# AVCaptureOutput An abstract superclass for objects that provide media output destinations for a capture session. ``` class AVCaptureOutput ``` ## Overview This class provides an abstract interface to connect capture output destinations, such as files and streams, to a capture session. A capture output can have multiple connections, one for each stream of media that it receives from a capture input. A capture output doesn’t have any connections when you create it. When you add it to a capture session, the session automatically forms connections between compatible inputs and outputs. ## Topics ### Accessing connections [`connections`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/connections) The capture output object’s connections. [`- connectionWithMediaType:`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/connection(with:)) Returns the first connection with an input port of a specified media type. [`DataDroppedReason`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/DataDroppedReason) Constants that define reasons for why the system dropped a frame. ### Managing deferred start [`deferredStartEnabled`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/isDeferredStartEnabled) A Boolean value that indicates whether to defer starting this capture output. [`deferredStartSupported`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/isDeferredStartSupported) A `BOOL` value that indicates whether the output supports deferred start. ### Converting between coordinate systems [`- transformedMetadataObjectForMetadataObject:connection:`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/transformedMetadataObject(for:connection:)) Converts a metadata object’s visual properties to layer coordinates. [`- metadataOutputRectOfInterestForRect:`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/metadataOutputRectConverted(fromOutputRect:)) Converts a rectangle in the capture output object’s coordinate system to one in the coordinate system used for metadata outputs. [`- rectForMetadataOutputRectOfInterest:`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/outputRectConverted(fromMetadataOutputRect:)) Converts a rectangle in the coordinate system used for metadata outputs to one in the capture output object’s coordinate system. ## Relationships ### Inherited By [`AVCaptureVideoDataOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureVideoDataOutput) [`AVCaptureBroadcastVideoOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureBroadcastVideoOutput) [`AVCapturePhotoOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCapturePhotoOutput) [`AVCaptureMetadataOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureMetadataOutput) [`AVCaptureFileOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureFileOutput) [`AVCaptureAudioDataOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureAudioDataOutput) [`AVCaptureDepthDataOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureDepthDataOutput) [`AVCaptureStillImageOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureStillImageOutput) [`AVCaptureAudioPreviewOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureAudioPreviewOutput) ### Conforms To [`NSObjectProtocol`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObjectProtocol) [`CustomStringConvertible`](/documentation/Swift/CustomStringConvertible) [`CustomDebugStringConvertible`](/documentation/Swift/CustomDebugStringConvertible) [`Equatable`](/documentation/Swift/Equatable) [`Hashable`](/documentation/Swift/Hashable) [`CVarArg`](/documentation/Swift/CVarArg) ### Inherits From [`NSObject-swift.class`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObject-swift.class) --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)