CD-i

Overview

The Compact Disc Interactive (CD-i) was Philips’ multimedia platform launched in 1990. It combined full-motion video, interactive content and games on dedicated CD-i players, implementable as standalone consoles, televisions or computer add-ons. Internally it runs on a Motorola 68k-based CD-RTOS with dedicated video/sound chips, so REG-Linux emulates the hardware via MAME disk images.

CD-i titles belong to the cdi system group so compatible themes can show the cdi artwork set.

Quick reference

• Emulator: MAME
• ROM folder: /userdata/roms/cdi
• Accepted formats: .chd, .cue, .toc, .nrg, .gdi, .iso, .cdr

BIOS

Place the CD-i BIOS archive in your ROM or BIOS folder so the MAME driver can start:

MD5 checksum	Share file path	Description
3d20cf7550f1b723158b42a1fd5bac62	bios/cdimono1.zip	CD-i BIOS archive (or .7z)

MAME requires this specific filename/checksum pair; mismatches prevent the driver from launching.

ROMs

Copy your CD-i disc images into /userdata/roms/cdi. Use CHD for maximal compatibility, or cue/ISO-style dumps such as .cue, .iso, .toc, .nrg, .gdi, .cdr. MAME will mount the image and start playback.

Emulators

MAME

MAME includes the CD-i driver. Each ROM/CHD carries metadata that selects the proper hardware variant, so keep sets matched to your MAME version.

MAME configuration

Open the MAME in-game menu with [HOTKEY] + south button or Tab to remap inputs, adjust video options, or configure audio. Standardized REG-Linux features for CD-i include cdi.videomode, cdi.decoration and cdi.padtokeyboard.

ES setting name REG-Linux.conf_key	Description => ES option key_value
Settings that apply to all versions of this emulator
VIDEO MODE cdi.video	Choose BGFX shaders or Accel/OpenGL rendering. => BGFX bgfx, Accel accel, OpenGL opengl.
BGFX GRAPHICS API cdi.bgfxbackend	Select the BGFX backend when BGFX is enabled. => MAME Detect automatic, OpenGL opengl, OpenGL ES gles, Vulkan vulkan.
BGFX VIDEO FILTER cdi.bgfxshaders	Apply CRT/scaling shaders. => Off None, Bilinear default, CRT Geom crt-geom, CRT Geom Deluxe crt-geom-deluxe, Super Eagle eagle, HLSL hlsl, HQ2X hq2x, HQ3X hq3x, HQ4X hq4x.
CRT SWITCHRES cdi.switchres	Enable SwitchRes if you have a CRT. => Off 0, On 1.
VERTICAL ROTATION cdi.rotation	Rotate the output for TATE displays. => Off None, Rotate 90 autoror, Rotate 270 autorol.
ALT DPAD MODE cdi.altdpad	Adjust D-pad orientation for alternate controllers. => Off (Default) 0, DS3 Orientation 1, X360 Orientation 2.

Controls

The standard CD-i controller mapping overlays on a REG-Linux Retropad:

MAME’s UI and REG-Linux’s controller settings let you remap individual buttons as needed.

Troubleshooting

• Verify the BIOS filename (cdimono1.zip) and MD5 checksum; missing or incorrect BIOS files prevent booting.
• Ensure your ROMs live in /userdata/roms/cdi and use one of the supported image formats.
• For driver-specific issues, consult the MAME troubleshooting section.