AppleCD 300: No CD-I Support

In the AppleCD 300i plus manual, it claims that CD-I mode 2, Forms 1 and 2 are supported. What are these, and how is CD-I Supported on the Macintosh?
The CD-ROM specification provides two Modes and the CD/XA provides a specification for two Forms.

Here is some information on the modes to assist in understanding CD-ROM specifications:

MODE 1 and 2

To achieve the first level of Photo CD compatibility, Kodak's Photo CD requires a CD-ROM drive that provides Mode 2/Form 1 services.

CD-ROM Mode 1 is the standard ability to read CD-ROMs. A CD-ROM drive must support this mode to be considered a CD-ROM drive.

CD-ROM Mode 2 allows for additional capabilities. In relation to Photo CDs the CD-XA Form 1 is the most important element. Mode 2/Form 1 allows the Photo CD to be recognized and read.

CD-I

Philips CD-I CD-ROMs come in two varieties; either it is an interactive multimedia title or it is a MPEG encoded video or feature length movie.

The interactive multimedia titles need the Philips game controllers, and OS9 which would not be compatible with the Macintosh. The MPEG encoded CD-ROMs need special MPEG playback hardware that is not yet available for the Power Macintosh line.

Published Date: Feb 19, 2012