Guide to watch movies on PlayStation 4 through all its possibilities such as USB devices, streaming, discs or virtual reality.
PS4 is much more than video games; So much so, that Sony's desktop console can become a media player to watch movies through various methods, either through USB devices or streaming services, in addition to traditional physical media such as DVD or Blu-ray or taking advantage of the virtual reality of PlayStation VR. Let's see how to use each of these possibilities to watch movies on PlayStation 4.
How to watch DVD or Blu-ray movies
We start with the most direct method and to which every user can resort without additional knowledge; Thus, PS4 supports movie discs on both DVD and Blu-ray, just as PS3 already did. Thus, we just have to insert the disc into the reader and press X on the icon of the movie that appears on the screen; Thanks to DualShock 4 we can control the options and menus of the movies.
How to watch 4K movies on PS4
Only the PS4 Pro model is compatible with 4K movies, yes, only through streaming movies or via USB, since the PS4 Pro optical drive is not compatible with 4K Blu-ray.
How to watch movies via USB and external hard drive
PS4 is only compatible with USB devices and external hard drives formatted in FAT and exFAT; we recommend formatting in FAT32 and using USB 3.0 devices; If we connect an unsupported USB device, PS4 will help us format the drive to make it compatible. Compatible video formats compatible with PS4 are:
- MKV
- AVI
- MP4
- MPEG-2 TS
To play video content from USB devices or an external hard drive we must connect the device through one of the console's USB ports and press X on the DualShock 4 on the Media Player icon; Once inside we just have to select the video file to play.
How to watch streaming movies
PS4 allows streaming movies through third-party services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more and through PlayStation Store, the PlayStation 4 native digital store. The first step is to make sure that our PS4 is connected to the Internet, whether via WiFi or through a network cable; then we must have a PSN operating account to access the PlayStation Store and download the necessary applications or play the selected movies.
Playstation store
The official PS4 store also offers the possibility to buy or rent movies to watch them through streaming; To do this, we just have to access the PS Store by pressing X on its shortcut icon in the PS4 main menu. Once inside we must go to the Cinema and TV entrance through the left menu bar and press X on All movies.
Within the menu we can scroll through the entire catalog, press SD or HD for the quality of the film and choose between Buy or Rent; Of course, we must have a card associated with our account to make the payment.
Netflix
Another popular streaming option is through Netflix, one of the most famous series and movie services today and also enjoying its own app for PS4. To watch Netflix through PS4 we just have to download its app for free from the PS Store and subscribe to one of its plans, from 7.99 euros per month; according to the chosen plan we will have access to more or less quality options and numbers of devices allowed in the same account.
In addition to Netflix, PS Store has many other similar apps; It will only be necessary to choose your favorite or one of which you are already subscribers to take advantage of the same plan on PS4.
How to watch movies in virtual reality
PS4 also offers the possibility to enjoy movies in VR format, that is, virtual reality through the PlayStation VR device, an extra that offers a much higher level of immersion, since it will appear that we are in a movie theater. Obviously, it will be necessary to have a PS VR device and download one of the different PS Store apps that will allow us to watch movies on the big screen.
