HLS
The most widely supported adaptive streaming format, required for Apple devices
MPEG-DASH
The open ISO standard for adaptive bitrate streaming with native multi-DRM support.
Overview
What is MPEG-DASH
Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH) is an international standard (ISO/IEC 23009-1) for adaptive bitrate streaming over standard HTTP infrastructure. DASH uses an XML-based manifest (Media Presentation Description, or MPD) to describe available quality levels, and the player selects segments based on current network conditions. Unlike HLS, which was developed and controlled by Apple, DASH is vendor-neutral and maintained by the MPEG consortium. DASH natively supports Google Widevine and Microsoft PlayReady DRM, making it the standard for DRM-protected delivery on Android, smart TVs, and game consoles.
Decision Guide
When to Choose MPEG-DASH
Choose MPEG-DASH when:
- You need Widevine or PlayReady DRM without CMAF packaging — DASH supports both natively with Common Encryption (CENC).
- Your audience is primarily Android, smart TVs, and web browsers — DASH has broad support on non-Apple platforms.
- You prefer an open, vendor-neutral standard — DASH is maintained by ISO/IEC, not controlled by a single company.
Consider alternatives when:
- You need to reach iOS/Safari devices — HLS is required for Apple platforms. Safari does not support DASH.
- You want a single segment format for both HLS and DASH — CMAF serves both from one set of fmp4 segments.
- You need sub-5-second latency for interactive use cases — WebRTC delivers sub-second; even LL-DASH has 2–5s latency.
Try it
Transcoding Demo
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Select a source video and click “Convert” to see MPEG-DASH output in action.
Reference
Key Characteristics
| Type | Streaming protocol (adaptive) |
| File extension(s) | .mpd (manifest), .m4s / .webm (segments) |
| Supported video codecs | H.264, H.265 (HEVC) |
| Supported audio codecs | AAC |
| DRM support | Widevine (native), PlayReady (native) |
| Adaptive bitrate | Yes — quality switching via MPD manifest |
| Latency | Standard: 15–30s • LL-DASH: 2–5s |
| Live streaming support | Yes — dynamic MPD with live profile |
| Typical use case | Android/smart TV delivery, open-standard workflows, Widevine/PlayReady DRM |
Compatibility
Browser & Device Support
Platform | MPEG-DASH | HLS | MP4 (progressive) | WebM | CMAF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chrome (desktop) | via MSE | via MSE | via MSE | ||
Safari (macOS) | native | HLS mode | |||
Firefox (desktop) | via MSE | via MSE | via MSE | ||
Edge | via MSE | via MSE | via MSE | ||
iOS Safari | native | HLS mode | |||
Android Chrome | via MSE | via MSE | via MSE | ||
Smart TVs (Tizen/webOS) | limited | ||||
Roku / Fire TV | |||||
Game consoles (PS5, Xbox) |
Implementation
How Qencode Handles MPEG-DASH
Qencode generates DASH output with multi-rendition encoding and MPD manifest creation in a single API call. Specify advanced_dash as the output format and choose from any supported codec. Qencode produces segment files (.m4s) and an MPD manifest with the correct period, adaptation set, and representation structure.
Combine DASH with Content-Aware Encoding for per-scene bitrate optimization, or enable DRM with Widevine or PlayReady through a single parameter.
Request Example
MPEG-DASH output with H.264 and Per-Title Encoding
{
"query": {
"source": "https://your-storage.com/video.mp4",
"format": [
{
"output": "advanced_dash",
"separate_audio": 1,
"stream": [
{
"video_codec": "libx264",
"resolution": 2160,
"optimize_bitrate": 1,
"framerate": "30",
"keyframe": "90"
}
],
"segment_duration": "6"
}
]
}
}Copy this payload and use it with your API key to generate MPEG-DASH output from any video source.
View Parameter Referencecomparison
MPEG-DASH vs. HLS
MPEG-DASH | HLS | |
|---|---|---|
Open standard | ISO/IEC standard | Apple-controlled |
Apple device support | Requires MSE | Native |
DRM | Widevine, PlayReady (native) | FairPlay (native), Widevine/PlayReady (via CMAF) |
Segment format | .fmp4 or .webm | .ts or .fmp4 |
Low-latency mode | LL-DASH (2–5s) | LL-HLS (2–5s) |
Best for | Open-standard deployments, Android-first | Universal reach, Apple ecosystem |
For a detailed HLS breakdown, see HLS
Pricing
What It Costs
Explore More
Related Features
CMAF
Use one set of fmp4 segments for both DASH and HLS manifests
DRM
Encrypt DASH content with Widevine and PlayReady through Qencode's DRM integrations
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