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

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

video/x-msvideo is the MIME type for the Audio Video Interleave format. It indicates that a file contains both video and audio data that play together.

Files with this MIME type are best known by their AVI extension. This format is common on PCs, especially those running Windows.

Playback: Media players recognize this type and play the file correctly.
Editing: It is widely used in video editing and basic multimedia projects.
Web Delivery: Web servers use it to signal browsers about video content.
Compatibility: Its design suits common PC environments, ensuring smooth performance.

This MIME type helps software identify the correct file handling process. It ensures users get proper playback and editing functions. For more details, check the MIME Types documentation on MDN.

Associated file extensions

.avi

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/x-msvideo

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="video/x-msvideo">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-msvideo');
      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.