The Ultimate Guide to Connecting a PS4 to 2 TVs

Connecting your PlayStation 4 to two TVs can enable incredible same-room multiplayer experiences. But setting up a multi-display gaming rig takes some specialized equipment and know-how. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide expert insight into the technical details, equipment recommendations, configuration tips, and troubleshooting advice you need to create an epic PS4 dual-screen gameplay environment. Let‘s dive in!

Why Connect a PS4 to Multiple TVs?

First, why might you want to hook up your PS4 to more than one television? Here are some of the key benefits:

• Local split-screen multiplayer gaming – Run 2-player or 4-player games with each on a separate big screen. No more tiny split windows!

• Extend your gameplay environment – Play a singleplayer game across multiple displays for super-immersive experience.

• Watch multiplayer – Spectate or coach friends playing games on the main TV from another viewing screen.

• Entertain multiple viewers – Share the gaming action with more people by duplicating displays throughout your home.

According to a 2022 report by The NDP Group, over 35% of US households now have 3 or more TVs installed. So multi-display gaming is becoming much more viable and popular.

Equipment Needed to Connect a PS4 to Two TVs

To pull off connecting your PS4 to two separate televisions, here‘s the key equipment you‘ll need:

HDMI Splitter

An HDMI splitter is the core component that takes the PS4‘s HDMI output and duplicates it into two identical signals. Look for a powered, active splitter for best performance. We recommend the Orei HD-102 dual HDMI splitter which supports full 4K 60Hz signals.

HDMI Cables

You‘ll need at least two high-speed HDMI cables – one to go from the PS4 to the splitter, and one from the splitter to each television. For 4K HDR gaming, use Premium Certified HDMI cables.

TVs

Any HD TVs with HDMI ports will work, but matching the resolution provides the best experience. For PS4 Pro and PS5, have 4K TVs. For standard PS4, 1080p displays are fine.

Audio Splitter (optional)

If you want sound from both TV speakers, use a powered HDMI audio extractor like the ViewHD model. This splits the audio out from the video signal.

That covers the basics – now let‘s look at expert recommended setup, configuration, and usage tips.

How to Set Up a PS4 with an HDMI Splitter

With the right gear, connecting your PS4 to two screens via an HDMI splitter is straightforward:

1. Use a short HDMI cable to connect your PS4‘s HDMI output to the IN port on the HDMI splitter.
2. Connect HDMI cables from the splitter‘s OUT ports to the HDMI inputs on each of your two TVs.
3. For audio from both TVs, connect an optical audio splitter to the PS4‘s S/PDIF port.
4. Power on the HDMI splitter, PS4, and both TVs. Select the correct video inputs on the TVs.
5. Load up a PS4 game, and it should now display across both screens!

Position the two TVs adjacent to each other to minimize HDMI cable length for best signal quality. Make sure to power on the splitter first, and power it off last when done gaming.

Now let‘s optimize the setup.

Configuring Your Dual-Screen PS4 Setup

Once connected, there are a few settings we recommend customizing:

Enable Game Mode on both TVs – This lowers display latency for optimized gaming performance.

Set PS4 display resolution to match your TVs – For 4K TVs, choose 3840×2160 resolution. For 1080p, pick 1920×1080. This prevents image scaling lag.

Adjust display orientation for split-screen games – Set horizontal or vertical orientation in System Settings based on your TV arrangement.

Customize display area for differently sized TVs – Maximize usable screen space by configuring Output Display Area.

Enable V-Sync if seeing screen tearing – This aligns the PS4‘s frame rate output with your TV‘s refresh rate to prevent tearing artifacts.

Use Game Mode audio if available – Some TVs offer a Game Mode audio setting to minimize delay between video and audio.

With the above dialed in, your dual PS4 gaming rig will perform impressively – almost like using two consoles. Now let‘s cover some pro tips for usage.

Pro Tips for Seamless Multi-Screen Gaming

Here are some expert recommendations for having the best experience gaming across two displays:

• For split-screen games, be sure to switch to horizontal or vertical orientation in the PS4‘s System Settings menu. This will correctly orient the separate player views on each TV.

• Connect PS4 controllers to the front USB ports. This prevents Bluetooth interference issues caused by the displays being far apart.

• For two-player games, assign controllers to specific user accounts. This lets you easily manage separate game settings per player.

• Select "Share Controller" in game menus to share controls across both screens for games that support it.

• Use hardwired ethernet for the PS4 if possible. This reduces network latency when playing online multiplayer.

• Set TVs to Game Mode. Minimizing input lag and display processing is crucial for responsive multiplayer gaming.

• Turn off HDR if you notice dark or inaccurate colors. Some TVs don‘t properly support HDR from a split output signal.

Following these tips will help you get the most out of your dual-screen PS4 setup for truly next-level multiplayer and singleplayer experiences!

Troubleshooting Common Dual Display Issues

When connecting two TVs to your PS4 console via an HDMI splitter, here are some common issues and fixes:

No video on one or both TVs – Ensure splitter and cables are powered on. Try directly connecting PS4 to each TV to isolate the problem.

Low resolution or quality – Set the PS4 resolution to match your TVs‘ native resolution. Use Premium High Speed HDMI cables for 4K HDR.

Screen flickering/flashing – Power the splitter on before and off after the PS4. Ensure "deep color" is enabled on both TVs.

Audio only from one TV – Use an HDMI audio extractor to split the sound to both TV speakers. Or use external speakers connected to the PS4.

Severe lag/stuttering – Reduce PS4 output resolution if the splitter can‘t handle it. Turn off V-sync and enable Game Mode on TVs.

Screen tearing – Enable V-sync on your PS4. Set TVs to Game Mode. Match PS4 frame rate to the TVs‘ 60Hz refresh rate.

Addressing these common split screen problems will have you conquering the latest PS4 games across two awesome displays in no time!

Streaming PS4 Gameplay to Another Screen

If you want to wirelessly stream PS4 gameplay to a laptop, tablet, or smartphone instead of splitting the HDMI output, Sony‘s PS4 Remote Play feature is your answer.

To use Remote Play:

1. On your receiving device, download and install the PS4 Remote Play app.

2. Ensure your PS4 and device are on the same high speed WiFi network. Stay close to the router.

3. Launch the Remote Play app and select your PS4. It will automatically connect.

4. Turn on your PS4 system if it‘s not already on. You‘ll now see the PS4 screen mirrored on your device.

5. Sync a DS4 controller by USB or Bluetooth to control the gameplay.

With a fast, stable 5GHz WiFi network, Remote Play streams smoothly with minimal lag. While not as seamless as an HDMI splitter, it conveniently lets you play PS4 games on other devices wirelessly anywhere in your home.

Connecting Media Devices to Multiple Displays

The HDMI splitting approach outlined above also works great for hooking up other types of media devices to more than one TV:

• Cable/Satellite Box – Use a powered coax splitter to output the feed to multiple TVs.

• Blu-ray or Media Streamer – An HDMI splitter will duplicate the signal source to 2 or more displays.

• Gaming Consoles – Share one console on several TVs for awesome multiplayer options.

• Laptop/PC – Extend your Windows desktop for extra workspace or duplicate for multiscreen gaming.

• Home Theater Receiver – High-end receivers include multiple HDMI outputs for routing audio/video to different zones.

For the cleanest signal distribution, opt for active, powered splitters along with premium certified HDMI cables. With the right gear, enjoying your favorite media across any number of TVs is quick and easy.

Parting Thoughts

As you can see, connecting a PS4 or any HDMI source to multiple televisions is very doable with the help of an HDMI splitter. This opens up exciting new possibilities for epic same-room multiplayer gaming or home-wide entertainment viewing. We hope this guide has provided the in-depth info you need to create an amazing dual display setup. Just take care to select quality powered splitters, optimize PS4 and TV settings, and follow our expert tips for smooth performance. Let us know if you have any other questions!