Specifications

CD-i FAQ 2000 Edition Revised February 21, 2001
Latest version and more CD-i info: http://www.icdia.org
59
11. The current CD-i situation
11.1 Is CD-i still being used?
Yes, CD-i is still widely in use by dozens of companies for their training, point-of-information and
point-of-sale needs. Many companies still produce new or updated CD-i titles nowadays and
continue to use CD-i for a long time to come. This is partly because of the fact that no real
substitue for CD-i with the same level of interactivity is available yet (see: 11.9 What good
alternatives are there for CD-i in the professional field?). Of course these companies have
already invested a lot in CD-i hardware and production facilities, and it is expected that the
phase-out of CD-i will take another couple of years. In the meantime, CD-i does what it is good at:
provide high quality, highly interactive video programmes on very economically priced, simple to
use units.
11.2 Are CD-i players still being manufactured?
Most of the critical components used in CD-i players (such as its audio and video circuitry)
reached end-of-live status and are no longer produced by its corresponding semiconductor
manufacturers. Hence, CD-i players can no longer be produced, especially not in low quantities.
Philips produced its latest high volume batch of CD-i players in June 1999, and will not start up
CD-i production anymore in the future.
11.3 Is CD-i still being sold?
McNo Ltd. from the UK sells consumer CD-i players as well as a whole range of accessories,
such as pointing devices and Digital Video cartrdiges. They deliver worldwide. Visit their
extensive website at www.mcno.com. (When you place an order at McNo, make sure to select
ICDIA as your source on the checkout page. This will entitle you to receive e-mail support from
the New International CD-i Association, the creators of this FAQ and the www.icdia.org
website.)
11.4 Can I rent CD-i players?
Professional users willing to rent CD-i players for limited time projects may contact Videotronic at
www.videotronic.com for more information on renting CD-i players.
11.5 Where can I buy CD-i titles?
McNo Ltd. from the UK sells hundreds of CD-i titles, their full catalogue is online at their site. They
deliver worldwide. Visit their extensive website at www.mcno.com. (When you place an order at
McNo, make sure to select ICDIA as your source on the checkout page. This will entitle you to
receive e-mail support from the New International CD-i Association, the creators of this FAQ and
the www.icdia.org website.)
Please note that there are dozens of companies out there (in the real world as well as on the
web) that sell Video-CD discs that can also be played on a CD-i player. Although CD-i
compatibility is a key requirement for Video-CD titles, some discs (particularly illegal Asian titles)
lack the CD-i application and cannot be played (refer to: 6.4 I have a Video-CD. Why won't it play
on my CD-i? for more information). Always check before you buy a Video-CD disc on the Net.
The Video-CDs from McNo are guaranteed to be according to the official standard, and as such
CD-i compatible.