When was the first CD-ROM drive released?
The first CD-ROM drive, the CM 100, emerged from Philips in July 1985. This device marked the beginning of the CD-ROM era without immediate global adoption.
Questions about CD-ROM
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the Yellow Book standard for CD-ROM?
The Yellow Book standard was created in 1983 to define the technical specifications for the CD-ROM. This standard laid the groundwork for the multimedia age by allowing the digital audio standard to carry any form of digital information.
How does a CD-ROM drive read data from the disc?
A CD-ROM drive reads data using a laser beam tuned to a near-infrared wavelength of 780 nanometers. The laser scans microscopic indentations called pits and flat spaces known as lands to reconstruct the binary code of the original data.
Which company released the first home video game console to support CD-ROMs?
The PC Engine CD-ROM2 released in 1988 was the first home video game console to support CD-ROMs. This console allowed developers to create games with full-motion video and high-quality audio.
What was the maximum speed achieved by CD-ROM drives?
By 2004, the fastest transfer rate commonly available was 52x, or 10,400 rpm and 7.62 megabytes per second. This speed was limited by the strength of the polycarbonate plastic which could shatter if spun too fast.
When was the Grolier Academic Encyclopedia released on CD-ROM?
The Grolier Academic Encyclopedia was one of the first products to be made available to the public on CD-ROM in March 1986. This release demonstrated the CD-ROM's ability to store encyclopedias and educational materials.