Sony released free app for playing media content on the PlayStation 4 that supports popular audio and video formats. This was reported in the official blog of the company.

A new program called "Multimedia Player" appeared in the main menu for all PlayStation 4 users. To install it, you do not need to update the console's firmware: you just need to download the application with a size of less than 20 megabytes.

The program allows you to play files both from an external USB drive (including flash drives and hard drives), and from a media server, which can be a home computer.

The application supports the most popular video (MPEG-2 TS, MP4, AVI and MKV), audio (MP3 and M4A) and photo (JPEG, BMP and PNG) formats. As noted by The Verge, this will turn the console into "the ideal device for playing pirated content from torrents."

For Russian-speaking users, the player is less convenient: it does not yet support switching audio tracks and subtitles. In addition, for the system to "see" the file, it must be placed in a folder (they are not played from the root directory).

Xbox One Microsoft received support for MKV back in August 2014. From the very beginning, the company promoted the console as a multimedia player for watching movies and TV.

However, Sony was in no hurry to add such features to its set-top box, promoting it solely as a powerful device for games. However, in its official blog, the company noted that a video player was one of the most popular requirements for the console.

Use (Media 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 shot with the 360-degree panoramic camera (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-2PS
  • 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)

Photo

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 (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 fine sound detail. However, when playing background music, participating in a party, or using the speech synthesis function, the sound is output at 48 kHz.

• AAC (M4A)

• FAT and exFAT format USB drives are supported.
• Make sure the USB storage device is fully inserted into the USB connector. Some devices cannot be fully inserted due to their shape or design.
• Music may not be played under some application or system conditions.
• Some files may not be played due to the data type or file size.
• Some types of content distributed over the Internet and by other means have a playback restriction. Additional information can be obtained from the provider of such data.
• Some media servers may not support playback of certain file types or use of certain functions during playback.

Sony spent a large amount of time developing a powerful piece of entertainment hardware with the PS4. One of a multitude of features available is the ability to stream from PC to PS4. Multiple PS4 media client apps currently exist on the market. A quick look and them and it's easy to how PS4 distinguishes itself see as a leader in entertainment. Setup is a quick process and will work almost instantly with most server clients. Forget about clogging your limited Sony hard-drive space with movies, music, and game data, just use anyone of the programs below to stream your media content from your PC. [ read: ]

Table of Contents

Stream from PC to PS4

Here at htpcBeginner, we have taken the time to put together some of the best options for streaming everything inducing movies, television, music, and photos from a PC onto your Sony console. Multiple PS4 media client apps exist on the market, many are free and some offer premium streaming content and features.

Plex

Photo: windowscentral.com

Probably the number one media app for the PS4. Plex offers a wide variety of options, features, and content, while simultaneously acting as a means of accessing network media on PS4. It is intuitive and easy to use. Plex offers a simple design, easy navigation and intuitive interface. Some of its more advanced features include the ability to share files across the network and even adding .srt files to media content requiring subtitles. It is good for those not overly technical, and want a quick, organized means of accessing content.

Subscribers gain other features including access to cloud storage. There is a big limitation of services offered for free users, however, the cost of Plex a month is minimal and well worth it. Paid content aside, Plex comes with enough basic features to keep PS4 users happy. Its primary purpose as a streaming content provider does little to interfere with its power as a media server. [ read: ]

Emby

Emby is a media client app of distinction and another strong pick. Users who are looking for more than just a simple media server will enjoy the programs wide range of features, while the more technically savvy users will enjoy the advanced options.

It also offers mobile access to stored media through the Emby app on your phone, tablet and mobile device. Its interface seems somewhat cluttered at times but is more than capable of managing thousands of files as needed. Simply download Emby onto your PC.

Like Plex, it there is premium content and features available for a monthly subscription fee. However, the free version is more than capable of media management and does allow users to stream from PC to PS4. All around a good choice when looking for more than just a media server. [ read:

Universal Media Server

Photo: Universalmediaserver.com

Universal Media Server is a veteran program when it comes to streaming content to PS consoles. Built from the PS3 Media Server application, this version stays true to the original. It is a simple looking, bare bones and utilitarian system, it does one thing well, stream media from a PC to PS4.

It uses a UPnP media server created for the newest models of PS4. The server is compliant with DLNA standards. Currently, PS4 Media Server only functions with a PS, but its predecessor for the PS3 was quickly expanded to work across platforms. The server is often updated to keep out the bugs that come with streaming content. Users should have no problem when looking to access network media on PS4. Universal Media Server is a media server capable of serving videos, audio, and images to any DLNA-capable device.

It is free, regularly updated and has more features than any other media server, including paid media servers. Universal Media Server streams to many devices including Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation 4 (PS4), Microsoft Xbox One and 360, many TVs (Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, Vizio, LG, Philips, Sharp), smart phones (iPhone, Android, etc.), Blu-ray players, and more.

Madsonic

Photo: Madsonic.com

Madsonic is an open sourced web-based media library manager and media server for the PS4. It uses Java and is compatible with Windows, MacOS, OSX, Linux and Unix variants. Unlike many other options for media servers, there is Bandwidth control for those who have to take that into consideration but for audio only. The bitrate of streamed music can be lowered. Madsonic will then automatically scale down the music to a suitable bitrate.

It offers a few other fun features, like its much-toated jukebox mode, but all around is just a basic media server. All around a good working program. Its drawbacks mostly stem from being a web based application. There are some consistent problems with maintaining the servers connection and lagging, which has it falling behind other PS4 media client apps.

Best PS4 media client apps – Conclusion

Consumers are looking for more than just gaming from their consoles. The PS4 was designed, not only, to meet these expectations and surpass them. The ability to access your PC and stream that media content in a fast and convenient way is a basic requirement users are expecting. The options available for servers that will allow your console to access network media and stream from PC to PS4 are numerous. Many other options are fraught with problems and bugs that can limit enjoyment. Hopefully this list helps take out some of the guess work.

Your turn: what PS4 media server apps do you recommend?

On the PlayStation 4 Pro system, you can view 4K mp4 video files stored on a USB storage device or home server in the Media Player application, as well as 4K VR content when using PlayStation VR. Note: To view 4K images, a compatible 4K display is required.

How can I access files from an external drive in the media player?

To play files from an external storage device such as a USB storage device or an external HDD, video and image files must be saved in a specific folder. For example, music files should be in the "MUSIC" folder.

How to enable closed captioning in multimedia player?

To enable closed captioning in the media player, go to [Settings] > [Accessibility] > [Closed Captioning] and select [Show closed captioning]. Then simply restart the media player, load the video and press the OPTIONS button to enable closed captioning.

What file types are NOT supported by the media player?

The media player does not support audio CD playback. The media player supports the following file types:

Video

Image： H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level4.2

Image： MPEG4 ASP, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level4.2

Audio： MP3, AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital)

Image： 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-2TS

Image： H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level4.2, MPEG2 Visual

Audio： MP2 (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2), AAC LC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital)

• AVCHD (.m2ts, .mts)
• XAVC S™ (.mp4)

Photo

• JPEG （supporting DCF2.0/Exif2.21）

Music

• AAC (M4A)

Does the media player support parental controls?

You can set the parental control level to restrict access to some content on the PlayStation 4 system.

When using the multimedia player, I get an error message, what should I do?

Error messages appear for various reasons. Make sure the file you are trying to open or play is supported by the media player. .

Sony has finally added a standalone media player to the PlayStation 4, as announced in a blog post ahead of the E3 press conference. The application supports many different formats, including MKV, AVI, MP4, MPEG3, MP3 and AAC - very handy for playing files downloaded directly from torrents. Perhaps Sony is thereby hinting that they have come to terms with piracy and will no longer pose serious obstacles, as it was before.

PS4 Media Player app in action

For many Sony fans, it has always been strange that the PS4 did not originally have a media player, but still, the device was positioned from the very beginning as a game console, not a media hub. Microsoft's Xbox One, for example, started supporting various file formats back in August, including MKV. In order to play the desired files through the PlayStation 4, you need to connect a home media server to the set-top box or simply plug in a USB flash drive.

Full list of supported formats:

Video

video codecs: H.264, MPEG-4 AVC High Profile Level4.2
Sound: MP3, AAC LC, AC-3

video codecs: MPEG4 ASP, H.264
Sound: MP3, AAC LC, AC-3

video codecs: H.264, MPEG-4
Sound: AAC LC, AC-3

video codecs: H.264, MPEG-4
Sound: MP2, AAC LC, AC-3
AVCHD: (.m2ts, .mts)

Image