What is MIME type "video/mpv"?

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

video/mpv is a MIME type that signals a video formatted with MPEG-2 encoding. It tells computer systems and browsers how to handle the file during playback or transmission.

This type is designed to convey digital video streams. It is especially useful for broadcast-quality and DVD media where MPEG-2 is common.

Main purpose: It identifies video content encoded in the MPEG-2 family.
System handling: Operating systems and browsers use this MIME type to choose the right decoder or player.
Common use cases: It’s often seen with files like MPG and MPEG, which are parts of the MPEG-2 Encoding Family.

video/mpv ensures that when such files are delivered over networks, applications recognize them correctly and employ the proper software tools for smooth playback. For more technical details on MIME types, see IANA Media Types.

Associated file extensions

.mpg, .mpeg

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/mpv

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="video/mpv">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/mpv');
      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.