What is MIME type "application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr"?

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

application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr is a MIME type for RealMedia files that use variable bitrate encoding. This signature tells systems that the file contains digital media optimized for streaming and playback, dynamically adjusting the data rate based on the complexity of the audio/video.
Files with this MIME type are usually in the RMVB format.

Optimized Streaming: Enhances network delivery by adjusting quality and file size on the fly.
Efficient Encoding: Uses variable bitrate to maintain quality without wasting bandwidth.
RealMedia Integration: Typically played with RealNetworks software and compatible media players.
Legacy Support: Remains in use for specialized workflows and older media systems.

For further technical details, visit RealMedia on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.rmvb

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr">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.rn-realmedia-vbr');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.rmvb

FAQs

What is the application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr MIME type used for?

This MIME type is explicitly used for RealMedia Variable Bitrate files, which typically bear the .rmvb extension. Unlike constant bitrate formats, VBR adjusts data usage based on scene complexity, making it a popular legacy format for distributing movies efficiently over limited bandwidth.

How do I open a file sent with this MIME type?

While originally designed for RealPlayer, modern users should use the open-source VLC Media Player, which has built-in support for application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr. Alternatively, installing the K-Lite Codec Pack allows standard players like Windows Media Player to recognize and play these files.

Can I play RMVB files directly in a web browser using HTML5?

No, modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) do not support application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr natively in the HTML5 <video> tag. To display this video content on a website, you must convert the file to a modern standard like video/mp4 (H.264) or video/webm.

How do I configure Apache to serve RMVB files?

To ensure browsers prompt a download rather than trying to display binary text, add the type to your .htaccess file or global config. Use the directive: AddType application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr .rmvb.

How do I add this MIME type to Nginx?

You need to update your mime.types file, usually located in /etc/nginx/. Add the following line inside the types block: application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr rmvb;, then reload the Nginx service.

What is the difference between this and application/vnd.rn-realmedia?

The suffix -vbr specifically denotes Variable Bitrate encoding used in .rmvb files, which allows for higher quality at smaller file sizes compared to the older .rm format. The generic application/vnd.rn-realmedia is typically used for standard RealMedia files that use constant bitrate (CBR).

Is application/vnd.rn-realmedia-vbr safe to open?

Generally yes, but as with any media file, malicious code can theoretically be embedded in modified headers to exploit vulnerabilities in media players. Always ensure your media player (like VLC or RealPlayer) is updated to the latest version to patch potential security holes associated with parsing legacy formats.

General 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.