The PS4'south camera accessory, officially called the PlayStation Camera, is sold separately from the console. If you don't have information technology, you might wonder if the PS Camera is closer to an essential accompaniment or a airheaded toy.

Let's take a look at uses for the PS4 camera to see what you lot can do with this accessory.

PlayStation Camera Basics

The PlayStation Camera for PS4 is a small black unit that should fit nicely into virtually TV setups. You lot can place it either beneath or on your Tv, depending on how your room is set upward. The Camera includes a stand you can use to accommodate its angle.

It'south a decent device, with each of the two cameras having a resolution of 1280x800. It captures a maximum frame rate of 240FPS. You simply connect the camera to your PS4 using a proprietary cable that connects to a port on the dorsum of your console.

In September 2016, Sony released a second revision of the camera. The newer model is cylindrical instead of rectangular, though information technology's almost the same otherwise.

The PS Camera has several functions. The simplest is acting equally a traditional camera for filming you lot in your living room. In addition, it can record audio, thanks to the built-in microphones. This allows you to chat with teammates in online games, even if you don't have a headset or other mic.

It as well functions as a Kinect-style device for move-controlled games, used in conjunction with the low-cal bar on the back of the PS4 controller or the PlayStation Motility controllers.

Because information technology has a microphone, the Camera lets you command your PS4 using voice controls, with functions such every bit launching a game or returning to the home screen by saying "PlayStation." Nonetheless, you lot tin also do this with whatever other microphone, including the basic earbud included with the PS4.

Finally, it also offers a somewhat secure way of locally logging into your organisation using facial recognition. But what other perks do you get by owning a PlayStation Camera for PS4?

PlayStation VR Requires the PS Camera

While it obviously wasn't available at the system's launch, PlayStation VR is the biggest reason to purchase a PS Camera if you don't already take one. It provides one of the least expensive ways to dip your toes into true virtual reality, as information technology doesn't crave a beefy PC.

Aside from the headset itself, PS VR requires the PS Camera. For many games, you'll also need two PlayStation Move controllers.

PS VR is available in a variety of bundles, many of which include the headset, a few games, the PlayStation Camera, and sometimes the PS Move controllers. You lot thus likely won't have to buy the PS Photographic camera on its own unless you buy 2nd-hand components separately.

The Playroom

http://youtu.be/vv5uI2vlXE8

The Playroom is a gratuitous app that comes pre-installed on to all PS4 consoles, but requires the Photographic camera to actually play. If yous don't accept the PS Photographic camera, opening this game simply plays a trailer.

The Playroom contains a collection of mini-games designed to prove off the both capabilities of the PlayStation Camera and DualShock 4 controller, offering some simple fun.

At that place'southward a flying robot called Asobi, a collection of trivial critters called the AR Bots, a motion-controlled Pong clone, and some free DLC also. These offer occasional entertainment and are worth a await, but you probably won't spend much time here after the initial fun wears off.

PS4 Photographic camera Games That Aren't VR

Even if you don't want to get PS VR, there are a scattering of games that accept special features for the PS Camera by itself. Wikipedia has a list of PS Camera uniform games; highlights include Alien: Isolation, all Just Dance games since 2014, LittleBigPlanet three, Surgeon Simulator, and Tearaway Unfolded.

Of course, none of these games require the camera, and unless you lot dear move controls, you probably won't go much additional enjoyment from it. If you similar party games, it might be worth the toll of admission for an evening with friends messing around on Just Dance, though.

PS4 Streaming With the Camera

The PS4 makes it easy to stream video of yourself sitting in forepart of your Idiot box using Twitch or YouTube. Players can also lookout others broadcast their play using the Live from PlayStation app.

You don't need a PlayStation Camera to broadcast gameplay, but if you desire to record yourself as you play, you'll need the Camera. If y'all're serious about upping your Twitch viewers, this is a must.

If you stream, cheque out how to build an audience for your channel.

Adjusting PS Camera Options

Finally, let's expect at where to access some of the options mentioned above.

To gear up upwards facial recognition for your PS4 profile, head toSettings > Login Settings > Enable Facial Recognition. This will walk you through adding your face to protect your profile.

To start broadcasting your play via Twitch or YouTube, hit theShare button on your controller and cullBroadcast Gameplay. So walk through the steps to sign into your preferred service and conform options before going live.

Finally, if you don't desire to use the microphone inside the PS Camera, become toSettings > Devices > PlayStation Camera and chooseMute Microphone for PlayStation Camera.

Is the PS4 Photographic camera Worth It?

It's safe to say the PS Camera is far from an essential PS4 accessory, unless y'all accept PlayStation VR. If you're picking up the VR headset, make sure you lot either get a bundle or a Camera separately, because you must have it for VR.

For everyone else, it's tough to recommend the PlayStation Camera. The Playroom is a small distraction that y'all probably won't spend much time with, and the games with Camera integration are both slim and underwhelming. Having the organization log you in automatically past facial recognition is neat, but if you're the only user on your PS4 it's a moot point.

And the voice commands for launching games and similar are available with any headset or microphone, so they're non a reason to pick up a Photographic camera. You're better off putting the coin towards a meliorate gaming headset instead.

So unless you're buying it for VR, we only recommend the PlayStation Photographic camera if you lot regularly stream your gameplay. The PS4 already makes streaming a simple affair, and adding a Photographic camera and then your viewers can lookout man your confront is also piece of cake.

Otherwise, the investment doesn't become you enough to justify the cost. This is especially the case equally the PS4 is phased out and accessories aren't available at a reasonable toll from official sellers any more than.

Prototype Credit: samsonovs/Depositphotos

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About The Writer

Ben Stegner (1803 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Main at MakeUseOf. He left his IT job to write full-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He's been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more equally a professional person writer for over eight years.

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