--- title: "What Is MPEG-DASH? Adaptive Streaming over HTTP Explained" description: "MPEG-DASH is the international standard for adaptive streaming over HTTP. See how it works, how it compares with HLS and why services support both." url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/mpeg-dash" markdown_url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/mpeg-dash.md" category: "Streaming technology" updated: "2026-10-05" --- # What is MPEG-DASH? MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) is an international standard for adaptive bitrate streaming. Like HLS, it delivers video as short segments over ordinary web servers, described by a manifest file, here called an MPD. ## How MPEG-DASH works The video is encoded at several quality levels and split into segments. The MPD, a Media Presentation Description written in XML, lists the available video, audio and subtitle tracks and where their segments are. The player reads the MPD and requests segments, changing quality as conditions change. ## DASH vs HLS - Origin: DASH is an open ISO standard; HLS was created by Apple - Manifest: DASH uses an XML file (.mpd); HLS uses text playlists (.m3u8) - Apple devices: HLS is native; DASH is not supported by Safari on iPhone or by Apple's native player - Android and smart TVs: both are widely supported - DRM: DASH is typically paired with Widevine and PlayReady; HLS with FairPlay - Codecs: DASH is codec-agnostic by design; HLS specifies supported codecs ## Using both without doubling storage The Common Media Application Format (CMAF) defines a segment format that both protocols can use. A service stores one set of fragmented MP4 segments and publishes two small manifests, one HLS and one DASH, that point to them. ## Where DASH is used DASH is common in web players on non-Apple browsers, on Android and Android TV, and on many smart TVs and set-top boxes. Since Apple devices need HLS, a service aiming at every screen either supports both or uses HLS throughout. ## MPEG-DASH on RentAnOTT RentAnOTT handles packaging and adaptive delivery to every supported app, so you do not choose a protocol per device. For the other major protocol, see the HLS entry. [Read about HLS](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/hls). ## Related terms - [HLS](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/hls) — HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is a streaming protocol created by Apple that delivers video as a series of short segments over ordinary web servers, listed in playlist files with the .m3u8 extension. It is the most widely supported way to stream both live and on-demand video. - [Adaptive bitrate streaming](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/adaptive-bitrate-streaming) — Adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR) is a delivery method in which a video is encoded at several quality levels and the player switches between them during playback, choosing the highest quality the viewer's connection can sustain without stalling. - [Streaming protocol](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/streaming-protocol) — A streaming protocol is a set of rules for how video and audio are transmitted over a network between a source, a server and a player. Different protocols are used for sending a live feed to a platform and for delivering video to viewers. - [Widevine](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/widevine) — Widevine is Google's DRM system. It protects streamed video on Android phones and tablets, Android TV and Google TV, Chrome and other browsers, and most smart TVs and streaming devices outside Apple's ecosystem. - [PlayReady](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/playready) — PlayReady is Microsoft's DRM system. It protects streamed video on Windows and the Edge browser, Xbox consoles, and many smart TVs and set-top boxes. - [Video player](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/video-player) — A video player is the software on a viewer's device that requests a stream, decodes it and displays it, and provides the controls for watching. In a streaming service it also handles adaptive quality, DRM, subtitles, advertising and analytics. ## Further reading - [Choosing a live streaming player](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/live-streaming-player) - [Features](https://www.rentanott.com/features) - [Video bitrate calculator](https://www.rentanott.com/tools/video-bitrate-calculator) ## Frequently asked questions ### What does DASH stand for? Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP. ### Is DASH better than HLS? Neither is better in general. They perform similarly. HLS has the advantage of working natively on Apple devices; DASH of being an open standard with flexible codec support. ### Can iPhones play MPEG-DASH? Not natively. Services deliver HLS to iPhones and other Apple devices. All 163 terms: [Streaming and OTT glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary). ## Book a demo Tell RentAnOTT what you are launching. The team walks through the platform and maps the path to go-live around your catalog, markets and revenue model. Book a demo: https://www.rentanott.com/contact ## More from RentAnOTT - [Home](https://www.rentanott.com/index.md) — What RentAnOTT is, what every plan includes, and how launch works - [Features](https://www.rentanott.com/features.md) — Every core feature and optional add-on - [Pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing.md) — Platform tiers, apps, add-ons, usage rates and example bills in INR and USD - [Free tools](https://www.rentanott.com/tools.md) — OTT app builder and calculators for streaming revenue, bandwidth, bitrate and pricing - [Insights](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs.md) — All streaming business articles - [Glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary.md) — Definitions of streaming and OTT terms - [Book a demo](https://www.rentanott.com/contact.md) — Talk to RentAnOTT about your launch Full site in one file: https://www.rentanott.com/llms-full.txt