MPEG-DASH implementation guidelines released

The DASH Industry Forum (DASH-IF) has outlined recommendations for the deployment of MPEG-DASH, in a bid to ensure industry-wide interoperability for multimedia streaming standard.

The DASH-AVC/264 guidelines recommend using a subset of MPEG-DASH with specific video and audio codecs in order to promote interoperability among deployments in the industry. Some 67 DASH-IF member companies drew up the recommendations, including founding members Akamai, Ericsson, Microsoft, Netflix, Qualcomm and Samsung.

“Facilitating complete interoperability is the key to achieving rapid market adoption of the MPEG-DASH standard. The DASH-AVC/264 Implementation Guidelines offer companies a roadmap for developing interoperable products and services through real-world use cases from the multimedia streaming market,” said DASH-IF president and chairman of the board, Dr Iraj Sodagar.

MPEG-DASH provides a standard method for streaming multimedia content over internet by simplifying and converging delivery of IP video. DASH-IF said that the new guidelines are aligned with initiatives from other industry standards bodies and consortiums including HbbTV, DECE, DTG, HD-Forum, OIPF, EBU and DLNA.

DASH-IF said it will host a conference call next week to provide in-depth information about the DASH-AVC/264 Implementation Guidelines to the press. Future updates will address advanced services and applications, including multichannel audio and HEVC support and will be available later this year.