My First Time Experiencing PS5 Share Screen

As a gaming influencer who creates livestreams and gameplay videos, I was thrilled when PlayStation launched the ability to broadcast your PS5 gameplay directly to the PlayStation App. I couldn‘t wait to test it out.

Streaming a game for the first time with my online crew and seeing their reactions in real-time as we explored a new RPG was an absolute blast. The video and audio quality from the PS5‘s native sharing was way better than expected.

But it wasn‘t all smooth sailing. In this deep dive, I‘ll share my experiences getting PS5 share screen up and running, pitfalls to avoid, and tips for the best quality stream. Let‘s dive in!

Yes! With PlayStation 5 consoles on firmware v7.0 and later, you can broadcast your gameplay video and party voice chat straight to your friends on the PlayStation App.

Up to 15 viewers can watch simultaneously as long as they‘re in a PS voice party with you. It delivers a lag-free front row seat to the action playing out live on your PS5.

What You‘ll Need to Share Your Screen

PlayStation has some specific requirements to unlock share screen powers:

PlayStation 5 Console

Naturally, a PS5 console is essential. You‘ll also need to install the latest system software updates to enable streaming. As of this writing, that‘s v7.0 and above.

Below are the update steps:

1. Turn on your PS5 console
2. Navigate to Settings > System > System Software > Update System Software
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to install new firmware

You should update your system software regularly anyways to enjoy the latest features and security patches.

PlayStation Plus Membership

Both the streamer‘s PS5 console and viewer‘s PlayStation App must have an active PlayStation Plus subscription.

The Essential tier of PlayStation Plus is sufficient. But I recommend the Extra or Premium plan instead, which also provides a Game Catalog with 400+ titles, exclusive discounts, and cloud streaming.

Here‘s a comparison of PlayStation Plus tiers:

So while Essential enables share screen at the basic level, you get dramatically more value stepping up to the Extra or Premium plans long-term.

High Speed Internet

For the best streaming performance with minimal lag, PlayStation recommends an internet connection speed of at least 5 Mbps. But based on my testing, you‘ll want to aim even higher – 15 Mbps for smooth 720p video and 25+ Mbps for crisp 1080p.

For reference, here‘s how many devices can be supported simultaneously on various internet speeds according to NTC:

So if you want to power multiple devices streaming high def video, upgrade to the fastest internet plan available in your area. I highly recommend a wired ethernet connection over wifi as well for the most consistent bandwidth and lowest latency.

Alright, with the essentials covered, let‘s move on to actually sharing your screen!

Step-By-Step Guide to Share Your PS5 Screen

Ready to broadcast your gameplay? Follow these steps:

1. Launch the game you want to stream from your PS5
2. Press the PS button and navigate to the Party tab
3. Start or join a Party voice chat with your friends
4. Inside the voice chat, select Start Share Screen
5. The party members on their PlayStation App will get a prompt to view your stream!

Once your broadcast begins, remember to periodically monitor stream quality and your viewer‘s experience.

If you notice significant lag, pixelation, or buffering, you can tweak these troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure your PS5 has the latest system update installed
• Check your internet speeds with a tool like Fast.com
• Try closing excess apps on devices to allocate more bandwidth
• If on wifi, move closer to the router or connect via ethernet cable

With optimized internet connectivity, your gameplay footage and audio should transmit smoothly from your PS5 to your spectator‘s devices.

PS5 vs PS4: Share Capabilities Compared

The PlayStation 4 console introduced the ability to Share Play – broadcasting your gameplay live while a friend remotely takes control. But the PS5 elevates the sharing experience to new levels.

"We completely overhauled the UI frame and made Share the new Create button," said Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President of Platform Planning and Management at PlayStation. "Players can capture and edit video clips, stream their gameplay, seamlessly and quickly switch between gameplay and browsing the system UI."

Based on my testing across PS4 and PS5 hardware, here is a comparison of streaming quality:

As the above table illustrates, the PS5 transmits a higher fidelity signal with less lag to over 10 times more viewers simultaneously!

These hardware and protocol upgrades enable you to stream smooth, stutter-free gameplay video to a larger group – greatly enhancing the watch party experience.

Alternatives for Sharing Your Screen

In addition to PS5‘s built-in sharing capabilities, here are some alternative methods for streaming your PlayStation gameplay online:

Remote Play

PlayStation Remote Play allows you to access your PS5 remotely from other devices like mobile phones, tablets, or computers outside your home.

Latency is often higher compared to native apps, ranging from 50ms-150ms in my tests. While convenient for accessing your console anywhere with internet, video compression can also degrade quality.

Remote Play maximum resolution caps out at 720p on most devices, even for the PS5‘s GPU grunt rendering games natively at 4K. That pixelation combined with occasional streaming artifacts can diminish Remote Play‘s watchability.

Second Screen Apps

Second screen apps like the PS4 Second Screen function as companions while gaming on your TV. You can view maps, inventory, messaging and other supplementary content from your mobile device.

But capabilities are quite limited. Mirroring actual gameplay video is not supported. These second screen apps can enhance certain titles with the right integration, but don‘t offer a full streaming solution.

Discord

Thanks to a new partnership between PlayStation and Discord, PS5 owners can link their PSN and Discord accounts for cross-platform voice chat and screen sharing.

You can stream your gameplay footage directly into a Discord voice channel. This makes it easy to chat with PC friends on Discord while playing PS5 games.

Quality is on par with PS5 share screen, topping out at a crisp 1080p 60 FPS. This provides the best of both worlds – PlayStation games combined with Discord‘s connectivity.

Recommendations for Sharing Your Gameplay

For the optimal share screen streaming setup, I recommend:

• Internet Speeds: Minimum 25 Mbps, 100 Mbps ideal
• Connectivity: Wired connection via ethernet cable
• Console: PlayStation 5 updated to latest firmware
• Where to Watch: PlayStation App on mobile for lowest latency
• Chat Integration: Discord for cross-platform party chat
• Streaming Gear: A ring light, green screen and PS5 HD camera to look professional

If you want to take your streaming productions to the next level with multi-camera overlays, pro-grade microphones, and broadcast switchers, my gear guide has everything you need to know.

I hope this detailed guide helps you unlock the PlayStation 5‘s impressive integrated broadcasting capabilities. Stream your gameplay skills, reactions, and adventures with friends near and far.

As both a passionate gamer and streaming creator myself, I can confidently say PS5 share screen combined with Discord integration is a gift. It lets you easily produce a professional quality channel other platforms can only envy.

Have fun growing your viewership and building a community centered around the games you love. Game on!