From: lex@optimla.aimla.com (Lex van Sonderen)
Subject: CD-I Development FAQ - version 1.2.1
Keywords: CD-I COMPACT DISC INTERACTIVE DEVLOPMENT AUTHORING PROGRAMMING
Organization: Philips Interactive Media of America
Distribution: comp.multimedia
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 05:40:02 GMT

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CD-I Developer's Frequent Asked Questions
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Disclaimer: This list is made to the best of my knowledge, but 
inevitably it may have mistakes or omissions.  No responsibility will be 
taken by Philips or the author for the information presented herein.

For comments, additions, corrections, or if you have remaining 
questions, contact:
Lex van Sonderen
Manager Knowledge Transfer
Philips Interactive Media of America
10050 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone:	+1 310 444 6689
Fax:	+1 310 477 4953
Internet:	lex@aimla.com
CompuServe:	71552,2204
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Introduction

With the successful launch of CD-I in the United States, Philips is 
receiving an increasing number of calls from people who are interested 
in developing CD-I titles.  Our goal is to encourage anyone to exploit 
this exciting new medium and the following list is an attempt to answer 
basic questions as well as to direct those who are new to CD-I to the 
many sources of CD-I development hardware, software, and information.
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Questions answered in this document:

Where can I buy CD-I players and CD-I discs?
Where and how can I sell my CD-I consumer titles and ideas?
How can I make corporate, professional, institutional or educational CD-
I titles?
Where can I buy CD-I development systems?
Where can I get information on CD-I? outside of the USA and Canada?
What tools do I need to produce CD-I titles?
What system do I need for CD-I authoring?
What system do I need to for CD-I programming?
What is an emulator?
Do I need a CD-Recorder?
What is the 'Green Book?'
What are the technical specifications for a CD-I player?
Where can I read more about CD-I?
How can I keep in touch with the CD-I development community?
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Where can I buy CD-I players and CD-I discs?

Consumers in the US who want information on where to buy CD-I discs 
and/or Philips CD-I players can call toll-free number for the Philips 
Consumer Electronics Hotline: 1 800 845 7301
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Where and how can I sell my CD-I consumer titles and ideas?

Philips Interactive Media of America (PIMA)

PIMA's primary focus is on the publication of high-quality CD-I titles 
for the home entertainment market.  PIMA enters into a limited number of 
agreements to co-produce home entertainment and educational titles with 
other organizations.  Because of the large number of inquiries, we ask 
that prospective co-producers mail background information to the Senior 
Vice President in charge of Product Development, Sarina Simon.
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Co-Productions

Sarina Simon,
Senior Vice President Product Development
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90025

When sending your proposals to Ms.  Simon, please describe the subject 
matter for the proposed title in two or three sentences.  Because we 
cannot guarantee confidentiality in the handling of your proposal at 
this early stage of the proposal process, we advise you not to send a 
detailed outline or discussion of your ideas.  But, do provide detailed 
information on your company (brochures, company background, etc.), its 
personnel (resumes or biographies), and facilities.  Because Ms.  Simon 
receives a large number of proposals, a response will take a least 3 
weeks.  Upon approval of your proposal for further consideration, the 
next step would be a business plan and a mutual confidentiality 
agreement.
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Distribution for Independent Producers

Robert E.  Schaulis, Vice President
International Product Management and Distribution
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone:	+1 310 444 6627
Fax:	+1 310 444 4810

As part of PIMA's publishing activity, independent producers are 
encouraged to seek distribution agreements for their CD-I titles.  PIMA 
establishes and maintains distribution channels in North America.  PIMA 
can also arrange distribution through foreign channels.  The procedure 
for obtaining a distribution agreement with PIMA is outlined in a 
document titled "Guidelines for Distribution License Agreements," which 
is available upon request from the International Product Management and 
Distribution office.
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How can I make corporate, professional, institutional or educational CD-
I titles?

CD-I is not a proprietary system; therefore, any company or individual 
can develop their own CD-I titles.  Suppliers of development systems can 
give assistance in finding complete solutions for CD-I development, and 
they often can provide courses for authoring and programming as well as 
offer support.
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Where can I buy CD-I development systems?

Philips Consumer Electronics (PCEC)

PCEC is the supplier of Philips hardware in the United States.  This 
organization provides CD-I development players, and it is very active in 
the commercial and industrial markets.  In addition, PCEC can assist 
developers in designing and putting together hardware systems.  For 
further information, please contact your regional sales manager:
West Coast	Nels Anderson
Phone:	+1 714 699 7910
Central	Jerry Huffman
Phone:	+1 317 841 0024
East Coast	John Elicker
Phone:	+1 908 827 8648
Southern	Linda Olsen
Phone:	+1 404 952 0064
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OptImage

OptImage, a Philips joint venture company, is a major supplier of 
development systems for CD-I.  They have a large catalog of hardware and 
software tools for CD-I designers and engineers.  OptImage also 
organizes courses and workshops for CD-I authoring and programming.  For 
further information, please contact:

OptImage
Attn.: Pam Wilber
1501 50th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50625
Phone:	+1 515 222 2073
Fax:	+1 515 222 2080

Western Region	Barry Horton
Phone:	+1 714 859 9162
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ISG

ISG is a supplier of development systems for CD-I.  They have a catalog 
of hardware and software tools for CD-I developers.  ISG specializes in 
Macintosh-based CD-I engineering systems.  For further information, 
please contact:

Interactive Support Group
Attn.: Anne Badger
9420 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 200
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone:	+1 818 709 7387
Fax: 	+1 818 709 8160

In Europe:
Attn.: William Vablais
St John's Innovation Centre
Cambridge, CB4 4WS
+44 223 426114
+44 223 420015
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Script Systems
Script Systems is a supplier of development systems for CD-I.  They have 
a catalog of hardware and software tools for CD-I developers.  Script 
Systems specializes in MS-DOS based CD-I authoring systems.  For further 
information, please contact:

Script Systems
Attn.: Rick Hallock
Ferncliff Road RD1
Mohawk, NY 13407
Phone:	+1 315 866 7197
Fax: 	+1 315 866 7206

In Europe:
Peter Theihzen
Phone:	+31 5700 10655
Fax: 	+31 5700 10621
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Where can I get information on CD-I outside of the USA and Canada?

Philips Interactive Media Systems UK
Attn.: David Ward
Freeland House
Station Road
Dorking
Surrey RH4 1UL
Phone:	+44 306 875777
Fax:	+44 306 875789

Philips Consumer Electronics
Interactive Media Systems
Attn.: Frank Pauli
35-1 Sagmiohno 7-chome
Sagamihara
Kanagawa 288
Phone:	+81 427 410255
Fax:	+81 427 495094

Philips Hong Kong
Attn.: Chris Hofland
28th Floor, Hopewell Centre
17 Kennedy  528 2259chai
Hong Kong
Phone:	+852 821 5340
Fax:	+852 528 2259

Philips Australia
Attn.: G.  Lee
Australia Centre
3 Figtree Drive
Homobush NSW 2140
Phone:	+61 2 7428311
Fax::	+61 2 7644060

Philips IMS Authoring Systems
Attn.: Cees van Versendaal
P.  O.  Box 80002
5600 JB Eindhoven
The Netherlands
Phone:	+31 40 736228
Fax:	+31 40 734234
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What tools do I need to produce CD-I titles?

You can make CD-I titles by using an authoring system or by writing 
custom programming.  Authoring is a method for creating an interactive 
presentation using user-friendly, high-level tools.  An authoring system 
enables the producer to make interactive presentations by integrating 
thousands of images, hours of sound, partial screen video clips and on-
screen buttons and controls.  An authoring system consists of a personal 
computer system (Macintosh or MS-DOS PC), a professional CD-I player, an 
emulator and software packages.  Usually the video or audio assets are 
created or captured on the personal computer and then combined on the 
professional CD-I player.  At the present time, one cannot use popular 
personal computing authoring packages (for example; Macromind Director, 
ToolBook) to create CD-I presentations; thus, one of the several 
specific CD-I authoring packages that exist should be used.
For more complex presentations that require greater interactivity and 
faster execution, custom programming is necessary.  Programming for CD-I 
can be done on a Macintosh, an MS-DOS PC or a Sun using a C-cross 
compiler and software libraries.
========================================================================
What system do I need for CD-I authoring?

The following is a guideline of some of the systems commonly used for 
CD-I authoring.  No specific recommendations or price information is 
given here, because this information is best provided by the suppliers 
of the development systems.  Before making any decision about the 
systems to use, CONSULT YOUR CD-I DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM SUPPLIER FIRST.
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Hardware
High-end personal computer system
Macintosh II or Quadra with at least 3 Nubus slots
OR
486-based MS-DOS compatible PC running MS-Windows, SCSI interface and at 
least 3 empty slots

Connections
Ethernet cards + NFS software
Serial cables
SCSI cables

Professional CD-I player
Philips CD-I 605
NTSC/RGB color monitor (a lower end one reflects end-user quality on TV 
in the living room much better)

Emulator, including software
Philips CD-I emulator
OR
ISG emulator board for the Macintosh
OR
Script Systems emulator for PC type systems

Capture and encoding hardware, including software
high end audio capture board
high end video capture board or scanner

LOTS of storage space
Minimal 2G Byte hard disk space per production
8mm Exabyte tape drive
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Software

Authoring
Media Mogul, for the Philips CD-I 605
OR
Media Showcase, for the Philips CD-I 605
OR
Designer Work Bench, for MS-DOS

Image & audio conversion
Audio conversion utilities (ACUs)
Image conversion utilities (ICUs)
Animation and movie conversion utilities

Image & audio conversion and asset management
Media Stockroom, runs on MS-DOS PC under MS-Windows

Audio and image editing applications:
for example; for Macintosh: Adobe Photoshop, Studio 32, Macromind 
Director, DigiDesign SoundTools II

File transfer software to transfer files from Mac or PC to CD-I: from 
OptImage, ISG or Script Systems
========================================================================
What system do I need to for CD-I programming?

The following is a guideline of some of the systems commonly used for 
CD-I programming in the C programming language.  No specific 
recommendations or price information is given here, because this 
information is best provided by the suppliers of the development 
systems.  Before making any decision about the systems to use, CONSULT 
YOUR CD-I DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM SUPPLIER FIRST.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware

High-end personal computer system or workstation
Macintosh II or Quadra with at least 3 Nubus slots
OR 486-based PC
OR Sun Sparc

Connections
Ethernet cards + NFS software
Serial cables
SCSI cables

Professional CD-I player
Philips CD-I 605
or ISG Cassiope board for the Macintosh
NTSC/RGB color monitor (a lower end one reflects end-user quality on TV 
in the living room much better)

Emulator
Philips CD-I emulator
OR
ISG Cassiope board for the Macintosh
OR
ISG emulator board for the Macintosh
OR
Script Systems emulator board for the PC type systems

Capture and encoding hardware
high end audio capture board
high end video capture board or scanner	
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software

Programming
MPW on Macintosh, SunView on Sun
OS-9 Cross Compiler for Sun, Mac or PC
OS-9 source level debugger
OR
GNU Cross compiler on Sun or Mac
OR
ISG X-Link

OptImage Balboa C Library
OR
ISG C++ Library
OR
Script Systems CD Vista C Library

Image & audio conversion
Audio conversion utilities (ACUs)
Image conversion utilities (ICUs)

Audio and image editing applications:
Eg , for Macintosh: Adobe Photoshop, Studio 32, Macromind Director, 
DigiDesign SoundTools II

File transfer software to transfer files from Mac or PC to CD-I: from 
OptImage, ISG or Script Systems

Disc Building
OptImage Master/Green
OR 
ISG CDL and BD
========================================================================
What is an emulator?

During the development stage of CD-I production, software is 
continuously tested and run.  Because of the specific characteristics of 
the CD-I medium, the software cannot be run and tested with just a hard 
disk.  In particular, the data delivery, the data rate, and the (slow) 
access time of the CD need to be taken into account.  An emulator is an 
intelligent, computer peripheral device with a high-capacity hard disk.  
During the development stage, a disc image is built onto the hard disk 
of the emulator.  Then, when the emulator is switched to the emulation 
mode, it behaves in the same manner as a real CD player.  The 
alternative would be to burn a CD-I disc for each test run, which is 
slower and more expensive.
========================================================================
Do I need a CD-Recorder?

Usually, a CD-recorder is not required for development of CD-I titles.  
Typically, an emulator is used, and only when the disc image is 
completely finished is it sent to a mastering house to be reproduced in 
compact disc form.  If one regularly needs to make a very small series 
of CDs (1-10), a CD recorder can be useful.
========================================================================
What is the 'Green Book?'

The Compact Disc-Interactive Full Functional Specification is better 
known as the 'Green Book.' The 'Green Book" is the official standard for 
CD-I compliant hardware and software.  It is co-authored by Philips and 
Sony, and is only available to official licensees of the Compact Disc-
Interactive standard.  To become a licensee contact Philips, Sony, or 
the CD-I Association.
========================================================================
What are the technical specifications for a CD-I player?

A CD-I player plays all CD-I titles, CD Digital Audio (CD-DA), 
CD+Graphics, Photo CD, and CD ROM-XA bridge discs.
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Memory
-	2 banks of 512K bytes RAM
-	8K bytes non-volatile RAM
-	650M bytes CD ROM-XA
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Audio
-	CD-DA: max.  72 minutes
-	ADPCM level A: max.  144 minutes, two channels, hi-fi quality
-	ADPCM level B: max.  288 minutes, two channels, normal quality
-	ADPCM level C: max.  576 minutes, two channels, speech quality
ADPCM audio can be played directly from disk, with negligible computer 
interaction, or can be loaded into memory to be played with precise 
timing.
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Video
-	Resolution: 384x240 when displayed on NTSC, 384x280 when displayed 
on PAL.
-	2 8-bit video planes
-	Background plane in 1 of 8 colors
-	16x16 hardware cursor in 1 of 8 colors
-	Video effects: transparency, mattes, color keying, pixel hold, 
mosaic.
-	Programmable video processor to execute video commands on a field 
and line basis.
Commands include: change CLUT; change coding method; change transparency 
factor; define video memory address, etc.
-	Each plane can have multiple image coding methods (video modes) 
selectable on a per-line basis
Image coding methods
-	CLUT4: 16 colors out of 16 million, double horizontal resolution 
(768 pixels)	-	CLUT7: 128 colors out of 16 million
-	DYUV: 16 million colors, for continuous tone images	-	RL3: 8 
colors out of 16 million, hardware run-length compression, double 
horizontal resolution (768 pixels)
-	RL7: 128 colors out of 16 million, hardware run-length 
compression	
Note: DYUV and RL video modes do not allow direct access to the value of 
an individual pixel.  

Two more video modes exist that are rarely used:
-	CLUT8: 256 colors out of 16 million
only possible in one plane, the other plane can only be DYUV; it is 
restricting compared to CLUT7.
-	RGB555: 32768 colors
uses both planes, and requires twice as much data per screen, it is 
restricting and slow compared to the other video modes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Processor
-	68K family, equivalent to 8 MHz 68000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating system
-	CD-RTOS: OS-9 with CD-I extensions.  Light-weight, real-time 
multitasking operating system
========================================================================
Where can I read more about CD-I?

Periodicals

-	CD-I World
Bi-monthly CD-I magazine on paper & disc.
Parker Taylor & Company Inc.
49 Bayview, Suite 200
Camden, ME 04843
Phone:	+1 207 236 8524
Fax::	+1 207 236 6452

-	New Media
Monthly magazine about multi-media in general
Hypermedia Communications Inc.
901 Mariner's Island Blvd., Suite 365
San Mateo, CA 94404
Phone:	+1 415 573 5170
Fax:	+1 415 573 5131

-	The Interactive Engineer
Publication about CD-I software engineering
Philips Interactive Media of America
11050 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone:	+1 310 444 6519
Fax::	+1 310 477 4953	
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Books

-	CD-I Designer's Guide
Hoffos, Signe; Sharpless, Graham; Smith, Philip;Lewis, Nicholas
McGraw-Hill (UK), 1992
ISBN 0-07-707580-3

-	The CD-I Design Handbook
Philips IMS, Philips Electronics UK Ltd.
Addison Wesley, 1992
ISBN 0-201-62749-3

-	The CD-I Production Handbook
Philips IMS, Philips Electronics UK Ltd.
Addison Wesley, 1992
ISBN 0-201-62750-7

-	CD-ROM Handbook
Sherman, Chris
McGraw-Hill, 1989
ISBN 0-07-056578-3

-	Compact Disc-Interactive, A Designers' Overview
Preston, J.M., Philips International Inc.
McGraw-Hill, 1988
ISBN 0-07-049816-4

-	Discovering CD-I
Miller, Eric; Miller, Walden
Microware Systems Corporation, 1991
ISBN 0-918035-02-3

-	Introducing CD-I
Philips IMS, Philips Electronics UK Ltd.
Addison Wesley, 1992
ISBN 0-201-62748-5	
========================================================================
How can I keep in touch with the CD-I development community?

CD-I Association
A professional association for developers of CD-I or for those 
interested in developing CD-I.  Members receive a quarterly newsletter, 
"Inside CD-I", and other publications.

CD-I Association of North America
Attn.: Laura Foti Cohen
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone:	+1 310 444 6619
Fax:	+1 310 479 5937

European CD-I Association
Attn.: J.  Lynn Evans
188 Tottenham Court Road
London W1P 9LE
United Kingdom
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CompuServe

The CompuServe information system is an electronic bulletin board that 
has a very active community of CD-I users, designers and engineers 
worldwide.  Experts in all fields of CD-I check in daily to answer 
questions and exchange knowledge.
See the multimedia forum, section CDI (GO MULTIMEDIA, Section 17).

CompuServe
5000 Arlington Centre Boulevard
PO Box 20212
Columbus, Ohio 43220
Phone:	+1 614 457 8650
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Newsgroups: comp.multimedia,comp.graphics.animation