Difference between revisions of "CD-i"
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[[Image:CD-i - Logo.svg|thumb|256x256px|The CD-i logo.]] | [[Image:CD-i - Logo.svg|thumb|256x256px|The CD-i logo.]] | ||
| − | '''Compact Disc-Interactive''', known more commonly as '''CD-i''', is a multimedia format for optical discs developed by [[Philips]] and first used in devices in 1990. It was designed to be an extremely versatile featuring the ability to handle music, video, pictures, text, karaoke, and interactive software like [[video game]]s. | + | '''Compact Disc-Interactive''', known more commonly as '''CD-i''', is a multimedia format for optical discs developed by [[Philips]] and first used in devices in 1990. It was designed to be an extremely versatile format featuring the ability to handle music, video, pictures, text, karaoke, and interactive software like [[video game]]s. |
| − | Philips produced their own CD-i home consoles and also licensed the technology to over a dozen companies. The format was announced in 1986, ready for development by 1988, started seeing public applications by 1990, but home players didn't reach the market until 1991. Although the format was designed with entertainment, educational, and training applications in mind, CD-i never took off in any of those areas because CD-ROM had beaten it to market. Instead, CD-i really only became known for its video games, and, even then, it didn't do very well. By 1994, the format was struggling and Philips tried to rekindle interest by opening the format and no longer requiring licensing, but it didn't help, and, by 1998, Philips discontinued the format. | + | Philips produced their own CD-i home consoles and also licensed the technology to over a dozen companies. The format was announced in 1986, ready for development by 1988, started seeing public applications by 1990, but home players didn't reach the market until 1991. Although the format was designed with entertainment, educational, and training applications in mind, CD-i never took off in any of those areas because [[CD-ROM]] had beaten it to market. Instead, CD-i really only became known for its video games, and, even then, it didn't do very well. By 1994, the format was struggling and Philips tried to rekindle interest by opening the format and no longer requiring licensing, but it didn't help, and, by 1998, Philips discontinued the format. |
| − | During the 1990s, I only knew of one person who owned a CD-i player. A neighbor of mine with rich parents had bought him and his brother one (probably a [[CDI 910]]). Always | + | ==Personal== |
| + | During the 1990s, I only knew of one person who owned a CD-i player. A neighbor of mine with rich parents had bought him and his brother one (probably a [[CDI 910]]). Always eager to try a new video game console, I suggested we play it, but he said it was boring. I think the only game he had for it was ''[[Mystic Midway: Rest In Pieces]]''. I played it for a little bit, then asked him, "is this it?" The game was just a dull shooting gallery that tried to look impressive with full-motion video, but it was pretty lame. | ||
==Consoles== | ==Consoles== | ||
| − | There were many different CD-i capable consoles made by companies like [[Philips]], [[Magnavox]], [[GoldStar]], [[LG Electronics]], [[Sony]], and several others. Some companies released models only in specific nations. Probably the most popular console, at least in the USA, was the [[CDI 910]], which is a special version of the CDI 205 | + | There were many different CD-i capable consoles made by companies like [[Philips]], [[Magnavox]], [[GoldStar]], [[LG Electronics]], [[Sony]], and several others. Some companies released models only in specific nations. Probably the most popular console, at least in the USA, was the [[CDI 910]], which is a special American-only version of the CDI 205. |
==Games== | ==Games== | ||
| − | Only around 200 games were made using the CD-i format and | + | : ''See all [[:Category:CD-i Games|CD-i Games]].'' |
| + | |||
| + | Only around 200 games were made using the CD-i format, and most are widely panned. Philips had a very hard time attracting third party developers, and none of the popular game makers published CD-i games. While [[Nintendo]] licensed a couple [[Mario (universe)|Mario]] and [[The Legend of Zelda (universe)|Zelda]] titles, they are particularly bad. In fact, many of the games for the console are underwhelming. For example, there is a complete boxed title that consists of nothing but a basic game of ''[[Connect Four]]''. Those few CD-i games that are decent were usually ported to the format from existing platforms which play the game much better. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Media== | ||
| + | ===Videos=== | ||
| + | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxSCNhblC3g youtube.com/watch?v=IxSCNhblC3g] - The 8-Bit Guy, review. | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
Revision as of 10:56, 9 October 2020
Compact Disc-Interactive, known more commonly as CD-i, is a multimedia format for optical discs developed by Philips and first used in devices in 1990. It was designed to be an extremely versatile format featuring the ability to handle music, video, pictures, text, karaoke, and interactive software like video games.
Philips produced their own CD-i home consoles and also licensed the technology to over a dozen companies. The format was announced in 1986, ready for development by 1988, started seeing public applications by 1990, but home players didn't reach the market until 1991. Although the format was designed with entertainment, educational, and training applications in mind, CD-i never took off in any of those areas because CD-ROM had beaten it to market. Instead, CD-i really only became known for its video games, and, even then, it didn't do very well. By 1994, the format was struggling and Philips tried to rekindle interest by opening the format and no longer requiring licensing, but it didn't help, and, by 1998, Philips discontinued the format.
Contents
Personal
During the 1990s, I only knew of one person who owned a CD-i player. A neighbor of mine with rich parents had bought him and his brother one (probably a CDI 910). Always eager to try a new video game console, I suggested we play it, but he said it was boring. I think the only game he had for it was Mystic Midway: Rest In Pieces. I played it for a little bit, then asked him, "is this it?" The game was just a dull shooting gallery that tried to look impressive with full-motion video, but it was pretty lame.
Consoles
There were many different CD-i capable consoles made by companies like Philips, Magnavox, GoldStar, LG Electronics, Sony, and several others. Some companies released models only in specific nations. Probably the most popular console, at least in the USA, was the CDI 910, which is a special American-only version of the CDI 205.
Games
- See all CD-i Games.
Only around 200 games were made using the CD-i format, and most are widely panned. Philips had a very hard time attracting third party developers, and none of the popular game makers published CD-i games. While Nintendo licensed a couple Mario and Zelda titles, they are particularly bad. In fact, many of the games for the console are underwhelming. For example, there is a complete boxed title that consists of nothing but a basic game of Connect Four. Those few CD-i games that are decent were usually ported to the format from existing platforms which play the game much better.
Media
Videos
- youtube.com/watch?v=IxSCNhblC3g - The 8-Bit Guy, review.
Links
