How to Connect Pc and Ps4 to Same Monitor
You’re probably staring at two glorious screens, one for your PC grind and another for that sweet PlayStation action. And you’re thinking, ‘There HAS to be a way to ditch one of these hulking rectangles.’ Trust me, I’ve been there. Wasted a good chunk of a Saturday once trying to jury-rig a solution involving an old VCR and a prayer. Spoiler: it didn’t end well, and my dog looked at me with sheer disappointment.
So, how to connect pc and ps4 to same monitor? It’s not as complicated as some tech blogs make it sound, and thankfully, you don’t need a degree in electrical engineering or a small fortune to buy new hardware. We’re talking about getting your signals sorted so you can actually, you know, play your games without a cable spaghetti monster taking over your desk.
Fumbling with connections is a rite of passage, but let’s bypass the painful parts. I’ve tried a few methods, some better than others, and I’ve got the scars—and the functioning setup—to prove it.
The Simplest Way: Your Monitor’s Built-in Switching
Most modern monitors, especially those aimed at gamers or productivity, have more than one input port. Think HDMI, DisplayPort, maybe even USB-C. If your monitor has at least two of these, and your PC and PS4 each have a compatible output, then congratulations! You’ve likely already got the solution.
Picture this: your PC is plugged into HDMI 1, and your PS4 is happily connected to HDMI 2. The magic happens via the monitor’s own on-screen display (OSD) menu. You’ll typically find a button on the monitor itself—often a little joystick or a series of small buttons—that brings up this menu. Within that menu, there’s usually an ‘Input’ or ‘Source’ selection option. Clicking that lets you cycle through your connected devices. One minute you’re fragging noobs, the next you’re exploring Hyrule. It’s that straightforward. No extra boxes, no fuss.
I remember my first ‘smart’ monitor. I spent weeks thinking I needed all sorts of adapters and signal splitters. Turns out, the button I’d been ignoring for months was the key. The sheer simplicity made me want to throw the expensive adapter I’d bought out the window. The monitor’s plastic casing felt cool and smooth under my frustrated grip before I finally realized the error of my ways.
When Inputs Are Limited: The Humble HDMI Switcher
Okay, so maybe your fancy new monitor only has one HDMI port, or your older setup is similarly restrictive. This is where an HDMI switcher (sometimes called a selector) swoops in. It’s a small box that takes multiple HDMI inputs and outputs them through a single cable to your monitor. You usually have a button on the switcher itself, or sometimes a remote control, to toggle between the connected devices. (See Also: How To Connect Monitor To Com1 )
Getting one of these set up is a breeze. You’ll have a few HDMI cables coming *into* the switcher (one from your PC, one from your PS4), and then one HDMI cable running *out* of the switcher to your monitor. It’s like a tiny traffic controller for your video signals. I spent around $45 testing three different generic HDMI switchers before I found one that didn’t introduce annoying flickering or lag during intense gaming sessions. The cheapest one I tried made my PS4 games look like they were being broadcast from space during a solar flare. Not ideal.
My Personal Verdict on HDMI Switchers:
| Feature | What I Look For | My Opinion |
|---|---|---|
| Input Lag | Should be imperceptible, < 10ms ideally. | This is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Any lag makes gaming feel awful. |
| Build Quality | Sturdy plastic, not flimsy. | You don’t need battleship-grade, but it shouldn’t feel like it’ll shatter if you sneeze on it. |
| Power Requirement | Ideally powered via USB or its own adapter. | Passive ones can work, but powered ones are usually more stable. |
| Resolution/Refresh Rate Support | Matches your monitor (e.g., 1080p@60Hz, 1440p@144Hz). | Don’t buy a 4K switcher if your monitor is only 1080p, but for future-proofing, check specs. |
When you’re choosing one, don’t just grab the cheapest one you see. Read reviews, specifically looking for mentions of gaming performance. You’re trying to move a signal that needs to be clean and fast, like a perfectly executed play in a sports game. A bad switcher is like a butterfingered wide receiver dropping an easy touchdown pass.
The “why Didn’t I Think of That?” Solution: Monitor with Multiple Ports
I know, I know, this sounds obvious. But you’d be shocked how many people overlook this. If you’re in the market for a new monitor, or if you’ve got an older one stashed away, check its spec sheet or just look at the back. Does it have more than one HDMI port? DisplayPort? Maybe even a USB-C port that can handle video? If the answer is yes, then the process of how to connect pc and ps4 to same monitor is already mostly handled by the hardware you possess.
For example, a good 27-inch 1440p monitor might have two HDMI inputs and one DisplayPort. You can plug your PC into the DisplayPort (often preferred for higher refresh rates and better color accuracy on PCs) and your PS4 into one of the HDMI ports. Then, as mentioned before, you use the monitor’s OSD to switch between them. No extra boxes, no fuss. It’s the cleanest, most direct route.
This is especially handy if you’re trying to manage cables and desk space. The less clutter, the better. I’ve seen setups where people have three different monitors, each dedicated to a different task, but often, one solid monitor with good port selection is all you need. Think of it like having a multi-tool versus carrying a whole toolbox for a simple job. (See Also: How To Connect Desktop To Monitor And Projector )
Honestly, I think the advice to always buy a separate KVM switch (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) for this exact scenario is often overkill. KVM switches are fantastic if you need to share a keyboard and mouse *between* a PC and a Mac, or multiple PCs, but for just switching video sources from a console and a PC, they’re usually more complex and expensive than you need. A lot of KVMs add input lag too, which is a killer for gaming.
What About Audio?
This is where things can get a *little* fiddly, but usually not too bad. If you’re using your monitor’s built-in speakers or a soundbar connected directly to the monitor, switching video sources typically switches the audio too. Easy.
However, if you have a more complex audio setup, like desktop speakers connected directly to your PC’s audio jack, you might only get PC audio. When you switch to the PS4, you won’t hear anything from those speakers. This is a common hang-up. My old setup had speakers wired directly into my PC’s motherboard, and switching to my Xbox meant blissful silence. Useless.
The fix? You’ve got options. You can get an HDMI audio extractor. This little device plugs into your HDMI signal *before* it goes to your monitor (or between your switcher and monitor) and splits the audio out to a separate port, like a 3.5mm jack or optical audio. Then you can connect that to your speakers or amplifier. Alternatively, many gaming headsets can connect to both your PC (via USB or Bluetooth) and your PS4 (via the controller’s headphone jack or Bluetooth) simultaneously, or at least easily switch between them. This is what I ended up doing for years, just swapping the USB dongle for my headset between my PC and the PS4. It was a minor inconvenience, but far less hassle than re-wiring my entire sound system every time I wanted to switch.
Consumer Reports has touched on the importance of clear audio pathways in home entertainment setups, noting that the quality of audio reproduction significantly impacts the overall experience, which is why managing audio sources is as important as video.
Can I Use a USB-C Hub for This?
Potentially, yes. If your PC has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode (this is often the case with modern laptops and some desktops), you can connect a capable USB-C hub or dock to your PC. Some of these hubs have multiple video outputs (like HDMI or DisplayPort) and USB ports. You could then connect your PS4 to one of the hub’s HDMI ports and your monitor to another, or use the hub to connect to the monitor and then switch inputs on the monitor itself. However, not all USB-C ports are created equal, and not all hubs support high refresh rates or resolutions, so always check the specs carefully. (See Also: How To Connect To Monitor Via Bluetooth Mac )
Will This Cause Input Lag for Gaming?
For the most part, no, if done correctly. Using your monitor’s built-in input switching or a good quality HDMI switcher designed for video signals should add negligible input lag. The biggest culprits for lag are often cheap, unpowered HDMI splitters that try to do too much, or using a KVM switch that isn’t specifically designed for high-performance gaming. My personal test showed that a decent powered HDMI switcher added maybe a single frame of latency, which is imperceptible for most gamers. If you’re a professional esports player, you might notice, but for the rest of us, it’s a non-issue.
What If My Monitor Doesn’t Have Multiple Inputs?
If your monitor only has one input, your primary solution is an external HDMI switcher. This is a small box that you plug both your PC and your PS4 into, and then a single cable from the switcher goes to your monitor. You’ll have a button on the switcher to toggle between the PC and the PS4. You might also need an HDMI audio extractor if your monitor doesn’t have audio output, or if your speakers are connected directly to your PC.
Final Verdict
So, there you have it. Connecting your PC and PS4 to the same monitor really boils down to checking what inputs your current monitor has. If it’s got more than one HDMI or DisplayPort, you’re golden. If not, a simple HDMI switcher is your best friend. Don’t overcomplicate it with fancy KVMs unless you truly need them for keyboard and mouse sharing between multiple PCs.
The whole goal here is to make your setup work for you, not the other way around. Having spent way too much time wrestling with cables and faulty gadgets, I can tell you that simplicity often wins. For how to connect pc and ps4 to same monitor, the less hardware you have to add, the better the signal quality and the less potential for weird issues.
Just remember to check the audio situation once you’ve got your video sorted. A little planning there saves a lot of headaches later. It’s a small step, but it makes a huge difference in the overall experience.
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