DASH Industry Forum Releases Implementation Guidelines

DASH Industry Forum (DASH-IF) has released DASH-AVC/264, its recommended guidelines for deployment of the MPEG-DASH standard.

The MPEG-DASH specification provides a standard method for streaming multimedia content over Internet by simplifying and converging delivery of IP video. This improves user experience while decreasing cost and simplifying workflow.

The DASH-AVC/264 Implementation Guidelines recommend using a subset of MPEG-DASH, with specific video and audio codecs in order to promote interoperability among deployments in the industry.

The DASH-AVC/264 Implementation Guidelines:

• Provide an open, interoperable standard solution in the multimedia streaming market
• Address major multimedia streaming use cases including on-demand, live and time-shift services
• Outline the use of two specific MPEG-DASH profiles
• Describe specific audio and video codecs and closed caption format
• Outline the use of common encryption

The Guidelines were created by the 67 industry-leading DASH-IF member companies, including founding members Akamai, Ericsson, Microsoft, Netflix, Qualcomm and Samsung.

The DASH-AVC/264 Implementation Guidelines are also aligned with initiatives from other industry standards bodies and consortia, including HbbTV, DECE, DTG, HD-Forum, OIPF, EBU and DLNA.

Future guideline updates will address advanced services and applications, including multi-channel audio and HEVC support.