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

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

video/x-smv is the MIME type for files encoded in the SigmaTel Motion Video format.

This type tells your system that the file is a video using SigmaTel’s proprietary compression method. Files with this MIME type usually carry the SMV extension.

Purpose: It helps programs recognize and process these specific motion video files.
Functionality: It enables playback by media players that support SigmaTel codecs, ensuring the video is correctly decoded.
Use Cases: It is seen in devices or software that rely on older multimedia technology, and sometimes in specialized legacy systems.

Because it is a niche format, you may need specific players or additional codecs to view these videos. For further details on MIME types, visit this reference.

Associated file extensions

.smv

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: video/x-smv

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.smv

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.