How to record video though the viewfinder instead of the digital screen on DSLRs?

I have a Nikon D5500 and when I shoot videos it's usually very bright out. This makes it hard to see what you're filming. Is there any way to use the viewfinder instead if the LCD screen?

You can't

The mirror used to direct the image to the viewfinder is right in front of the shutter so would be in the way if there was an option of using the viewfinder

ALL digital SLR cameras are designed this way because until the introduction of a video feature on the Nikon D90, there was no reason to keep the mirror locked up except for long exposures.

Sadly you have bought into the fable that digital SLR cameras are also good video cameras.

Now that you have your camera, you are going to have to just use the camera in the video (live view) mode

As you know, once you activate the live view, the sensor will start to heat up, so pre-framing your shots looking through the viewfinder is a good idea.

Since a video is shot at either 24 fps (cine) or 30 fps (NTSC TV) if the cameras actual shutter opened and closed for each frame, you would very soon wear out the shutter.

Videographers usually use what is called a field monitor and the good ones have a sun shade. See the link below.

No, the mirror is up during video. Some of the the Sony SLT cameras with semi-transparent mirror could do what you want.
With your existing camera you might be able to make use of your articulating LCD to turn it up and find a camera hold close to your body that casts more shade on it and makes it easier to see in the daylight. That could also be steadier.

You can't - that's why Sony invented SLTs.

If you'd bothered to learn what a (D)SLR actually is, you would've realised that its superb optical viewfinder doesn't work during exposure - like when you're shooting video.

Sorry you can't. ITS NOT POSSIBLE.

The viewfinder blanks out when shooting video with all true DSLRs. A DSLR is a stills camera, although many can take video too, they were not designed for that purpose.

All DSLRs have a mirror mechanism which must flip up out of the way before an image can be captured. When the mirror flips up, you can no longer see through the optical viewfinder, because the mirror is what lets you see through the lens.

You will need to use the LCD screen. You can can buy a Loupe for LCD screens to kind of turn it into a viewfinder. For example: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._free.html

No.

The reflex mirror has to flip up to allow light to hit the digital sensor so recording can take place. If the mirror is up, the optical viewfinder is covered. The dSLR was never meant to do video. Now you see one reason why.

Not possible. DSLRs are basically still camera which have had basic video facilities built into them.

For good camerawork, with eye-level and side screen viewing facilities, buy a good camcorder. If you want a combined camera with eye-level viewing and rear screen viewing, and longish zoom built-in, possibly look at the Panasonic TZ1000.