How Long Can You Record on PS4? The Ultimate Guide to Capturing Your Gameplay

The PlayStation 4 (PS4) offers a convenient built-in feature for recording gameplay, allowing you to capture those epic moments, share your skills, or create content for your audience. The good news is, you can record up to 60 minutes of gameplay footage on your PS4 without any external devices. This capability comes standard, and it’s all managed through the system settings. The actual length of time it will record can be set from 30 seconds to 60 minutes. Let’s delve deeper into how this works and answer some common questions surrounding PS4 gameplay recording.

Setting Up Your Recording Length

Configuring your recording length on the PS4 is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. From the main PS4 menu, go to Settings.
2. Select Sharing and Broadcasts.
3. Choose Video Clip Settings.
4. Select Length of Video Clip.
5. Here, you can select your desired recording length from 30 seconds to 60 minutes.

Once you’ve set your preferred length, all newly recorded clips will adhere to this setting.

Recording Gameplay: Methods and Shortcuts

The PS4 offers multiple ways to initiate and save gameplay recordings:

• Manual Recording: Double-press the SHARE button to start recording. Double-press it again to stop. This method allows you to capture specific moments as they happen.
• Saving Recent Gameplay: The PS4 constantly records the most recent 15 minutes of your gameplay in the background. If something amazing happens, simply press the SHARE button once to open the Share menu and select Save Video Clip. This saves the last 15 minutes, even if you didn’t actively start recording.
• Using the Share Menu: Press the SHARE button once to access the Share menu. From there, you can start a new recording, save the last 15 minutes, or even broadcast your gameplay live.

Understanding the Limitations

While 60 minutes is a decent amount of recording time, it’s essential to understand the limitations:

• Storage Space: Longer recordings take up more storage space on your PS4’s hard drive. Ensure you have sufficient space to accommodate your recordings. If not, you might need to delete old files or consider upgrading your hard drive.
• Automatic Recording Limit: The PS4’s automatic background recording is capped at 15 minutes. If you want to record longer sessions, you must use the manual recording method.
• Game Restrictions: Some games may disable or restrict recording in certain scenes or sections due to copyright or other reasons. This is a game-specific limitation, and there’s no workaround.

Editing and Sharing Your Recordings

Once you’ve recorded your gameplay, you can edit and share it directly from your PS4:

• Capture Gallery: All your recordings are stored in the Capture Gallery. You can access this from the main menu or through the Media Gallery app.
• Trimming and Editing: The PS4 offers basic editing tools that allow you to trim the beginning and end of your clips. You can also use the Share Factory Studio app for more advanced editing features.
• Sharing: You can easily share your recordings to various platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and Twitter, directly from the Capture Gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about recording on the PS4 to further enhance your understanding:

1. Can I record longer than 60 minutes on PS4?

No, the maximum recording length configurable through the PS4 system settings is 60 minutes. If you require longer recordings, you’ll need to use external capture devices or PC-based recording software.

2. How do I record the last 30 minutes of gameplay on PS4?

The PS4 automatically records the last 15 minutes. To capture the last 30 minutes, you need to manually start recording before the 15-minute mark. Double-press the SHARE button to start, then stop when you’ve reached the desired length.

3. Does PS4 record hours played?

Yes, the PS4 tracks your playtime for each game. You can view this information by signing in, clicking on your avatar logo, and navigating to “Account Settings > Privacy Settings > Gaming | Media > Gaming History“.

4. Can I record for longer than 15 minutes on PS4 without pressing the share button?

No, the automatic recording is limited to 15 minutes. For anything longer, you must manually start and stop the recording.

5. Does PS4 record everything I do?

The PS4 automatically records the most recent 15 minutes of gameplay in the background. It does not record everything you do on the console. Only gameplay is recorded by default.

6. How do I record the last 10 minutes of gameplay if I forgot to press the share button?

Press the SHARE button once to open the Share menu, and select “Save Video Clip“. This will save the last 15 minutes of gameplay.

7. Is the game “Twelve Minutes” available on PS4?

Yes, “Twelve Minutes” is available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

8. How do I record the last 15 minutes of gameplay on PS4?

Press the SHARE button once to open the Share menu, and then select “Save Video Clip“.

9. How do I record the last 5 minutes of gameplay on PS4?

The PS4 captures the last 15 minutes of gameplay. Saving a clip will save the entire 15 minutes, but you can then trim it down in the Capture Gallery.

10. Can I record a full game session on PS4?

Yes, but you have to manually start and stop recording. Set the recording length to the maximum 60 minutes. If your gaming session exceeds that, you’ll need to start a new recording.

11. Are PlayStation voice chats recorded?

Voice chat recording is a feature primarily associated with the PS5, intended for reporting abusive behavior. On PS4, Sony does not actively record voice chats for moderation purposes. However, other players can report you, and if they include audio, that may be used in the report.

12. Can I use voice commands on PS4 without a microphone?

To use voice commands, you need a headset with a microphone or the PlayStation Camera, which has built-in microphones.

13. Can the police track a PlayStation account?

Yes, law enforcement can obtain user information from Sony with a warrant or court order.

14. Are PS4 parties monitored?

PS4 parties are not actively monitored. However, you can report abusive behavior, and if you submit a report, it may include the last 20 seconds of audio and video from the sender and the next 20 seconds of audio/video.

15. Can I use AirPods with my PS4?

You can use AirPods with your PS4 by connecting a third-party Bluetooth adapter to a USB port on the console.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Recording Techniques

For serious content creators, the built-in PS4 recording features might feel limited. Here are some advanced techniques:

• External Capture Cards: Devices like Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+ or Razer Ripsaw HD allow you to record gameplay directly to your computer, bypassing the PS4’s 60-minute limit and offering more advanced editing options.
• Streaming Services: Platforms like Twitch and YouTube allow you to stream your gameplay live, effectively recording your entire session if you archive the stream.
• Remote Play: Using the PS4 Remote Play feature, you can stream your gameplay to a PC or Mac and record it using screen recording software like OBS Studio or XSplit.

Final Thoughts

The PS4 provides a user-friendly way to capture and share your gaming experiences. Understanding the recording limitations and exploring advanced techniques can help you create high-quality content and preserve those memorable moments. Remember to manage your storage space effectively and respect copyright restrictions when sharing your recordings.

As you explore the world of gaming and its impact on education, be sure to check out the work being done by the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org). They’re dedicated to researching how games can be used to enhance learning and development.