Some early CD-i players offer two connector ports for pointing devices. Newer ones reserved the back port for serial devices only, like the modem or scanner. The splitter was mainly used to play two player games simultaneously, but also to allow the CD-i 450 to hook up a modem next to a controller. If you want to know which players offer what kind of ports, check the comparison table on icdia: http://icdia.co.uk/players/comparison.html
CD-i member Omegalfa shared some nice tips about the CD-i splitter cable: "If you will play 2 players games, you will need 2 controllers (wired ones) to connect to the player. To use them you will also need a Splitter, this accessory will split in two the Input 1 port (in the front).
Why I am talking about that? Because some early players do not need this splitter!
Almost all models of them have Input 1 in the front side and Input 2 in the back side, but only Input 1 will accept controllers devices. Input 2 is used for Internet connection, Tele CD-i, and other options (I will talk about all of them in another article).
The exception models are 910/00, 205/00, 205/05, 210/00, 210/20, 220/00, 220/20, 220/40 and 21TCDi30."
Philips Consumer CD-i players:
Version : I/O
- CDI 205/00: A
- CDI 210/00: A
- CDI 210/20: A
- CDI 210/40: B
- CDI 210/60: B
- CDI 220/00: A
- CDI 220/20: A
- CDI 220/40: A
- CDI 220/60: B
- CDI 220/80: B
- CDI 450/00: C
- CDI 470/00: B
- CDI 470/20: B
- CDI 490/00: B
- CDI 550/00: C
- CDI 740/00: D
- FW380i/00: C
- FW380i/20: C
- 21TCDI30/00: A
The letter behind the player name (or the I/O column) will tell you what types of controller ports are on it. The explanation is as following:
I/O
Indicates what combination of general I/O ports for pointing devices (such as a mouse or a Roller Controller) and serial ports are available on the player.
- A - Front port can be used for pointing devices, back port for pointing devices or RS232 devices.
- B - Front port can be used for 1 pointing device, or 2 pointing devices when a splitter is used. Back port can only be used for RS232 devices.
- C - Port can be used to connect 1 pointing device, or 2 pointing devices or a pointing device and an RS232 device when a splitter is used.
- D - Front ports can be used to connect 2 pointing devices, back port can only be used for RS232 devices.
The following CD-i games you can play simultaneously with two players:
- International Tennis Open
- Rise of the Robots
- Pac-Panic
- Striker Pro
- Micro Machines
- Arcade Classics
- Family Games 1 & 2