How to Hear Sound Through Your Headset and TV Simultaneously on PS4
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Want to enjoy your PlayStation 4 with both headphone audio and TV audio at the same time? You’re not alone! Many gamers appreciate the flexibility of using headphones for immersive gameplay while also keeping the TV volume on for others in the room. Fortunately, achieving this is possible, though it might not be as straightforward as you’d hope. Here’s a breakdown of how you can get sound through both your headset and TV on your PS4.
How to Output Audio Through Both Headset and TV Simultaneously on PS4
By default, the PS4 is set to output audio either to your headphones or your TV speakers, but not both. This can be frustrating, especially if you are playing with friends or family nearby who also want to hear the game. To change this, you must dive into your console’s settings and select the appropriate option to enable dual audio output:
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Navigate to Settings: From the PS4 home screen, scroll up to the function menu (the bar at the top) and select Settings.
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Go to Sound and Screen: In the Settings menu, navigate down and select Sound and Screen.
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Choose Audio Output Settings: Within Sound and Screen, select Audio Output Settings.
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Select Primary Output Port: From this menu, go to the setting labeled Output to Headphones if you are using a wired headset. If you want the sound output to go to the TV speakers select HDMI. This step is important for achieving simultaneous audio because the PS4 uses this setting to understand what type of audio output will be used for gaming and party chats.
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Select Both Options (If Using Headphone Jack): If you are using the headphone jack on your controller, the default will most likely be Chat Audio. Change that to All Audio. This ensures that all in-game sounds and chats will come through your headset.
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Configure HDMI Out (If Required): If you’re aiming for combined TV and headphone audio, you’ll still want to ensure that your HDMI out is set for the right type of output, such as Linear PCM. This ensures that the TV is getting the correct signal from the console.
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Adjust Volume Settings: Once the changes are made, you may have to adjust your volume output to make sure the desired levels for the headphones and the TV are set.
Important Notes:
- Bluetooth Headsets: Unfortunately, the PS4 does not natively support dual audio through Bluetooth for both the TV and Bluetooth headphones at the same time. Using Bluetooth will cut out all audio from the TV speakers. Therefore, for simultaneous output, wired headphones are usually the go-to.
- Limited Dual Audio Support: The dual audio output feature is limited on PS4. It works best with wired headphones connected via the controller’s headphone jack. Some users have reported inconsistent results with certain setups.
- External Devices: If you need dual audio with a Bluetooth headset or other devices, you might have to invest in external devices like a Bluetooth transmitter connected to your TV’s digital optical audio output or a separate audio mixer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to getting audio through both your headset and TV on your PS4, designed to provide a comprehensive guide:
1. Can I use Bluetooth headphones and TV speakers simultaneously on PS4?
No, natively the PS4 does not support simultaneously using Bluetooth headphones and TV speakers at the same time. If you connect a Bluetooth headset, the TV audio will be cut off. You will require third-party hardware to connect your Bluetooth headphones to your TV, thus allowing the TV to also play audio from it’s speakers.
2. What if my PS4 doesn’t recognize my headset?
If your PS4 is not outputting audio to your headset, navigate to Settings > Devices > Audio Devices > Headset and Headphones. Check if the volume bar is grayed out, which means the console isn’t recognizing the headset. Ensure the headset adapter is fully plugged in. You might need to apply a little force until you hear a “click.”
3. What are the options for audio output?
The primary options are Chat Audio (only party chat through the headset), All Audio (both game and chat through the headset), and HDMI Output (sound through the TV). To have the sound come out of both your headset and the TV, ensure your HDMI settings are configured correctly as well as setting your Headphone output to All Audio if you are using the controller’s 3.5mm audio jack.
4. How do I adjust the balance between headset and TV audio?
You can control the output level of your headphones via the Quick Menu (hold the PS button). Go to Sound/Devices, where you’ll find settings for headphone volume. For TV volume, use your TV remote control. The system will not allow you to adjust the TV volume from your console. The console can only send a signal.
5. What if I only hear chat audio through my headset?
Go to Settings > Sound and Screen > Audio Output Settings > Output to Headphones. Ensure the option is set to All Audio instead of Chat Audio.
6. Do I need special equipment for dual audio with a Bluetooth headset?
Yes, you’ll most likely require a Bluetooth transmitter that connects to the digital optical audio out port on your TV. The transmitter will then pair with your Bluetooth headphones, allowing your TV speakers to operate simultaneously.
7. What is the ‘Primary Output Port’ setting for?
This setting determines the primary device to which the sound is sent when the PS4 starts up. If you have headphones plugged into the controller, set this to Output to Headphones
8. What is the significance of ‘Linear PCM’ in audio settings?
Linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) is an uncompressed audio format. Ensure it is selected for the best quality output to both your TV and any external audio devices.
9. How can I ensure I am getting the best audio quality?
Choose the audio output format that best suits your setup. Use Linear PCM and make sure your audio devices are not limited by the input source.
10. Is there a difference in audio quality between wired and wireless headphones?
Generally, wired connections tend to provide a more stable and reliable connection with higher audio quality than Bluetooth connections, which can be affected by interference.
11. How do I use the controller’s 3.5mm headphone jack effectively?
Plug your wired headphones directly into the 3.5mm jack on the DualShock 4 controller, and then navigate to your console’s sound settings to ensure All Audio is selected for headphones.
12. Can I use a USB headset for dual output?
USB headsets can work, but they are still considered “Headphone Output” by the PS4, meaning the system still limits their output to only headphones and not through both the headset and TV speakers at the same time. Therefore you need to make sure you are outputting audio to your HDMI connection as well.
13. How can I resolve audio delays?
If you’re experiencing audio delays, try using different HDMI cables and check the settings on your TV to ensure no audio processing is delaying the signal.
14. What is Mono Audio and when would I use it?
Mono audio combines left and right audio channels into one. This feature is used most by people with hearing loss in one ear as it allows both ears to hear all audio outputs from the game. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Mono Audio to enable or disable it.
15. How do I troubleshoot if there’s no sound from either my TV or headset?
Check the basics: ensure your headphones are properly connected, the TV volume is not muted, and the audio output settings on the PS4 are correct. Try restarting your PS4 and if the issue persists try another headset to see if the problem is with the original.
By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be well on your way to enjoying dual audio output on your PS4. Have fun gaming!