Streaming on Twitch is something I've dabbled with in the past, but I'm curious if streaming directly from my PS5, using the laziest possible settings, could provide a fairly pleasant experience for any unhappy viewers who stumbled across my channel. You see, while I'm aware that you can drastically improve the quality of a stream by using a capture card and dedicated streaming software like OBS, I honestly can't sit in my office for another minute than today. I then wanted to determine if it was possible to stream while lying on my couch, using just the PS5, Sony 3D Pulse wireless headset, and PS5 HD camera. And you know what? It's not as bad as I thought it would be.
facecam slams
![Cámara PS5 HD]()
(Image credit: Sony) However, it wasn't long before I ran into my first hurdle. The quality of the PS5 HD camera, especially in low light conditions, is not great. In fact, it's pretty awful. This can be combated a bit by using a decent softbox light, but, for my cheap and cheerful setup, it was pretty disappointing that the PS5's proprietary camera (you can't use any other webcam, annoying) isn't a bit more able. One feature I did like, however, is the way you can make the PS5's camera focus directly on your face. Since I sit much further from the TV than a monitor, the ability to zoom in to capture my grizzly face is a huge plus, but I found that I had to set the PS5 HD camera to capture my face at all times. I turned it on. Another bonus to the PS5 HD Camera is the way it allows you to customize the way the image will appear on the screen. You can choose between different cutouts, such as a circle or a square, as well as different types of filters, such as a monochrome effect or a sweep line effect. There's even support for those using a green screen. So not bad. But there's one big flaw to be aware of if you're going to use a front-facing camera on the PS5: be prepared to sacrifice valuable screen real estate.
![Peter Parker viste una blusa blanca en la transmisión de Twitch de Spider-Man Remastered]()
(Image credit: Avenir) Anywhere you put your face cutout on screen while streaming on PS5, there's a high chance you're blocking some sort of key information. This is not the case if you stream using a capture card and it says OBS, as only the viewer is subject to your front-facing camera layout, pop-ups, and notifications. On PS5, you see exactly what the spectator sees, so your camera will be on the screen all the time, unfortunately hiding the information you really need to see during a match. Thankfully, Twitch notifications aren't that intrusive. You'll be briefly notified if someone joins your feed to watch, and comments will appear on the screen for a few seconds. Granted, it's not the most exciting or interactive experience out there, but for the most part it works. However, a small notification to indicate if you have a new follower would be welcome.
Drop the mic
![Auriculares inalámbricos Sony Pulse 3D apoyados contra su embalaje sobre una mesa blanca]()
(Image credit: Shutterstock / Narith Thongphasuk38) But what about the audio quality during streaming? Once again, this is a mixed bag. While I really enjoy the sound quality of the Pulse 3D Wireless Headphones, the microphone isn't exactly broadcast quality, something that became apparent immediately after watching my Twitch stream in return. It's not the worst mic I've ever heard, but it's muffled, lacking in clarity and detail, and not exactly pleasant to listen to if you're planning to hold an enthralled audience. This issue could easily be fixed by using another headset with a superior mic when streaming on PS5, but with the Pulse 3D wireless headset being such a popular option, it's a shame the mic is so average.
Crystal clear
![Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered Swinging New York en Twitch]()
(Image credit: Avenir) One thing that particularly stood out when streaming on Twitch from a PS5 was how surprisingly crisp and clear the actual video is. If the video quality wasn't up to scratch, streaming from your PS5 just wouldn't be worth it. Final point. Fortunately, my fast internet speeds (around 140MB/s down) allowed me to stream at 1080p 60fps, and I have to admit, the quality was excellent throughout. There are few signs of artifacts, hardly any stuttering or dropouts visible, and the audio balance is good, if not a little quiet for my tastes. In general, there is nothing to complain about here. So is it worth streaming on Twitch using only official Sony PS5 accessories? Well, I think I summed it up best during my Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered stream: “It's nice to be able to listen from the couch, worry-free, and I don't have to sit at my desk. Yeah, the lighting isn't that great, the microphone probably isn't that great, and I can't get fancy notifications. And it's annoying that my photo is on top of the game, but it's easy, it's like streaming McDonald's. You can watch the full broadcast here.