How to stream gameplay from a PS4

You don't need fancy hardware to deliver gameplay to loyal viewers. Sony's PS4 lets you stream to a PC, and you can do it even without a capture card. Although capture cards provide better quality, they can be expensive. Remote play is also an option, but it also has its issues.

Whether you're a budding streamer or a Twitch veteran, there are a few ways to stream PS4 gameplay you need to know. You can always switch between them when your preferred method fails and ensure your viewers always have something to watch.

How to stream PS4 gameplay with Twitch

The main streaming platform for gamers is Twitch, and it's no surprise that many streamers have developed a plethora of ways to stream. However, you don't need an elaborate setup to stream on this popular platform. There is a way to stream on Twitch without using additional capture cards or HDMI cables. Before you begin, you will need the following:

• PS4
• computer
• DUALSHOCK joystick 4
• PS4 Remote Play
• OBS or similar software

When you have the right resources in hand, all you need to do is get everything in place. Do not worry; the process does not take very long. Here's what you need to do:

Part XNUMX – Installing and Synchronizing Devices

1. Download and install PS4 Remote Play and OBS on your Windows PC.
2. Connect your DUALSHOCK 4 controller to your PC with a USB cable.
3. Accept Sony's data collection policies.
4. Log into your PSN account on the Remote Play app.
   
5. If your PS4 is on, you have to wait for it to sync with your PC over the Internet.
   
6. You will notice your PS4 home screen on the Remote Play app when the two devices have synced.
   

Part Two – OBS Setup

1. Launch OBS.
   
2. Find the cog near the bottom and click on it.
   
3. Select "Window Capture" from the menu.
   
4. Name the source to capture with something like "Remote Playback".
   
5. Select the correct window to broadcast.
   
6. Make sure you have the PS4 main menu in the OBS encoder.
7. Now you can stream your games on Twitch.

If your capture card fails, you can use Remote Play to stream your content. It's not the best option, but it's still effective. With a strong internet connection or two ethernet cables, you will have a better gaming and game streaming experience.

How to stream PS4 gameplay with an Elgato capture card

If you have an Elgato capture card, you can connect it to your PC for higher quality streaming. Elgato's capture cards are the industry standard, and many successful streamers use them to stream their games or capture gameplay for videos.

The PS4 has an HDMI "out" port, allowing anyone with a capture card to stream their gameplay.

To stream with an Elgato capture card, you will need:

• Elgato capture card
• computer
• HDMI cables
• PS4
• OBS or similar software

When you have everything to hand, follow these steps to start streaming your PS4 gameplay:

Step One – Set Up Your PS4

1. Turn on your PS4.
2. Go to Settings then System.
3. Disable "Enable HDCP".

Step Two – Connect the Elgato Capture Card

1. Before connecting the capture card, you need to download and install Elgato Game Capture HD.
2. Connect your PS4 to the HDMI "In" port on the capture card with an HDMI cable.
3. Connect the Elgato capture card to the TV or monitor via the HDMI "Out" port with another HDMI cable.
4. Use a USB cable to connect the Elgato capture card to your PC.

Step Three – Stream Gameplay to Any Platform

1. Launch OBS on your PC.
2. Set the source to PS4 gameplay.
3. Once it appears in the OBS encoder, you can start streaming the games on Twitch or any platform you want.

These steps should also work with other capture cards, although other capture cards may not require companion software to be downloaded and installed. It depends on the card.

As long as a capture card connects PS4, display and PC, PS4 game streaming is possible. HDCP can prevent you from recording protected content, such as movies and shows from Netflix and Hulu. Therefore, you cannot stream certain sections because HDCP is enabled with this method.

Additionally, the Elgato capture card performs best if your PC exceeds its minimum specs, which is why a powerful gaming PC should be your first choice for streaming. Gaming laptops are another option if you want to bring your setup with you.

Your gaming PC or gaming laptop should have the best possible hardware. Weaker and slower hardware can affect performance and cause stuttering and lag.

How to Stream PS4 Gameplay on PC with Discord

If you are a frequent Discord user, especially for playing video games, you might have encountered streaming users playing games on a voice chat channel. This is a feature introduced by Discord a few years ago that tends to create a more laid back and intimate environment.

It's easy to stream anything on Discord as long as you have the necessary equipment. There are different ways to stream on Discord. Let's take a look at one of them.

Here is what you will need:

• PS4
• computer
• Discord Account
• Twitch Account

First method

The first method is the most complicated, but you can also use it to stream immediately on Twitch if you want. Although Discord is on the PS4 itself, you cannot use this version to stream directly. This workaround works great for streaming, as those who join voice chat can also talk to you while you're playing games.

Learn how to get started with this method:

PS4 setup

1. Go to PS4 settings and select "Sharing and broadcasts".
   
2. Select “Link to other services”.
   
3. Link your Twitch account to your PS4.
   
4. Start the game you want to play.
   
5. Press the "Share" button on your PS4 controller, located on the left side.
   
6. When a menu appears, scroll down and select "Broadcast Gameplay".
   
7. Choose Twitch as your streaming platform.
   
8. At this point, you can change some settings before starting the broadcast.
9. Select "Start Broadcast" to begin the stream.
   

Stream on Discord

1. Go to your PC and log into Twitch.
   
2. Select "Channel" from your Twitch menu.
   
3. Access the live stream from your PS4.
   
4. Go to Discord.
5. Head to the server you want to stream on Discord.
   
6. Select your broadcast voice channel.
   
7. Once connected to the voice channel, select "Screen".
   
8. In the pop-up window, choose your Twitch stream to be the one to broadcast.
   
9. Check the settings and choose "Go Live" to start streaming on Discord.
   

This method works well if you also want to broadcast your Twitch stream live. However, if you're only streaming to Discord via recorded gameplay, there's also another way to stream without a capture card.

Second method

The following method takes advantage of PS4 Remote Play. As such, many of the steps also apply to streaming on Discord. The main advantage of this method is that you don't need to have a Twitch account to stream on Discord.

For this method, you will also need PS4 Remote Play. If you don't have PS4 Remont Play yet, you can download and install it before setting up your PS4. This way the process is more streamlined and you save time.

Here's how it goes:

Connect and sync your PS4 and PC

1. Download and install PS4 Remote Play on your Windows PC.
2. Use a USB cable to connect a DUALSHOCK 4 controller to your PC.
3. Accept Sony's policies on data collection and more.
4. On the Remote Play app, sign in to your PSN account with your credentials.
   
5. Turn on your PS4 if you haven't already and wait for it to sync with Remote Play.
   
6. When the PS4 and PC are synced, Remote Play displays your PS4 home screen.
   

Broadcast your games on Discord

1. Next, launch Discord on your PC.
2. Head to a server to use for your stream.
   
3. Join a voice chat channel.
   
4. Select "Share" to share your screen.
   
5. Select Remote Play to be the split window.
   
6. Make sure you're streaming at the exact resolution as PS4 Remote Play before going live.
7. Now anyone who joins the voice channel can watch your gameplay.

This method is also easier on your internet since you are only streaming on one platform. If you don't have a strong connection but still want to stream, this is a great middle ground.

What if you have a capture card and want to use it to stream to your friends? Using a capture card to stream to friends can help reduce the load on your internet even further. If this applies to you, enter method number three.

Method three

With the help of OBS and a capture card, you can stream your games to Discord instead of Twitch. The video quality is much better and your friends will appreciate it. More importantly, you won't have as much lag since your internet is only used for streaming and gaming if you're playing online multiplayer games.

Here's how to set up a stream with this method:

PS4 Settings

1. Turn on your PS4.
2. Go to the Settings menu.
3. In the settings, select "System".
4. Disable "Enable HDCP".

Connect the Elgato capture card

1. Download and install Elgato Game Capture HD if you are using an Elgato capture card.
2. With an HDMI cable, connect the PS4 to the Elgato capture card via the HDMI "In" port.
3. Connect the monitor or TV to your capture card with another HDMI cable, this one going to the HDMI “Out” port.
4. Using a USB cable, connect the capture card to your PC.

Stream gameplay on Discord

1. Launch OBS on your PC.
2. Set the source to PS4 gameplay.
3. Make sure it appears on the OBS encoder.
4. Launch Discord.
5. Go to a server.
6. Join a voice channel.
7. Select "Share" to open a window.
8. Select OBS as the window to share.
9. Make sure the settings are correct before going live.
10. Anyone who joins the voice channel can watch you play.

Can I stream PS4 to PC with HDMI cord

Unfortunately, there is no way to stream from a PS4 to a PC using an HDMI cable. Many modern laptops have an HDMI port, but that port is an HDMI "Out" port. It does not accept HDMI inputs at all.

This means that even if you connect your PS4 to your laptop with an HDMI cable, you won't be able to stream your games at all. If you want to stream your games to your PC, you'd better use PS4 Remote Play or a capture card.

Who wants to watch me play?

The PS4 makes streaming games to Twitch, YouTube, or even Discord relatively simple. You don't even need a capture card, thanks to PS4 Remote Play. These days you can share your live gameplay with anyone in the world with the proper setup.

What features do you hope Discord brings to the PS4? What games have you streamed from your PS4? Tell us about it in the comments section below.