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Topic: Do you use your PS4 for anything other than gaming?

Posts 1 to 20 of 28

roe

Back when the latest generation of consoles launched in 2013, one of Sony's big pitches was that the PlayStation 4 was "for the players", with a direct focus on selling a heavily-focused games console. The PS4 has certainly excelled (at least in my opinion) in terms of delivering top-notch games and experiences, but I've been wondering lately if the system perhaps offers a lot more than everyone's aware of.

The last few months I've noticed I'm now using my console more and more for apps such as YouTube and Twitch, and even just to access Spotify so I can play music through my home speaker.

Sony's consoles have historically led the way in terms of gaming machines offering a secondary use. The original PlayStation was a decent CD player back in the 90's, with the PS2 being a lot of people's first DVD player and the PS3 helped Blu-ray win out that format-war.

Not that it's harmed it sales wise, but the PS4 always seemed to be lacking that killer other feature. Heck, 4 years, 3 console iterations and firmware version 4.5+ later and the machines still don't even recognise CDs!

There was notable grumble when it was confirmed that the PS4 Pro wouldn't include 4K Blu-ray playback. Not knowing much about what's available and without having a 4K tv myself, it's hard for me to say whether the streaming quality and quantity of UHD content is a good enough alternative though.

While it's a bit of a shame that this wasn't added for future-proofing, I have to admit I don't think I've even watched a regular Blu-ray on the system, instead generally using the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime to stream content. It's to PlayStation's credit that the PS4's UI is usually quick, uncluttered and easy to navigate.

Anyway, long topic short, my question here is what other uses (if any) do you get out of your PS4? Also, do you think there's anything that could be added to make the console even more impressive? The web browser is outdated and I'd imagine hardly used, perhaps that's something that could be improved at some point although maybe there's not enough interest in it.

roe

ztpayne7

I'd say:
Netflix
YouTube
Blu ray player

ztpayne7

BAMozzy

My PS4 is purely used for gaming. I often have my Laptop on beside me all the time anyway and youtube is so much easier to use on this. My smart TV has youtube with the ability to play 4k HDR content so I use this in preference to the PS4 for specific 4k or HDR video's

I don't subscribe to Netflix or Amazon but if I did, I would use my 'silent' TV to watch these without needing to switch on another device. The Pro is quieter than the PS4 but its still not silent. I use SkyQ for all my TV and movie needs - it has a lot of on-demand and catch-up content as well as a 'growing' library of 4k content as well as live EPL and F1 sports. Because I have access to 1000's of on-demand movies, box sets and catch-up TV as well as hundreds of channels of live TV and the ability to record series, I never feel the need to spend money on Blurays that I may watch once at most.

Therefore I only use my consoles for gaming. Don't need to use my consoles for other uses on my 2nd TV either as I have a SkyQ minibox with all the same functionality as the main box.

A pessimist is just an optimist with experience!

Why can't life be like gaming? Why can't I restart from an earlier checkpoint??

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Splat

Before I got a Smart TV Netflix,YouTube,Spotify and WWE Network. Now that I have one I just use it for WWE Network because the WWE app isn't available on my TV for some reason. I do still sometimes use Spotify on it when playing some games.

Edited on by Splat

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Tasuki

Since my PS4 is hooked to the main TV, it's used for gaming and the main TV's Bluray/DVD player on the rare occasion that we watch a Bluray/DVD.

Since that tv also has a Roku Stick connected to it as well all streaming like Netflix, WWE Network is handled on that. However for some reason Youtube runs very slow and clunky on the Roku Stick so I will use my PS4 for Youtube as well.

Once in a great while I will use Spotify when I play a game but again if I want music I just use the Roku Stick which has I heart radio and Spotify as well.

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Gamer83

I've bought movies from the PlayStation Store that I'll watch on the PS4, but the vast majority of the time it's used for gaming.

Edited on by Gamer83

Gamer83

shonenjump86

Games, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and WWE Network.

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Rudy_Manchego

I have a smart TV so I use that for Netflix, Amazon and You Tube. I've started using my PS4 and PSVR for 3d blurays (which are awesome) since I upgraded my TV. I do use Spotify pretty regularly on the PS4 because the app is way better on PS4 then on my LG TV which is pretty limited (can only play Playlists, can't access saved albums etc.).

Other than that, just waiting for Sony to update the browser to allow for 360 videos on PSVR...

Edited on by Rudy_Manchego

Now I may be an idiot, but there's one thing I am not sir, and that sir, is an idiot

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Quintumply

Predominantly used for games, obviously, but it's also used for movies and TV. We don't have satellite, so the PS4's TV apps like Netflix, Amazon, iPlayer etc. get a lot of use. Sometimes I'll use Spotify, and also occasionally watch livestreams via Twitch

Quintumply

PSN: Quintumply | Twitter:

FullbringIchigo

it's mainly games but i do also use Netflix, Youtube, Crunchyroll and DVD/blu-rays

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Throb

Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Spotify.

Sometimes I watch live streams of other gamers playing a game i'm interested in to see if it's something I would enjoy

Can't think of anything good to put here just yet, watch this space...

PSN: Headthrob

themcnoisy

Playing games (lust)

DVD / blu-ray player (sloth)

Messaging gamer friends (pride)

Browsing the store (greed)

Checking trophy descriptions (despair)

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Rudy_Manchego

Oh, thinking about it, my 1 year old daughter also uses it as her go to 'stick your fingers in a socket' game with the USB ports. She seems to get a lot of fun out of trying that.

Now I may be an idiot, but there's one thing I am not sir, and that sir, is an idiot

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WasabiPeanut

I use it a lot for streaming music/movies off my NAS HD and Netflix.

WasabiPeanut

Cheski

I use it for most of my media needs. Blu-rays, streaming content (Netflix, Amazon, YouTube), and I cut the cable cord and have been using Playstation Vue. That ended up saving a decent amount of money each month.

Cheski

Motoxer1

YouTube, Netflix, Hulu and Playstation Vue. I have never tried using the browser on it.

Motoxer1

SilentJ

I only use my PS4 for gaming since I still have my PS3 hooked up. I use my PS3 for listening to music, watching YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video and blu rays.

PSN ID : MrPink78

Nei

I mostly use the ps4 for gaming but sometimes I'd watch Netflix / DVD and Blue-rays on it. I'd say it's about 90/10.

Never belligerent but always uncompromising.

VRex7

I use it more for Netflix than gaming at this point. :/

VRex7

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