Introduction to MPEG-DASH
MPEG-DASH, which stands for Moving Picture Experts Group Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP, is an international standard for adaptive bitrate video streaming over the internet. It is the open-standard alternative to Apple's HLS protocol and is widely used by major streaming platforms.
How MPEG-DASH Works
Like HLS, MPEG-DASH divides a video into small segments and encodes them at multiple bitrates. A manifest file called the Media Presentation Description (MPD) describes all available representations (quality levels) of the content. The DASH client (video player) reads the MPD and dynamically selects the appropriate bitrate segment to download based on available bandwidth, switching between quality levels seamlessly during playback.
MPEG-DASH vs. HLS
The main difference is that MPEG-DASH is codec-agnostic — it works with any video codec — while HLS originally required H.264. MPEG-DASH is an ISO international standard, whereas HLS was developed by Apple. Both protocols now have broad browser and device support, though HLS still has a slight edge in compatibility due to native Safari support.
Advantages of MPEG-DASH
MPEG-DASH supports a wide range of codecs including H.264, H.265, VP9, and AV1. It is royalty-free and open. It integrates well with DRM solutions such as Widevine, PlayReady, and FairPlay. Its flexibility makes it the preferred choice for large streaming platforms that need maximum control over encoding and delivery.
MPEG-DASH in Practice
Professional video hosting platforms support both HLS and MPEG-DASH to maximize device compatibility. Kavimo uses industry-standard streaming protocols to ensure your videos play smoothly on every device and browser.