It’s well known that PS5 can stream movies and shows. But does PS5 play blu ray? The answer is a big YES! And this article explores exactly how to do that. So, sit tight and find out everything you need to know– from disc compatibility to playback settings– to stream blu-ray content on your PS5.
Does PS5 Play Blu Ray Discs?
Yes, the PS5 does play Blu-ray discs. The PS5 is equipped with a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive, allowing it to play both 4K and standard Blu-ray discs, as well as DVDs. It also supports other forms of media playback, including streaming and digital downloads.
The standard version of the PlayStation 5 allows you to play DVDs, Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, 4K Blu-ray discs, and physical game discs of the PlayStation 4. However, the PS5 Digital Edition is not equipped with a disc drive, so it can’t play any physical disc.
How to Play Blu-Ray on PS5?
To play a Blu-ray disc on a PS5, insert the disc into the disc drive on the console’s front. Wait for it to load, navigate the menu, and select the option to play the disc. Then, press the X button on your PS5 controller to start the movie and use the controller buttons to control playback.
Make sure your TV supports 4K resolution and HDR for the best viewing experience with 4K Blu-ray. To stop the movie, press the Options button on the controller and Select Stop or Eject to remove the disc.
1. Connect Your PS5 to Your TV
Before playing 4K Blu-ray on PS5, you need to connect your PlayStation 5 to the TV. Here’s how you can connect your PS5 to your TV:
- Turn off both your PS5 and TV.
- Locate the HDMI port on your PS5 and the HDMI input on your TV. Typically, these ports are found on the back or side of the devices.
- Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on your PS5 and the other end into the HDMI input on your TV.
- Turn on your TV and select the HDMI input you’ve connected your PS5 to. You can do this by pressing the Input or Source button on your TV remote.
- Turn on your PS5.
- Press the PS button on your controller to sign in to your PSN account.
- Once you’re signed in, the PS5 home screen will appear on your TV.
- If your TV supports 4K resolution and HDR, you can go to the settings menu on your PS5 and choose the appropriate display output settings for your TV.
2. Play Blu-ray Discs on PS5
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play a 4K Blu-ray disc on a PS5:
- Turn on your PS5 and connect it to your TV.
- Insert the Blu-ray DVD into the disc drive on the front of your PS5. The disc should be inserted with the label facing up.
- Wait for the disc to begin loading. This may take a few seconds.
- Once the disc is loaded, a menu will appear on the screen. Use your PS5 controller to navigate the menu and select the option to Play the disc.
- Press the X button on your controller to start the movie.
- Use the buttons on your controller to control playback, such as pause, fast-forward, and rewind.
- To exit the movie, press the Options button on your controller and select Stop or Eject to remove the disc.
How to Fix PS5 Blu-ray Issues
To fix PS5 Blu-ray issues, check the disc’s compatibility, clean the disc, ensure the latest firmware is installed, and check the region code of the DVD and the PS5. Also, make sure the display settings for 4K and HDR are configured properly, or restart your PS5 and/or TV.
One of these solutions must work, allowing you to use your PlayStation 5 as a Blu-ray player. But if the problem persists, try contacting the manufacturer or a professional technician for further assistance.
1. Compatibility Issues
Not all UHD Blu-ray discs are compatible with the PS5, so you may encounter issues if you try to play the discs not supported by the console.
If you’re having trouble playing a specific disc, check to see if it is compatible with the PS5. If not, you may need to purchase a different version of the disc compatible with the console.
2. Disc Reading Error
The PS5’s disc drive may have trouble reading a disc, leading to playback issues or the disc not loading.
If the PlayStation is having trouble reading a disc, try cleaning it with a microfiber cloth and make sure it’s not scratched. Sometimes, restarting your PS5 also helps.
3. Region Coding
Not all Blu-ray discs are region-free, some are region-coded, too. It means you can only play them on devices set to the same region as the disc. If you’re having trouble playing a disc because of region coding, check the disc’s region code and ensure that your PlayStation 5 is set to the correct region.
You can change the region by following these steps:
- Insert the DVD into the PS5 disc slot.
- Your PlayStation 5 will prompt you to adjust the console’s DVD region code setting if it doesn’t match the DVD’s region code.
- Select the desired region code for the DVD from the options provided.
Note: Your PS5 can play DVDs from the same region as the system by default. While you can change the region code of the PS5 DVD player, this can only be done a maximum of four times before it is permanently locked. This means you can’t change the region an infinite number of times.
4. Display Settings
If you’re not getting the best viewing experience with a 4K Blu-ray disc, ensure that your TV supports 4K resolution and HDR. Also, ensure that the display settings on your PlayStation 5 are set correctly.
Here’s how to change the resolution on your PS5 console:
- Turn on your PS5 console and navigate to the main menu.
- Select the Settings icon; it looks like a gear.
- Scroll down and select the Screen and Video option.
- Select Video Output.
- Here, you’ll see your PS5’s resolution is set to Automatic by default.
- To choose your desired resolution, highlight Resolution and press the X button on your controller.
- A drop-down menu will appear with the available resolutions. Highlight the resolution you want and press the X button to select it.
- If you choose 4K resolution, you’ll be prompted to confirm that your TV supports 4K resolution.
- Press the X button to save your settings.
Note: If your TV doesn’t support your selected resolution, you may see a message on the screen asking you to change the resolution to a compatible one. Also, make sure your TV supports HDMI 2.1 for 4K 120fps or 8K 60fps output.
5. Firmware Update
PlayStation 5 requires regular firmware updates for playing Blu-ray discs without a problem. Not updating it accordingly can cause issues with disc playback. So, make sure your PS5 is connected to the internet and has the latest update installed.
You can also check available updates manually by following these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Select System.
- Select System Software.
- Then, tap Console Information to check the software version and available updates.
6. Dust and Scratches
Blu-ray discs can be easily damaged by dust and scratches, which can prevent them from working properly. So, to avoid playback issues caused by dust and scratches, keep your Blu-ray discs clean and in good condition by storing them in a protective case.
Does PS5 Support All Blu-ray Formats?
The PlayStation 5 supports the playback of most standard Blu-ray disc formats, including Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray Disc, BD-ROM, BD-R/RE (BDAV, BDMV), DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW (video mode & VR mode), and DVD+R/RW.
PS 5 may not be compatible with some older and non-standard discs. But it definitely doesn’t support 3D Blu-ray disc playback. So, if you’re unsure whether a specific disc will work with the PS5 console, check with the manufacturer or consult the disc’s packaging for compatibility information.
Can PS5 Play Any Region Blu-ray?
No, a PS5 can’t play every region’s Blu-ray. According to Sony, the PS5 has region locks for Blu-ray movies. So, if you’re from North America, your PS5 will only play region 1 DVD and region A Blu-rays. However, the PS5 can play any physical copy of a game, no matter where it’s from.
Additionally, unlike the PS4, the PS5 can play Ultra HD Blu-rays, and all Ultra HD Blu-rays are region-free. It means they can be played on any PS5 console regardless of the region it was purchased in.
Is the PS5 a Good Player for Blu-ray?
Yes, the PS5 is considered a good 4K Blu-ray player, as it can play standard Blu-ray DVDs and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. It also supports high-dynamic range (HDR) technology, which can enhance the color and contrast of the video, making for a more immersive viewing experience.
Additionally, the PS5’s fast loading times and advanced hardware allow for a smooth and seamless Blu-ray playback experience. However, it’s worth noting that the PS5 Digital Edition doesn’t have an optical drive, so it can’t play any physical disc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Blu-ray movies on my PS5?
Yes, you can watch Blu-ray movies on your standard PS5. But if you have the PS5 Digital Edition, you can’t use it as a Blu-ray player because it doesn’t have an optical drive.
How do I play USB movies on my PS5?
To play movies from a USB drive on your PS5:
1. Create a folder in the root directory of the USB drive on a computer and add your video files to it.
2. Connect the USB drive to your PS5 console and navigate to the Media Gallery.
3. Select USB from the list of storage devices, choose the desired file, and it will start playing.
However, your USB drive must be formatted in exFAT or FAT32 file systems to play media files on PS5.
Can I play movies on my PS5 from an external hard drive?
Yes, you can play movies from an external hard drive on your PS5. Just make sure that the drive is formatted to exFAT or FAT32, as PS5 may not recognize it if formatted in another way. Additionally, the drive should have a folder system to automatically allow the PS5 to create playlists. Also, the movie files must be in a supported file format, such as MP4 or MKV.
Is there any drawback in using my PS5 as a Blu-ray player?
Yes. The PlayStation 5 is an average 4K Blu-ray player compared to dedicated Blu-ray players. It doesn’t support Dolby Vision HDR, a high-quality video format, and immersive audio playback can be difficult to set up. Additionally, enabling Dolby Atmos sound from discs is not straightforward. These limitations may make the PS5 less appealing as a Blu-ray player for some users.
Does PS5 play Blu-ray content easily?
Yes, the PS5 is compatible with Blu-ray content and can play it easily. It also supports 4K resolution and high dynamic range (HDR) for improved visuals. Additionally, it has a built-in Ultra HD Blu-ray player for playback of UHD Blu-ray discs.