What is MIME type "application/vnd.3gpp.pic-bw-var"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/vnd.3gpp.pic-bw-var is a MIME type defined by 3GPP for a specialized image format. It signals that the file holds black and white picture data with variable attributes.

Files with this MIME type, like those having the PVB extension, are commonly used in mobile telecommunications. Devices and applications use this type to efficiently handle images where bandwidth is limited.

Optimized Imaging: Designed for black and white images that are lighter and quicker to transmit.
Telecom Applications: Often used in messaging and multimedia services on mobile networks.
Dynamic Properties: Supports variable settings for resolution or compression to adapt to network conditions.
Standard Compliance: Part of the suite of formats standardized by 3GPP. For more on 3GPP, visit 3GPP.

This MIME type tells software exactly how to process and render the image data in accordance with mobile communication standards. More technical details are available on the IANA Media Types page.

Associated file extensions

.pvb

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/vnd.3gpp.pic-bw-var

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.3gpp.pic-bw-var">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/vnd.3gpp.pic-bw-var');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.pvb

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.