PlayStation 4 Screenshots & Video Recording Guide

Capturing Gameplay on PlayStation 4

The PlayStation 4 system continuously records gameplay footage in the background. This feature allows for easy saving and sharing of memorable moments.

Screenshots can also be created rapidly with a dedicated button press, providing a quick way to document gameplay.

Managing Captured Content

Following the capture of video clips or screenshots, several options are available for their management.

Content can be uploaded directly from the PS4. Alternatively, it can be transferred from the console’s internal storage to a USB drive.

Accessing Files on a Computer

Once copied to a USB drive, the files become accessible on a computer.

This enables users to perform various actions with the captured content, such as editing, archiving, or further sharing.

Capturing and Saving Screenshots or Videos on PlayStation

To capture a screenshot or video within a game, simply press the Share button located on the left side of your controller, near the directional pad. This action will bring up the Share menu on your screen.

You can return to the game at any moment by pressing the Circle button while the Share menu is active.

Occasionally, the Share menu functionality may be restricted. Certain game cinematics or applications may prevent screenshot capture or video recording, depending on the developer’s settings.

However, the Share menu generally operates as expected.

Saving and Uploading Options

Once the Share menu is displayed, you can choose to "Save Screenshot" by pressing the Triangle button. Alternatively, select "Save Video Clip" using the Square button.

Selecting "Save Screenshot" will capture the current on-screen image. Choosing "Save Video Clip" will preserve the preceding 15 minutes of gameplay.

The PlayStation 4 continuously records the last 15 minutes of gameplay in a temporary buffer. Therefore, footage older than 15 minutes cannot be saved as a video clip unless it was previously saved.

Instead of saving, you can directly upload your content. Select "Upload Screenshot" or "Upload Video Clip" from the Share menu.

Screenshots can be shared via platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or through PlayStation messages.

Video clips can be uploaded to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Dailymotion.

Transferring Files to a Computer

For sharing on other services, you must first save the screenshot or video clip to your PS4’s internal storage.

Then, copy the file to a USB drive.

Finally, transfer the file from the USB drive to your computer for further editing or sharing.

Capturing Screenshots on Your PlayStation 4 – A Quick Guide

A screenshot can be rapidly saved to your PlayStation 4’s internal storage by utilizing a simple controller function. Holding down the Share button on your controller for a minimum of one second initiates the screenshot capture process.

This method bypasses the need to navigate to the Share screen, offering a more streamlined experience. A visual confirmation, in the form of an icon, will briefly appear in the upper-left corner of the display, indicating successful screenshot storage.

Understanding the Screenshot Notification

The icon displayed confirms that the image has been successfully captured and saved. This provides immediate feedback to the user. It’s a quick visual cue that the action was completed.

The screenshot is then stored locally on the PlayStation 4’s hard drive, readily accessible for viewing or sharing at a later time. This allows for convenient access to captured moments.

Personalizing Your Share Functionality, Video Recording, and Screenshot Options

Users have the ability to tailor the functionality of the Share button, video capture, and screenshot features. Accessing these customization options begins by pressing the "Share" button during gameplay, which opens the Share menu.

From within the Share menu, navigate to "Share Settings" by pressing the "Options" button on your controller.

Share Button Configuration

The "Share Button Control Type" screen provides options for streamlining screenshot capture. It allows you to configure the PlayStation 4 to automatically save a screenshot with a single press of the Share button.

Alternatively, you can set the system to display the Share menu only when the button is held down for an extended duration.

Video Clip Settings Adjustment

Within the "Video Clip Setting" screen, the duration of recorded video clips can be modified. You can adjust the clip length to be shorter than the standard 15-minute limit, but not exceed it.

Furthermore, the inclusion of audio from a connected microphone can be enabled for your gameplay recordings.

Screenshot Settings Customization

The "Screenshot Settings" screen offers control over how screenshots are saved. By default, screenshots are stored in the JPEG format, but the PNG format is also available for selection.

Automatic trophy screenshots are enabled by default, but this feature can be disabled through this settings menu.

Transferring Screenshots and Videos from Your PS4 to a USB Drive

The Capture Gallery application, pre-installed on your PS4, allows you to view your recorded video clips and captured images. Should the application not be immediately visible on the main screen, navigate to the rightmost edge of the home screen.

From there, select "Library," then "Applications," and finally choose "Capture Gallery" to access it.

Accessing Media Files

Within the Capture Gallery, you have the option to view all saved screenshots and video clips collectively. Alternatively, you can filter the media by selecting a specific game to view only the files associated with it.

This provides a convenient way to organize and locate your gameplay recordings.

Copying to a USB Drive

To transfer your media to a computer, you can copy files directly to a USB storage device. First, insert a USB drive into one of the PlayStation 4’s USB ports.

Important: Ensure the USB drive is formatted with either the FAT32 or exFAT file system for compatibility.

• Select the desired media file.
• Press the "Options" button on your controller.
• Choose "Copy to USB Storage Device" from the menu.

Once the copying process is complete, safely disconnect the USB drive from your PS4.

You can then connect the drive to a computer and access the screenshots and video files as you would with any other files.

Limitations of the Recording Feature

The built-in recording functionality is designed primarily for capturing gameplay footage. Consequently, recording videos from streaming services like Netflix or Hulu is not supported.

However, the feature is generally compatible with almost all games, allowing for extensive capture of your gaming experiences.