CDTV explained

Commodore CDTV
Manufacturer:Commodore International
Type:Home multimedia entertainment / Home video game console / Personal computer
Generation:Fourth generation
Os:AmigaOS 1.3
Ram:1 MB RAM
Unitssold:Germany: 25,800
UK: ~29,000
Predecessor:Commodore 64 Games System
Successor:Amiga CD32
Graphics:OCS, ECS
Storage:2 KB non-volatile RAM
Memory Card:CD-ROM
Sound:4 channels, 8 bits, 28 kHz sampling rate
Display:Television, Composite or RGB monitor;
736×567 4 bpp (PAL)
736×483 4 bpp (NTSC)
368×567 6 bpp (PAL)
368×483 6 bpp (NTSC)

The CDTV (from Commodore Dynamic Total Vision, later treated as a backronym for Compact Disc Television) is a home multimedia entertainment and video game console – convertible into a full-fledged personal computer by the addition of optional peripherals – developed by Commodore International and launched in April 1991.[1]

Description and critical response

The CDTV is essentially a Commodore Amiga 500 home computer with a CD-ROM drive and remote control. With the optional keyboard, mouse, and floppy disk drive, it gained the functionality of the regular Amiga. Commodore marketed the machine as an all-in-one multimedia appliance. As such, it targeted the same market as the Philips CD-i. The expected market for multimedia appliances did not materialize, and neither machine met with any real commercial success. Though the CDTV was based entirely on Amiga hardware, it was marketed strictly as a CDTV, with the Amiga name omitted from product branding.

Commodore announced the CDTV at the summer 1990 Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, promising to release it before the end of the year with 100 software titles.[2] The product debuted in North America in March 1991 (CES Las Vegas) and in the UK (World of Commodore 1991 at Earls Court, London).[3] It was advertised at £499 for the CDTV unit, remote control and two software titles.[4] The device was released in the United States for $999.[5]

In 1990 Computer Gaming World stated that Commodore had a poor reputation among consumers and developers, citing "abysmal record of customer and technical support in the past". The company chose Amiga-enthusiast magazines as its chief advertising channel, but the Amiga community on the whole avoided the CDTV in the expectation of an add-on CD-ROM drive for the Amiga,[6] which eventually came in the form of the A570. This further hurt sales of the CDTV, as an A570-equipped A500 was electronically the same as a CDTV and, consequently, could run CDTV software, so there was very little motivation for an Amiga owner to buy a CDTV. However, Nolan Bushnell, one of the chief endorsers of the CDTV, argued the system's high price alone was enough to explain its market failure: "... it's very difficult to sell significant numbers of anything at more than . ... I felt that I could sell a hundred thousand of something that costs standing on my head. I thought that it would be a no-brainer. And I can tell you that the number of units that we sold in the U.S. at you could put in your eye and not draw tears."[7]

The CDTV was supplied with AmigaOS 1.3, rather than the more advanced and user-friendly 2.0 release that was launched at around the same time. Notably, the CDXL motion video format was primarily developed for the CDTV, making it one of the earliest consumer systems to allow video playback directly from CD-ROM.

By 1994 Computer Gaming World described the CDTV as a "fiasco" for Commodore.[8] Though the company later developed an improved and cost-reduced CDTV-II, it was never released.[9] Commodore discontinued the CDTV in 1993 with the launch of the Amiga CD32, which again was substantially based on Amiga hardware (in this case the newer Amiga 1200) but explicitly targeted the games market.

In December 2021 an unofficial free ROM update was released for CDTV (2.35), which brings compatibility with 68030 accelerator boards and 32-bit Fast RAM, allows non-CDTV titles to boot, fixes bugs and restores several features that were lost in the 2.7 and 2.30 ROMs. Because of copyright reasons the custom ROM is distributed in patch form.[10]

The Commodore CDTV is reported to have sold 25,800 units in Germany,[11] and around 29,000 units in the UK.

Design

The CDTV was intended as a media appliance rather than a mainstream personal computer. As such, its housing had dimensions and styling that were fairly comparable to most household stereo system components of the period, and it came with an infrared remote control. Similarly, it was initially sold without a keyboard or a mouse (which could be added separately, and were later bundled with the machine). The CDTV was based on the same technology as earlier Amiga systems, but featured a single-speed CD-ROM drive and no floppy disk drive as standard.

Technical specifications

AttributeSpecification
ProcessorMotorola 68000 at 7.16 MHz (NTSC) or 7.09 MHz (PAL)
RAM
ROM
Chipset
Video
Audio
Removable storageSingle-speed CD-ROM drive (proprietary controller)
Input/output ports
Audio/Video output
Expansion slots
Operating system
Physical dimensions430 × 330 × 95 mm (width × depth × height)
Other
Notes
  1. North American model
  2. UK model
  3. European model

Official upgrades

The CDTV is compatible with many Amiga peripherals from the same period. In addition, official CDTV peripherals and upgrades included:

Versions

Games

There are currently games on this list.

Title[15] Genre(s)Developer(s)Publisher(s)Release date(s)CDTV version
Air WarriorSimulationKesmaiOn-Line1992
Barney Bear Goes CampingMini-gamesFree SpiritFree Spirit1990
Barney Bear Goes To SchoolMini-gamesFree SpiritFree Spirit1991
Battle ChessBoard gameQuicksilverInterplay1992CD Audio; Released for CD32 in 1994
BattlestormPlatformTitusTitus1992
The Case of the Cautious CondorAdventureTiger MediaTiger Media1991CDTV only
Casino GamesCasinoSaen SoftwareSaen Software1992CDTV exclusive
Chaos In Andromeda: Eyes Of The EagleRPGKirkMorenoOn-line1992FMV; CD Audio
Classic Board GamesBoard gameMeritMerit1991
Cover Girl Strip PokerCards gameEmotional PicturesOn-line1991
Curse Of RA, ThePuzzleCyberstyleRainbow Arts1992
Defender of the CrownStrategyCinemawareCDTV Publishing1991
E.S.S. MegaSimulationTomahawkCoktel1992CDTV exclusive
FalconSimulationRowanMirrorsoft1991
Fantastic VoyageShooterCentaurCentaur1992
Fun School 3 (For The 5 To 7 Year Olds)Mini-gamesDatabase Educational SoftwareDatabase Educational Software1991
Fun School 3 (For The Over 7s)Mini-gamesDatabase Educational SoftwareDatabase Educational Software1991Extra games
Fun School 3 (For The Under 5s)Mini-gamesDatabase Educational SoftwareDatabase Educational Software1991
Guy Spy and the Crystals of ArmageddonActionReadySoftReadySoft1993
Holiday MakerAdventurePM EntertainmentSoftware 20001990
The Hound Of The BaskervillesAdventureOn-lineOn-line1991CDTV only
AdventureLucasfilmSoftgold1992
LemmingsPuzzleDMA DesignPsygnosis1992
Log!calPuzzleRainbow ArtsRainbow Arts1991
LoomAdventureLucasfilmSoftgold1992
Mind RunPuzzleCréaludeCréalude1991CDTV exclusive
Murder Makes Strange DeadfellowsAdventureTiger MediaTiger Media1991CDTV only
North Polar ExpeditionAdventureVirgin InteractiveVirgin Interactive1992CDTV only
Power PinballPinballKarmaSoftKarmaSoft1991Extra levels
PrehistorikPlatformTitusTitus1994
Prey: An Alien EncounterRPGKirkMorenoKirkMoreno1993CDTV exclusive; Later released as an enhanced version for the CD32
Psycho KillerAdventureDelta 4 InteractiveOn-line1992CDTV only
RafflesAdventureSoftekThe Edge1991
Sherlock Holmes, Consulting DetectiveAdventureIcomIcom1991CDTV only
Sim CityStrategyMaxisInfogrames1991CDTV enhanced
Snoopy In The Case Of The Missing BlanketAdventureSoftekThe Edge1991
Space WarsShooterOdysseyOdyssey1992CDTV enhanced
Spirit Of ExcaliburAdventureSynergisticVirgin Mastertronic1991
Sprachraetsel Englisch 1: Spielend Sprachen lernen!LogicIngenioIngenio1990CDTV exclusive
Sprachraetsel Englisch 2: Spielend Sprachen lernen!LogicIngenioIngenio1990CDTV exclusive
Sprachraetsel Englisch 3: Spielend Sprachen lernen!LogicIngenioIngenio1990CDTV exclusive
Sprachraetsel Franzoesisch 1: Spielend Sprachen lernen!LogicIngenioIngenio1990CDTV exclusive
Sprachraetsel Latein 1: Spielend Sprachen lernen!LogicIngenioIngenio1990CDTV exclusive
Sprachraetsel Spanisch 1: Spielend Sprachen lernen!LogicIngenioIngenio1990CDTV exclusive
Stadt Der Löwen, DieAdventurePM EntertainmentSoftware 20001991
Strip Poker LiveCards gamePorky's ProductionPorky's Production1993FMV
Team YankeeSimulationOxford Digital EnterprisesEmpire1992
Tie BreakSportsStarbyteStarbyte1991
Top BananaPlatformHexHex1992
The Town With No NameAdventureDelta 4 InteractiveOn-line1992CDTV only
Trivial PursuitQuizDomarkDomark1992CD Audio; Released for CD32 in 1994
TurricanShooterFactor 5Rainbow Arts1992
ShooterFactor 5Rainbow Arts1992
Ultimate BasketballSportsContext SystemsContext Systems1991CDTV exclusive
Will Bridge: CompetitionCards gameWill-BridgeWill-Bridge1991CDTV exclusive
Will Bridge: Haute CompetitionCards gameWill-BridgeWill-Bridge1991CDTV exclusive
Will Bridge: Initiation Aux Encheres
Will Bridge: Introduction To Bidding
Cards gameWill-BridgeWill-Bridge1991CDTV exclusive
Will Bridge: StandardCards gameWill-BridgeWill-Bridge1991CDTV exclusive
Will Bridge: Perfectionnement
Will Bridge: Intermediate
Cards gameWill-BridgeWill-Bridge1991CDTV exclusive
WinzerStrategyGolden Gate CrewStarbyte1992
Wrath Of The DemonActionAbstraxReadySoft1991
Xenon 2: MegablastShooterAssembly Line, TheImage Works1992

Bundles

Title[16] Developer(s)Publisher(s)Release date(s)CDTV version
Cubulus & Magic SerpentSoftware 2000Software 20001991ECS version of Cubulus and Magic Serpent
Lettrix & ShiftrixSoftware 2000Software 20001991ECS version of Lettrix and Shiftrix
Super Games PakOdysseyOdyssey1991ECS version of Byteman, Deathbots and Jailbreak

Software

Title[17] Developer(s)Publisher(s)Release date(s)CDTV version
All Dogs Go To Heaven: Electric Crayon DeluxeMeritMerit1991
A Bun For BarneyBBC MultimediaBBC Multimedia1992CDTV exclusive
Cinderella: The Original Fairy TaleDiscisDiscis1992CDTV exclusive
Heather Hits Her First Home RunDiscisDiscis1991CDTV exclusive
Learn French With Astérix Disc 1EurotalkEurotalk1991CDTV exclusive
Learn French With Astérix Disc 2EurotalkEurotalk1991CDTV exclusive
A Long Hard Day On The RanchDiscisDiscis1991CDTV exclusive
Moving Gives Me A Stomach AcheDiscisDiscis1992CDTV exclusive
Mud PuddleDiscisDiscis1992CDTV exclusive
MusicolorBinary VisionVirgin Interactive1992CDTV exclusive
My Paint CDTVSaddlebackSaddleback1991CDTV only
The Night Before ChristmasDiscisDiscis1991CDTV exclusive
OrdicodeEducomEducom1991CDTV exclusive
The Paper Bag PrincessDiscisDiscis1992CDTV exclusive
Read With Astérix: Astérix And SonEurotalkEurotalk1991CDTV exclusive
Read With Astérix: The Secret WeaponEurotalkEurotalk1991CDTV exclusive
Scary Poems For Rotten KidsDiscisDiscis1991CDTV exclusive
The Tale of Benjamin BunnyDiscisDiscis1991CDTV exclusive
The Tale Of Peter RabbitDiscisDiscis1992CDTV exclusive
Thomas' SnowsuitDiscisDiscis1991CDTV exclusive

Market competition

High-end A/V (primary market)

(multi-purpose audio/video systems)

Video gaming (secondary market)

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Feldman, Tony. Multimedia. 1994. Psychology Press. 9781857130102. en.
  2. The Maturation of Computer Entertainment: Warming The Global Village . Computer Gaming World . 1990-07-08 . 16 November 2013 . 11.
  3. Web site: The Commodore CDTV Information Center - www.cdtv.org.uk. 2010-08-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20090412154630/http://www.cdtv.org.uk/1254.html. 2009-04-12. dead.
  4. Web site: 1990 . CDTV advert: "Better Graphics. Better Sound. Better Software. Better Get One" . Amiga History Guide.
  5. News: April 5, 1991 . Commodore puts computer into TV . C8 . Beaver County Times .
  6. Web site: 1991-05-20. Commodore CDTV. 2021-03-23. TidBITS. en.
  7. What the Hell has Nolan Bushnell Started? . Next Generation. 4. Imagine Media. April 1995. 9.
  8. Miller . Chuck . Dille . H. E. . Wilson . Johnny L. . January 1994 . Battle Of The New Machines . Computer Gaming World . 64–76.
  9. Web site: 2008 . Commodore CDTV-II . Big Book of Amiga Hardware. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211908/http://bboah.amiga-resistance.info/cgi-bin/showhardware_en.cgi?HARDID=34 . 2016-03-03 .
  10. Web site: CDTV OS 2.35 - FAQ. . 2 November 2022 .
  11. Web site: Bergseth . M. . November 25, 2014 . AMIGA SOLD IN UNITS BY COMMODORE IN GERMANY REVEALED . Distrita - Where to Go. https://web.archive.org/web/20170713160208/https://distrita.com/amiga-sold-in-units-by-commodore-in-germany-revealed/ . 2017-07-13 .
  12. Web site: Commodore's CDTV External Harddrive . The Commodore CDTV Information Center. https://web.archive.org/web/20050317024916/https://www.cdtv.org.uk/harddrive.html . 2005-03-17 .
  13. Web site: Ewaniuk . Darren . July 5, 1997 . CDTV Technical Information by Darren Ewaniuk .
  14. Web site: 2008 . Commodore CD1300 . dead . The Big Book of Amiga Hardware. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721184949/http://bboah.amiga-resistance.info/cgi-bin/showhardware_en.cgi?HARDID=396 . 2011-07-21 .
  15. Web site: CDTV Games.
  16. Web site: CDTV Games.
  17. Web site: CDTV Games.

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