# 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. [`connection(with:)`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/connection(with:)) Returns the first connection with an input port of a specified media type. [`AVCaptureOutput.DataDroppedReason`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/DataDroppedReason) Constants that define reasons for why the system dropped a frame. ### Managing deferred start [`isDeferredStartEnabled`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/isDeferredStartEnabled) A Boolean value that indicates whether to defer starting this capture output. [`isDeferredStartSupported`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/isDeferredStartSupported) A `BOOL` value that indicates whether the output supports deferred start. ### Converting between coordinate systems [`transformedMetadataObject(for:connection:)`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureOutput/transformedMetadataObject(for:connection:)) Converts a metadata object’s visual properties to layer coordinates. [`metadataOutputRectConverted(fromOutputRect:)`](/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. [`outputRectConverted(fromMetadataOutputRect:)`](/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. --- 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)