PS4 Update Features HDCP-Off Option For Game Capture Device Support

Sony has big plans for the PlayStation 4, including greater support for game capture devices and longer clips that gamers can capture and share with friends, family members and rivals alike.

The new update will arrive for PlayStation 4 owners in the coming weeks, and it brings with it all the fancy features a lot of gamers were promised by Sony during the announcement of the PS4 last year.

As noted on the official PlayStation blog...

“This upcoming update will add a rich video editor with a simple tool to personalize your video clips, and you’ll also be able to export to and save the videos and screenshots you create by pressing the SHARE button to a USB drive. In addition, this update will add an HDCP off option for capturing gameplay via HDMI, a feature we’ve previously said would come after launch. We recognize that some gamers want to record and share longer clips of their gameplay sessions, and we’re excited to deliver this option with PS4. There’s a lot more coming in this update as well, so stay tuned for more—there will be plenty in the update to excite everyone.”

This now easily puts the PS4 on par with the Xbox One, as far as HDCP capture device support goes. Previously, gamers coiled up in corners and cried until their eyes crusted over with callouses, due to the fact that the PS4 launched without an option to turn off capture device block on the PS4. This meant that gamers had to go around and about using Twitch to capture and upload gameplay footage, instead of being able to do so using uncompressed capture devices such as Elgato or Avermedia's HDMI tuners.

Not only that, but Sony aims to rival and one-up Microsoft by announcing that they're increasing the resolution of Twitch output up to 720p for the PS4, matching the Xbox One, which recently received Twitch support back on March 11th.

As noted in the blog post...

“...we have been working with our partners at Twitch and Ustream, and will also be adding the ability for Twitch broadcasts to be archived – another highly requested feature among PS4 fans who are taking advantage of the SHARE button features. These broadcasts will be also provided with a higher resolution of 720p, so PS4 fans can enjoy live broadcasts with clearer images.”

Whatever one-ups the Xbox One used to have over the PS4 seem to be dwindling down faster than Clint Eastwood's life-force.

It won't be long now before developers will start utilizing the hardware advantage of the PS4 to start making games bigger and better than the competition. I don't know if the eSRAM will be able to save the Xbox One.

One thing is for sure: Sony told gamers that greatness awaited, and they're delivering the greatness.

The only thing Sony needs to do now is come out swinging hard and fast at E3 this year, as that will definitively put them up and over the top as the true leader of the eighth generation console race, as they prep to enter the second stage of the marathon. The only worry they'll need to consider is the competition that will kick into high gear when May 30th arrives.

Will Usher

Staff Writer at CinemaBlend.