Connecting your PS4 to a laptop via HDMI directly will leave you nothing but disappointed. The HDMI port of a laptop is unidirectional and offers an output function only. Therefore, you’ll not be able to stream PS4 games on your laptop via HDMI directly.
We do not mean to say that the connection is impossible because, sure, there are quite a few successful workarounds for that. So without further ado, let’s see what can be done to connect your PS4 with a laptop.
How can I use my laptop as a Monitor for PS4?
First, let’s talk a bit about the functionality of the HDMI port of your laptop to clear out any confusion. An HDMI connection is made to transfer audio/video signals from a source to a receiver without any compression or compromise of quality. In this case, your laptop is the receiver.
But at the same time, the HDMI port of your laptop is not designed to receive signals and serve an input function; instead, it can only act as an output port. So you see, we have a problem here. A direct connection of the PS4 with your Laptop’s HDMI port will render you a useless connection.
So how exactly can you play PS4 on a laptop with HDMI?
Use Capture Card
If you wish to connect your PS4 to a laptop via HDMI, you need to get your hands on a good quality Video Capture Card.
What is a Capture Card?
In the most basic sense, a video capture card is a tool to deliver a video stream to a laptop/PC by converting it into something the system can process. A VCC, therefore, allows you to connect an external device like your PS4 to the laptop to get the raw video stream displayed on your laptop’s screen.
Anyway, that was a very basic intro. Now let’s see how you can use the capture card to play PS4 on a laptop.
Method
For the success of this method, you need to have your PS4 and Laptop connected to the same internet connection and follow the steps below:
- First of all, connect the capture card to the USB port of your laptop. (A USB-C or Thunderbolt connection is preferred for better performance)
- Next, take an HDMI cable and connect its one end to the HDMI out port on the console. Connect the other end of this cable to the HDMI input port of the capture card.
- Take another HDMI cable and connect its one end to the output port of the capture card and the other end to the HDMI port of your laptop.
- Finally, the connection is complete. Now you can set up the capture card on your laptop via its software and you’re done.
Now enjoy PS4 gaming on your laptop just as well as on any HDMI monitor.
If you’re not able to change HDMI output to input on a laptop, you can read this guide i wrote.
How to Play PS4 on A Laptop without HDMI?
If you do not have access to a video capture card or don’t want to spend money on one right now, don’t worry. We still have a few solutions for you. None of these solutions requires the use of HDMI. For the first method, you will be using Sony’s Remote Play to play PS4 on your laptop. So let’s see how it works.
What is Remote Play?
Remote Play is a popular feature in the latest PlayStation devices. Remote Play allows users to play PS4 on their laptops, PCs, or mobile phones. This option is available to both Windows and Mac users. You need a stable internet connection, a USB cable, and your PS4 and Laptop.
This feature in the PS4 will allow you to use your laptop as a monitor and enjoy your favourite games, so let’s see what you need to do.
How to Use Remote Play?
- First of all, download the Remote Play software on your Laptop from Sony’s website.
- Now, head to your PS4 and find Remote Play Connection Settings.
- Enable the Remote Play function from these settings.
- Next, connect your PS4 controllers to your laptop using a USB connector or Bluetooth.
- Now, launch the Remote Play application on your laptop.
- Sign in by using your PlayStation account.
- Once both the devices are connected, you’re ready to play your favourite games!
Also, make sure that your console is set up as the ‘primary’ PS4 device to avoid any technical difficulty while forming a connection.
Use Built-in Recording Function
Yet another easy and reliable method to stream games on your laptop is to use the built-in recording function of your PlayStation.
This built-in recording function allows the user to record the gameplay and their voice. You can also use this feature to broadcast PS4 on your laptop screen.
Just follow these simple steps below:
- Connect your PS4 and Laptop to the same internet connection.
- Launch the game you want to play.
- On your controller, press the share button, which will open a menu in front of you.
- Choose the ‘Advanced Settings’ option and head to the ‘Broadcast Settings’.
- Choose your laptop for broadcasting from this screen, and you’re done.
Using this method, you can broadcast PS4 on your laptop in real-time and record your gameplay. However, this method does have a slight downside to it. You’ll experience slight lags in your streaming which can prove deadly during serious gaming.
Use Recording Software
One of the most common recording software that can help you stream your PS4 gameplay on your laptop is the OBS Recording Software. You can install this third party application to use your laptop as a monitor for PS4 successfully.
In comparison to the delay in the built-in recording feature of PS4, the OBS recording software shows little to no delay or lag whatsoever. Download the software from their website and set it up as required.
Can you connect a PlayStation to a laptop with HDMI?
Technically, you cannot directly connect your PlayStation to your Laptop via HDMI because the HDMI port of a laptop is not designed to receive audio/video signals rather it sends them to other external devices. It is an output port, to be precise. So you need additional equipment like a capture card to connect your PS4 to the laptop via HDMI and follow the steps explained above to form a connection.
Can I play PS4 without HDMI?
If you do not have access to an HDMI monitor or forming a connection with a laptop via HDMI is not feasible, you can use the Remote Play feature introduced by Sony in the recent past. It allows you to access the PS4 on your laptop and is almost as reliable as an HDMI connection. So yes, you can play PS4 without HDMI by using Remote Play instead.
Does PS4 Remote Play Work on a Laptop?
Sony Remote Play offers a versatile function. It is an excellent option for PS4 and PS5 users. It works perfectly well on a laptop. In addition to that, you can also use it on phones and tablets, both Android and iOS devices.
Sony Remote Play offers a simple and user-friendly function. You need to download the application from Sony’s website and log in with your PlayStation account to start your gameplay.
Conclusion
Playing PS4 on a laptop is not a problem anymore. You can use multiple ways to form a connection between your Laptop and PlayStation. However, the ones we mentioned above are the most reliable and common methods to play PS4 on HDMI laptops. Out of all the methods, Remote Play or a video capture card is the most convenient and foolproof option to convert your laptop to a monitor for PS4 streaming.
Here’s a guide i wrote to help you connect to the internet with an ethernet cable without a port.