What is MIME type "application/x-star-sdv"?

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

The MIME type application/x-star-sdv is used to identify files designed for the StarOffice Gallery view (big). It is tied to files with the extension SDV.

This type signals that the file contains data for a gallery display created in the StarOffice suite. The file may store layouts, large images, and metadata that help the program render a full-screen or enlarged view.

Gallery Presentation: Displays large collections of images.
Office Integration: Works with StarOffice applications for image-rich documents.
Metadata Storage: Holds information about image layout and formatting.

The prefix x- in the MIME type indicates it is a non-standard, application-specific type. This helps operating systems and software to choose the correct application to open and display the file.

For additional background on MIME types, see MIME Types on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.sdv

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-star-sdv

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-star-sdv">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/x-star-sdv');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.sdv

FAQs

What is the application/x-star-sdv MIME type used for?

This MIME type identifies StarOffice Gallery view files, which typically use the .sdv extension. These files store layout data, large images, and metadata used by the gallery component of the StarOffice suite.

Which software opens files with the application/x-star-sdv type?

You primarily need the StarOffice suite or its successors, such as Apache OpenOffice or LibreOffice. These applications use the file to manage and display gallery collections.

How do I configure Apache to serve SDV files correctly?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct headers, add AddType application/x-star-sdv .sdv to your .htaccess file or main server configuration. This prevents browsers from misinterpreting the file as generic text.

Can web browsers display application/x-star-sdv content?

No, modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge cannot natively render this proprietary office format. When a user clicks a link to this file type, the browser will usually trigger a download prompt.

What does the 'x-' prefix indicate in this MIME type?

The x- prefix designates application/x-star-sdv as a non-standard or private MIME type. It indicates the type is specific to the StarOffice application and is not a standard type registered with IANA.

How do I add support for this MIME type in Nginx?

You should locate your mime.types file (often in /etc/nginx/) and add the entry application/x-star-sdv sdv;. Reload the Nginx service afterwards to ensure the server recognizes files with the sdv extension.

Is application/x-star-sdv a binary or text format?

It is a binary format. Because it contains complex layout information and embedded image data, opening it in a text editor will result in unreadable characters.

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.