Whether you ’ve just unwrapped a blade newfangled PS4 or you ’ve had one sincelaunch mean solar day in November 2013 , you probably have n’t explored everything Sony ’s powerhouse console has to provide — no doubt you ’ve been too busy gaming . Join us on a tour of 10 of our favorite PS4 steer , from upgrading its internals to streaming games to your laptop computer .
1) Hook up a keyboard and mouse
Using a keyboard and pussyfoot with your PS4 is as easy as plugging them into the front of your console table . Okay , you might not want to habituate them to go on the rampage inGTA cinque , but if you ’re doing some shape - filling or web browsing then it ’s a lot easier than fiddling around with the DualShock 4 . Most equipment will work out with no extra form required .
you could even use wireless Bluetooth kit if you want to hang around back on your sofa while typing , and after just a few seconds you should be in business ( head word to Devices in preferences to pair them ) . Some games support mouse and keyboard dominance , but most do n’t , lest you win an unfair vantage over other on-line player with standard comptroller .
2) Use the PlayStation app for messaging
Sony has a mates of PlayStation apps usable forAndroidandiOSthat permit you practice your mobile as a ready to hand second CRT screen for your cabinet . One of the upright feature of these apps is the message component . you’re able to use it to chat to fellow gamers without let to switch from gameplay on the PS4 or even have your console switched on at all .
Some games put up the use of the mobile app as a 2nd CRT screen , and you may also apply it as a remote restraint for your PS4 as well . With both phone and console table on the same net , opt preferences , PlayStation App Connection preferences and sum gadget on your PS4 , then link to PS4 and Second Screen from inside the fluid app .
3) Turn on voice commands
Thanks to Siri , Google Now , the Amazon Echo et al , we ’re all much more used to bark statement at our electronics these days , and the PS4 does n’t necessarily have to be left out of the party . If you desire to be capable to control the console using your voice , you demand a headset with a mike , or you may use the mike in the PlayStation Camera .
Go to preferences then System and ensure the Operate PS4 with Voice option is enabled on the Voice Operation preferences fare . From the same screen you could get help with using the feature of speech as well as see a full list of plump for commands : it lets you breeze through menus , take screenshots , launch apps and menus , change state off the PS4 and more besides .
4) Save games to USB
If you ’re upgrading your PS4 ’s unvoiced drive , playing on someone else ’s machine , or planning to backup your precious play achievements , it ’s soft enough to transfer your saved biz data to a link up USB drive or outside voiceless movement . Importing datum back the other means ( on a fresh machine for exercise ) is equally square .
From options choose software Saved Data Management and you get the option to move data between the local PS4 , your machine-accessible USB campaign , and the PlayStation Plus online cabinet . you may also transfer screenshots to a USB twist by choosing Capture Gallery from the independent PS4 computer menu , crop to the range of a function and hitting Options .
5) Play all of your media files
If you could get a USB stick or outside drive hooked up to your PS4 , then you could represent media files off it . Just verify the drive in question is FAT32 formatted ( rather than NTFS ) , that your files are stash away in leaflet , and that they ’re saved with the correct codecs . The ilk of MKV , AVI , MP4 , JPEG , BMP , MP3 , and AAC are all back up , Sony says .
It ’s not the only option for getting your media files on your Sony play cabinet . The ever - wonderfulPlex appis one way of getting contentedness from your figurer to your PS4 ( and it ’s free ) , but if you want a more or less more complex itinerary then you could set upa DLNA serverand use this to beam medicine , TV and photos over to the PlayStation box .
6) Install an SSD for faster load times
Fixing a strong - state drive inside your PlayStation 4 is n’t going to give it any extra processing oomph , but itcan do wonder for game loading times . It ’s especially effective for those games that importune on having enormous save ( we ’re looking at you , Witcher 3 ) . The cognitive operation is n’t hard and only takes a few min from start to finish .
You ’ll findplenty of step - by - step guideson the internet . Our booster at Lifehacker haveone of the most comprehensive guidesout there , though as we say it ’s not a hugely complex process . Just ensure you back up all of your save games , screenshots and other morsel of personal data to an external hard driving before you swap out the main one in the system .
7) Keep your kids safe
If you want to put a limit on what your kids can and ca n’t do on the PS4 then Sony has you cover . you’re able to set up accounts for your little ones , city block games and movies rated too onetime for your children , qualify access to the web web browser and keep an alert eye on their activities . It ’s pretty much like setting up separate accounts for your kidskin on Windows .
From options go to Parental Controls then Restrict Use of PS4 feature to get this configure in the way you want . You ca n’t set individual permissions for individual account , which means this is a bit more tricky to make use of if you ’ve got two children of very different ages . you may localise up Italian sandwich accounts from the same Parental Controls concealment .
8) Play games on Mac or Windows
you’re able to finally work PlayStation 4 games remotelyon a Mac or Windows automobile , if you have a strong enough wifi sign . ( Sony recommends 12Mbps upload and download stop number for best results . ) lead tothe PS4 Remote Play pageto grab the necessary software for your machine of choice , then espouse the instruction to get it set up .
On your PS4 , go to scope , then Remote Play connexion options and check the corner marked Enable Remote Play . aerate the console table as your primary system via the PlayStation internet / Account Management screen and enable remote play in residuum mode ( if you require ) via Set Features uncommitted in Rest Mode under Power Save preferences .
9) Dim your DualShock 4
You ca n’t turn the light on the back of the DualShock 4 controller whole off ( it ’s required to spot you on the PlayStation Camera for one thing ) . But you could dim it down a little , if it ’s ruining your carefully fall gaming experience . Hold down the PlayStation button on the controller and choose Adjust Sound and Devices when the computer menu look .
Pick Brightness of DualShock 4 Light Bar from the list of option on screen and you get three more circumstance to take from : Bright ( Standard ) , Medium and Dim . Make your choice and the DualShock 4 light adjusts instantly . Apparently the sparkle emitted by the control is also hold out to be utilize by Sony’supcoming virtual reality headsettoo .
10) Take faster screenshots
By default , pressing the Share button on the top of the DualShock 4 controller brings up the Display computer menu , but you may change this behavior if necessary . Press Options on the Share menu , take Sharing and Broadcast preferences , then pick Share Button Control Type . Here you’re able to modify the way the Share clitoris works when you briefly tap it .
take Easy Screenshots and a quick mechanical press ( rather than a foresightful press ) of the percentage button takes a screenshot and lets you stay focused on your gambling . You ’ll then take to press and hold the button to bring in up the Display menu ; as before , pressing the Share push button double is used to start or block video recording transcription . you could swap back to the defaults at any metre .
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