How to Play DVDs on PS4 (And What to Do When It Won't Work)

Can you use a PS4 as a DVD player? Yes. The PS4 can play DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, and DVD+R/RW discs. So, you do not need a separate DVD player for most movies. However, DVD playback is not always trouble-free. Sony requires an Internet connection the first time you use disc playback, and it does not support unfinalized DVDs. Some users also report that their PS4 reads games and Blu-ray discs but refuses to recognize DVDs. In these cases, converting the DVD to a PS4-compatible video file can be a practical alternative.

What DVDs Does PS4 Support

The PS4 supports most standard DVD formats, including DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, and DVD+R/RW discs. It also supports DVD video discs and AVCHD discs. However, there are a few limits. A DVD must be finalized before the PS4 can play it. Scratches, dust, poor recording quality, and unusual encoding can also cause playback problems. Sony lists these as common reasons a disc may fail.

Seeing an "unrecognized disc" message on your PS4? Start with the DVD itself. Wipe off any dust or fingerprints and check for scratches or other damage. Then try the disc in another DVD player. If your PS4 can still read games or Blu-ray discs but not DVDs, the console's disc drive may be the problem.

If the disc works normally on another player but not on your PS4, converting the DVD to a PS4-compatible digital video can be a practical workaround.

How to Play a DVD on PS4 Directly

Playing a DVD on a PS4 is pretty simple. If this is your first time using the console for DVD or Blu-ray playback, connect it to the Internet first. Sony requires a one-time online activation for disc playback. Once that is done, you can watch supported DVDs without keeping the PS4 online.

Step 1Turn on your PS4. The first time you use this PS4 DVD player, make sure it's connected to the internet. (Required for the initial activation.)

Step 2Insert the DVD into the PS4's disc drive.

Step 3Wait for the disc to be recognized.

Step 4Select the disc from the content area to start the DVD playback on PS4.

How to Play a DVD on PS4 from a USB Drive

If you don't want to insert the DVD every time, you can convert the movie to a video file and play it from a USB drive. PS4 supports several video formats through its Media Player, including MP4, MKV, AVI, MPEG-2, and AVCHD. For MP4 and MKV, H.264 video with supported audio formats is commonly used.

Step 1Convert DVD to MP4 or other PS4-compatible video formats.

Step 2Format a USB drive as FAT32 or exFAT.

Step 3Create a folder on the USB drive for your video files.

Step 4Copy the converted movie to that folder.

Step 5Connect the USB drive to your PS4.

Step 6Open Media Player and select the USB drive.

Step 7Choose the video to start PS4 DVD playback.

Best Way to Rip a DVD for PS4

The built-in PS4 DVD player should be your first choice when the physical disc works normally. You don't need extra software just to watch a supported DVD. If you want to rip region-locked DVDs that the PS4 won't play, you can use 4Easysoft DVD Ripper with more flexible controls. To be more specific, you can convert a DVD to a digital file, and then play it through the PS4's media player. The DVD region codes, scratched discs, drive failures, and one-time activation requirements all become irrelevant.

Step 1Insert the DVD into your computer's DVD drive. Open 4Easysoft DVD Ripper. Click the "Load DVD" button. Then click the "Load DVD Disc" button (Or other buttons based on your need.).

Step 2It can detect the titles on the disc. Click the "Full Title List" button. Later, you can select the main movie or the specific title you want to convert. You can also choose the chapters, audio track, and subtitles you need.

Step 3Open the output format list. You can select MP4 or choose from the PS4 device profile. H.264 is a sensible video codec for PS4 playback.

Step 4Click the "Rip All" button to start the DVD to video conversion. After it finishes, copy the video to a compatible USB drive and connect it to your PS4.

PS4 DVD Playback Problems and Fixes

DVD playback on PS4 is usually straightforward, but a few problems often come up. You can start by checking the simple things before assuming the console is broken.

PS4 Doesn't Recognize the DVD

First, check whether the disc is scratched or dirty. Try another DVD to determine whether the problem is with the disc or the console.

Also, make sure the DVD has been finalized if it was recorded on a computer or DVD recorder. PS4 does not support unfinalized DVDs.

DVD Region Doesn't Match

DVDs can have regional restrictions. If a disc from another region does not play, check the disc's region compatibility with the PS4 before troubleshooting further.

If you own the DVD and have the right to make a personal digital copy, you can convert DVD to a compatible format (Make sure it is permitted by applicable law.).

PS4 Says the Disc Is Unsupported

Check whether the disc is actually a supported DVD format. PS4 supports DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, and DVD+R/RW, but not all optical disc types.

For a supported disc that still refuses to play, try another DVD player. If the disc works elsewhere, you can consider converting it to MP4 for playback through the PS4 Media Player.

Video from USB Won't Play

Make sure the USB drive uses FAT32 or exFAT and that the video uses a PS4-supported format and codec. PS4 supports MP4, MKV, AVI, MPEG-2, and several other video formats, but the supported codecs and audio combinations also matter.

Related Articles:

• Everything You Need to Know - Does PS4 Support Region 2
• [Answered] Can PS4 Play Your Blu-ray Collections Successfully
• Troubleshooting: How to Fix PS4 Not Playing MP4 Files
• How to Rip All DVD to USB for Easy Carrier and Playback