If your TV or monitor lacks a working HDMI port, you can still connect your PS4 by using a converter or by streaming the console’s output to another screen. The PS4 has only one video output, an HDMI OUT port, so every alternative method requires either an HDMI-to-DVI or HDMI-to-VGA converter, or the official PS Remote Play app over your network. If you have a laptop with an HDMI input, you can connect PS4 to laptop with HDMI for a direct, low-latency display. If your monitor does have HDMI, you can simply connect PS4 to PC monitor with HDMI for the best picture quality and zero lag. Below are the three proven ways to connect PS4 without HDMI, along with the limitations of each so you can pick the one that fits your setup.
How to connect PS4 without HDMI: your options
The PS4 was designed around a single HDMI OUT port on the back of the console, which carries both video and audio. Because there is no secondary native video output, you cannot plug the console directly into an older display that lacks HDMI. Instead, you have three working paths: use PS Remote Play to stream the game to a PC, Mac, or mobile device; convert the HDMI signal to DVI for a monitor; or convert it to VGA for an older display. Each method has trade-offs in resolution, audio, and setup effort, but all are confirmed to work with a standard PS4, PS4 Slim, or PS4 Pro.
Use PS Remote Play (no cable needed)
PS Remote Play is the only official, cable-free way to use your PS4 on a screen without HDMI. It streams the console’s video and audio over your local network to a Windows PC, Mac, Android device, or iOS device. This method requires a high-speed internet connection, a minimum of 5 Mbps upload and download, with 15 Mbps recommended for smooth performance. You will also need a DualShock 4 controller paired to the device running Remote Play.
- On your PS4, go to Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings and enable Remote Play.
- On the same console, go to Settings > Account Management and set your console as your primary PS4.
- Download and install the PS Remote Play app on your PC, Mac, or mobile device.
- Open the app and sign in with the same PlayStation Network account used on your PS4.
- Select your PS4 from the list, and the app will establish a connection and display the console’s screen.
Once connected, you can play any game that does not require specialized hardware. Games that require a PlayStation VR headset or PlayStation Move controllers are not compatible with Remote Play, so those titles will not work through this method. Also, because the video is streamed, you may notice slight input lag on slower networks, but with the recommended 15 Mbps connection, it is generally playable for most titles.
Connect to a DVI monitor with an HDMI-to-DVI converter
If you have a computer monitor with a DVI input but no HDMI port, an HDMI-to-DVI converter is the simplest hardware solution. DVI carries the same digital video signal as HDMI, so you will get full resolution without any quality loss on the picture. The catch is that DVI does not carry audio, so you need a separate audio connection.
- Power off both your PS4 and the DVI monitor.
- Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI OUT port on the back of your PS4.
- Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI input on the HDMI-to-DVI converter.
- Connect a DVI cable from the converter’s DVI output to the DVI input on your monitor.
- Power on the monitor, then the PS4.
You will see the PS4’s video output on the DVI screen immediately. For audio, use an optical cable from the PS4’s digital optical output to a soundbar, receiver, or speakers that accept optical input. Alternatively, you can plug a headset into the DualShock 4 controller’s 3.5mm jack to hear game audio privately. This method works best for gamers who already have a DVI monitor and a separate audio setup.
Connect to a VGA display with an HDMI-to-VGA converter
For older monitors, projectors, or TVs that only have a VGA input, an HDMI-to-VGA converter is the bridge you need. VGA is an analog signal, so the converter changes the digital HDMI output into analog form. This means you may see a slightly softer image compared to HDMI or DVI, and resolution is typically capped at 1080p or lower depending on the display’s native capabilities.
- Power off both your PS4 and the VGA display.
- Connect a VGA cable from the converter’s VGA output to the VGA input on your display.
- Power on the display, then the PS4.
Like DVI, VGA does not carry audio, so you must handle sound separately. Use the PS4’s optical audio output to connect to external speakers or a receiver, or use a headset plugged into the controller. Some HDMI-to-VGA converters include a 3.5mm audio jack, but that only works if the converter actively extracts audio from the HDMI signal, many budget converters do not, so check the product specs before relying on it. Also, if your VGA display is 4:3 or has a low native resolution, the PS4 may output a letterboxed or stretched image; you can adjust this in the console’s video settings if needed.
What about component or optical cables?
You might have heard that you can connect a PS4 using component AV cables (red, blue, green, plus red and white audio) or an optical audio cable alone. These are myths for the PS4. The console does not have an AV Multi Out port like the PS2 or PS3, so component cables physically cannot plug into it. The only video output on the PS4 is the HDMI OUT port. Similarly, an optical audio cable carries sound only, it cannot transmit video, so it is useless as a standalone connection for getting a picture on a screen. The optical port exists solely for sending digital audio to a receiver or soundbar, and it must be paired with a working video connection like HDMI, DVI, or VGA.
Choosing the right method for your setup
Your choice comes down to three factors: the ports on your display, your internet speed, and whether you have external audio. If your TV or monitor has a DVI input and you have speakers with optical input, the HDMI-to-DVI converter gives you the best picture quality with minimal lag. If your display only has VGA, the HDMI-to-VGA converter is your only hardware option, but expect a slightly softer image and the need for a separate audio solution. If you have no converter and a decent network, at least 5 Mbps, ideally 15 Mbps, PS Remote Play is the cleanest option because it requires no extra cables and works on any device with the app. Just remember that Remote Play cannot run PS VR or Move games, so for those titles you must use a hardware converter. Also, if you ever need to change inputs on your display, you can simply use the monitor or TV’s built-in menu to switch from HDMI 1 to HDMI 2, just as you would with any other source. No matter which method you pick, the PS4 will still output video through its HDMI port, so the converter or streaming app is doing the heavy lifting to get that signal to your non-HDMI screen.
