What is MIME type "image/x-hi-eddi"?

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

image/x-hi-eddi is a MIME type used for a specialized image format. It is labeled with an x- prefix, which shows that it is experimental or non-standard.

This format is linked to files like HED. It typically stores raw image data and related metadata in a way that supports custom imaging tools.

Main use case: To deliver and display image data in applications that require proprietary or experimental image handling.
Additional uses: Integration with dedicated image editing software and device-specific imaging workflows.
Key fact: Support is usually limited to software developed specifically for these types of image files.

For further technical guidelines on MIME types, visit IANA Media Types.

Associated file extensions

.hed

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: image/x-hi-eddi

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.hed

FAQs

What is the image/x-hi-eddi MIME type?

image/x-hi-eddi is a media type identifier used for High-Eddi image files, which typically carry the .hed extension. It is a proprietary or legacy bitmap format used by specific graphics software and is not part of the standard web image suite.

How do I open a .hed file?

Because .hed files use a specialized format, you cannot open them with standard photo viewers like Windows Photos or Preview. You generally need the original creating software or a universal image viewer like XnView or IrfanView that supports legacy formats.

Do web browsers support image/x-hi-eddi?

No, modern browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari do not natively render image/x-hi-eddi content. If you want to display these images on a webpage, you must convert them to a standard format like image/png or image/jpeg first.

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

The x- prefix signifies that image/x-hi-eddi is a non-standard or experimental type that has not been officially registered with IANA. While commonly used for proprietary formats, it indicates that support is not guaranteed across all platforms or applications.

How do I configure Apache to serve .hed files correctly?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct headers for these files, add the following line to your .htaccess file or server configuration: AddType image/x-hi-eddi .hed. This prevents browsers from misinterpreting the file as generic binary data.

How can I convert .hed images for web use?

You should use image conversion software capable of reading legacy formats to save the file as a PNG or JPG. Once converted, you can upload the new file to your server and reference it using standard HTML <img> tags.

Why am I seeing a download prompt instead of the image?

If a browser encounters the image/x-hi-eddi content type, it will likely download the file instead of displaying it because it does not know how to render the format. To fix this, convert the file to a standard web image format.

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.