What is MIME type "audio/avi"?

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

The MIME type audio/avi signals that a file uses the AVI container format. AVI stands for Audio Video Interleaved, meaning it can hold both audio and video streams within a single file.

When a server or application encounters this MIME type, it is instructed to process the file as multimedia content. The file is typically played by media players that support the AVI container. For details about the file extension, see AVI.

Main use case: Playback of interleaved audio and video in media players.
Key functions: Synchronizes audio and video streams for smooth playback.
Additional uses: Embedded playback in web applications and multimedia projects.

For more on media type standards, visit IANA Media Types.

Associated file extensions

.avi

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: audio/avi

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="audio/avi">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', 'audio/avi');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.avi

FAQs

Is audio/avi the standard MIME type for AVI files?

No, the most common and standard MIME type for AVI files is video/x-msvideo. The type audio/avi is non-standard and rarely used, typically appearing only when an AVI container holds audio data exclusively or due to specific legacy server configurations.

Can I use audio/avi in HTML5 <audio> or <video> tags?

Generally, no. Modern web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari do not natively support the AVI container in HTML5 media elements. For web compatibility, you should convert your content to standard formats like MP3 for audio or MP4 (video/mp4) for video.

Why is a file identified as audio/avi instead of video?

This classification often occurs if the AVI container holds only an audio stream without video data. Since AVI stands for Audio Video Interleaved, it is capable of storing solely audio, leading some detection tools to label it audio/avi rather than the usual video types.

How do I configure Apache to serve files as audio/avi?

If your application specifically requires this MIME type, you can force the association by editing your .htaccess file. Add the line AddType audio/avi .avi to ensure the server sends this specific header for .avi files.

What is the difference between audio/avi and video/x-msvideo?

The primary difference is intent and standardization. video/x-msvideo is the widely accepted standard for AVI files containing video, while audio/avi is a specific variant used to signal audio-focused content within the same container structure described on the avi page.

How do I add audio/avi support to Nginx?

You can define the mapping in your nginx.conf or mime.types file. Inside the types block, add audio/avi avi; to instruct Nginx to serve files with the .avi extension using this MIME type.

What software opens files sent with the audio/avi MIME type?

Since the underlying format is a standard AVI container, most desktop media players like VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player, and GOM Player can open these files. However, web browsers will likely download the file rather than play it.

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.