Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP
Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) is a standardized adaptive bitrate streaming protocol that enables high-quality streaming of media content over the internet. It works by breaking content into small segments encoded at multiple bitrates, allowing clients to dynamically switch between them based on network conditions and device capabilities. This ensures smooth playback with minimal buffering by adapting video quality in real-time.
Developers should learn DASH when building video streaming applications, such as video-on-demand services, live streaming platforms, or media players, to deliver optimal user experiences across varying network speeds and devices. It is essential for modern web and mobile apps that require efficient bandwidth usage and adaptive quality, as it is widely supported by major browsers and devices, and is a standard in the industry (e.g., used by Netflix, YouTube).