Image MIME Reference
QTIF
QuickTime Image Format
image/x-quicktime
VS
Silicon Graphics Image
image/sgi
SGI
A complete technical comparison of QuickTime Image Format and Silicon Graphics Image — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
Equal browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | QTIF | SGI |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | Yes | Yes |
| Animation Support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| HDR Support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| EXIF Metadata | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| ICC Color Profile | ✕ No | ✕ No |
QuickTime Image Format
image/x-quicktime
Extension
.qtif.qti.qif
Container
QuickTime Atom Container
Compression
Varies (JPEG, SMC, Apple Video, Cinepak, Uncompressed)
Algorithm
QuickTime Image Compression Manager (ICM) Codecs
Color Depth
1-bit to 32-bit (Varies depending on the enclosed codec)
Developed by
Apple Computer, Inc.
Released
1991
Magic Bytes
Varies (Typically begins with a 32-bit size integer followed by 69 64 73 63 ('idsc'))
Silicon Graphics Image
image/sgi
Extension
.sgi.rgb.rgba.bw.int.inta
Container
SGI Image Format
Compression
Uncompressed / Lossless (Run-Length Encoding)
Algorithm
RLENone
Color Depth
8-bit, 16-bit (Per Channel)
Developed by
Paul Haeberli (Silicon Graphics)
Released
1990
Magic Bytes
01 DA
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | QTIF | SGI |
|---|---|---|
Chrome
|
✕ | ✕ |
Firefox
|
✕ | ✕ |
Safari
|
✕ | ✕ |
Edge
|
✕ | ✕ |
IE (Legacy)
|
✕ | ✕ |
QTIF
QTIF Strengths
- Extremely flexible architecture allowing it to encapsulate virtually any image compression algorithm available on the host machine
- Supported 32-bit images with alpha channels (transparency) long before PNG became an established standard
Limitations
- Fundamentally tied to Apple's deprecated QuickTime architecture, rendering the files almost entirely unreadable on modern systems without specialized legacy software or FFmpeg
- The 'wrapper' nature of the format means that even if a parser can read the QTIF container, it may fail to render the image if it lacks the specific proprietary codec (like Apple SMC) used to compress the pixel data
- Zero native support in modern web browsers
SGI
SGI Strengths
- Pioneered multi-channel and 16-bit per channel imaging capabilities required for high-end 1990s visual effects
- Extremely robust and simple header structure
- Reliable Run-Length Encoding provided solid lossless compression for flat-shaded 3D renders
Limitations
- Completely obsolete for modern web and application development
- Zero native web browser compatibility
- Largely replaced by TIFF and OpenEXR in modern professional VFX and 3D pipelines
When to choose which format
QTIF
Use QTIF when…
- Classic Mac OS Applications and Backgrounds
- QuickTime VR Panorama Textures
- 1990s CD-ROM Multimedia Assets
SGI
Use SGI when…
- Legacy 3D Animation & VFX
- Silicon Graphics IRIX Workflows
- Historical CGI Archiving