DASH (MPEG-DASH, Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) is the ISO-standard adaptive streaming protocol, the open, codec-agnostic counterpart to Apple's HLS. It describes a presentation in an XML manifest (the MPD) that organizes media into Periods, AdaptationSets, and Representations, letting a player choose components — language, channel layout — and switch bitrate as bandwidth changes, all over plain HTTP. DASH gives broadcasters and platforms fine control over multi-language and multi-codec delivery and integrates encryption via Common Encryption. Because it doesn't mandate a codec or container, the same DASH machinery carries AAC, E-AC-3, AC-4, or anything else. The industry has converged toward shipping one set of CMAF segments referenced by both DASH and HLS.
