Unleashing Entertainment: How to Turn Your PS4 into a Media Center
The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a powerful gaming console, but it’s also capable of much more than just playing games. With Sony’s dedicated Media Player application, you can transform your PS4 into a comprehensive entertainment hub, letting you enjoy your favorite movies, music, and photos right on your television. Gone are the days of limited media playback capabilities; the PS4 now embraces a wide range of formats, providing a seamless multimedia experience. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of how to install and utilize the Media Player app, explore the supported formats, and unlock the hidden potential of your PS4 as a true media center.
Installation and Accessing the Media Player
Getting started with the PS4 Media Player is simple and straightforward. Here are the steps to take:
1. Installation:
- Power on your PS4 and ensure you’re connected to the internet.
- Navigate to the "Media Player" icon either from the home screen or within the "Library" section.
- Select "Download" and let the application install.
Once the download is complete, you’re ready to enjoy all your media content!
2. Launching the Media Player:
- After installation, select "Media Player" from the home screen to launch the app.
- Your PS4 will automatically detect connected USB storage devices or DLNA media servers on the same network.
- Choose the device you want to access and press "X" to explore its contents.
3. Playing Your Content:
- Browse through the files and folders on your chosen storage device or server.
- Select the specific media file you want to play and press "X."
The Media Player will seamlessly begin playing your chosen content, turning your PS4 into a versatile entertainment hub.
Expanding the Experience: Background Music and Control
The PS4 Media Player enhances your entertainment experience by allowing you to listen to music in the background while engaging in other activities. This feature is particularly convenient for gamers who want to enjoy their favorite tunes while conquering virtual worlds:
1. Enabling Background Music:
- Press the PS button to return to the home screen.
- Start a game, browse the web, or launch any other application.
- Your music will continue playing in the background.
Now, you can enjoy your favorite tunes while experiencing all the PS4’s gaming power.
2. Controlling Playback:
While enjoying background music, press and hold the PS button for at least a second to bring up a menu. This menu grants you control over playback:
- Pause/Resume Playback: Use this option to temporarily stop or restart music playback.
- Adjust Volume: Easily control the volume level of your background music.
- Change Screen Settings: Fine-tune the display settings to enhance your visual experience.
Although, remember that background music is not supported when viewing video clips or broadcasts.
Supported Media Formats: A Wide Array of Options
The PS4 Media Player supports a variety of popular media formats, ensuring you can access a vast library of content without any compatibility issues:
Video Formats:
- MKV:
- Visual: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level4.2
- Audio: MP3, AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital)
- AVI:
- Visual: MPEG4 ASP, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level4.2
- Audio: MP3, AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital)
- MP4:
- Visual: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level4.2
- Audio: AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital)
- MPEG-2 TS:
- Visual: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level4.2, MPEG2 Visual
- Audio: MP2 (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2), AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital)
- AVCHD (.m2ts, .mts):
- Visual: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level4.2, MPEG2 Visual
- Audio: MP2 (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2), AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital)
Photo Formats:
- JPEG (DCF 2.0/Exif 2.21 compliant)
- BMP
- PNG
Music Formats:
- MP3: This classic audio format is widely supported.
- AAC (M4A): Another popular audio format, offering high-quality sound.
Important Note:
For proper recognition by the system, ensure your files are saved within folders, particularly for USB storage devices. For music files on USB devices, create a folder explicitly named "Music" to ensure correct recognition.
For the latest update on the supported formats, you can always check the official PlayStation website.
Leveraging DLNA for Streamlined Media Access
The PS4’s Media Player goes beyond supporting USB connections by offering support for DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) media servers. This enables you to stream your media content directly from your computer or other DLNA-compatible devices to your PS4, making your media library readily available on your television.
Setting Up DLNA:
- Ensure your PS4 and media server are connected to the same network.
- Enable DLNA on your computer or DLNA-compatible device. This process varies depending on your device.
- Launch the Media Player app on your PS4.
- Your PS4 will automatically detect and display available DLNA servers that are connected to the network.
- Select the server you want to access and enjoy streaming your media content.
With DLNA support, you can enjoy a more dynamic media experience, seamlessly streaming your personal collection of movies, music, and photos to your PS4.
Conclusion: The PS4 As a True Media Center
The PS4 Media Player transforms your gaming console into a full-fledged media center, allowing you to effortlessly enjoy your media content. From simple USB connections to the convenience of DLNA streaming, the PS4 offers a flexible and powerful solution for managing and enjoying your personal library of movies, music, and photos.
The extensive format support and background music playback features further enhance the user experience, making the PS4 a truly versatile entertainment hub. With these features, your PS4 becomes more than just a gaming console – it becomes an all-encompassing media center for your entertainment needs.
