Xbox One’s DVR Features to Require a Gold Subscription

Sony and Microsoft have each announced that gamers will be able to record and share content in various ways on the PS4 and Xbox One, respectively.  The Xbox One’s DVR capabilities won’t be ready for most TV providers come launch, but the Xbox One can still record game play that can be shared online.

Microsoft has announced that they are adding their DVR features to the same pay wall that will allow you to use Skype, Smart Match multiplayer matchmaking,  and online play. Most likely other services like Netflix or Hulu will be added to the pay wall list.

Currently on an Xbox 360, services like Netflix and others are only available to those that pay $60 a year for a Gold subscription. Microsoft has been known to use the pay wall in the past and it seems they will continue to do so in the next generation.

Will Sony block their video capture?

The current generation’s PS3 consoles have a DRM block on all HDMI video out from the console with HDCP encryption. It is likely that both the Xbox One and the  PS4 will have HDCP in their HDMI out ports as they bring in more partners that want DRM and content protection for the consoles.

Most content creators circumvented HDCP with special wiring and some tweaking. We have yet to hear if this same DRM block can be bypassed in the new consoles – if it even does exists.

We do know is that Sony will integrate streaming and sharing content, and they have even included a new “share” button on their controller. Twitter users asked Shuhei Yoshida, President of Sony’s Worldwide Studios for Sony Computer Entertainment, if the PS4’s capture features will be blocked behind a pay wall for non-PS+ customers.

With a short tweet Yoshida answered:

However, Sony has also confirmed in the past that developers can block share functions in their games if they wish. The PS4 will allow you to edit and upload the last 15 minutes of gameplay, while according to NowGamer.com, the Xbox One will only allow for 5 minutes.

Xbox One’s DVR feature captures clips at 30fps and in 720p HD, according to IGN. We have yet to find out how games like COD: Ghosts will capture when they run at 60FPS. The Xbox One is also shipping with a 4k capable HDMI cable, and as we all know, 4K is a much higher resolution than 720p.

Sony has confirmed that multiplayer gaming on the PS4 requires a PS+ subscription, but they haven’t announced anything else that is behind a pay wall. For Xbox One’s fan base and content creators this news may be bad. Does this affect your opinion of the console?