What is MPD?

MPD stands for Media Presentation Description, which is an XML-format text file and a core component of the MPEG-DASH protocol.

The MPD file does not store media files directly but only records the metadata of the media, including the media encoding format (e.g., H.265, AV1, AAC, etc.), resolution and bitrate (480p, 1080p, 4K), storage addresses of media segments, and segment duration. By parsing the MPD file, the player can determine “where to fetch resources” and “how to stitch and play them,” thereby enabling smooth streaming media playback.

Background of MPD’s Development

In the early 21st century, with the rise of mobile internet, devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers created a demand for video playback under various network conditions. The traditional playback model of “single bitrate, complete file transmission” often resulted in buffering issues. At the time, existing multimedia technologies, such as Apple’s HLS and Microsoft’s Smooth Streaming, were incompatible with each other. For example, a player supporting HLS could not parse Microsoft’s streaming format. To address this fragmentation, the International Organization for Standardization (MPEG) initiated the MPEG-DASH protocol in 2010 and published the ISO/IEC 23009-1 standard in 2012. As the file describing the streaming media structure in this protocol, MPD was born.

Recent Developments of MPD in the Last Three Years

With the explosive growth of high-definition video and cross-platform playback demands, MPD’s development has primarily focused on the following areas:

Adaptation to Efficient Encoding and Ultra-High-Definition Technologies

In recent years, the popularity of 4K/8K ultra-high-definition videos has increased the bandwidth pressure of traditional encoding. Therefore, MPD has adapted to next-generation efficient encoding technologies. In the MPD extension specification released by DASH-IF in 2022, support for AV1 encoding segment description and bitrate switching logic was added, reducing bandwidth usage by 30% for streaming media using MPD while maintaining the same video quality. Currently, Netflix and Disney+ have fully adopted the MPD format for their 4K/8K content.

Interactivity and Multi-Scenario Support

To meet the demands of complex scenarios such as live streaming and VR/AR, low-latency DASH was introduced in 2023. MPD reduced live streaming latency from the traditional 3-5 seconds to 500 milliseconds. For VR video requirements, MPD supports spatial segmentation, enabling the player to load video segments corresponding to the user’s current field of view. VR platforms like Meta and Pico have adopted MPD as their native streaming media description format.

Enhanced Content and Copyright Protection

To address streaming media piracy, MPD now supports mainstream encryption standards such as AES-128 and CENC. Major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), smart TVs, and in-vehicle systems have securely integrated MPD parsing support.

What MPD Can Do?

Enable Cross-Platform Adaptive Playback

After parsing the MPD, the player can automatically select and download audio and video segments that match the device’s capabilities (e.g., 1080p or 4K on a smartphone) and network bandwidth, without requiring manual intervention.

Support Multi-Track Content Management

MPD can simultaneously describe resource information for multiple tracks, such as video, audio, and subtitles. For example, an MPD file for a movie may include 1080p video, English subtitles, French subtitles, and other independent tracks. Users can freely switch between these tracks based on their preferences.

Improve Streaming Media Transmission Efficiency

MPD utilizes segment indexing and preloading strategies to help players achieve intelligent transmission scheduling. By dividing complete audio and video into small segments of 1-10 seconds, only a single segment needs to be loaded even if the network connection is interrupted.

How to Use MPD

Our website provides an MPD Online Player. Simply provide the MPD file URL to play it online.