly, reaching for words, remembering names — all these functions are ruled by Mercury.”
Though it may sound like cause to head inside and lock the doors, Stellas says there are some upsides to the turbulent Mercury retrograde period. “The message during retrogrades should be to slow down and take a mental vacation. Re-flect, re-do, re-imagine.”
As Mercury’s retrograde period approaches, here are our favorite gift ideas — for giving and for self-giving! — that can help you to navigate the chaos of technology gone awry and communication gone hinky, and to soothe you when inevitable disruptions occur.
Sega Homestar Original Black Home Planetarium Star Projector
Space enthusiasts and astrology lovers alike will love this very cool planetarium projector, which beams accurate star patterns on a ceiling or wall for any date and time you specify.
21 September 2022 – King Weekly Sentinel (Canada)
Homestar Flux brings the universe to you!
Leading game producer Sega has once again shown its expertise, in a really cool way.
As we receive more and more images from outer space, interest in the universe is growing. Many people are looking for a way to view the wonders of space in their own homes.
Look no further.
Sega offers its most advanced home planetarium, in the Homestar Flux.
Your dream of star-gazing from your sofa is a reality with this most advanced model to date.
The company took an incredibly popular planetarium design and refined it even further. Crafted in a satin black finish, this powerful star projector is designed to be your first choice home planetarium. Brilliant glass lenses and bright LEDs make everything look vibrant and sharp. The indicated edges of a lunar crater surrounding the lens finish the look.
Flux is the newest and most advanced planetarium in the Sega Toys Homestar series. Since the product launch of the Sega Toys Homestar Original in 2006 it established itself as the leading manufacturer of home planetariums.
The Homestar Series is developed by the Japanese inventor and entrepreneur Takayuki Ohira. As a recognized specialist for professional planetariums, he has received numerous innovation prizes.
His company Megastar supplies large planetariums internationally. Large planetariums project up to 22 million stars. Ohira has been driving the development of the Sega Homestar series in the joint development efforts of both companies. The result is home planetariums which project thousands of stars also at home at a very fair price.
You can view an unbelievable 60,000+ stars on your wall, ceiling, or any flat surface with this beauty. The unit boasts a silent, seemless disc rotation for hours of enjoyment.
It has a really cool, futuristic design, not totally unlike a certain iconic “deathstar” from science fiction.
It’s simple to use and you will get hours and hours of fun exploring all on your own.
You have to get the optional disc package, to expand your own personal universe.
The projector shows you everything from comets and galaxies, to a kaleidescope of constellations and starry nights across all four seasons. This is likely the most comprehensive package of images available to consumers today.
The SEGA Homestar does an incredible job of replicating the feeling of being surrounded by the cosmos. It’s incredibly calming, as you lay down on your bed or sofa, looking up at the constellations.
This is a winner.
Most armchair astronomers can’t afford those professional telescopes or even making visits to the nearest planetarium. With Homestar Flux, you don’t have to.
Not only is it fun and educational, this is the perfect companion for in-class instruction, workshops or presentations.
For more, visit https://www.segatoys.space/en/public/flux.html
4 July 2021 – RadioSEGA (United Kingdom)
Taking a Look At SEGA's Home Planetarium!
Did you know SEGA released a planetarium?! DrScottnik has made a video taking a look at the range of products, or read the transcript of the video below.
Space… The final frontier. Every night, humans look up to the night sky to the sight of thousands of stars, leading our imaginations to explode with myths and legends of these constellations. Or, at least we used to. In this modern age, we defy our natural instinct of sleep to stay awake longer into the night, using light to help guide us through the dark. And though it does bring us many conveniences, there are still costs, and one of those is light pollution.
The overuse of Street, House, car and other unnatural misdirected lights are what creates the issue of light pollution. It washes out starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical research, disrupts ecosystems, and even has adverse health effects for our sleep patterns. While many small remote towns in many countries get to experience a beautiful night sky, the same can’t be said about cities like New York and London, which are engulfed with Light pollution...
So; let’s say you live in a big city but still want to experience a beautiful night sky in the comfort of your home. Well, that’s where this comes in. The SEGAToys HomeStar.
In 2005, SEGA Toys collaborated with engineer Takayuki Ohira, the engineer behind the planetarium projector 'Mega Star,' and created a planetarium for the home. The planetarium has the capability to cast projections of thousands of otherwise unviewable stars onto your ceiling, all through the use of projection discs.
Since its 2006 inception, the Homestar has gone through many iterations; including a Spa edition, Resort edition, Travel edition, and many Star Wars collaborations. Today, SEGAToys focuses on two main products - The SEGA Homestar Original and the Homestar Flux, coming in at $149 and $229 USD respectively.
At the $149 mark, the SEGA Homestar original is a more approachable product in terms of its price. Weighing in at 1.21 lbs, this product can project up to 60 000 stars using it’s 3-watt LED projector light. With a projection distance of 150 cm to 230 cm and diameter of roughly 270cm, which is broad enough to cover most small bedroom ceilings. This sturdy plastic device works with small, high-definition discs that can be swapped in and out with ease. Two of these discs are included with the product. One disc depicts the northern hemisphere night sky, and it's companion disk shows an addition of lines to help you spot the constellations. The only catch is it does require some fine tuning of the focus ring located by the projector, which can often be a nuisance. It’s also important to note that the edges of the projection will be softer than the centre, though in many instances it isn’t too much of a problem.
For an extra $80 comes the Homestar Flux, and the perks of a bigger price tag is evident straight away when comparing the packaging. While the classic comes in a basic cardboard box, the Flux is housed in a beautiful white packaging with silver designs throughout, protected with a black sleeve. When opening the product up, you will find the Flux has a Matte finish as opposed to the basic plastic of the original design. While these small touches do give the presentation of a more premium product, how do the internals and functions of the Flux differ from the Original? Well, The flux has increased wattage from 3 watts to 5 for increased LED projection clarity, allowing even more stars to shine through with a higher quality image. This edition has a projection focal distance of 120cm to 290cm, with a diameter of approximately 290cm, just beating out the cheaper Classic edition. When viewing the projection from the Flux, There is a clear difference visible in terms of it’s range, focus and brightness. Ultimately, choosing the right product will come down to personal preference. While the Flux provides a clearer and brighter image, the Original has a softer look to it, providing somewhat of a more lifelike experience when it comes to the Northern Hemisphere disc. Though when it comes to the additional discs, the Flux absolutely crushes the Classic with it’s beautiful clarity.
And speaking of additional Discs - They can be bought separately for $29 US dollars, with options such as a Galaxy disc, The southern hemisphere sky, and a comet disc, just to name a few. Personally, the northern hemisphere star maps included with the unit and the Southern Hemisphere star map are definitely my favourites, though the others are still fun additions.
Both Homestars include a rotate feature that slowly moves the projection either clockwise or anti clockwise, a little addition that adds so much to the experience in helping one become entranced. Also included is the ability to see shooting stars pass by, a cool novelty, though these shooting stars don’t look particularly realistic. And of course there are the options to switch the device off after a certain amount of time, so you don’t have to worry as you fall asleep.
That’s the technicals of these machines, but what is the actual experience like? If you’ve ever been to an area not affected by light pollution and you’ve been able to see a night sky brimming with stars, you will know it’s a view like no other. It takes you out of the now, your mind in awe of all the things that could be out there. The SEGAToys homestar does an incredible job of replicating that feeling while remaining within the comfort of your home, the feeling of laying in your bed looking up, entranced as the constellations slowly spin above you. It’s an incredibly meditative experience, something I do at least once a week before falling asleep. It is difficult to comprehend the impact of the product through a single video, and I recommend experiencing it yourself to fully appreciate it.
These products are a great purchase for all ages. If you're interested in astronomy or want something to help calm you at night, the Homestar Original is a brilliant product. Though I would have to suggest only astronomy enthusiasts pick up the Homestar Flux as it does come with a rather steep price tag.
And that's not all when it comes to Homestar; In 2018, SEGAToys, in collaboration with The Pocket Company and Ohira Tech, released the HomeStar VR Experience for PSVR, the Oculus range, Vive and Gear VR. The experience has two versions: A $10 version and $35 Special Edition. How does this experience compare to the physical products and is it worth a purchase?
In both editions of the experience you will find 3 main modes. First up is World Sky Time Travel, which allows you to see the night sky from places around the world on any date since 1901. It is a cool gimmick to see what the night sky once looked like in your home country on the day you were born, or to see the night sky in Antarctica 30 years ago, whenever and wherever. The VR Celestial planetarium is the main attraction here, with 4 guides available in both editions and an additional 3 in the special edition. This mode is as close to visiting an actual planetarium as you can get without physically going to one. You sit in a virtual seat while being guided throughout different seasons of the night sky, stories and myths relating to the many constellations being told to you by either a female english narrator, a female japanese narrator or a male japanese narrator… but The only catch is no subtitles. The 3 extra guides included in the special version of this application are a nice addition. With the standout being a retelling of the classic Milky Way Train story, the highlight of the VR Celestial planetarium mode.
Some interesting trophies are also included within the special edition experience for the PS4, but there are very few. Having so few feels like a missed opportunity- as they encouraged me to do some research on comets and satellites to spot when they would be visible around the world. If more of these achievements were added it could have provided an extra aspect of education and entertainment value giving players more hours of enjoyment!
Finally, There is the Starry Sky Selection, which places you in a particular spot around the world to see what the night sky looks like from that location. The standard edition has 7 locations while the special edition includes 10. These locations range from Japan to New Zealand to America, and while they are a nice thought, It's easy to lose interest after a short period of time. This is where my biggest criticism comes into play. These locations could be gorgeous to look at, but unless you have a high resolution VR headset you will not get much joy and wonder from this application, especially if you are using the Playstation 4’s PSVR. And, with the extra $25 slapped onto the special edition, I would suggest passing on this- unless you are incredibly interested and have a high resolution VR headset.
And there we have it. SEGAToys Homestar, in two different formats. While I don’t entirely recommend the VR versions unless you are fortunate enough to find it on sale, I do highly suggest picking up the physical product; whether that be the original or Flux, depending on your interest and budget. This product really does open doors for those in heavily light polluted areas- and for some, it's an opportunity to see the stars in a way they might never do otherwise. A neat little gadget, indeed.
20 April 2021 – All About Space (United Kingdom)
In the shops
The latest books, apps, software, tech and accessories for space and astronomy fans alike
For indoor observing. Sega Homestar Flux.
This powerful star projector can project onto a ceiling, wall or any other f lat surface at a distance of 120 to 290 centimetres (47 to 114 inches). Two discs of the Northern Hemisphere are included, both with and without constellation lines. You can purchase additional discs which include the Andromeda Galaxy and Southern Hemisphere, as well as stunning images of Earth and the Moon. The projections are masterfully created using data from various NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United States Naval Observatory (USNO).
11 March 2021 – Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany)
Ganz weit oben - Warum junge Menschen unter künstlichen Sternen entspannen.
Von Berit Dießelkämper
Wenn alles zu viel und zu groß wird, muss man sich manchmal noch Größeres suchen, um wieder klarzukommen. Das Universum zum Beispiel. Offenbar liegen in diesen Wochen viele hippe junge Menschen unter den Lichtverschmutzungskuppeln deutscher Großstädte in ihren Paletten-Betten und lassen sich zum Einschlafen das Universum an die Altbaudecke projizieren. Sogenannte Heimplanetarien, also tragbare Sternenprojektoren, sind das neue große Ding. In den sozialen Medien wird jedenfalls zahlreich vor ihnen posiert und unter ihnen gestreamt. Aber warum eigentlich?
Vielleicht, weil es gerade jetzt so eine wohltuende Vorstellung ist, ganz weit oben und ganz weit draußen zu sein. Gut, das Surren des kleinen Roboters stört ein bisschen, obwohl in der Beschreibung "lautlose Rotation zum Träumen" steht. Dafür fliegt bei aktivierter "Sternschnuppenfunktion" alle 30 Sekunden eine Sternschnuppe vorbei. Die meisten Heimplanetarien haben eine Kugelform, sie ähneln ein bisschen "Wall-E", dem Roboter aus dem gleichnamigen Film, der nach dem Ende der Menschheit zurück auf die Erde kommen und aufräumen muss.
Erfunden hat das Heimplanetarium der japanische Ingenieur und Planetarium-Designer Takayuki Ohira. Seit 2004 steht er für ein Profi-Gerät im Guinnessbuch der Rekorde: Der "Megastar" kann 5,6 Millionen Sterne abbilden. Bei Marktführer Sega Toys will man zu Zahlen nicht viel sagen, nur so viel: Der Verkauf der Heimplanetarien habe sich in der Corona-Krise "positiv entwickelt". Und: In den vergangenen eineinhalb Jahren habe man sich bemüht, die Heimplanetarien auf Instagram zu platzieren und von Influencern bewerben zu lassen - offenbar mit Erfolg.
Das Heimplanetarium ist also nicht nur der nächste Schritt des Astro-Hypes der vergangenen Jahre, in dem sich immer mehr Menschen ihre Sternzeichen in die Dating-Profile schreiben. Es ist auch Teil der sogenannten "Experience Economy", bei der mehr der Verkauf von Erlebnissen im Vordergrund steht als der von Waren. Bereits 1998 beschrieben die amerikanischen Unternehmensberater Joseph Pine und James Gilmore Realitätsflucht als einen der vier Bereiche der Erlebnisökonomie. Wissenschaftler und Wissenschaftlerinnen erklären damit auch den anhaltenden Boom der Gaming-Branche, der sozialen Medien oder des Endlosschauens von Serien: Die Konsumenten nehmen nicht nur teil, sie tauchen vollständig in das Produkt ein. Sie verabschieden sich für eine kurze Zeit aus ihrem echten Leben. Und nun gibt es eben den Sternenhimmel für Zuhausebleiber und damit auch eine Flucht in die Weiten des Universums.
Hinter alldem steht - davon muss man in dieser andauernden Pandemie ausgehen - die Hoffnung, sich und seine Probleme relativieren zu können. Mit Blick ins Universum wird alles ganz klein, weil es da draußen so viel mehr gibt. Möglicherweise eine bessere Welt mit netteren Lebewesen und ohne Clubhouse. Das Heimplanetarium schafft einen Ort, an den die Menschheit fliehen kann, während irgendjemand anders die Erde aufräumt.
24 January 2021 – Beauty News NYC (United States)
Stuck at Home? Revel in SEGA’s Star-Filled Home Planetarium
With Valentine’s Day on the horizon and with many people spending a majority of time at home, you can infuse your domicile with breathtaking magic by projecting the night sky on to your ceiling and walls with SEGA’s Original Home Planetarium Star Theatre or its Homestar Flux.
Homestar Flux
Flux is the most powerful and most advanced home planetarium to date, with 5-watt LED, glass optical lenses, and high definition, star-splashed skies.
Imagine wishing on a star from the comfort of your sofa. Sega took an incredibly popular planetarium design and refined it even further for a more intense and uplifting experience. Crafted in a satin black finish, this powerful star projector is designed to be your first choice for a home planetarium because it has no equal. Brilliant glass lenses and their brightest LED to date renders everything in the night sky as vibrant and sharp. The indicated edges of a lunar crater surrounding the lens finish the look.
Homestar Original & Classic
A more affordable option, this model looks the same as the Flux and also enables you to stargaze 60,000 twinkling stars from your bed, sofa, or even your table as you dine. This high-def planetarium has an ultra-bright 3-watt LED and its rotating movement projects the night sky throughout the year. Two interchangeable disks containing the fixed stars in the northern hemisphere will enable you to observe the night sky or the map of constellations. As with the Flux model, it has an integrated “shooting star” function so you can wish upon a star with your partner this Valentine’s Day, or any day for that matter. Projection angle and focus are adjustable, and the model’s handy timer enables you to fall asleep while gazing at the stars, knowing that the planetarium turns off automatically.
The models are small, lightweight, and sturdily built. Disc options for night skies include Northern Hemisphere, Northern Hemisphere with Constellations, Universe with Galaxies, Starry night with Four Seasons, Comets, Southern Hemisphere, Moon Phases, and much more HERE. Other models include Classic Mars for a glimpse of the red panet, and Homestar RELAX, which we could all use.
The Sega home planetarium series is developed by the Japanese inventor & entrepreneur Takayuki Ohira. As a recognized specialist for professional planetariums, he has received multiple innovation prizes. His company, Megastar, supplies large planetariums internationally and these large planetariums project up to 22 million stars. Ohira has been driving the development of the Sega Homestar series in the joint development efforts of both companies. The result is home planetariums which project thousands of stars at a very fair price.
As Oscar Wilde famously said, “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” In 2021, let that be you.
1 November 2020 – OutClique (United States)
Journey to the Stars
Ready to relax? Take a journey to the stars with the Sega Flux. A home planetarium system, the Flux will take you on a journey from the comfort of your own home. As the most powerful and up to date system, it transforms your room into a galaxy that is not so far, far away. Relieve the stress of the day by taking time to mediate and ponder the wonders of our universe. But keep in mind, this is no ordinary star system. The Sega Flux utilizes the most brilliant glass lenses and brightest LED to create the most unique interstellar experience. Go to www.segatoys.space to begin your voyage.
