VMAP (Video Multiple Ad Playlist) is an XML-based specification used to describe the structure and sequence of video advertisements in an online video content. It is an industry standard that allows publishers and advertisers to manage the placement and delivery of video ads within video content.
VMAP enables the video player to dynamically retrieve, parse and play ads at pre-defined breakpoints in the video content, as specified in the XML file. This allows for a more flexible and customizable video ad experience, and also reduces the latency involved in ad delivery, making the video viewing experience smoother for the end-user.
VMAP has been adopted by major video platforms and publishers, including YouTube, Brightcove, and JW Player, among others. This makes it a widely supported and popular choice for video ad delivery and management.
Here are some links that provide more information on VMAP:
IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) - VMAP Technical Specification: https://www.iab.com/guidelines/digital-video-multiple-ad-playlist-vmap-1-0/
VMAP on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMAP
JW Player VMAP Guide: https://developer.jwplayer.com/jw-player/docs/developer-guide/advertising/vmap/
Brightcove VMAP Support: https://support.brightcove.com/video-multiple-ad-playlist-vmap
YouTube Video Ad Sequencing using VMAP: https://developers.google.com/interactive-media-ads/docs/sdks/html5/v3/ads/vmap
These resources should provide you with a good understanding of VMAP and its technical specifications.
Source - https://www.iab.com/guidelines/vmap/