What is MIME type "video/gvi"?

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

The MIME type video/gvi marks a file as a Google Video File. This tells a web browser or media player that the file holds video data in a format specific to Google. It uses the GVI extension to identify it.

When a system sees video/gvi, it knows to load a viewer or plugin that can decode and display digital video. The MIME type guides proper video streaming and playback.

Main use-case: Supports video streaming and playback in applications that know how to handle Google’s video format.
Enables systems to quickly recognize the file’s content type.
Assists in delivering the right codecs for smooth video performance.

This format is tailored for digital video content through Google’s platforms and specific software tools.

Associated file extensions

.gvi

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/gvi

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.gvi

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.