Video file created for high quality video playback on sites such as YouTube and Netflix; contains HTTP based segments of media content, such as .MP4 files, that are encoded with different bit rates in order to keep a video playing through changing network conditions.

DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) files are distributed over the DASH protocol. When clients, like web browsers, play back the DASH encoded content, they select the DASH file segments with the appropriate bitrate to avoid rebuffering and stalls. They choose the bitrate based on the current performance of the network, e.g., how well your devices are receiving the Internet. The RealPlayer Downloader automatically plays DASH files as MP4 files after downloading. DASHEncoder is an open program used to create content in the DASH format. NOTE: If you have a DASH file on your computer, it is similar to a .PART file because it is incomplete. The file may need to be combined with other DASH files in order to be played.