Perhaps your roommate interrupts you during gaming sessions, or perhaps the TV in the living room is too loud while you unwind in the wee hours of the morning.
It may be that your television broke down or you received the PS5 in the separation, but not the television.
No matter what the reason may be, if you own a PS5 and a laptop, there may come a time when you will wish to use your laptop as your primary monitor for the PS5.
There are two main ways to accomplish this.
What is the best way to use a laptop as a monitor for the PlayStation 5?
On both macOS and Windows laptops, you can use Sony’s Remote Play app to use a laptop monitor for the PS5 display. A video capture card can also be used to plug the PS5 directly into the laptop, without relying on a streaming connection as does the Remote Play application.
We will discuss both options and why some may prove more effective than others in the following paragraphs.
The first step is to ensure that the laptop you are using is capable of handling whatever PS5 can throw at it.
Otherwise, the lag will be frustrating for a very long time.
You can get started with Sony’s Remote Play app by following the manufacturer’s recommendations, and if you go the video capture card route, the manufacturer should provide you with a list of the recommended specs.
The easiest and cheapest method is to use remote play
Here is the free way to connect your PS5 to your laptop, as long as it meets the necessary specifications.
This free application can be downloaded directly from Sony’s website and is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS.
A quick note regarding Remote Play and PlayStation Now
Remote Play is a feature that allows you to use an external device, such as a laptop, as a screen for your console.
Therefore, you must have purchased the console and the game to utilize Remote Play.
On the other hand, PlayStation Now is a subscription-based cloud gaming service provided by Sony which allows you to access and play PlayStation games without possessing an actual PlayStation console.
Is the laptop capable of handling this task?
Check out the following requirements if you already have your PS5 and are wondering if your laptop will even pass the first hurdle:
- The Windows 10 operating system (or a later version)
- Processor Intel Core 7th generation with a maximum clock speed of 2.6 GHz
- a minimum of 2GB of RAM
- 100 MB of available disk space
- a display resolution of at least 1024×768
Requirements additional
Furthermore, you will also require a reliable connection with a speed above 5 Mbps, and if it is possible to hardwire into the internet with your ethernet cable, that will enhance your gaming experience.
Also, unless you are using a DUALSHOCK 4, you will need a USB cable to connect the controller to the laptop.
After you have thoroughly inspected your laptop to verify that it is compatible with PS5, download the app and run the installation file, following the onscreen instructions to bring your PS5 and laptop closer together.
Regarding Your PlayStation 5
Make certain that you have the latest software version installed on your PS5, and that you know the credentials to your PlayStation Network Account so you can log in.
How to Configure Your PS5
You will need to go to your PS5’s settings menu and check that the Remote Play app is compatible with your PS5. This setting change is temporary.
You can enable remote play from the Home screen by selecting Settings > System > Remote Play
To ensure a smooth Remote Play experience, Sony recommends putting your PS5 into rest mode while using Remote Play. Please note that this is just a temporary solution.
By visiting Home > Settings > System > Power Saving > Options for Rest Mode > Enable Stay Connected to the Internet and Turn on PS5 from the Network.
It’s time to move forward
When your sleek PS5 is turned on and in rest mode, launch the Remote App and sign in. Sony’s website states that if you log in to Remote Play at least once every 60 days, your credentials will be saved.
If not, you will simply need to sign in again.
With this controller plugged in or connected wirelessly, you will be able to navigate through your laptop in the same manner as if you were sitting in front of a TV.
To end the session, click the X in the upper right corner of the Remote Play App.
There is no need to move your PS5 from your living room to your bedroom, for example, so that you can play on your laptop. You will need a controller connected to the laptop, however.
Your internet connection should be strong enough to allow you to access the internet from another room in the house.
Theoretically, one could have a dedicated controller that is connected to a laptop and kept in the room.
Consequently, there would be no need for the controller to be transported back and forth.
If you move too far away, you are likely to experience latency and lag, which is why when you start with Remote Play, we recommend trying out your portable gaming setup in all of the places where you might consider playing your favorite game.
So you will know early on where the best spots are, which will decrease disappointment when you just want to plug in and play. If you don’t want to plug in and play, that is.
Graphics card
You can also use a video capture card if you do not wish to stream because your internet speed may not be sufficient, so you can physically connect your PS5 to your laptop and essentially use it as a monitor.
However, my computer has an HDMI port
It may be tempting to simply plug in an HDMI cable if your laptop has an appropriate port.
A gaming console requires an HDMI in and an HDMI out port, so this approach will not work.
As your laptop only has an HDMI output port, the signal will not be able to be transmitted.
There is, however, one simple method of connecting your PS5 and laptop, but it will be an additional cost.
It is a good thing that there are external video capture cards available.
It is not our intention to suggest that you install a card inside the laptop casing (or pay to have it installed).
That is why you will need a USB 3.0 port on your computer, a USB 3.0 to USB cable, and a camera capture card.
Connect an HDMI cable from your PS5 to your capture card and an HDMI cable from the PS5 to the capture card when you are ready to play.
Manufacturer of computer software
You must download software from the manufacturer’s website to use capture cards.
As soon as you have installed it, an application will appear on your desktop.
Open the capture card application on your PS5 and make sure everything is plugged in.
After scanning and recognizing the PS5, it should work just like if you had plugged it into the television.
This method of streaming is a great alternative if Remote Play is not an option for you for whatever reason. The cards will have some latency, especially if you are recording.
