Specifications
CD-i FAQ 2000 Edition Revised February 21, 2001
Latest version and more CD-i info: http://www.icdia.org
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Some CD-i players however are known to load the CD-i application faster than others (at startup
of a particular CD-i disc), due to the internal system functions that need to be performed on a CD-
i player with more integrated functionality, but this is also just a matter of seconds.
4.5 What are the differences between the various player shells?
The player shell is the startup application of every CD-i player that is displayed when the player is
switched on. The player shell allows for the start of a CD-i application, for CD-Audio controls
when a CD-Audio disc is loaded, for checking or deleting stored items in NV-RAM and for
selecting general player settings.
In essence, there were 3 different versions of the player shell for Philips CD-i players. The first
version was only used in the CDI 180 system, and offered only the basic functionality. The
second version was especially developped for the first professional stand-alone CD-i players in
1990, the CDI 601 and CDI 602. This player shell was also used in a slightly adapted version in
the first batch of consumer CD-i players like the CDI 910, CDI 205, the portables CDI 310, CDI
350 and CDI 360 and the first versions of the CDI 210 and CDI 220. The third version was made
more attractive for consumer usage and included more colors, an introduction animation of the
CD-i logo, button highlighting and a more intuitive interface. This player shell was used in all
succesive consumer and professional CD-i players in one way or the other.
Philips continued to improved the player shell. That's why similar-looking player shells might
contain subtile differences when compared from player to player. In the second generation player
shell, the CD-Audio screen layout was often changed, as new on-screen controls like searching
were added. The third version appeared in a version without background images and with subtile
images in the background, like a small dragon, a movie camera and a moon. The version of the
third generation player shell that is used can be found under the Copyright option in the General
Settings screen.
4.6 What does the /00, /20, etc. after the type-indication mean?
Philips uses its version indication method for two reasons: to indicate the region for which a
specific product is intented, and to indicate a revision change. The version is indicated behind a
slash after the initial type number, eg. CDI 670/00. It is printed on the type number indication at
the back or bottom of a device. You can never tell which version a device is by looking at the type
numer which is printed on the front, since these do not include the version number. The numbers
below 20 indicate the region for which a device was adapted. Mostly, changes consist of a
different voltage or TV broadcast system, but they might include more regional changes. The
most important regions used are /00 for Europe mainland, /05 for the UK, /11 for Japan and /17
for the US.
Numbers above 19 indicate versions. Usually 20 is added for each follow-up version, eg. /20, /40
and /60. Differences may for example consist of the usage of a different PCB, usually there are
no big changes that are important to the customer. The region code number is added to the
version number, resulting in a unique number that describes the region code and the revision
change. For example /37 means a /20 version adapted for the American market (bacause the US
indication 17 was added).
4.7 What do I need a Digital Video cartridge for?
Every Base Case CD-i player is capable of displaying high quality still images, cartoon style
animations and partial screen moving video. However, when consumer CD-i players were
introduced in late 1991, it became clear that the techniques to encode full screen, full motion
video within the bandwith of a CD became available soon. Philips therefore equiped all CD-i
players with an extension socket in which a Digital Video cartridge could be placed. When such a
cartridge is installed, CD-i discs that are especially made for this extension and which include full