What is MIME type "video/x-ivf"?

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

video/x-ivf is a MIME type that identifies video data stored in an IVF container. The format holds raw video streams with very little extra metadata.
Files using this type generally carry the IVF extension.

This format was designed to work with the Indeo video codec. It helps systems and software recognize the file's structure so that the video can be processed and played correctly.

Use case: Playback of older video files.
Key fact: Minimizes overhead by storing the video stream with few extra data elements.
Use case: Legacy multimedia applications and simple video editing tools.
Key fact: Largely replaced in modern systems by more versatile formats like MP4.

This MIME type is useful when dealing with legacy video content. It ensures compatibility and proper handling across various platforms.
For more detailed information on the codec behind this format, see the Indeo Wikipedia page.

Associated file extensions

.ivf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/x-ivf

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.ivf

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.