Elgato Game Capture HD connects to the PlayStation 4 using HDMI. It can passthrough video to a TV set also using HDMI. An HDMI cable is included in the box.
Before you set things up, make sure to connect your PlayStation 4 directly to your TV set or display via HDMI, without using Elgato Game Capture HD.
Then, visit the Settings > System section of the PlayStation 4 interface, and turn off Enable HDCP.
After that, you can use your PlayStation 4 with Elgato Game Capture HD60.
Inputs and Outputs
Elgato Game Capture HD has two inputs, and two outputs:
HDMI In
This connects to a game console or other video source. Signals protected by HDCP can't be used.
A/V In
This connects to an analog video source, via Component or Composite, using an adapter cable. A PlayStation 3 will connect to this port. If you want to use S-Video, then an Analog Video Adapter cable is available from the Elgato Online Store.
USB Out
This sends the H.264 encoded video to your computer via USB 2.0. The signal is delayed by a few seconds from live. The USB cable also powers the Elgato Game Capture HD hardware.
HDMI Out
This sends the HDMI signal in real time to a TV or display, so you can play your game normally.
Setup Steps
Download and install the Elgato Game Capture HD software, version 2.0 or higher:
https://www.elgato.com/en/game-capture-hd-support
Connect your PlayStation 4 to the HDMI In of Elgato Game Capture HD via an HDMI cable
Connect the HDMI Out of Elgato Game Capture HD to your TV or display via an HDMI cable.
Connect the Elgato Game Capture HD to your computer via a USB cable.
If you don't turn off HDCP before setting things up, and try to play a video game, the signal may flash on and off, or you will only see a black screen.
PlayStation 4 (PS4): General HDMI output
Content other than gameplay may still be encrypted with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). In that case, Elgato Game Capture HD will not be able to capture that content via HDMI.
The PlayStation 4 uses HDCP protection when watching a purchased movie, or using services like Netflix or Hulu. Therefore, Elgato Game Capture HD won't be able to capture that content.
Instead, you will get an error message that states:
Cannot start the application.
You must turn on [Settings] > [System] > [Enable HDCP]
Troubleshooting - No Image Appears On The TV
If your TV only supports 1080i or 720p, and not 1080p, then you may not get a video image when Elgato Game Capture HD is first connected. The video may still appear in the software, but not on your TV.
The solution would be to set your PlayStation 4 to output video to 720p or 1080i - whatever format your TV can support.
Troubleshooting - No Audio is Captured
Elgato Game Capture HD hardware can't capture Dolby, DTS or other multichannel digital audio formats. It can capture standard stereo audio.
Stereo audio may be called Linear PCM, depending on your video source.
When using Elgato Game Capture HD, Linear PCM is the appropriate choice for the PlayStation 4 (PS4).
Improving Performance
Elgato Game Capture HD software works well if your computer exceeds the basic System Requirements.
If your computer barely meets the minimum System Requirements, then performance may suffer, especially if you are trying to do a number of things at the same time.
This article includes a few steps you can take to improve performance in such situations:
Improve Elgato Game Capture HD software performance
Before you set things up, make sure to connect your PlayStation 4 directly to your TV set or display via HDMI, without using Elgato Game Capture HD.
Then, visit the Settings > System section of the PlayStation 4 interface, and turn off Enable HDCP.
After that, you can use your PlayStation 4 with Elgato Game Capture HD60.
Inputs and Outputs
HDMI In
This connects to a game console or other video source. Signals protected by HDCP can't be used.
A/V In
This connects to an analog video source, via Component or Composite, using an adapter cable. A PlayStation 3 will connect to this port. If you want to use S-Video, then an Analog Video Adapter cable is available from the Elgato Online Store.
USB Out
This sends the H.264 encoded video to your computer via USB 2.0. The signal is delayed by a few seconds from live. The USB cable also powers the Elgato Game Capture HD hardware.
HDMI Out
This sends the HDMI signal in real time to a TV or display, so you can play your game normally.
Setup Steps
Download and install the Elgato Game Capture HD software, version 2.0 or higher:
https://www.elgato.com/en/game-capture-hd-support
Connect your PlayStation 4 to the HDMI In of Elgato Game Capture HD via an HDMI cable
Connect the HDMI Out of Elgato Game Capture HD to your TV or display via an HDMI cable.
Connect the Elgato Game Capture HD to your computer via a USB cable.
If you don't turn off HDCP before setting things up, and try to play a video game, the signal may flash on and off, or you will only see a black screen.
PlayStation 4 (PS4): General HDMI output
Content other than gameplay may still be encrypted with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). In that case, Elgato Game Capture HD will not be able to capture that content via HDMI.
The PlayStation 4 uses HDCP protection when watching a purchased movie, or using services like Netflix or Hulu. Therefore, Elgato Game Capture HD won't be able to capture that content.
Instead, you will get an error message that states:
Cannot start the application.
You must turn on [Settings] > [System] > [Enable HDCP]
Troubleshooting - No Image Appears On The TV
If your TV only supports 1080i or 720p, and not 1080p, then you may not get a video image when Elgato Game Capture HD is first connected. The video may still appear in the software, but not on your TV.
The solution would be to set your PlayStation 4 to output video to 720p or 1080i - whatever format your TV can support.
Troubleshooting - No Audio is Captured
Elgato Game Capture HD hardware can't capture Dolby, DTS or other multichannel digital audio formats. It can capture standard stereo audio.
Stereo audio may be called Linear PCM, depending on your video source.
When using Elgato Game Capture HD, Linear PCM is the appropriate choice for the PlayStation 4 (PS4).
Improving Performance
Elgato Game Capture HD software works well if your computer exceeds the basic System Requirements.
If your computer barely meets the minimum System Requirements, then performance may suffer, especially if you are trying to do a number of things at the same time.
This article includes a few steps you can take to improve performance in such situations:
Improve Elgato Game Capture HD software performance