PVR file format is a lossy compression format used for storage of texture files for mobile devices and Sega Dreamcast, game console that debuted in 1999. Format offers metadata support and its specification is publicly available. PVR texture files are optimized for POWERVR graphics chipsets to offer visual performace gains on devices equipped with those chipsets.

For devices equipped with POWERVR chipsets to better utilize texture files it is recommended to convert those files into PVR format by using dedicated compression tools such as Imagination Technologies PVRTC.