We discussed before some valuable tips how to distinguish real CD-i demonstration discs from fake copies. There are currently a lot of fake CD-i discs being sold which are all from the same white label as Philips Interactive Media of America used to press in the past, purely for demonstration purposes. But this black/white designs are easy to copy and to reproduce. They all state that these discs were produced by PMDC in USA. PMDC stands for PolyGram Manufacturing & Distribution Centre. It was in Europe active from 19 April 1996 until 28 March 1999. It was a UK based manufacturing and distribution company, operating a CD pressing plant based in Blackburn. PMDC, UK CDs are identifiable by MADE IN UK BY PMDC. There also was, however, a PMDC in the USA according to the same site.
Next to the previous tips, we can add some more valuable lessons:
- The white lines in the Philips Interactive Media of America logo are not correct, they should be all white with a clear separation. These look blurry/blocky due to low-res image source. The printing on that disc still looks way off compared to real demonstration discs (acquired via Philips employees 10+ years ago). This is mainly because these discs are printed using inkjet printing and the ink can leak on small lines, as present in the PIMA logo.
- It strikes me that Pac-Panic was a 1996 title, never released in USA. Moreover I have never seen anything of Pac-Panic before that originates from PIMA. Philips Interactive Media of America stopped business in 1995. It's purely this that I already doubt the genuinity of this disc.
- One typical font is used for these fake discs, which already have a high risk of being fake. Look closely to the font of 'The Lost Ride' and 'Pac-Panic' below.
- The inner rings look different from each other, revealing different types of CDR have been used.
- The outside of the top layer is silver on original discs, there is a blanc ring around it.
- Always check if the back is silver and coded in the central ring on the back.
To me the white lines do not look good when compared to a real disc (of which my photo also does not do justice). Finally, compare it to a verified original one:
The best tip remains: ALWAYS ask for a picture of the backside, especially showing the codes of the inner ring. Retrostuff:"US CD-i mastering codes usually end with [space]0[1-3]!, as you can see below from a genuine demonstration disc. Next to it you see a mastering tool stamp (D), usually a single character. These things are impossible to recreate at home / with a CD burner."
More tips? Please share them with us!
[Thanks, Michiel Roos, Retrostuff]