How to Record Console Gameplay [Without Capture Card]

If you are searching for how to record Console gameplay on your PC, then this article is for you. This post shows you the best way to record Console gameplay without a capture card in detail. Now, let's get started!

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Jane Zhou

Updated on Apr 19, 2024

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If you're an avid gamer, you must be familiar with Console. This device allows you to play all popular and classical video games you can run on a computer, and even play some AAA gameplay without lag. Sometimes, you might want to record the fantastic moments while playing games on the Console, like PlayStation, Switch, or Xbox, and then upload them on YouTube or share them with others, but you may have difficulty completing the task.

Given that, this post comes in handy. Here, we will show you some good ways to help you record Console gameplay easily. Without further ado, let's come to the point now.

🛠️Method 👍User Experience
Use Capture Card It's the most effective way to record gameplay on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and more. Users can record as long as they want with a video capture software. However, it is a little complex.
Use Built-in Recorder This is the quickest way to record Console gameplay, but users cannot capture the full game, as there will be a time limit for recording.

Method 1. Record Console Gameplay with A Capture Card

If you want to record gameplay for YouTube, you might need to record the whole game when you play. At that time, recording with a capture card is the easiest way. It can help you capture the Console directly on your PC for later sharing. Now, let's see the steps.

#1. What to Prepare

First of all, you need to make some preparation for recording. Below are the necessary hardware and software:

  • 🎨A capture card: First, you need to get a capture card that will stream your gameplay on your computer.
  • 🕵️‍♂️HDMI cable: It can help connect the console you use and capture card to your computer.
  • 💻A computer: A high-end PC is needed
  • 📸 A screen recorder: To capture the Console gameplay on your PC for YouTube, you also need to find a great game recorder.

As for video recorders, we highly recommend EaseUS RecExperts. It is the best way to record Console gameplay worldwide. This tool provides a professional game recording mode, which allows you to record any games on your PC at up to 144 FPS. That means there will be no lag during recording. Moreover, it offers some video editing tools that you can use to modify your Console game recordings for later sharing. Now, download it and start recording your gameplay on Console!

#2. Start Console Gameplay Recording

Once you have everything ready, you can connect your console, capture card, and PC. Then, follow the below steps to start recording.

Step 1. Launch the gameplay that you want to record. Next, open EaseUS RecExperts and click on the "Game" button on the left.

Record gameplay

Step 2. Click on the "Select Game" option to choose a Game Window or Game Process. Then, you can enable the audio and webcam recording if needed. When all are done, click the big REC button to start the gameplay recording.

Choose gameplay

Step 3. A floating toolbar will appear, and you can pause or stop the recording. Besides that, the camera icon enables you to take a screenshot, and the timer icon lets you stop the recording automatically.

Start gameplay recording

Step 4. After saving the recorded gameplay video, a media player will pop up. It gives you a built-in tool to trim the recording, extract audio from the video, and add an opening & ending part. You can find the tool at the bottom of the player.

View gameplay recording

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Method 2. Record Console Gameplay without Capture Card

Another way to record Console gameplay is to use its built-in game recorder. Most modern Consoles offer the game recording mode that helps you capture the Console gameplay directly as you play. For this method, you only need to press a few buttons on your Console. However, there is always a recording time limit, like 1 minute, 30 seconds, or even shorter, which means you cannot really capture the full-length gameplay for YouTube.

In the following, we will show you the methods for recording gameplay on some common Console devices:

🪄Note: The precondition is that you are playing gameplay on a Console device.

Console Device Recording Steps Recording Length
PlayStation
  • Press Share on the controller
  • Choose Start Recording on the Share menu
≤60 mins
Xbox One
  • Press Xbox on the controller
  • Choose Start Recording from the guide menu
≤10 mins
Nintendo Switch
  • Press and hold Capture on the controller
≤30s
Tip
These instructions may vary based on the console's firmware version and settings. It is recommended to refer to the respective console's official documentation or user manual for more detailed instructions specific to your device.

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The Bottom Line

On this page, you can learn two good ways to record Console gameplay, which one do you prefer?

  • If you only want to save some highlights, you can use the built-in recording mode on your console, as it is extremely easy.
  • However, if you need to record Console gameplay for YouTube, you can choose to use a capture card and screen recorder, like EaseUS RecExperts!

How to Record Console Gameplay FAQs

1. How can you record Xbox gameplay without a capture card?

To record Xbox gameplay without a capture card, you can use the built-in recorder:

  • During gameplay, press the Xbox button on the controller to open the guide menu.
  • From the guide menu, select the "Start Recording" option to start recording gameplay.

2. How do you record gaming videos for YouTube?

The most important thing to record gaming videos for YouTube is to find a powerful game recorder, like OBS Studio, EaseUS RecExperts, Action!, Bandicam, Fraps, and more. Then, you can freely start your game recording for YouTube.

3. How do I record console gameplay on OBS?

OBS is a kind of screen recorder. So, if you want to record Console gameplay on OBS, you need to connect your Console to your computer first. Once done, follow the steps below:

  • Open OBS, and click Sence to choose the window you want to capture.
  • Then, adjust the recording parameters, like resolution, quality, and more.
  • Finally, click Start Recording to begin your recording.

EaseUS RecExperts

One-click to capture anything on screen!

No Time Limit, No watermark

Start Recording

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