CD-i:Video Output Notes
CD-i players offer various video outputs depending on the model, version and revision[1].
- RF (mainly on UK and US units, but also on early EU units). Later models (Mono III and later mainboards) have a +5 V output next to the Composite output, to be used with an adapter.
- Composite video (all models)
- S-Video (mainly US and early EU/UK units). Later models (Mono III and later mainboards) output either S-Video (+Composite) or RGB (+Composite). Both are not possible.
- RGB via SCART (all large stationary EU/UK models, e.g. CDI2xx and others, have native RGB output via SCART)
- RGB via DE-9, DE-15 or proprietary connectors (only on early portable, professional and authoring models, e.g., 310/350/360, 18x, 60x)
RGB
All stationary Philips/GoldStar/LG CD-i players that don't already have an RGB connector can be modified for RGB output.
There are two video encoder families[2], depending on the mainboard[3]:
Sony CXA1145P/M
(Mono II and earlier mainboards)
You can either add the missing components on the mainboard to recreate the original Philips circuit (see service manuals[4] for parts) or tap the video encoder directly.
If you choose the latter option, keep in mind that CSync is output as TTL sync, and therefore requires a 470 Ω resistor and 220 µF capacitor on the sync line to be safe for consumer devices.
Brooktree BT9106 & BT9107 / BT9108
(Mono III and later mainboards)
You can either add the missing components to the mainboard to recreate the original Philips circuit[5] (does not apply to top loading players like the 450), or tap the video encoder directly.
If you choose the latter option, use CD-i-RGB[6].
Note that you will lose the S-Video output when you enable the RGB output.
When you are done with the modification, check the EBU colour bars in the Service Shell and adjust the modification if necessary.
- ↑ http://www.icdia.co.uk/players/versions.html
- ↑ https://retrostuff.org/2020/01/12/modifications-for-philips-cd-i-players/#Video-encoders
- ↑ https://retrostuff.org/2020/01/12/modifications-for-philips-cd-i-players/#Mainboards
- ↑ http://www.icdia.co.uk/svcmanuals/index.html
- ↑ https://retrostuff.org/2020/10/02/philips-cdi490-rgb-scart-modification/
- ↑ https://github.com/mobiusstriptech/CD-i-RGB