A recent Playstation 4 firmware update added operating system The console introduced a number of innovations that all users greeted with jubilation and a standing ovation for the developers.

On June 15, Sony announced that a media player would be added to the console, which would save all players from one big problem - the inability to play movies and listen to music. In short, with this patch, the curling iron now understands flash drives and even reads movies from them, but besides this, it also does without external media - it streams content directly from your PC!

Answering the main question of this article, is it possible to watch movies on PS4, I will say that there are at least 4 ways. But first things first.

PS4 media player - multimedia combine with support for DLNA media server

For those who are not particularly versed in all sorts of complex IT terms, it sounds very ominous, but in fact everything is extremely simple. As simple as it can be in the 21st century, which has finally arrived.

The new application (player), which you can download to your console completely free, allows you not only to open movies and music from external media, but also to stream them directly from your PC or laptop. Any DLNA server will do for this! Yes, yes, absolutely anyone.

I have an LG Smat TV and for it I installed the SmartShare utility on my laptop (can be downloaded from the official LG website). So I want to tell you that Sonya “has” this software and reads movies much better and faster than the TV itself, for which this program was actually written. Here I just take my hat off to the developers from Sony. Well done, you did it!

Moreover, PS4 is able to recognize content transmitted via DLNA technology from any device. For example, I was able to read my media library from my iPhone by simply running the sync:stream application on it (free, there is also a version for iPad).

You can watch movies from your computer when you don't have HDMI cable to connect it directly to TV or external media of the required volume.

What servers does PS4 support?

As I wrote above - any and that’s the beauty of the technology. You can already use the two examples above (one for PC, especially if you have an LG TV - you can kill two birds with one stone; the second for iOS).

Here are a few more:

• Home media server (homemediaserver.ru) - many people praise it for its simplicity and ease of use. Features include a built-in converter that converts content into a format supported by the playback device, inclusion of subtitles in streaming, and much more. The software is free, there is a Russian interface.
• Serviio (serviio.org) is a very actively developing project, there are versions for mobile devices, support for web streaming, many different formats. PRO version available for the first 15 days of use, after which you can pay $25, or use a slightly reduced but free version.
• Plex (plex.tv) is one of the most popular media servers. The project grew out of, perhaps more familiar to you, XBMC. It supports everything you need for streaming movies, and for a small subscription fee you can unlock additional convenient features.

After installing any DLNA media server, you need to select the folder on your PC that you want to share (a folder with movies, music, photos, etc.). Then on PS4 we launch the Media Player application, wait a little while the connection occurs and then everything is simple - select the file to play and go ahead.

The content source (PC with the server installed and configured) and the console itself must be on the same local network.

During playback large file I didn't notice any friezes or glitches. If you have problems, try connecting the set-top box and source to the router using a patch cord, and not via Wi-Fi.

How to watch movies from a flash drive on PS4?

Watching movies from a flash drive is also very simple, but the flash drive must be formatted in FAT32.

This file system in turn, imposes restrictions on file size - no more than 4 GB, and now many films in HD quality weigh 10, 15, 20 gigs. But there is a way out - format the flash drive in exFAT format - it supports much larger files.

What video formats does PS4 support?

From official blog developers managed to find out that the four are on this moment supports:

• video: mkv, avi, mp4, mpeg-2 ts;
• photo: jpg, bmp, png;
• audio: mp3, aac.

The developers promised not to stop there and to continue working on increasing the number of supported formats.

How to watch movies on PS4 online?

Due to the fact that the set-top box has a very good browser, you can use it to watch videos without any problems. Open any site from which you usually watch movies on your PC and Sonya should, in theory, handle it. But in some cases there may be problems. For example, it doesn’t work on some sites full screen mode, although the video is loading and playing. As far as I know, in PS4, for security reasons, some java script and flash technologies- this is the reason.

There is a way out, but it is not entirely free - application Film Box Live will allow you, for a subscription fee, to access online library films. There is still hope that ivi will release its application for Sonya, since their website does not currently play videos.

Use (Multimedia Player) to play videos, photos and music stored on USB storage devices or media servers.
The following file types are supported:

Video

When using a USB storage device, save your video files to a folder so that the PS4™ system can recognize them.
You can view videos captured with a 360-degree panoramic camera (in equirectangular format) on your PS VR headset. Press the OPTIONS button and select [VR Mode].

• MKV
  • Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level 4.2
• AVI
  • Video: MPEG4 ASP, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level 4.2
  • Audio: MP3, AAC LC, AC-3 ( Dolby Digital)
• MP4
  • Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level 4.2, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level 5.2 (PlayStation®4 Pro only)
  • Audio: AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital), LPCM
• MPEG-2 PS
  • Video: MPEG2 Visual
  • Audio: MP2 (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2), MP3, AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital), LPCM
• MPEG-2TS
  • Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level 4.2, MPEG2 Visual
  • Audio: MP2 (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2), AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital)
• AVCHD (.m2ts, .mts)
• XAVC S™ (.mp4)

Photos

When using a USB storage device, save your photo files to a folder so that the PS4™ system can recognize them.
You can view photos taken with the 360-degree panoramic camera (in equirectangular format) on your PS VR headset. Press the OPTIONS button and select [VR Mode].

• JPEG (DCF 2.0/Exif 2.21)

Music

When using a USB storage device, save music files to the Music folder so that the PS4™ system can recognize them.
With DSEE HX™ technology, you can listen to some audio files (such as MP3) with highly detailed sound. However, when playing background music, participating in a party, or using the speech synthesis feature, audio is output at 48 kHz.

• AAC (M4A)

• USB drives in FAT and exFAT format are supported.
• Make sure that USB drive fully inserted into the USB connector. Some devices cannot be fully inserted due to their shape or design.
• Some application or system conditions may prevent music playback.
• Some files may not be playable due to the data type or file size.
• Some types of data distributed over the Internet and other means have restrictions on reproduction. Additional information can be obtained from the supplier of such data.
• Some media servers may not support playback of certain file types or use of certain features during playback.

Having at your disposal home media server for Windows, you significantly expand the possibilities of using your information.

This can bring maximum benefit if you have several computers and modern TVs at home.

Although the server will also simplify the use of information on mobile phones, laptops, game consoles and tablets connected to a common network.

Thus, each family member can watch videos and photos, as well as listen to music, using any suitable device.

What is a home media server?

Home media server is software, enabling the exchange of information between various devices home network– for example, a computer, a smartphone and a TV equipped with appropriate technology.

It uses the DLNA streaming standard and free software such as an application " Home media server UpnP, DLNA, HTTP."

All devices can already be networked using wired connections, although setting up a home network in this case will be quite complicated.

But this option allows you to transfer fairly large amounts of information at high speed (up to 1000 Mb/s).

Still possible wireless connecting devices via Wi-Fi router, supporting quality standards up to 100 or up to 300 Mb/s.

Although with this type of connection, when watching high-quality video (1920p or 4K), the image may freeze.

But such a connection is much easier to set up - you just need to set up a router (and, preferably, set a password) and connect all computers, TVs and phones to it.

Typically, users choose wireless network due to the ease of connection and the absence of wires throughout the apartment.

A lot of equipment simply does not have suitable connectors for inclusion in single network– on many smartphones, tablets, older models of set-top boxes, and even on some photo frames with WiFi, you can only use a wireless network.

It is advisable to use a wired connection only for transferring information between stationary PCs.

Creating a DLNA server

In order to create a DLNA server, first of all, you should download a suitable program from the network and install it on your computer.

Now for all Microsoft systems starting with Windows 7 and later (there may be problems with Windows 7 Home Edition), you should follow these steps:

• go to the home group (through the “Control Panel” menu, from which you can enter, respectively, through the “Start” button);

• use another option for joining the group - through the Center network connections, which can be opened by right-clicking on the connections icon in the tray;
• after that, you can see the inscription “Homegroup” at the bottom left.

If a homegroup has already been created, a list of currently connected devices will appear on the screen.

If there is no group, you need to select “Create a home group” by opening the “Creation Wizard”.

Now you should specify what information from the main computer will be accessible to other devices.

To work with general documents, select the appropriate item; to watch a movie with hard drive computer, you should select “ streaming to all devices" (Fig. 5).

The same item will be needed to create a DLNA server.

During the process of creating a home network, a password will be automatically created, which will be used to provide access to information and protect against entry into the group from unauthorized devices.

You can view it in the “Show or print homegroup password” item, and change it in the menu with the corresponding name.

The text of the message about creating a group will contain instructions for joining new devices to the home group (however, this information applies to wired devices running Windows).

Server settings

After the group and, accordingly, the DLNA server have been created, you can select the name of the library.

The server itself will be designated by the same phrase.

The streaming options menu will indicate devices that are currently connected to the network, working and supporting a connection to the server.

If the administrator wishes, using DLNA he can provide access to video and music to home computers and any suitable equipment.

Advice: To connect a set-top box, TV or multimedia player, you should configure this option in the items SmartShare or AllShare, depending on the manufacturer and model of the device.

For getting quick access You can access the server settings using the standard player menu Windows Media Player.

To use it, you need to open the app on the computer that is now your home server and enable HomeGroup streaming.

As a result, on a TV connected to the group, you can even watch movies whose format is not supported by the device - for example, mkv.

Although to do this you will have to keep the player turned on while playing the video.

Configuration programs

In addition to using standard means systems, a DLNA server can be created and configured using third-party applications.

Home Mediaserver

For example, using Home program Mediaserver, which is quite easy to work with and can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.

Many equipment manufacturers allow you to download their applications from official resources to work with DLNA servers, simplifying system setup.

We present the most popular of them:

Plex

Plex is a fairly convenient option for any user. The server runs on a PC, and control is carried out either from the application menu or directly in the browser.

According to consumer reviews, the program works without errors in 90% of cases;

Fig. 12. Serviio application.

XBMC

XBMC is a free software program originally designed for the Xbox, but now works on other devices and most operating systems.

Results

Using easy-to-install and configure software or even built-in Windows tools, you can link all your home media playback devices into a common network.

This can significantly simplify your leisure time: regular TV you will have access to channels with the television company’s service package, and to any information on the Internet, and to the contents of your computer that are open for viewing.

Thematic video:

Photos

• JPEG (DCF 2.0/Exif 2.21 compliant)

PS4 Music

• AAC (M4A)

PS4 Media Player – Installation & usage

The PS4 Media Player button should show up directly on your PS4 screen. If it doesn’t, search for “Media Player” in the PSN store. The download is pretty straightforward (just like any other app on the PS4).

Once installed, you will need to connect either a USB storage, or have a Media Server up and running on your network.

• If you press the PS button while music is playing, you can start a game, the Internet Browser , or other applications while continuing to listen to the music in the background.
• While music is playing in the background, you can pause playback, adjust the volume, or change other settings on the screen that is displayed when you press and hold the PS button for at least 1 second.
• Background music is not included in video clips or broadcasts.
• Some languages ​​are not supported in Media Player.
• For details on connection methods for media servers, refer to the instructions supplied with the device you use.

PS4 Media Player – Limitations

The PS4 Media Player only accepts FAT formatted usb drives. So long for my NTFS disk…