{{Expand Ukrainian|date=January 2025}} A '''video tap''' is an accessory for a motion picture camera used in filmmaking to provide a video signal from the camera lens. Video taps are used to allow the film crew to see what is in the camera's frame without having to look through the viewfinder, as well as allowing video to be recorded and can be used to create an immediate rough cut, if needed. Since a video tap normally attaches to a camera's existing viewfinder using a beam splitter, the video appears dark and frame rate flicker is visible. Sometimes the tap will include frame lines and burned in timecode and keykode.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
The person who operates a video tap is sometimes called a "video assist".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Film Glossary |url=https://www.clevelandfilm.com/jobstraining/glossary-of-terms/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=Greater Cleveland Film Commission |language=en-US}}</ref> Video taps can be useful for the director of a production to ensure the shot is to their liking,<ref name=":0" /> especially because, for example, 35mm film must be laboratory processed before it can be viewed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Video Assist Operator / VTR |url=https://www.filmincolorado.com/guide/video-assist-operator-vtr/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=Film in Colorado |language=en-US}}</ref> Most film cameras include a video tap.<ref name=":1" />
== See also == * Video assist
==References== {{reflist}}
{{film-tech-stub}} Category:Film and video technology