NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #1/NN_1993_1.iso/spool/comp/multimed/3997

Text File | 1993-01-07 | 20.6 KB | 588 lines

Newsgroups: comp.multimedia
Path: sparky!uunet!spool.mu.edu!umn.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!netcomsv!optimla!lex
From: [e-mail] (Lex van Sonderen)
Subject: CD-I Development FAQ - version 1.2.1
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Keywords: CD-I COMPACT DISC INTERACTIVE DEVLOPMENT AUTHORING PROGRAMMING
Sender: Lex van Sonderen
Nntp-Posting-Host: emerald
Organization: Philips Interactive Media of America
Distribution: comp.multimedia
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 05:40:02 GMT
Lines: 574

========================================================================
CD-I Developer's Frequent Asked Questions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:    [phone]
Fax:    [phone]
Internet:    [e-mail]
CompuServe:    71552,2204
========================================================================
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.
========================================================================
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?
========================================================================
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: [phone]
========================================================================
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:    [phone]
Fax:    [phone]

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.
========================================================================
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:    [phone]
Central    Jerry Huffman
Phone:    [phone]
East Coast    John Elicker
Phone:    [phone]
Southern    Linda Olsen
Phone:    [phone]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:    [phone]
Fax:    [phone]

Western Region    Barry Horton
Phone:    [phone]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:    [phone]
Fax:     [phone]

In Europe:
Attn.: William Vablais
St John's Innovation Centre
Cambridge, CB4 4WS
[phone]
[phone]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:    [phone]
Fax:     [phone]

In Europe:
Peter Theihzen
Phone:    [phone]
Fax:     [phone]
========================================================================
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:    [phone]
Fax:    [phone]

Philips Consumer Electronics
Interactive Media Systems
Attn.: Frank Pauli
35-1 Sagmiohno 7-chome
Sagamihara
Kanagawa 288
Phone:    [phone]
Fax:    [phone]

Philips Hong Kong
Attn.: Chris Hofland
28th Floor, Hopewell Centre
17 Kennedy  528 2259chai
Hong Kong
Phone:    [phone]
Fax:    [phone]

Philips Australia
Attn.: G.  Lee
Australia Centre
3 Figtree Drive
Homobush NSW 2140
Phone:    [phone]
Fax::    [phone]

Philips IMS Authoring Systems
Attn.: Cees van Versendaal
P.  O.  Box 80002
5600 JB Eindhoven
The Netherlands
Phone:    [phone]
Fax:    [phone]
========================================================================
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 CassiopÄe 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 CassiopÄe 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Memory
-    2 banks of 512K bytes RAM
-    8K bytes non-volatile RAM
-    650M bytes CD ROM-XA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:    [phone]
Fax::    [phone]

-    New Media
Monthly magazine about multi-media in general
Hypermedia Communications Inc.
901 Mariner's Island Blvd., Suite 365
San Mateo, CA 94404
Phone:    [phone]
Fax:    [phone]

-    The Interactive Engineer
Publication about CD-I software engineering
Philips Interactive Media of America
11050 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone:    [phone]
Fax::    [phone]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:    [phone]
Fax:    [phone]

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