Philips Electronics NV has decided that to increase the market further it now has to release the Compact Disk-interactive board for iAPX-86-based personal computers it has had up its sleeve for some time – but it is starting out offering it only as an OEM product for personal computer manufacturers. The board is based on the Motorola Inc 68070 microprocessor found in the CD-i machines – despite the number, the 68070 is a 16-bit 68000 with multimedia-specific circuitry added. Upgrade boards enabling users to add CD-i capability to their own systems will be available in computer stores by the spring for $500. The CD-i/PC board is claimed to offer superb quality true colour display of all CD-i images, both still and motion video regardless of the host’s VGA display specification. The user will also need a Philips LMS CM208 quad-speed CD-ROM drive, and a 16MHz 80386SX and up machine with one 16-bit AT slot vacant, and VGA display.
