What is MIME type "video/vnd.avi"?

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

video/vnd.avi specifies that a file contains video data in the Audio Video Interleave format. It tells browsers and media players how to handle the file’s content.

Files using this format, such as those ending in AVI, store both video and audio streams. The container supports various codecs to compress the media.

Main use: Indicating multimedia content for proper playback.
Functionality: Ensuring systems process the file correctly when streaming or playing back content.
Origin: Developed by Microsoft as a versatile container for video and audio.
Compatibility: Used by many media players and web applications despite newer formats emerging.

For more details on the AVI format, check the Audio Video Interleave (AVI) entry on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.avi

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/vnd.avi

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.avi

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.