What is MIME type "application/x-troff-msvideo"?

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

application/x-troff-msvideo is a MIME type used for multimedia files in the AVI format.
It tells applications that the file contains interleaved audio and video data. This lets a media player or browser pick the right tools to play the file correctly.
The name hints at its roots in the Unix troff text-formatting system. Historically, some tools converted formatted documents into video files using this container format.

Main use: Delivering and playing multimedia content with synchronized audio and video tracks.
Other uses: Converting formatted documents into video output and ensuring legacy systems handle the format correctly.
Key fact: The MIME type bridges older text-processing tools with modern video playback applications.

For more details on the file format, check resources like AVI file information.

Associated file extensions

.avi

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-troff-msvideo

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.avi

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.