What Is an MRSS Feed? How to Create and Connect One in Dacast

MRSS feed Dacast

TL;DR: An MRSS (Media RSS) feed is a URL that exposes a catalog of your Dacast videos – with metadata such as titles, thumbnails, and playback links – so external platforms can read and sync that catalog automatically. In Dacast you can create a feed for your full video library, or limit it to a playlist, folder, or expo. Copy the feed URL from Settings, then Integrations, then MRSS Feed and paste it into any platform that supports MRSS ingestion. When you add or change videos in that feed’s source, the feed reflects those changes; the destination platform refreshes on its own schedule.

What Is an MRSS Feed?

MRSS stands for Media RSS. It is a standard XML feed format that lists videos and related metadata in one URL. External tools can fetch that URL, parse the feed, and keep their own catalog in sync – without you re-uploading each video to every destination by hand.

A Dacast MRSS feed does not replace the Dacast player for your viewers. It is a catalog link for other systems (for example content sources, syndication tools, or connected-TV channel builders that support MRSS). Playback still uses Dacast streaming URLs included in the feed.

Why Use an MRSS Feed With Dacast?

  • One URL for a chosen catalog. Use the full library, or only a playlist, folder, or expo.
  • No duplicate uploads to every destination. Manage videos in Dacast; connected platforms read the feed.
  • Metadata travels with the content. Titles, thumbnails (when available), and stream links are included so partners can display and organize your videos.
  • Scoped feeds for control. Share only the videos in a folder, playlist, or expo when you do not want to expose the entire library.

How to Create an MRSS Feed in Dacast

  1. Log in to your Dacast account.
  2. Go to Settings, then Integrations.
  3. Open the MRSS Feed section.
  4. Full library: If a Full Library feed is already listed, use Copy on that row to copy the URL.
  5. Playlist, folder, or expo: Click Create Feed, choose Playlist, Folder, or Expo, select the source, then create the feed. Copy the URL from the table.
  6. Paste the URL into the destination platform’s MRSS / content – source settings.

After you create a playlist, folder, or expo feed, changes inside that source are reflected in the feed XML automatically. Destinations pick up updates when they next refresh the feed.

How to Connect Your MRSS Feed to External Platforms

Use any platform that can ingest an MRSS URL as a content source. Paste the Dacast feed URL into that platform’s settings. The platform will request the feed over HTTPS and import the videos listed for that feed (full library, or only the selected playlist, folder, or expo).

Common categories of tools that support MRSS include:

  • Connected TV / channel builders (where MRSS is supported)
  • Digital signage systems with MRSS ingestion
  • Content syndication or aggregation services
  • Ad and monetization platforms that ingest video catalogs via MRSS (for example Google Ad Manager content sources)

Support varies by vendor. Confirm that your destination supports MRSS and follow that vendor’s setup guide for paste-in feed URLs.

How Content Synchronization Works

  • The Dacast feed always reflects the current videos in the feed’s source (full library, or the chosen playlist / folder / expo).
  • New or updated videos appear in the feed when they belong to that source.
  • The external platform decides how often it re-fetches the URL. You do not need to paste a new URL after each upload (unless you intentionally create a different feed).

Large libraries: Each response returns up to 100 videos. If there are more, the feed includes a link to the next page. Platforms that only read the first page will not see the rest of the catalog until they follow pagination.

MRSS Feed Security Best Practices

Your MRSS feed URL includes a signed access token (feed_key). Anyone who has the URL can read that catalog. Treat it like a credential:

  • Share the URL only with trusted platforms and partners.
  • Do not post the full feed URL in public forums, docs, or social posts.
  • Rotating the key: Today, deleting and recreating a feed for the same playlist, folder, or expo produces the same URL. The Full Library feed cannot be deleted or recreated from the UI. If a URL is exposed, contact Dacast support; product improvements for key rotation are planned.
  • Prefer a folder, playlist, or expo feed when you only need to share a subset of your library.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an MRSS feed?

A Media RSS feed: a structured URL that lists videos and metadata so external platforms can sync a catalog automatically.

Do I need coding skills to set one up?

No. Dacast generates the feed URL in the dashboard. You copy and paste it into the destination platform.

Does the feed update when I add new videos?

Yes for videos that belong to that feed’s source. The destination platform updates when it next polls the feed.

Can I use the same feed URL on multiple platforms?

Yes. The same URL can be used by more than one destination. Each destination reads the same catalog for that feed.

Is the feed URL secure?

Access is controlled by the URL itself. Anyone with the link can read the feed, so share it carefully. There is currently no self-serve “regenerate key” control in the dashboard.

Can I feed only part of my library?

Yes. Create a feed from a playlist, folder, or expo instead of using Full Library.

Which platforms work with a Dacast MRSS feed?

Any system that can ingest a standard MRSS URL. Compatibility depends on the destination. Check that product’s documentation for MRSS / content feed setup.

Need Help?

If you have questions or need assistance setting up your MRSS feed, our support team is available 24/7.

Yuriy Korzhkov

Yuriy is the Chief Technology Officer at Dacast, with over 15 years of experience building and scaling cloud media processing and live streaming platforms.