What is MIME type "video/vnd.rn-realvideo"?

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

video/vnd.rn-realvideo is the MIME type for RealVideo files.
It is used to compress and stream digital video over networks.
Files using this format typically carry the extensions RM, RMVB, or RV.
The format relies on proprietary codecs designed to reduce file sizes without greatly sacrificing quality.
It is mainly used for streaming video across the internet and for local playback with specific media players.

Streaming Video: Optimized for network delivery even at low bandwidths.
Playback Compatibility: Requires players like RealPlayer or similar software.
Legacy Support: Still found in older media libraries and archives.

For more details on RealNetworks and their technologies, visit RealNetworks.

Associated file extensions

.rm, .rmvb, .rv

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/vnd.rn-realvideo

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.rm, .rmvb, .rv

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.