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Image MIME Reference
SGI

Silicon Graphics Image

image/sgi
VS

Extended Image File Format

image/vnd.xiff
XIFF

A complete technical comparison of Silicon Graphics Image and Extended Image File Format — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.

Equal browser support

Feature Support

Feature SGI XIFF
Transparency (Alpha) Yes ✕ No
Animation Support ✕ No ✕ No
Progressive Loading ✕ No ✕ No
HDR Support ✕ No ✕ No
EXIF Metadata ✕ No ✕ No
ICC Color Profile ✕ No ✕ No
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
Full SGI reference →
Extended Image File Format
image/vnd.xiff
Extension
.xif
Container TIFF-based Proprietary Container
Compression CCITT Group 3 / Group 4 / LZW / Uncompressed
Algorithm
CCITT Group 4LZWNone
Color Depth 1-bit (Monochrome), 8-bit (Grayscale), 24-bit (RGB)
Developed by Keyfile Corporation
Released 1994
Magic Bytes
49 49 2A 00 or 4D 4D 00 2A
Full XIFF reference →

Browser Support Comparison

Browser SGI XIFF
Chrome Chrome
✕ ✕
Firefox Firefox
✕ ✕
Safari Safari
✕ ✕
Edge Edge
✕ ✕
IE IE (Legacy)
✕ ✕
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
XIFF

XIFF Strengths

  • Pioneered early enterprise document workflow integration by binding administrative routing data directly to the document image file
  • Leveraged efficient fax compression standards to keep storage requirements low on 1990s server infrastructure
Limitations
  • Completely proprietary and obsolete; Keyfile Corporation's software ecosystem no longer exists
  • Causes widespread MIME type identification conflicts due to sharing the exact same binary header signature as standard TIFF files
  • Zero support in modern operating systems or web browsers

When to choose which format

SGI
Use SGI when…
  • Legacy 3D Animation & VFX
  • Silicon Graphics IRIX Workflows
  • Historical CGI Archiving
XIFF
Use XIFF when…
  • Keyfile Enterprise Document Management
  • Legacy Corporate Workflow Archival
  • Scanned Multi-page Document Routing

More comparisons

SGI vs ACES → XIFF vs ACES → SGI vs APNG → XIFF vs APNG → SGI vs AVCI → XIFF vs AVCI → SGI vs AVCS → XIFF vs AVCS → SGI vs AVIF → XIFF vs AVIF → All comparisons →
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