How Long Can You Screen Record on PlayStation?

The answer to this question depends on whether you’re using a PlayStation 4 (PS4) or a PlayStation 5 (PS5) and how you initiate the recording. On both consoles, you can capture your gameplay. However, the length and quality of the recording vary. Generally, you can record up to 60 minutes of gameplay on both PS4 and PS5, but the default settings and how you start recording affect the outcome. The PS5 offers the added benefit of recording in up to 4K resolution, while the PS4 is capped at 1080p.

Understanding PlayStation Recording Capabilities

PS4 Recording

The PS4 offers two primary methods for recording gameplay:

• Automatic Recording: The PS4 constantly records the last few minutes of your gameplay in the background. By default, this is set to 15 minutes, but you can adjust it in the settings to a minimum of 30 seconds or a maximum of 60 minutes. This is incredibly useful for capturing unexpected moments or impressive feats that you didn’t plan on recording. To save this automatically recorded footage, you press the SHARE button, and the console allows you to save the desired portion of the recent gameplay.

• Manual Recording: You can also manually start and stop recording using the SHARE button. Pressing the SHARE button once brings up a menu, and from there, you can select “Start Recording.” Once you’re finished, press the SHARE button again and choose “Stop Recording.” This method also allows you to record up to 60 minutes of gameplay.

PS5 Recording

The PS5 improves upon the PS4’s recording capabilities, most notably by allowing for 4K recording. Similar to the PS4, the PS5 offers both automatic and manual recording options:

• Automatic Recording: The PS5 continuously records your recent gameplay in the background, allowing you to save highlights after they happen. The maximum length of this automatically recorded footage is 60 minutes, and it can be customized to shorter durations like 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or 30 minutes through the Create button settings. This is a seamless way to capture those unexpected moments of gaming glory.

• Manual Recording: You can start and stop recordings manually by pressing the Create button. Selecting “Start New Recording” initiates the recording process, and selecting “Stop Recording” when you are done saves the clip. The maximum recording time for manual recordings on PS5 is also 60 minutes.

Optimizing Your Recording Settings

To make the most of your PlayStation’s recording capabilities, consider these tips:

• Adjust Video Length: Both PS4 and PS5 allow you to adjust the length of the automatically recorded gameplay. If you frequently want to capture longer segments, set the duration to 60 minutes. If you primarily capture shorter highlights, shorter durations will save storage space.
• Resolution Settings: On the PS5, choose the appropriate resolution based on your storage capacity and sharing needs. While 4K looks fantastic, it consumes considerably more storage space than 1080p. If storage is a concern, stick to 1080p.
• Storage Management: Regularly transfer your recordings to an external drive or upload them to cloud storage to free up space on your PlayStation. This ensures you have enough room to capture future gameplay.
• Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with the shortcuts for starting and stopping recordings. On both consoles, using the SHARE/Create button efficiently can save valuable seconds when capturing a crucial moment.
• External Capture Cards: For professional-grade recording and streaming, consider investing in an external capture card. These devices offer more advanced features, such as higher bitrates and real-time editing capabilities.

Considerations for Extended Gameplay

While both PS4 and PS5 limit individual recordings to 60 minutes, there are workarounds for capturing longer gameplay sessions:

• Multiple Recordings: Simply start a new recording as soon as the previous one ends. While this results in multiple files, it allows you to capture entire play sessions.
• Streaming: Use streaming platforms like Twitch or YouTube to broadcast your gameplay live. These platforms often offer archiving options, allowing you to save the entire stream as a video.
• External Capture Cards: Some capture cards can record continuously for extended periods, limited only by the storage capacity of your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I record longer than 60 minutes on PS5?

No, the PS5 has a built-in limit of 60 minutes for individual recordings. However, you can start multiple recordings consecutively or use an external capture card for longer sessions.

2. How do I increase recording time on PS4?

Go to Settings > Sharing and Broadcasts > Video Clip Settings > Length of Video Clip. Here, you can select a recording time from 30 seconds to 60 minutes.

3. Does the PS5 record gameplay automatically?

Yes, the PS5 continuously records your recent gameplay in the background. You can customize the length of this automatic recording in the settings.

4. How much space does a 60-minute PS5 recording take?

The file size depends on the resolution and bitrate. A 60-minute recording in 4K can easily take up several gigabytes, while a 1080p recording will be smaller. For example, a previous article has mentioned that 12 minutes of 3840 x 2160 resolution footage in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla took up 3.12GB.

5. Can I record my voice while recording gameplay on PS5?

Yes, you can enable your microphone in the PS5 settings to record your voice commentary alongside your gameplay.

6. How do I share my PS4/PS5 recordings?

You can share your recordings directly to social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook from the console. You can also transfer the files to a USB drive for editing or sharing on other platforms.

7. Is there a limit to how many video clips I can store on my PS4/PS5?

The limit depends on the storage capacity of your console. Once your storage is full, you’ll need to delete or transfer older clips to make room for new recordings.

8. Can I edit my recordings on the PS4/PS5?

Both consoles offer basic editing tools, allowing you to trim the beginning and end of your clips. For more advanced editing, you’ll need to transfer the files to a computer and use video editing software.

9. What resolution does the PS4 record in?

The PS4 records in up to 1080p resolution.

10. Does turning off my PS4/PS5 interrupt the recording?

Yes, turning off the console will stop the recording and save the footage captured up to that point.

11. Can I record gameplay from a disc-based game on PS4/PS5?

Yes, you can record gameplay from both digital and disc-based games.

12. How do I stop the automatic gameplay recording on PS5?

You cannot completely disable automatic gameplay recording, but you can set the recording length to the minimum (15 seconds) to minimize storage usage.

13. Are there any games that prevent recording on PS4/PS5?

Some games may disable recording during specific scenes or sections for copyright or spoiler reasons.

14. What’s the best way to record long gameplay sessions?

For long gameplay sessions, consider using an external capture card or streaming to a platform like Twitch or YouTube.

15. Can I use an external hard drive to store my PS4/PS5 recordings?

Yes, you can transfer your recordings to an external hard drive to free up space on your console. The Games Learning Society recognizes the importance of archiving and sharing gaming experiences.

By understanding the recording capabilities of your PlayStation and optimizing your settings, you can effectively capture and share your best gaming moments. Remember to manage your storage, explore external recording options, and familiarize yourself with the console’s recording features for a seamless experience. Learn more about the educational aspects of gaming at the Games Learning Society website (GamesLearningSociety.org).