How to Connect a PS4 to the TV: Everything You Need to Know

Setting up a PlayStation 4 for the first time — or reconnecting it after a move — is straightforward once you understand what each cable and setting actually does. The process itself takes minutes, but the quality of your experience afterward depends on factors most setup guides skip entirely.

What You Actually Need to Get Started

The PS4 uses HDMI as its primary output. Every PS4 model — the original, the PS4 Slim, and the PS4 Pro — ships with a single HDMI port on the back. This means your TV needs at least one HDMI input, which virtually all TVs sold in the last 15+ years have.

What comes in the box:

• PS4 console
• HDMI cable (included)
• Power cable
• DualShock 4 controller + USB charging cable

You don't need adapters, converters, or additional hardware for a standard setup.

The Basic Connection Process 🎮

1. Power everything off before connecting cables — TV and PS4 both.
2. Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI OUT port on the back of the PS4.
3. Plug the other end into any available HDMI IN port on your TV. Note which number it is (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.).
4. Connect the PS4 power cable to the console and a wall outlet or power strip.
5. Power on the TV first, then switch the TV input to match the HDMI port you used.
6. Power on the PS4. The first boot will prompt you through initial setup — language, network, PSN login.

That's the physical connection. Where things get more nuanced is in what happens after.

HDMI Versions and Why They Matter

Not all HDMI connections perform the same way. The HDMI cable version and the HDMI port version on your TV together determine what's possible.

The standard PS4 and PS4 Slim output up to 1080p. The PS4 Pro can output up to 2160p (4K), but only if your TV supports it and you're using an HDMI 2.0 cable and port.

If you plug a PS4 Pro into a TV's HDMI 1.4 port, you won't get 4K — the signal will be downscaled. The console will still work, but you won't see the resolution improvement you might expect.

Adjusting Video Output Settings on the PS4

Once connected, the PS4 defaults to automatically detecting your TV's capabilities. For most users, this works fine. But if the picture looks off — wrong resolution, no HDR, black bars — you can manually configure output settings.

Path: Settings → Sound and Screen → Video Output Settings

Here you can set:

• Resolution (Automatic, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 2160p for PS4 Pro)
• HDR (Automatic, On, Off) — only relevant if your TV supports HDR
• Deep Color Output — enhances color depth on compatible displays
• RGB Range — adjust if blacks look washed out or overly crushed

The Automatic setting reads your TV's EDID data and selects the highest compatible output. It's reliable in most cases but occasionally misreads older TV firmware.

When the TV Shows No Signal 📺

This is the most common setup frustration. A few causes:

• Wrong input selected on the TV. Use your TV remote to cycle through inputs until the PS4 screen appears.
• Faulty or low-quality HDMI cable. The cable included in the box is functional, but third-party cables with poor shielding can cause signal dropouts.
• HDCP conflicts. The PS4 enables HDCP (copy protection) by default. If you're routing through a capture card or certain AV receivers, this causes a black screen. Disable it via Settings → System → uncheck "Enable HDCP."
• TV doesn't support the output resolution. Try Safe Mode on the PS4 (hold power button for 7 seconds) and select "Change Resolution" to reset to 480p, then reconfigure from there.

Audio: What's Passing Through That HDMI Cable

HDMI carries both video and audio simultaneously. By default, the PS4 outputs audio through HDMI to your TV's built-in speakers. If you have a soundbar or AV receiver connected to your TV via ARC (Audio Return Channel), audio routing should happen automatically through your TV's settings.

For dedicated headphone users, the DualShock 4 has a 3.5mm headphone jack — usable without any additional audio setup.

Audio output settings can be found at: Settings → Sound and Screen → Audio Output Settings

Variables That Change Your Experience

The physical connection is the same for everyone. What differs:

• TV age and spec — older TVs may cap at 720p or lack HDR support entirely
• Which PS4 model you own — the Pro introduces 4K and HDR variables the base model doesn't
• Cable quality — especially relevant at higher resolutions
• Room setup — cable length (longer runs can degrade signal without active cables), placement relative to ventilation
• Whether you're routing audio/video through additional devices like soundbars, receivers, or streaming sticks

A PS4 Slim connected to a 1080p TV with the included cable will look and behave differently from a PS4 Pro connected to a 4K HDR display — even though the connection steps are identical.

Understanding your TV's specific HDMI port versions, HDR support, and resolution ceiling is where the real configuration decisions begin.