Chiaki - Open Source PlayStation Remote Play

Chiaki is the ultimate solution for gamers who want the freedom of PlayStation Remote Play without the restrictive ecosystem of official Sony apps. As a free and open-source client, Chiaki allows you to stream your PS4 and PS5 games directly to your PC, laptop, or mobile device with significantly lower latency and higher customization than the native Remote Play application.

What makes Chiaki different?

Unlike the official Sony client, Chiaki is built by the community for the community. It eliminates the need for modern hardware requirements that Sony often imposes on Windows users. Whether you are running an older version of Windows or a specialized Linux distribution like SteamOS on a Steam Deck, Chiaki provides a seamless, high-performance bridge to your console.

One of its standout features is the Bitrate Control. While the official app automatically scales quality based on your internet speed (often resulting in unwanted blurriness), Chiaki lets you lock in a specific bitrate. If you have a high-speed local network, you can push the visual fidelity to its absolute limit, achieving a crispness that rivals a direct HDMI connection.

Advanced Features for Enthusiasts

• DualSense Support: Full haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support when connected via USB.
• Zero bloat: A lightweight installation that doesn't run background processes when you aren't gaming.
• Hardware Acceleration: Utilizes your GPU (VA-API, NVDEC, or DXVA2) to decode video frames, reducing CPU load and heat.
• Custom Key Mapping: Don't have a controller handy? Map your keyboard and mouse to simulate PlayStation inputs easily.

How to Setup Chiaki for PS5 and PS4

Setting up Chiaki requires a few more steps than the official app, but the performance gains are worth it. First, you will need your PSN Account ID. This is not your username, but a unique 64-bit identifier. You can find this using open-source web tools by entering your PSN Name.

1. Enable Remote Play on your console (Settings > System > Remote Play).
2. Open Chiaki and wait for it to "discover" your console on the local network.
3. Enter your Account ID and the 8-digit PIN displayed on your TV screen.
4. Click Register, and you are ready to stream!

For those using a Steam Deck, Chiaki (specifically the Chiaki4Deck fork) is considered essential software. It allows you to play God of War: Ragnarok or Spider-Man 2 at a rock-solid 60 FPS while lying in bed, utilizing the Deck's native controls perfectly.

Technical Performance and Optimization

To get the best experience, we recommend setting your Audio Buffer to 19200. This minimizes the "crackling" sound often found in remote streaming. For video, if you are on a 5GHz Wi-Fi or Wired connection, set your Resolution to 1080p (PS5) or 720p (PS4) with a Bitrate of 30,000 for crystal-clear visuals.