This comprehensive guide will cover how to record and playback HDR video.

Supported Game Capture Devices

Elgato 4K Capture Utility 1.6.3 added the ability to record HDR video when using the following Game Capture devices

• Game Capture HD60 S+
• Game Capture HD60 X
• Game Capture 4K60 S+
• Game Capture 4K60 Pro (MK.2 version)
• Game Capture 4K Pro
• Game Capture 4K X

System Requirements

These are the requirements to record HDR video:

• An NVIDIA GTX 1050 GPU or newer
• Elgato 4K Capture Utility 1.6.3 or newer for Windows 10
• An Elgato Game Capture device which supports HDR
• A source such as a game console that outputs HDR10 video
• A TV/Monitor attached to the pass-through HDMI port of the Game Capture device which supports HDR10.

Enable HDR Output on your Console

To record HDR video, the game console must first be able to output HDR. This is often configured automatically, however manual setup may be required. 

Xbox One S/X:

1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
2. Select System > Settings > General > TV & display options > Video modes.
3. To turn on HDR10, check the boxes Allow 4K and Allow HDR10.

How to check that the console will output HDR

1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide, then go to System > Settings > General > TV & display options. Choose 4K TV details.
2. Under the Playing games category, you should see Your TV supports HDR gaming

PlayStation 4/Pro:

1. From the PS4 dashboard, Go to Settings

2. Select Sound and Screen, then select Video Output Settings

3. Select HDR and check Automatic.

4. Go back to Video Output Settings and select Deep Color Output and check Automatic. 

To check that the console will output HDR

1. From your PS4, go to Settings, then Sound and Screen

2. Select Video Output Settings then Video Output Information.

3. At the bottom, you should see HDR and Supported. If you see HDR is supported by these resolutions, HDR is not supported by these resolutions that is still ok and can be ignored.

Record HDR in 4K Capture Utility

In the 4K Capture Utility, open the settings at the top right. 

Navigate to the Recording tab. 

Check the box "Enable HDR recording" 

If the incoming video signal is HDR there will be a small HDR badge next to the input resolution. 

With an HDR input signal the recording will be in HDR in the HEVC format. 

With the setting checked, if the signal is SDR, then the recording will be in the H.264 format. 

Playback HDR Video

Various programs can be used to play back HDR videos. 

To view videos in HDR, a HDR capable monitor/TV must be connected to the PC, and a 3rd party video player must be used. 

4K Capture Utility Library

The library player will automatically tonemap HDR videos to SDR. HDR playback is not possible at this time. 

Windows Movies and TV

Requirements: 

• HEVC codec installed from the Windows store: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/hevc-video-extensions-from-device-manufacturer/9n4wgh0z6vhq

VLC

Requirements:

• HDR-compatible monitor/TV connected to your PC. 
• Play HDR games and Apps enabled in Windows displays settings 

To enable system wide HDR, right click on the Windows desktop and open the Display Settings

Select the HDR compatible monitor and activate Play HDR games and Apps

Now open VLC on the monitor with HDR enabled

Drag the video file into VLC or select the file by clicking on file > Open and navigating to the 4K Capture Utility library