PS4 offers the most varied options for watch movies and series, whether offline or online, beyond its main purpose: the videogames. So much so, that the sony console is capable of offering different solutions to all those users who want to make the most of their capabilities as a multimedia center, either through DVD or Blu-ray discs, streaming services, playback of video files via USB or even cinema in VR format. Therefore, below we offer you a complete guide on how to watch movies and series on PS4.
How to watch movies on PlayStation 4
Playstation 4 offers various options to take advantage of its capabilities as a multimedia player; Let's see how to get the most out of the Sony console to watch movies and series, online and offline.
DVD and Blu-ray
Perhaps the most direct way and suitable for all audiences is the traditional format through DVD or Blu-ray discs. To do this, it is only necessary to have the movie or series in one of the two formats and insert the disc into the PS4 reader. When the playback icon appears on the screen, we just have to press X on the DualShock 4 to start playing it.
4K content
To view content at 4K resolution we must have PS4 Pro, the most advanced model of PS4, since it is the only Sony console that allows you to watch 4K video. Of course, we can only reproduce said content via streaming or USB, since the PS4 Pro optical drive is not compatible with 4K Blu-ray discs.
USB device and external hard drive
We can also play audiovisual content through USB devices and external hard drives through the USB ports of the console, yes, always in FAT or exFAT format. For best results, it is advisable to format these drives in FAT32 and use devices with USB 3.0. Below we detail the video formats compatible with PS4:
- AVI
- MKV
- MP4
- MPEG-2 TS
To play videos through a USB device or an external hard drive via USB, we just have to connect them to one of the USB ports on the console and access the Media player of PS4, represented by its own icon through the main menu of the console. Once inside said application, the different compatible video files will appear that we can play by pressing X on the DualShock 4.
Streaming (Netflix, HBO, Prime Video…)
Another of the most interesting options to watch movies and series on PS4 is through streaming services and apps as Netflix, HBO, Prime Video or one's own PS Store, the native PS4 digital store. The first thing we must do is make sure that our PS4 is connected to the internet, either through WiFi or through a network cable. The second step is to have a PSN account to access PS Store and download the streaming applications we want or, directly, use PS Store as a platform for purchasing or renting content.
PlayStation Store
PS Store is the Sony's default digital store for PlayStation systems, where in addition to video games and accessories we can buy and rent movies to watch via streaming. To do this, we just have to access the PS Store through the PS4 main menu and click on Cinema and TV, entry located in the left side menu; click on All the movies to see the entire available catalog. Finally we can choose the quality of the content (SD or HD) and Buy either Rent the same.
Netflix, HBO, Prime Video…
Another option is through the official apps from streaming platforms as Netflix, HBO either Prime Video, among others, applications that we can download to our PS4 to access them through our payment accounts, as if we were using the same service on our SmartTV, computer, mobile phone or tablet.
Virtual reality
Finally, PS4 also offers the possibility of enjoying the cinema in VR or virtual reality mode, an option that will make us feel as if we were in front of a giant screen. For this it is essential to have a device PlayStation VR, Sony's official virtual reality glasses for PlayStation 4; Once we have them, we just have to download the corresponding app from the PS Store to start enjoying the most real virtual cinema.
