<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 4.0.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 4.0.0 -",
    "macCatalyst: 14.0.0 -",
    "macOS: 10.7.0 -",
    "tvOS: 17.0.0 -",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "AVFoundation",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureVideoDataOutputSampleBufferDelegate",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Protocol",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Protocol",
    "modules" : [
      "AVFoundation"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:objc(pl)AVCaptureVideoDataOutputSampleBufferDelegate"
  },
  "title" : "AVCaptureVideoDataOutputSampleBufferDelegate"
}
-->

# AVCaptureVideoDataOutputSampleBufferDelegate

Methods for receiving sample buffers from, and monitoring the status of, a video data output.

```
protocol AVCaptureVideoDataOutputSampleBufferDelegate : NSObjectProtocol
```

## Overview

This protocol defines an interface for delegates of an [`AVCaptureVideoDataOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureVideoDataOutput) object to receive captured video sample buffers and be notified of late sample buffers that were dropped.

The delegate of an [`AVCaptureVideoDataOutput`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureVideoDataOutput) object must adopt the `AVCaptureVideoDataOutputSampleBufferDelegate` protocol. The methods in this protocol are optional.

## Topics

### Managing sample buffer behavior

[`captureOutput(_:didOutput:from:)`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureVideoDataOutputSampleBufferDelegate/captureOutput(_:didOutput:from:))

Notifies the delegate that a new video frame was written.

[`captureOutput(_:didDrop:from:)`](/documentation/AVFoundation/AVCaptureVideoDataOutputSampleBufferDelegate/captureOutput(_:didDrop:from:))

Notifies the delegate that a video frame was discarded.



---

Copyright &copy; 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)