{{Short description|Military media publishing unit of the U.S. Department of Defense}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:Defense Visual Information Distribution Service}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) | image = DVIDS logo reduced resolution.png | image_size = 150px | caption = DVIDS logo | country = United States of America | allegiance = | type = Multimedia and Information | branch = Defense Media Activity | dates = | specialization = Media and public relations | command_structure = US Department of Defense | size = | current_commander = Scott M Betts | current_commander_label = DoD DVIDS Program Manager | garrison = | ceremonial_chief = | nickname = | motto = | colors = | march = | mascot = | battles = | notable_commanders = | anniversaries = | identification_symbol = | identification_symbol_label = | identification_symbol_2 = | identification_symbol_2_label = }}
The '''Defense Visual Information Distribution Service''' ('''DVIDS'''), formerly the '''Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System''', is an operation supported by the Defense Media Activity (DMA). It provides a connection between world media and the American military personnel serving at home and abroad. It supports all branches of the U.S. military and combatant commands worldwide.<ref name="dv">{{Cite web |title=Is DVIDS run by the military? - FAQ |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/about/faq#faq20 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=DVIDS |language=en}}</ref>
== Operations ==
A network of portable Ku-band satellite transmitters and IP video encoders connected to its 24/7 Cloud Network Operations Center, feed DVIDS with PR and combat content, including live video feeds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=dvidshub |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7oc5q7BkRIlfgsDzwJQnCw |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=YouTube |language=en}}</ref> DVIDS broadcasts videos, photographs, podcasts, audio, webcasts, interviews, and print products (e.g., publications).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Red Bull Express, newsletter of the 34th Infantry Division |url=http://static.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_8860.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216145942/http://static.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_8860.pdf |archive-date=2022-12-16 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=static.dvidshub.net |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Round-Up |url=http://static.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_8861.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323163307/http://static.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_8861.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-23 |access-date=2026-01-11 |work=Newsletter of US Regional Command Southwest, Afghanistan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About DVIDS |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/about |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=DVIDS |language=en}}</ref>
The service currently uses cloud computing technologies for infrastructure as a service. It operates ''DefenseTV'', a military television over the top box app accessed through FireTV, Chromecast or Roku,<ref>{{Cite news |title=DVIDS - DefenseTV |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/DefenseTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118193410/https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/DefenseTV |archive-date=2023-11-18 |access-date=2026-01-11 |work=DVIDS |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://www.doncio.navy.mil/CHIPS/ArticleDetails.aspx?ID=6253 "DVIDS Extends U.S. Military News & Information App 'DefenseTV' to Amazon Fire TV]", ''CHIPS'', Department of the Navy magazine, 10 April 2015</ref> and offers the ''Military 24/7'' mobile app, which delivers news, video, and photos supplied directly by deployed service members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DVIDS - Military 24/7 |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/app/military-24-7 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=DVIDS |language=en}}</ref> It maintains the DoD archive for worldwide operations.
Scott Betts leads the Department of Defense DVIDS program via Defense Media Activity, at Fort Meade, Maryland.<ref name="md">[http://www.dvidshub.net/about/personnel Personnel]{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}, DVIDS website</ref>
thumb|Command Master Chief Nancy Estrada speaking at an LGBT Pride Month celebration, in a photo now removed from the DVIDS website
In 2025, DVIDS took down all "news and feature articles, photos, and videos that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Billy |date=2025-02-27 |title=DOD leadership orders components to scrub DEI content across websites, social media |url=https://defensescoop.com/2025/02/27/dod-memo-scrub-dei-content-across-websites-social-media-sean-parnell/ |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=DefenseScoop |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=War heroes and military firsts are among 26,000 images flagged for removal in Pentagon's DEI purge |url=https://apnews.com/article/dei-purge-images-pentagon-diversity-women-black-8efcfaec909954f4a24bad0d49c78074 |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-27 |title=Pentagon Releases Digital Content Refresh Memorandum |url=https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4079501/pentagon-releases-digital-content-refresh-memorandum/ |website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> A previous mass removal was done in 2021 to protect Afghans.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mike |first=Glenn |date=2021-11-01 |title=Pentagon deletes Afghan war photos from Defense Department website |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/nov/1/afghanistan-war-photos-deleted-defense-department-/ |work=The Washington Times}}</ref>
==See also==
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Sister project links|auto=yes}} *{{Official website|http://www.dvidshub.net/}} *[https://dinfos.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/library/Library%20Content/Public%20Affairs%20-%20PALD/DVIDS.pdf DVIDS], Public Affairs Officers' qualification course, Defense Information School
{{DEFAULTSORT:Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System}} Category:Mass media of the military of the United States Category:Public relations