CD-i:Video Output Notes

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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.