W2B-031 Technology matters 1-0.txt
A view of the future

The future of home entertainment is here with the launch of Philips CD-I.

The new CD-based home entertainment system combines CD quality audio with video, text, animation and graphics Ð all under the viewer's interactive control.

Bright, entertaining and always informative, CD-I titles are suitable for all the family. Children and adults can actively learn from the television by interacting with programmes instead of sitting passively and just watching.

Parents will see the ease with which children Ð even the youngest Ð can play and learn from the titles using the colourful Roller Controller remote control, specially designed for small hands.

But it is not just for children. It is now possible to tour the Smithsonian museum, play the world's greatest golf courses, tour the USA and teach yourself how to take 35mm photos Ð all without moving from your armchair!

There are four main categories Ð children's music, games and special interest and currently retail from between £ 14.95 and £ 39.95.

The CD-I machine will also play ordinary audio CDs and photo CDs (its now possible to put your snaps onto a comapct disc and view them on television).

As with audio CD-audio, CD-I is a worldwide standard backed by the three largest electronics manufacturers Ð Philips, Sony and Matsushita (Panasonic and Technics) and supported by over 200 other hardware and software companies.

Similar in look and design to a standard CD-audio player, it is easily connected to any television. The titles are managed with a simple thumbstick controller.

There are currently around 45 titles available, with four to five new releases scheduled each month.

The CDI-205 is £ 499, including a £ 20 software voucher and is available from Gilmores Electrical, Lisburn Road, Belfast.
