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How to Stream on Twitch Using PS4

Fletcher
By Fletcher · April 12, 2024

If you want to stream games on Twitch, one of the options you should consider is using your PS4. By linking your Twitch account to PS4, you can start streaming at the click of a button. In this article, we will guide you on how to stream on Twitch using PS4.

Tools to Stream on Twitch Using PS4

If you want to do the basic streaming, you only need a few items. These are:

  • A PS4 to play your video game. This will also help in video capturing and streaming. For this purpose, you can either use the primary PS4 or the Pro version.
  • A television for streaming your game and watching it.
  • You need at least a PlayStation controller to play your game.
  • Official PS4 app.

You must include extra accessories, including your voice, narration, or both. These are:

  • PlayStation camera. A PlayStation camera can enhance your VR gaming and enable you to include voice commands on the console. It will also help you to capture player' video footage for Twitch streaming and voice recordings.
  • Extra Mic. The PlayStation camera can record the player's spoken dialogue. However, it has a downside in that it can also capture echoes and other background noise. This can impact the quality of your stream. A voice recording alternative you can use is to capture headsets and earphones with built-in mics. The basic earphones with most smartphones will also work well and can be directly plugged into a PlayStation controller.

A Guide to Downloading the PS4 App

We noted earlier that you need to download the official PS4 app, which is different from the Twitch app for desktops. There are two ways you can install the app. These are:

  • Visiting the Play Store official page. Use your PlayStation account to sign in and download the free app. The app will automatically be added to your PS4 and load in the console whenever you turn it on.
  • Open the PlayStation Store and download the Twitch app.

Connecting Twitch to PlayStation 4

You must ensure your video game broadcasting is sent from the correct Playstation 4 account. After the initial setup, you don’t need to repeat the process unless you change your console. Here are the steps to connect the Twitch app to PlayStation 4:

  1. On the PlayStation controller, click on the Share Button. The button is at the top left corner, just below the Share icon.
  2. Click on Broadcast Gameplay>Twitch.
  3. Click on Sign in. You will be provided with a unique code comprising a string of codes.
  4. Go to the Twitch website on your PC browser.
  5. Go back to the Twitch account where you will see a new option. You should click OK. 

How to Stream Your First Game

Before streaming your first game, you need to adjust the settings of your PlayStation 4 to ensure that everything looks like you want it. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Start the game you want to play.
  2. Press the share button on the PlayStation 4 controller.
  3. From the appearing menu, Select Twitch.
  4. You will see a new screen with the words Start broadcasting. You will also see a preview of the stream and many other options. You are still not ready to begin your broadcasting.
  5. If you have connected a PlayStation camera to the console to record a video of yourself, check the box at the top.
  6. Check the second box if you are recording your voice using a PlayStation camera.
  7. If you want to display viewer messages when streaming, check the third box.
  8. You will see a title field where you can enter the name of that particular stream. It's essential to have the name of each stream and a description of what each stream is about. Let your viewers also know what you will be doing in the game.
  9. Then, you can choose the image resolution for your video in the Quality field. The  720 pixel is an excellent choice for many viewers as its image and sound quality are good. While a higher resolution will provide better streaming quality, it requires a stronger internet connection. If you pick a high-resolution quality with a slow internet connection, this will cause the stream to freeze, or the video and sound may be out of sync.
  10.  Once you are done with your settings, you can click Start Broadcasting. When done with broadcasting, you can end it by clicking the Share button.

How to Stream on Twitch Using PS4 and a Capture Card

Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Connect PS4 with the capture card and the capture card to your PC.
  2. If there is a headphone and mic connection, connect the controller and headphones to the audio/mic splitter. The splitter should be connected to the capture card, while the capture card should be connected to the PC. To add commentary to this setup, connect a stand-alone mic.
  3. If you are using OBS, set it up by opening it on your PC and going to settings.
  4. On Streamlab, select Twitch streaming services. Use your stream key to connect to your Twitch account.
  5. On settings, click on the Advanced tab. Select Process Priority to be High or even Above Normal.
  6. Toggle the audio and video settings using the audio and video tabs. Remember that the highest fps twitch and resolution are 60 fps and 1080p. You can select the right setting during your Twitch channel customization.
  7. Start streaming
  8. Add the OBS card as an OBS Source.
  9. The sources in the streaming window should be arranged in a way that creates new scenes, enhancing your streams. This will also help to add overlays, chat windows, webcam, and more.
  10. After everything is set up, you can now click on Start Streaming.

If you would like to stream to many platforms and don’t have a capture card, the PS4 Remote Play Client is an option you can also consider using. You can capture your gameplay remotely on a PC before streaming it using OBS software.

 

How to Enable Party Chats on Twitch on PS4

Here are steps to follow when inviting friends to party chats:

Invite friends to party chats

You can invite your friends to a party on PS4 by going to the PS4 menu and choosing  Party, followed by Start Party. You can then click on Add Players to add the people you want to participate in the party.

Players join

Players will get an opportunity to opt in by adding audio to a stream. On the Party menu, they should choose Party settings. You can add the setting "Allow Voice to be Shared” and then Always Allow.

Turn on party chats in broadcast settings

The way streamers turn on party chats in PS4 is different from PS5. With PS4, they should press the Share Button of their controller and choose Broadcast Gameplay. Choose a destination on Twitch and adjust your stream information and settings.

Under Options settings, click on Advanced Settings, and then Audio Sharing settings. Ensure that you include microphone audio. If using a PS5, you should click on the Create button of your Controller>Broadcast. 

On the Go Live button, you will see three small dots taking you to a window that asks you to open more. Click that option, followed by the Broadcasts options. On the switch to include Voice Chat Audio, click it.

FAQs on Streaming on Twitch Using PS4

Here are some of the commonly asked questions on tips for streaming on Twitch using PS4:

How can I claim Twitch drops on PS4?

If there is an active drop in a campaign and you have reached 100% progress, you will see a claim notification at the top navigation bar. You have up to 24 hours to claim the drop from the inventory page after the campaign has ended.

How do I save Twitch Streams from PS4?

Choose the stream you want to save in your Twitch app. Click on Share, followed by Save. You will follow the same process to send it to a friend. Recording your streams using the PlayStation camera will also help you achieve the same results.

How can I unlink Twitch from PS4?

Click Settings, then Account Management, and then link with other services. You should go to Twitch and Log Out.

How can I get overlays for my Twitch account?

There are a number of software such as StreamLabs, LightStream, and OBS Studio you can use to add Twitch Overlay on your computer when streaming on PS4.

What is the best stream quality on PS4?

If you are doing Xbox streams, you will be limited to 30 fps. You can stream up to 60 fps from the console. However, we recommend you go for 3000 bitrates to stream 720p and 30 fps and 4500 bitrates to stream 720p and 60 fps.

Final Thoughts

If you want to stream on PS4, this guide will help you get started. We also recommend you check out our guide on successful streaming on Xbox 4.