PS4: Change audio output

PS4: Change audio output

Learn how to change the audio output on your PlayStation®4 console. 

PS4 console primary output port

When you connect your PS4™ console to your TV, home cinema system or other connected device, the audio format that is output from the PS4 is automatically optimised for that device. The PS4 will automatically output sound via HDMI, so it is usually not necessary to adjust these settings.

If you connect a device such as an AV amplifier for a home cinema system to the PS4 system's DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) port, you can manually change the audio output setting. To adjust settings, select Sound and Screen > Audio Output Settings > Primary Output Port  > DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL).

  • Note that if the selected output format from the PS4 system is not supported by the connected device, the speakers might be damaged.

  • If a device that is not compatible with the HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) standard is connected to the PS4 system using an HDMI cable, video and audio cannot be output from the system. You can turn HDCP off for gameplay only by following the instructions below.

HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, and it prevents gameplay and video content from being recorded using external computers or video-capture systems. By default, it is encoded on the HDMI output on the PS4.

To enable/disable HDCP
  1. Go to Settings  > System
  2. In the Enable HDCP  setting, place a tick in the box to enable, or remove the tick to disable HDCP.
  3. Acknowledge that all applications will close when you make this change.

This feature works for gameplay only. If you attempt to play a Blu-Ray, DVD or DRM video through a streaming service (such as PlayStation Video or Netflix), the PS4 will display a message instructing you to enable HDCP to view the content.

Output to Headphones

You can set the audio that is output to your compatible headset. You can select all audio, or only chat audio.

  • Select Sound and Screen  > Audio Output Settings > Output to Headphones. The default setting is Chat Audio.

Audio Format (Priority)

You can set the format of audio output from the PS4 system.

  • Select Sound and Screen  > Audio Output Settings > Audio Format (Priority). The default setting is Linear PCM.

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