CD-i

"CDi" redirects here. For other uses, see CDI (disambiguation).

Compact Disc-Interactive
Philips CDI 910, the first consumer-oriented CD-i player, pictured with its "Touchpad" game controller
Media typeOptical disc
EncodingVarious
CapacityTypically up to 744 MB[1]
StandardGreen Book
Developed byPhilips, Sony
UsageAudio, video and data storage
Extended fromCompact disc
Released1990; 34 years ago (1990)
Discontinued1998; 26 years ago (1998)
Optical discs
General
Optical media types
Standards
See also

The Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-I, later CD-i) is a digital optical disc data storage format as well as a hardware platform, co-developed and marketed by Dutch company Philips and Japanese company Sony. It was created as an extension of CDDA and CD-ROM and specified in the Green Book specifications, co-developed by Philips and Sony, to combine audio, text and graphics.[2] The two companies initially expected to impact the education/training, point of sale, and home entertainment industries,[3] but the CD-i is largely remembered today for its video games.

CD-i media physically had the same dimensions as CD, but with up to 744 MB of digital data storage, including up to 72 minutes of full motion video.[4] CD-i players were usually standalone boxes that connect to a standard television; some less common setups included integrated CD-i television sets and expansion modules for personal computers.[5] Most players were created by Philips; the format was licensed by Philips and Microware for use by other manufacturers, notably Sony who released professional CD-i players under the "Intelligent Discman" brand. Unlike CD-ROM drives, CD-i players are complete computer systems centered around dedicated Motorola 68000-based microprocessors and its own operating system called CD-RTOS, which is an acronym for "Compact Disc – Real Time Operating System".[6][7][8][9]

Media released on the format included video games and "edutainment" and multimedia reference titles, such as interactive encyclopedias and museum tours – which were popular before public Internet access was widespread – as well as business software.[10] Philips's CD-i system also implemented Internet features, including subscriptions, web browsing, downloading, e-mail, and online play.[11] Philips's aim with its players was to introduce interactive multimedia content for the general public by combining features of a CD player and game console,[4] but at a lower price than a personal computer with a CD-ROM drive.

Authoring kits for the format were released first in 1988, and the first player aimed for home consumers, Philips's CDI 910/205, was released in late 1991. It was initially priced around US$1,000 (equivalent to $2,237 in 2023),[12] and was capable of playing interactive CD-i discs, Audio CDs, CD+G (CD+Graphics), Photo CDs and Video CDs (VCDs), though the latter required an optional "Digital Video Card" to provide MPEG-1 decoding. Initially marketed to consumers as "home entertainment systems", and in later years as a "gaming platform",[2] CD-i did not manage to find enough success in the market, and was mostly abandoned by Philips in 1996.[13][14] The format continued to be supported for licensees for a few more years after.[15]

  1. ^ "The New International CD-i Association". Archived from the original on July 30, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Philipscdi.com :: History". www.philipscdi.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  3. ^ "Videodiscs in Healthcare: A Guide to the Industry Third Edition". Stewart Publishing. 1990.
  4. ^ a b "Optical Disc Technology". Archived from the original on October 31, 2021.
  5. ^ "The New International CD-i Association". Icdia.co.uk. Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  6. ^ "What is CD-I (Compact Disc-Interactive)? Webopedia Definition". September 1996. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021.
  7. ^ "CD-Interactive (CD-I)". Archived from the original on October 31, 2021.
  8. ^ "CD-I - CD-I FAQ - CD-I - by Philips - GameFAQs". Archived from the original on December 13, 2018.
  9. ^ "Multimedia: A new technology for the CPA. (Includes related article)". Archived from the original on October 31, 2021.
  10. ^ "Ahead of Their Time: The Philips CD-i, A Multimedia Gaming Machine with Proprietary Problems". December 3, 2015. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021.
  11. ^ Jones, Sandra (April 1, 1996). "Kits let television go online". Daily Press. Newport, Virginia. p. B7. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "COMPANY NEWS; New Philips CD". The New York Times. April 2, 1992. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  13. ^ Grundhauser, Eric (March 25, 2016). "The History of the Philips CD-i, Failed PlayStation Ancestor". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  14. ^ "Hardware Classics: Uncovering The Tragic Tale Of The Philips CD-i". Nintendo Life. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  15. ^ "CD-i FAQ 2000 Edition" (PDF). Digital Press. February 21, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2022.