Alan posted his tips for you when you are planning to buy a CD-i player in 2013 on his Facebook page:
1) LG GDI-700M. Very attractive midi sized player with NTSC/PAL switch and CR2032 battery back-up for the memory. This is the only cd-i player out there (apart from possibly the DVS-VE200) which plays videocd 2.0 discs. Recently I bought a videocd called Shakira - Waka Waka. It was released in 2010 and plays perfectly on this cd-i. Bringing it into the 2010's!!
Downside? It does struggle playing some games.
2) Goldstar GPI-1100M. Portable player without a screen. Looks very modern and takes up little space. Gameplay is lightning fast and has s-video output for the clearest of pictures. NTSC/PAL switch and 2 inputs for 2 controllers, making 2 player games easier. Has the 2032 battery back up for memory. Plays CD-R's with ease too.
3) Philips cd-i 490. Mini sized player and in my opinion looks better than the 470. Has the advantage too of maximum 32KB NVRAM unlike the 470 which has 8KB (sounds SO low now doesn't it?? :-) No battery back up but I've been told that the internal battery can last up to 25 years. It has FTS unlike the other 2 players meaning that you can program your favourite CD's into the cd-i and each time you load the disc, your favourite tracks play. You can also program the name of the CD. FTS is compatible with the cd-i keyboard too. Downsides? No NTSC/PAL switch, no S-video output and the splitter cable is required for 2 player games.
I hope this helps you with your future choices. If you have any questions about any cd-i player out there, please get in touch with Alan at Philips CD-i Zone
[Thanks, Alan]