You’ve just settled in with your new PlayStation 5, ready for a gaming session, but the main TV is occupied. You glance over at your laptop and wonder, “Can I just plug my PS5 into that?” It’s a common question, and the answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Let’s walk through what you need to know to make it work.
The HDMI Input Challenge on Laptops
Here’s the most important thing to know right away: the vast majority of laptops have an HDMI output port, not an input. This means they are designed to send a signal to a monitor or TV, not receive one from a console like your PS5. Trying to connect them with a standard HDMI cable will not work. However, there is a reliable workaround that can turn your laptop screen into a display for your gaming.
Using a Capture Card as Your Solution
The key to making this connection is a device called a capture card. This handy tool acts as a bridge. You connect your PS5’s HDMI output to the capture card’s input, and then the capture card connects to your laptop via USB. The laptop sees the capture card as a video source, which you can then view using accompanying software. While these are popular with streamers for recording gameplay, they work perfectly for simply using your laptop as a monitor.
Step-by-Step Connection Guide
Once you have a capture card, the setup is straightforward. First, connect your PS5 to the “HDMI In” port on the capture card using one HDMI cable. Next, use a second HDMI cable to connect the “HDMI Out” on the capture card to a TV or monitor if you want a secondary display; this is often called a passthrough and ensures you get the best performance without lag. Then, plug the capture card into your laptop’s USB port. Finally, install any necessary software on your laptop that came with the capture card to see your PS5’s screen.
Adjusting Your PS5’s Display Settings
After everything is connected, you might need to tweak a few settings on your PS5. If the image doesn’t appear correctly, you can start the PS5 in Safe Mode by turning it off completely, then holding down the power button until you hear a second beep. From there, you can select option number 2, “Change Video Output,” to adjust the resolution to a setting that works well with your laptop’s screen and the capture card.
While it requires an extra piece of hardware, using a capture card is a fantastic and reliable method to game on your PS5 using your laptop screen. It opens up a world of flexibility, allowing you to play your favorite games anywhere you have your laptop setup.
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