How To Use Laptop As Monitor For PS4

It can be frustrating when you want to play video games, but someone else in your house is using the TV to watch their favourite programs. So, now you’re probably wondering if you can use your laptop as a replacement screen. <img alt="How To Use Laptop As Monitor For PS4" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/echo/How-To-Use-Laptop-As-Monitor-For-PS4.jpg" data-lazy- height="667" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1000″>

Read on to find out how to do it. 

Using Your Laptop As A Monitor

Unfortunately, using your laptop as a monitor for your PS4 isn’t as simple as plugging in the HDMI cable. This is because both laptops and PS4s use HDMI outputs and neither are designed for HDMI input.

However, the good news is that it is still possible to use your laptop as a monitor, it’s just a little more complicated than you would expect. 

There are several ways in which you can connect your PS4 to your laptop, but the two easiest ways are through a capture card, or using a streaming service/Remote Play. 

Connecting Your Laptop And PS4 Through A Video Capture Card 

A video capture card is a small device that allows you to see content from your console on another device and record the footage. There are relatively inexpensive devices and you can purchase them online through Amazon.  

Most people use a video capture card when they stream, or when they record console games.

Unfortunately, they’re not the best for direct gaming as there’s usually lag from the input delay, but if you can deal with screen recording your games it should work just fine. 

You will need

• Laptop
• PS4 Console 
• HDMI cable 
• Video Capture Card 
• S-Video Connection cable 

Step 1

Plug-in your video capture card to your laptop using the USB port, and install the program through the installation suite.

Step 2

Use the S-Video connection cable to connect the video capture card to your PS4 console – you can get these online. Next, connect the HDMI-out to the PS4, and the HDMI-in to the video capture card. 

Step 3

Once your PS4 is connected, turn the console on and run the video capture card software on your laptop. You should now see your console display on your screen, and you’re ready to play. 

Connecting Your Laptop And PS4 With Remote Play 

If you’re not sure what Remote Play is, it’s a streaming service which is offered by Sony itself.

Remote Play allows PC and Mac users to enjoy PS4 gameplay on their computer monitors, but it can also work for laptops too. 

For Remote Play You Will Need

• Laptop
• PS4 Console 
• PS4 Account 
• Internet 
• USB Cable 

Step 1

Go to Sony’s website on your laptop and download the latest Remote Play app version. Make sure you select the app version that’s compatible with either your Windows or Mac operating system. 

Step 2

Once installed, switch on your PS4 and go to the console settings. From there, you should be able to allow a Remote Play connection through the following process: 

Settings > Remote Play Connections Settings > Enable 

You’ll need to keep your console on in order to use Remote Play, but it’s best to leave it in rest mode to save power. You can do this by going to: 

Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode > Enable Turning on PS4 from Network 

Step 3

Once you’ve downloaded Remote Play on your PC, use the Settings option to adjust the fps and resolution to your screen’s specifications for the best gameplay experience – the more powerful your laptop, the higher you can keep the graphic settings. 

Step 4

Connect your PS4 controller to your laptop using the USB port. You can also connect it wireless by holding the PlayStation and Share buttons simultaneously on your controller.

Once the LED lights start to flash, connect your controller to your laptop using the USB controller. It will take roughly four to five seconds to pair – repeat if necessary. 

Step 5

Now open your Remote Play app on your laptop, and login using your PlayStation Network account details – making sure your PS4 is switched on (even if it’s on rest mode) otherwise you won’t be able to connect your console to your laptop. 

You should now be able to play your PS4 games on your laptop. 

Using PSNow To Play PS4 Games 

PSNow is a cloud gaming service made by Sony which allows you to play PS4 games over the internet from a laptop or PC, and it doesn’t require a physical PS4 to use. It runs off the PlayStation Network, and the media is sent straight to you. 

The quality will depend on the speed of your internet connection, and if it’s not very fast you will experience a lag with input delay. 

The great thing about PSNow is that you don’t need an actual PS4 – or any console – to use it. However, the downside is that it can be pretty expensive as you’ll have to purchase the games, which isn’t ideal if you already own them on your console. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Have To Use Remote Play To Play The PS4 On My Laptop?

You don’t have to use Remote Play, but it is by far the easiest and most in-expensive way to use your laptop as a monitor for your PS4. 

Will My PS4 Run Smoothly On My Laptop? 

To use your laptop as a monitor, you will have to use either an HDMI cable, video capture card or Remote Play. 

These processes require a strong internet connection to run smoothly, otherwise there will be a lag between your controller and your laptop.

Also, if your laptop is a low-end model, it may struggle to run your PS4 properly. If your laptop is on the lower end, make sure you adjust the fps and resolution settings to its specifications so that it can manage. 

How Do I Know If My Laptop Is HDMI Input Or Output? 

It’s pretty hard to find a laptop with HDMI input as it can be pretty tricky to get it right.

Most laptops have HDMI output, and cannot receive a video signal from anything other than their own motherboard – which means you can’t usually plug other output devices into your laptop. 

Check your laptop’s specifications to see if it’s HDMI output or input. If it is HDMI-input, you should be able to connect your PS4 directly to your laptop using the HDMI cable.