CompuServe Messages

Ron, Dunno. It's extremely unlikely that Philips would step backwards from current and/or future CD-i technology. Even the original CD-i design still has the rough equivalent or better of two AGA chips in one box, with hardware special effects between their independent outputs plus overlay/chroma-key on external MPEG FMV. And other unique features tailored for CD integration such as compressed CD-audio spooled from disc while loading video/cpu data. As for development, Motorola now makes the latest CD-i "three piece" low power chipset (68020-based cpu, video and effects chip, MPEG decoder). Philips, Samsung, Kyocera, and Sony have designed and sold portable/handheld players. Goldstar, Maspro and I think Mitsui also currently make players. CD-i "II" players are now being tested… which at least have FMV built-in. It would be easier to believe what someone else wrote: that the Philips rumor was simply an April Fools Day joke printed in a European magazine. cheers – kevin