Xbox One users will be able to use third-party capture cards and devices to record gameplay video just as they did on the Xbox 360, Microsoft has told us. This is in addition to the built-in capture feature the company has announced for their next-gen console. But what about the PS4?


While the PS4 has its own internal capture and streaming to Ustream services, there's no word yet on whether Sony's next console will have HDCP regulations, like its predecessor does. PS3 users were able to bypass HDCP by connecting their capture devices through component cables, but the PS4 only has one HDMI port. If HDCP is indeed in place on the PS4—thereby rendering any outside capture cards and devices ineffective on the console—this could spell problems for the world of eSports and YouTube content creators.

On the other hand, here's the official word from Microsoft:

Xbox One will support gameplay footage capture just as it works on Xbox 360.

That means Xbox One users won't be limited to the time restrictions on the console's built-in capture application. And they'll have all the freedoms afforded to them by being able to capture and tinker with post-production.


In the video above I explain more about these freedoms and what the potential damage could be to content creators if the PS4 has HDCP regulations without any sort of accommodations for alternative methods of capture outside of their native features.

We've reached out to Sony and will update this post should they respond.