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eop:video_game_consoles-home:4th_generation:phillips_cd-i

Philips CD-i

A “media format standard” created by Phillips in 1990, which was targeted by a variety of “players”. With the first CD-i compatible player releasing on December 3rd, 1991 in North America, the format's biggest claim to fame are it's notoriously bad Nintendo-licensed games - a rarity for the giant. Capable of outputting 384×280 to 768×560 depending on the model at 24-bit/16-bit color, with all models containing the Philips SCC68070 68k-based chip + Philips SCC66470 graphics chip, later changing to the “MCD 212”. It turned out to be a failure, and was Phillips' only attempt of creating a home game console format - even though this isn't what it originally was intended for!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-i

Operating Systems (Motorola 68070)

OS-9 for 68k CPUs

CDi is nothing more than OS-9/68000 made for use on CD/DVD players

The stock OS that's already running on the CD-i systems. On CD-i players with authoring/dev capabilities, more interesting and technical things can be done with this operating system (check the 2nd link).

http://www.os9projects.com/CDi/CDi.html

https://retrostuff.org/2019/07/21/first-steps-in-os-9-on-philips-cdi605t/

Internet

CD-Online

It is very much Internet-lite.

At the time, this service allowed it's users to access e-Mail, online shopping, Usenet, and other such pursuits. Nowadays though, there's probably no way to resurrect it in any sense, without an enormous amount of effort.

http://theworldofcdi.com/encyclopedia/category/webi-cdonline/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16909256/cdi-a-low-tech-net-option-by-les/

https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-013/Next_Generation_Issue_013_January_1996#page/n31/mode/2up

Version & Revision Guide

For general information, see the Game Console Revisions Overview.

Versions

There are eight versions of this console, arranged chronologically.

consumer-grade consoles only, no portables, no integrated TVs

“CD-i 910” (1991-1996?)

DO NOT PURCHASE

The very first commercial CD-i released for the American market. The “910” designator is used in America only, as in other countries, it was released as the 205. The “most basic” model, and very poor in reliability.

“CD-i 210” (1992?-1996?)

LOWEST PRICE

This is apparently a “stripped down” version of the 220, lacking a “chique opening door” on the disc tray. May be the most common of all the CD-i variants worldwide.

“CD-i 220” (1992?-1996?)

See the 210, except include the “chique opening door”.

“CD-i 450” (1995?-1998?)

At this point in the CD-i’s life, Phillips were shifting gears to the home video games market. Thus, this is the version of the CD-i that has been catered for this purpose. May have lower memory capacity than other models? Sold in the USA as a Magnavox model.

“CD-i 470” (1995?-1998?)

A high end CD-i intended for preexisting hi-fi systems. Although it was marketed as lower cost, most all “high end” features are found in this one.

“CD-i 490” (1995?-1998?)

The 470, except the Digital Video feature is included by default. Furthermore, NVRAM is upgraded to 32KB.

“CD-i 740” (1996-1998?)

RECOMMENDED OVERALL; BEST RELIABILITY

The last CD-i produced by Phillips, and feature-wise, it is also the best one. Digital Video is included by default, alongside an RS232 port and much more. If one is to get this miserable excuse of a console, this variant is likely the best for both reliability and features, as the older the CD-i, the poorer it’s mechanics get.

There are no revisions within any version.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-i

http://www.icdia.co.uk/players/consumer.html

https://crappygames.miraheze.org/wiki/Philips_CD-i/Models

https://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/pg90-cdi.htm#page=models

https://cdii.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-final-philips-consumer-cd-i-model.html

https://cdii.blogspot.com/2020/09/some-differences-between-philips-cd-i.html

eop/video_game_consoles-home/4th_generation/phillips_cd-i.txt · Last modified: 2022/05/12 17:51 by io55admin