How to Connect PS4 to PC with HDMI?

Before I being to answer the question “How to connect PS4 to PC with HDMI?”, you have to first ask yourself, what are you trying to achieve with this kind of setup?

This is an interesting question though and it is a question that is actually asked by many out there.

The question stems from the fact that both PC and a PS4 have an HDMI slot with female ends and which can technically be connected via an HDMI cable that has male ends on both sides.

However, connecting your PS4 to your PC directly will not achieve anything. If you want to play your games on the PC monitor, you can simply connect your PS4 to the monitor directly.

But if you want to connect your PS4 to the PC in order to capture the game footage onto your PC, then you will need to have a Video Capture Card.

So essentially, the actual answer to the question at hand is that in order to connect a PS4 to a PC with an HDMI cable, you will need a video capture card.

If all this sounds confusing to you, then let me break it all down here:

Different Between Input and Output HDMI Ports

Before I begin looking at the question “How to connect PS4 to PC with HDMI?” in detail, let me talk about the difference between HDMI Input and HDMI output ports.

Basically, both the input and the output HDMI ports look the same. As such, many believe that they also function similarly.

However, that is hardly the case.

An HDMI output port, as found on a gaming console like PS4, sends the signal OUT. An HDMI OUTPUT port is intended to connect to an HDMI INPUT port which is found on display devices like a TV, monitor, projector, etc.

Now an HDMI port is found on the PC’s motherboard, on its back I/O panel, or on a Laptop IS ALSO an HDMI OUTPUT port.

Also Read: Does PS4 Have DisplayPort?

If you connect two HDMI Output ports or two HDMI Input ports together you will not achieve anything.

So How to Connect PS4 to PC with HDMI?

Again, you have to ask yourself what you are trying to achieve with a setup like this.

The simple answer to the question is that in order to connect PS4 to a PC, you will need a video capture card.

However, you have to understand what your goal is before you go out and purchase a capture card in the first place.

Let me break this down further.

Connecting PS4 to PC HDMI Directly

What would happen if you connect PS4’s HDMI to a PC’s HDMI port?

The answer is nothing.

As mentioned earlier, both the PS4’s HDMI and an HDMI port found on a PC are output ports. They are intended to send video signals OUT to a display.

So a direct connection between the two will not serve any purpose.

You Want to Connect to a PC Monitor

If you wish to play your games on a PC monitor, you DO NOT have to connect PS4 to your PC.

You can bypass your PC entirely and connect your PS4 to the HDMI port on your monitor.

In case if your monitor does not have an HDMI port, you can get adapters for the particular port found on your monitor such as the one shown below:

You Want to Connect PS4 to PC to Capture Game Footage

If you wish to capture the game footage of your PS4 gaming onto your PC so that you can edit it or save it for the future, then you will need to get a video capture card like the Elgato Video Capture Card shown below.

While the video capture cards intended for recording 1080P @ 30 FPS gameplay as designed for Original PS4 and PS4 Slim are cheap, Video Capture cards intended for PS4 Pro specs rated at 4K @ 60FPS are not cheap.

However, if you are a streamer or you wish to record and edit your gaming videos on your PC, you will need to have this device.

As such, the actual answer to the question “How to connect PS4 to PC with HDMI?” is using a video capture card.

The steps are as below:

For a simple USB video capture card,

1. Connect the USB video capture card to a USB 3.0 slot on your PC
2. Connect your gaming console to the HDMI port on the USB video capture card.

The limitation of a USB capture card is that it does not provide an independent display to the monitor for your console.

This is where the more expensive video capture cards like the Elgato HD60S or the Elgato HD60X come into play.

With these capture cards, you get to have two independent displays.

These capture cards have:

1. One HDMI Input
2. One HDMI Output
3. One USB Port

To set these up:

1. You connect your PS4 to the Input HDMI Port on the Capture Card
2. The Output HDMI Port of the Capture Card connects to the gaming monitor intended for PS4 gameplay. This serves as your main monitor.
3. The USB port connects to the USB port on your PC to capture the game footage using the included software.
4. A secondary monitor connects to your PC via its HDMI port.

You will end up with a setup as follows:

Here you have your main gameplay display on the left and the capture display connected to your PC’s HDMI on the right.

Also Read: Does Steam Work On PS4?

Final Words

Before looking at the answer to the question “How to connect PS4 to PC with HDMI?”, you have to ask yourself what your intentions are in the first place.

Essentially, the only true way to connect a PS4 to a PC with an HDMI cable is via a video capture card.

Also Read: Can You Play PS4 Without Internet?