PS4 is the most popular gaming console this generation has ever seen. Though the new PS5 is out and catching up in the race, it’s still got quite some time till it completely replaces the PS4. And that is if it’s going to happen in the first place. But to salvage what’s left of the PS4’s golden days, let’s find out how to use the laptop as a monitor for PS4 and introduce portability to your gaming experience!
Why Use Laptop as Monitor for PS4?
If you’re into gaming and are on your feet most of the time, you know the worth of a portable gaming device. While tablets, smartphones, and laptops may not compete against PS4 for a gaming experience, they do give it a run for its money by portability.
Good were the days when Sony’s PSP was dominating the gaming markets. But since PlayStation Portable, Sony hasn’t quite satisfied gamers with another portable device. At least not until recently!
Sony Entertainment has revealed several ways to use your PS4 on PC and laptops. And that’s what the entire gaming community has been dying to hear. You can connect your PS4 to your laptop using a Capture Card or Remote Play feature.
Do you have the same games installed on your PC that you love to play on your PS4? Find out how to connect your PS4 controller to PC and catch up on the fun in under five minutes!
How to Use Laptop as Monitor for PS4?
Nothing is more frustrating than when you’re having a gaming night, and the TV’s taken by your siblings or broken. Plus, things can heat up if you don’t have a spare LCD or LED screen!
But now that Sony Entertainment has officially released the Remote Play and Capture Card methods to play PS4 on PC and laptops, you can continue your fun gaming experience from anywhere!
Using HDMI and Capture Card
Connecting your PS4 to a laptop or PC screen is the easiest via a capture card. Though you’ll need to put together a bit of money to get yourself a Capture Card, it lasts pretty long, making it worth it. You’ll need to have:
- Video Capture Card
- HDMI Cable
- Laptop
- Internet
When you have the things needed, you can settle in and start the installation process. Firstly, install the Capture Card software from the CD that comes with it. And secondly, make sure that “File Sharing” is enabled on your PS4 console. To enable File Sharing:
- Boot your PS4 on a TV or an available screen and enter the “Settings” menu.
- Select “Network Settings” and open “Internet Connection Settings” from the new screen.
- Find the router your Laptop is connected to and connect your console to the same router.
Can’t figure out how to connect PS4 to Wifi? Read our article that explains what might be causing the issue with FIVE different ways to fix the problem!
Once you connect your PS4 to the router, it will automatically enable “File Sharing.” And with that done, let’s see how to make the hardware connection between your PS4 and laptop.
- Plug the Capture Card’s USB end into your laptop.
- Connect your PS4 to the Capture Card via an HDMI cable.
- Open the installed Capture Card Software and search for available devices.
- Once you discover your console from the main screen, select it, and the connection will be made.
- Adjust your laptop’s screen resolution and refresh rate.
- Enter full-screen mode to let the gaming fun begin!
Via Remote Play
Remote Play is Sony’s answer to fans demanding a portable console. Also, if you’re wondering how to play PS4 on a laptop without a capture card, this is your answer!
This new feature lets you connect your PS4 to your laptop through the PlayStation Network and play remotely. However, you might want to check the system requirements for Remote Play before installing it on your laptop.
System requirements for Remote Play:
- Windows 8.1 or higher (32bit/63bit)
- Intel Core-i5 (2.5 GHz or higher)
- 720p screen resolution (1024×768)
- Sound Card and USB port
- 2GB RAM or higher.
Once you’ve confirmed the system requirements, download the latest version of Remote Play. With the latest version downloaded for your Windows or Mac laptop, you’re now ready to begin setting up the connection
Setting Up PS4
To fine-tune and set up your PS4 for Remote Play:
- Connect your PS4 to an available TV or LCD and enter the “Settings” menu.
- Find the “Remote Play Connection Settings” and open it.
- Check the box next to “Enable Remote Play.”
- Navigate back to “Account Management” from the settings menu.
- Set your console as the primary PS4 by clicking “Activate as Primary PS4”.
Moreover, since you’ll be accessing your PS4 remotely, you must ensure you can use the Remote Play feature even while the console is in rest mode. To do so:
- Open the PlayStation “Settings” menu and navigate to “Power Save Settings”
- Select “Feature Available in Rest Mode.”
- Check the box next to “Enable Turning on PS4 From Network”
- Also, check the box next to “Stay Connected to the Internet”
Note: Not running the latest PS4 software may prevent you from using Remote Play and may also be why your PS4 is overheating.
How to Use PS4 Remote Play
Now that all the hard work of setting up your console for Remote Play is done, you need to boot the application on your laptop to start using the PS4 remotely. And to do so:
- Power on your PS4.
- Connect your DualShock 4 controller to the laptop via the USB port or pair it.
- Launch the installed Remote Play application on your laptop.
- Click “Start” and enter your PlayStation Network details.
Note: You must remember that you cannot use the Remote Play feature if you do not have an active PlayStation Network Account.
How to Use Laptop as Monitor for PS4: Bottomline
I hope you now know how to stream PS4 to PC and play games remotely from the above-mentioned methods. But for a quick recap, you can connect your PS4 to your laptop in two ways, via a Capture Card or Remote Play.
You’ll need to purchase a Capture Card but it does not require you to have a PlayStation Network I’d. On the contrary, doing so via Remote Play may save you from extra purchases but you’ll need to have an active PSN I’d. So, all in all, you have to take an extra step in either of the ways used.
But as a seasoned gamer myself, I prefer the Remote Play option as I don’t have to sit around within the Range of my PS4 to play. Let us know what method you think is the best for connecting PS4 to a PC or laptop in the comments below!
