What is MIME type "image/cineon"?

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

image/cineon is a MIME type for a specialized image format used mainly in film scanning and digital post-production.
It captures scans of film negatives with very high detail and wide brightness ranges using a logarithmic encoding method. This helps preserve shadow and highlight details that are crucial for color grading and film finishing.

Digital Film Scanning: Used to convert film negatives or slides into digital images.
High Dynamic Range Imaging: Retains extensive brightness details for professional color correction.
Post-Production and Archiving: Essential for workflows in digital intermediate processes and archival storage.

Files using this MIME type are commonly seen with formats such as CIN.
This format is preferred by professionals aiming to maintain image quality throughout the visual effects and film production process.

Associated file extensions

.cin

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/cineon

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.cin

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.