I also remember CD-Matics using a serial port to connect the Tele CD-i Assistant to the CD-i. That was the first try of Philips to hook professional applications to the early internet. Later the official modem came with a converter to connect the modem to a controller port. We've talked before about the Tele CD-i Assistant, a early network tool (modem) to allow professional CD-i applications to access an external network (internet). It was never sold as a consumer product, but it surprises never and nowhere a picture surfaced on the internet. We only have a computer drawing that was published in catalogues. Like the picture you see in this post. Sometimes I wonder: Did it actually exist?
Professional players came with a serial port, and even consumer models were sold with a serial port.
From the CD-i FAQ: "Tele-CD-i had nothing to do with the CD-i Internet connection kit. Tele-CD-i was aimed solely at professional applications where the producer needed to access external data through a network connection. For this, the Tele-CD-i assistant, a 2400 bps modem, was introduced. Tele-CD-i could for example be used to send statistical information about the usage of a CD-i information kiosk to the head offices, or to gather the latest price information from a central location. One of the companies that used Tele-CD-i was Bose in its kiosk application about its Dolby Surround products. The kiosk in a store could be controlled from a central location using the network connection. Tele-CD-i was never sold as a consumer accesory. "
 |
| The CD-i 470 with a serial port on the back (and two controller ports on the back too) |
We at Interactive Dreams would love to see a picture of a Tele CD-i Assistant. Have you seen one?