How to Stream to Twitch from PS4 - 3 Easy Ways
Streaming is a great hobby and career for many and these days, it's easier than ever to get started. You can even stream directly from your console, making it incredibly simple to stream live gameplay!
Today, we're breaking down the various methods on how to stream on Twitch with a PS4! There are a couple of ways of doing it, so try the best solution for your streaming setup!
1. How to Stream on Twitch via PS4 Broadcast?
PS4s have a built-in feature to stream Twitch from PS4 using the 'Broadcast Gameplay' feature. This is the easiest way to start PS4 Twitch streaming, but it can be confusing to set up and use.
Before you get started, here are a few things you need to do before you can stream from your PS4:
1Create a Twitch Account
You can't create a Twitch account from your PS4 directly, so you'll need to create one on your mobile or PC. Simply go to https://www.twitch.tv and click "Sign Up", and follow the prompts to sign up the account.
Alternatively, you can also sign up an account from the Twitch app on your mobile phone.
2Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication not only protects your Twitch account, but you'll also need it to log in and link your PS4 account. Go to your Settings on Twitch on your PC, go to Security and Privacy, and set up two-factor authentication.
3Customize Your Channel & Branding
It's a good idea to personalize and customize some of your channel elements to build branding. You can't do this on your PS4 and on mobile, it's limited to changing your profile photo and bio.
On PC, you can customize your go-live notifications, add tags, stream titles, and much more.
4Get the Right Camera & Headphones with Mic
If you'd like to add a face cam to your gameplay stream from PS4, you can only use the official PS4 camera. This is your only option if you're using the PS4's Broadcast feature.
Additionally, you're going to need a mic to communicate with your chat. Since the DS4 controller for PS4 doesn't have a mic, you'll need a headset with a built-in mic to talk to your chat.
These are the most important things to know before you start streaming to Twitch on your PS4. Now here's how to start streaming from your PS4 with the Broadcast feature:
5Broadcast to Twithc from PS4
- Step 1.On your PS4, go to Settings > Account Management > Link with Other Services.
- Step 2.Select Twitch and sign in to your Twitch account.
- Step 3.Select a game to play and start it.
- Step 4.Press the SHARE button on your controller, select 'Broadcast Gameplay', and select 'Twitch'.
- Step 5.You'll be redirected to the 'Broadcast Gameplay' page where you can edit stream settings.
- Step 6.Select 'Start Broadcasting' to live stream to your Twitch channel!
To end the stream, you'll have to go back to the Broadcast Settings page after tapping the SHARE button.
Using the PS4 Broadcast feature is the most convenient way to start streaming gameplay if you don't have a dependable streaming setup. However, it's pretty limited. There's a lot of functionality you're missing which can be detrimental to your streaming channel.
2. How to Twitch Stream on PS4 with Capture Card?
Another way to start streaming PS4 to Twitch is by using a physical video capture card.
Capture cards are additional hardware that helps encode gameplay footage from consoles and send it directly to your PC in a format it understands.
This is the method of choice for most professional streamers since it gives you control that directly streaming from a PS4 doesn't have. However, the downside is that good capture cards can cost a pretty penny.
Before you use this method, you'll need quite a few things to start. Here's a list to refer to everything you'll need:
- Video Capture Card
- OBS Software or any other Twitch streaming software you prefer
- 2 HDMI Cables
- HDMI Splitter (Depending on the Capture Card)
- Mic/Audio Splitter (Optional)
- USB Cable
- A PC
Here's how to Twitch stream on PS4 using a capture card:
Step 1. The first thing to do is connect everything. Connect 1 HDMI cable from your PS4's HDMI output, and the other end to the capture card's HDMI input.
Step 2. Connect another HDMI cable from the capture card's HDMI output to your monitor or TV's HDMI input. Preferably, this is connected to a display that you'll use side-by-side with your streaming PC.
Step 3. Connect a USB cable from your capture card to your streaming PC setup.
Step 4. Connect a mic and headphones to your capture card if your capture card has the corresponding connection; otherwise you can use a mic/audio splitter to connect your headphone and controller. This depends on your capture card model.
Step 5. Once connected, download the capture card software on your streaming PC. Refer to the manufacturer's site or download the included software in the packaging.
Step 6. Turn on your PS4 and navigate to Settings > System. Make sure the Enable HDCP toggle is turned off. This is important as this allows external devices to capture whatever the PS4 displays.
Otherwise, you may face issues with streaming gameplay footage.
Step 7. Open OBS and add your video capture card as a Source. In the bottom-left corner, find the Source tab and click on the + icon. Add a 'Video Capture Device' source and name it.
Step 8. On the next page, find your capture card, select it, and click Done.
Step 9. Next, you need to select the audio that the video capture card will stream manually. To do this, select the Audio Mixer next to the Sources tab in OBS and click on the gear icon to access 'Advanced Audio Settings'.
Step 10. In the Advanced Audio Settings, find your capture card and select the drop-down menu.
Step 11. Change it to either 'Monitor Only' or 'Monitor and Output'. 'Monitor Only' allows audio from the capture card to be heard by you only, while 'Monitor and Output' allows your audience to hear gameplay from your PS4 as well.
Step 12. After everything's been connected and set up, simply hit the 'Start Streaming' button in OBS to go live on Twitch!
3. How to Stream to Twitch from PS4 with Remote Play?
We have one final method on how to stream to Twitch from PS4 using Remote Play. Remote Play is PlayStation's answer to cloud gaming and allows you to stream games from your PS4 to your PC, mobile devices, and more.
This is a great option especially if your PC isn't powerful enough to handle intensive processing and gameplay at the same time since it's your PS4 that's running the games. The caveat is you need a strong & fast internet connection.
There are a few basic requirements to use Remote Play:
Specifications | Requirements |
---|---|
OS | Windows 10/11 |
Processor | 7th Gen Intel Core Processor or greater |
Storage Space | 100MB or greater |
RAM | 2GB or greater |
Resolution | 1024 x 768 or greater |
Internet Connection | Minimum - 5Mbps upload/download. Recommended - 15Mbps upload/download or greater. |
Here's how to get it set up:
Step 1. You first need to enable 'Remote Play' on your PS4. To do this, go to Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings > Enable Remote Play. Make sure the Enable Remote Play toggle is switched on.
Step 2. Download the Remote Play app for Windows/Mac. Run the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 3. On your PS4 in the 'Remote Play Connection Settings', select 'Add Device'. You'll see an 8-digit code pop-up. Open the Remote Play app on your PC and enter the code to pair your PS4 and PC.
Step 4. Now that Remote Play has connected your PC and PS4, select a game and run it.
Step 5. While Remote Play is running, open OBS and add a new Source to capture your gameplay footage.
While Remote Play is running, open OBS and add a new Source to capture your gameplay footage.
You can also add in an Audio Input Capture and Video Capture Device for both your mic and face cam. We'd recommend creating this in a new Scene dedicated to PS4 Remote Play.
Step 6. Hit the 'Start Streaming' button to go live on Twitch!
4. Twitch Streaming Settings to Configure for PS4
Streaming gameplay from your PS4 can be incredibly easy to set up and doesn't require as much to run. However, there are a few key settings and things to tweak that can improve your streams.
1Dedicate Bandwidth to Your PS4
Streaming is an intensive process, especially for your internet connection. You'll want to make sure your PS4 is getting as much bandwidth out of your connection as possible.
Besides subscribing to faster broadband plans, you can connect an ethernet cable to your PS4/streaming PC.
Also, try to avoid using other devices that take up bandwidth like video streaming on TV, playing online games, etc. while you're live.
2Tinker with Stream Quality Settings
Using the Broadcast feature on PS4, you can adjust stream quality settings depending on your PS4. PS4 Pro's can stream up to 1080p, while normal PS4's can stream up to 720p at 60FPS. Find the best quality and FPS by running a few test streams.
It would be ideal to stream at 1080p 60FPS, but if your broadband isn't fast enough, lower the resolution and frame rate to 30FPS.
3Enable HDR
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a great setting found on all PS4s. It can greatly enhance color range to create colors that truly pop. Turning on HDR can improve color quality and vibrancy, but not all games support the feature.
Additionally, not all viewers' displays will support HDR. But for viewers that are watching on an HDR-enabled device, they'll notice improved color vibrancy.
5. Bonus: Screen Share Gameplay with Friends & Family
While Twitch is a great way to stream gameplay with an audience and build a community, sometimes you just need a simple way to share your gameplay with friends and family. In those cases, using Twitch can be overkill just for shorter sessions with a limited audience.
When you want to share gameplay with just a few friends and family, your best bet is to use software like AirDroid Cast, a one-stop solution for all your screen-sharing and casting needs!
Key Features
- Multi-platform Support: AirDroid Cast is available on most major platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, and a web platform!
- Local & Remote Connectivity: With AirDroid Cast, you have a number of options to connect including wired, AirPlay, and wireless. It also supports remote connectivity, so you can cast to devices on different Wi-Fi networks!
- Two-way Audio: You don't need another app to speak and listen to viewers with two-way audio support!
6. Wrapping Up
We've reached the end of our guide on how to stream on Twitch from PS4. There are a few methods of doing so, and it really depends on what kind of streaming setup you have. If you have a powerful enough streaming setup, try using a capture card.
If your PC isn't powerful enough, we'd recommend the Remote Play method to take the burden off your streaming PC. But if you prefer simplicity, the built-in Broadcast feature on the PS4 is a great choice.
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