You don’t need fancy hardware to stream PlayStation 4 gameplay to loyal viewers. Sony’s PS4 allows you to stream to a PC, and you can do this even without a capture card. While capture cards allow for better quality, they can be expensive. Remote Play is also an option, but it also has its issues. Show
Whether you’re an aspiring streamer or a Twitch veteran, you should be familiar with a few methods for streaming PS4 gameplay. You can always switch from one to another when your preferred method fails and ensure that your viewers always have something to watch. How to Stream PS4 Gameplay to TwitchThe primary platform gamers stream to is Twitch, and it’s no surprise that many streamers have developed many ways to do it. However, you don’t need an elaborate setup to stream to this popular platform. There’s a way to stream to Twitch without capture cards or extra HDMI cables. Before you start, you’ll need the following:
Once you have the right resources, it’s time to set everything up. Don’t worry; the process doesn’t take very long. Here’s what you need to do.
It’s fairly easy to use Remote Play and OBS Studio to stream your content. It’s not the best option around, but it’s still effective. There are several settings you can tweak to get the best performance and results. Also, you’ll get a better experience playing and streaming the games with a strong internet connection or two Ethernet cables. How to Stream PS4 Gameplay with an Elgato Capture CardIf you have an Elgato capture card, you can connect it to your PC for higher-quality streaming. Elgato’s capture cards are the industry’s standard, and many successful streamers use them to stream their games or capture gameplay for videos. The PS4 has an HDMI “out” port, making it possible for anyone with a capture card to stream their gameplay. To stream with an Elgato capture card, you’ll need:
When you have everything on hand, follow the steps below to start streaming your PS4 gameplay.
The above steps should also work with other capture cards, although they may not require you to download and install any accompanying software. It depends on the card. As long as a capture card connects the PS4 screen and your PC, streaming PS4 gameplay is possible. High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) can prevent you from recording protected content, like movies and shows from Netflix and Hulu. Consequently, you may not stream some sections because HDCP becomes enabled with this method. Also, the Elgato capture card works best if your PC exceeds its minimum specifications, which is why a powerful gaming PC should be your first choice for streaming. A gaming laptop is another option; it lets you bring your setup wherever you go. Your gaming PC or gaming laptop should have the best hardware possible. Weaker and slower hardware can affect the performance and cause stuttering and lag. How to Stream PS4 Gameplay to PC using DiscordIf you’re a frequent Discord user, particularly for playing video games, you may have encountered users streaming themselves playing in a voice chat channel. Discord introduced the feature to create a more enhanced, interactive environment. Streaming anything to Discord is easy as long as you have the necessary equipment. There are a few different ways you can stream to Discord. Let’s take a look at one of them. How to Use Twitch to Stream Your PS4 Game on DiscordThe first method to stream your game in Discord is the most complicated, but you can also use it to stream to Twitch immediately. While Discord is on the PS4, you can’t use that version to stream directly. The workaround below performs well for streaming because those who join the voice chat can also talk to you while you play games. Here’s what you’ll need:
Check out how to get started with this method:
This method works well if you want to have your Twitch stream live in addition to Discord. However, if you’re going to only stream to Discord via recorded gameplay, there’s another way to stream without a capture card. How to Use PlayStation 4 Remote Play to Stream Your PS4 Game on DiscordThe following method takes advantage of PS4 Remote Play. As such, many of the steps apply to streaming to Discord too. The main advantage of this method is that you don’t need to have a Twitch account to stream to Discord. For this method, you’ll need PS4 Remote Play. If you don’t already have PS4 Remote Play, you may want to download and install it before setting up your PS4. The process is more streamlined, and you save some time. Here’s how to do it.
Now, anyone who joins the Discord voice channel can watch your gameplay. The above method is easier on your internet since you’re only streaming on one platform, and it’s also an excellent option if you don’t have a strong internet connection but still want to stream. How to Use a Capture Card to Stream PS Gameplay on DiscordUsing a capture card to stream to friends on Discord can help reduce the load on your internet even more. With the help of OBS Studio and a capture card, you can stream your games to Discord instead of Twitch. The video quality is much higher, and your friends will appreciate it. You won’t lag as much since your internet bandwidth only gets used for streaming. Here’s how to stream video on Discord using a capture card:
Now, anyone who joins the voice channel can watch you play. In closing, the PS4 makes streaming games on Twitch, YouTube, or even Discord relatively simple. You don’t even need a capture card, thanks to PS4 Remote Play. Nowadays, you can share your live gameplay with anyone in the world with the proper setup. PS4 Gameplay Streaming FAQsCan I stream a PS4 to a PC with an HDMI cord?Unfortunately, there’s no way to stream from a PS4 to a PC using an HDMI cable. Many modern laptops have an HDMI port, but this port is an “HDMI Out” port. It doesn’t accept HDMI inputs at all. This scenario means that even if you connect your PS4 to your laptop with an HDMI cord, you won’t be able to broadcast your games. If you want to stream to your PC, you’re better off using PS4 Remote Play or a capture card. What do I need for PS4 streaming?Step 3: If you just want to stream your gameplay, you'll need to connect your PS4 to the capture card via HDMI, your capture card to a display via HDMI, and the capture card to your streaming computer over USB.
What supplies do you need to start streaming?You'll need a camera, mic or microphone, lighting, and a stable internet connection. You'll also need to get your (digital) hands on some live streaming software.
How does PS4 streaming work?Streaming from PlayStation
While playing a game, press the Share button on your controller and select “Broadcast Gameplay” from the Share menu, and select Twitch. You can choose your video options, give your stream a title, add in your PlayStation Camera if available, and invite your friends to start watching.
Do I need a capture card to stream PS4?Sony's PS4 allows you to stream to a PC, and you can do this even without a capture card. While capture cards allow for better quality, they can be expensive. Remote Play is also an option, but it also has its issues.
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