What is MIME type "video/mp4v-es"?

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

video/mp4v-es is a MIME type that identifies a raw video stream encoded according to the MPEG-4 Visual standard. It is not a full container format but a specific, low-level stream of video data.

This format is used in systems where only the video component is processed. It helps media players and streaming applications know that the file holds an elementary video sequence. Files such as MP4 and M4A that follow MPEG-4 File Format Version 2 may include this type of video stream.

Main use: Enables direct playback and streaming of video data.
Key fact: Focuses solely on video without bundling audio or metadata.
Other uses: Supports video streaming in low-latency systems and is integrated with various multimedia communication protocols.

For further technical details, you can check out the IANA Media Types registry.

Associated file extensions

.mp4, .m4a

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/mp4v-es

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="video/mp4v-es">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/mp4v-es');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.mp4, .m4a

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.