CD+G (also known as CD-G, CD+Graphics, and TV-Graphics) is an extension of the compact disc standard that enables the display of low-resolution graphics alongside audio content when played on a compatible device. This functionality is most commonly associated with karaoke systems, which use CD+G discs to display on-screen lyrics synchronized with music playback. The CD+G format was defined by Philips and Sony as an extension of the Red Book specification for audio CDs. A related format, CD+EG, offers enhanced graphical capabilities but has seen little adoption in commercial releases.

CD+EG supports the following display specifications:

  • Resolution: 288 pixels per line × 192 lines
  • Color depth: up to 256 colors

Usage

Along with dedicated karaoke machines, other consumer devices that play CD+G format CDs include the NEC TurboGrafx-CD (a CD-ROM peripheral for the TurboGrafx-16) and Turbo Duo, as well as the Japan-only successor the PC-FX, the Philips CD-i, the Sega CD, Sega Saturn, the JVC X'Eye, the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, the Amiga CD32 and Commodore CDTV, and the Atari Jaguar CD (an attachment for the Atari Jaguar). Some CD-ROM drives can also read this data. Pioneer's LaserActive player can also play CD+G discs, as long as either the PAC-S1/S-10 or PAC-N1/N10 game modules are installed.

Since 2003, some standalone DVD players have supported the CD+G format. Regular audio CD players will output only the audio tracks as if it was a normal music CD, unless otherwise designed to read the extra data (lyrics and images).

CD+G karaoke albums are still made today by several UK and US manufacturers including Sunfly, Zoom Entertainments, SBI Karaoke and Vocal Star. Although the popularity of CD sales are dwindling the format is still widely used as MP3+G downloads.

Notable releases

Although CD+G found its market in karaoke entertainment, some music labels were keen to experiment with the format and a number of albums were released which featured graphic images, animations and text. These special edition CD+G releases are now very rare and have become collectible items as a result. Some albums released include:

  • Alphaville – The Breathtaking Blue
  • Anita Baker – Rapture
  • Crosby, Stills & Nash – Live It Up
  • Fleetwood Mac – Behind the Mask
  • The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Smash Hits
  • Information Society – Information Society
  • Chris Isaak – Silvertone
  • Laura Branigan – Laura Branigan
  • Little Feat – Representing the Mambo
  • Lou Reed – New York
  • Simply Red – Picture Book
  • Donna Summer – Another Place and Time
  • Talking Heads – Naked

Daiichi Kosho is a former karaoke music manufacturer and their high-quality edit-a-vision range of 99 CD+Gs is still highly sought after by karaoke presenters today.

CD+G karaoke CDs are often ripped onto computer hard drives as MP3+G, with the audio encoded in the standard audio format, MP3, and the graphics encoded in a RAW format. These can then be played on computers using VLC media player, Karafun, or professionally by DJs and karaoke presenters using software such as Karma or Atomix VirtualDJ often in conjunction with a DJ controller manufactured by Pioneer, Denon, Roland or Numark.

Notes

References

  • The CD+G Museum and Discography, details on released titles and how to identify them
  • Tech Flashback: The CD+Graphics Format (CD+G)
  • CD+G faq