What is MIME type "video/mpg"?

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

video/mpg is a MIME type that signals a video file encoded in the MPEG-2 standard.
It tells systems and browsers to treat the file as a video stream ready for playback.
This format is praised for its efficient compression and broad compatibility.

Main use case: Streaming and playback in multimedia players.
Used in DVD videos and broadcasting systems.
Suitable for online video content due to its balance of quality and file size.

Files carrying this MIME type often use extensions like MPG and MPEG.
For more details on the MPEG format, visit Wikipedia: MPEG.

Associated file extensions

.mpg, .mpeg

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/mpg

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.mpg, .mpeg

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.