The Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-i) was an innovation, promoted by Philips as a game-changer in multimedia technology and it became a competitor to CD-ROMs. Launched in 1991, the CD-I was envisioned as a device that would allow for entertainment, education, and interactivity.
The Birth
The Dutch electronics giant aimed to replicate the success of its compact disc (CD) technology launched at the beginning of the 80s. Unlike audio CDs, the CD-i was designed to store a variety of digital media, including text, images, and video, on a single 12-centimeter disc. Connected to a television via a player, it promised a new world of interactive experiences. Jan Timmer, CEO of Philips, described the CD-i in 1992 as one of the three pillars of the company’s strategic revitalization in consumer electronics. The system started in the United States in October 1991, followed by launches in Europe and Japan in 1992.
Innovations and Partnerships
Unlike the Commodore CDTV or the Sony Data Discman, the CD-i aims to establish itself as a “global standard” embraced by some two hundred manufacturers, including Japanese companies such as Sony, Matsushita, Pioneer, and Hitachi.
In addition to its agreement with Kodak to market a Photo CD system capable of storing up to eight hundred TV-quality images, Philips has partnered with Sony from the very beginning, then with Nintendo to adapt its programs for CD-i.
Philips forged other strategic partnerships with major entertainment studios like Paramount and MGM. These collaborations resulted in a catalog of films adapted for CD-i including hits like The Silence of the Lambs (agreement with Orion). Indeed, Philips launched the first films on CD-i in 1993. To pla them, it was necessary to acquire a “digital video extension card” . Given that the maximum storage capacity of a CD-i did not exceed 74 minutes of animated images per disc with the technology available at the time, two CDs were required to view a full-length feature film. In 1995, on the Dutch market, 80% of households equipped with CD-I players had purchased the special cartridge that allowed them to watch films on a CD-i player. Educational content was also a priority, with encyclopedias and instructional programs among the early offerings.
Philips licensed Nintendo’s Zelda franchise, resulting in titles such as The Wand of Gamelon. While these games are now cult classics, they were poorly received at the time due to clunky gameplay and animation styles.
Philips attempted to position the CD-i as an entertainment platform, but the market had already begun to shift towards CD-ROMs, PC-based solutions and gaming consoles like the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo.
Challenges and Missteps
Despite its technological promise, the CD-i struggled to gain traction. One major obstacle was the high cost of players, which initially retailed for around $800, making it inaccessible to many consumers.
Content availability was another critical issue. Although Philips aimed for a diverse catalog, the latter remained relatively small compared to competitors. The CD-i faced strong competition from emerging platforms like the CD-ROM, which offered greater flexibility and interoperability, and a growing library of games and multimedia applications.
In Europe, the adoption was still limited to 800.000 devices (including 100.000 in France). By the mid-1990s, it became clear that the CD-i would not achieve mainstream success. In 1994, Philips announced the Magnavox CD-i player (sold at a retail price of $299) but also announced a significant shift with the production of its first interactive programs on CD-ROMs. Philips finally revised its strategy in 1997, transferring its assets in multimedia edition to Infogrames.
Some further readings and documentation:
Advertising for Cd-I in 1992: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sEhtHxsWsA
100 Cd-i videogames in 10 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StUB9p50yq4
Chamberlain, M.A. and Hutchison, T. W. Problems of Diffusion in High Technology: Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-I)–A Case Study. 1993.
Shaw, N. A. and Standfield, G. J. (1992). Compact disc interactive (CD-I): A multimedia system of the future. In Promaco Conventions (Ed.), Proceedings of the International Interactive Multimedia Symposium, 409-414. Perth, Western Australia, 27-31 January. Promaco Conventions.