Welcome to CDTV Land, the ultimate destination for everything related to Commodore’s CDTV—an interactive multimedia player released in 1991. My goal is to provide valuable information, resources, but above all a fresh perspective on this often-overlooked piece of Commodore history.
Brief History of CDTV
CDTV—short for Commodore Dynamic Total Vision—was an ambitious fusion of CD-ROM and Amiga technology. It represented Commodore’s attempt to bring multimedia computing into the living room, not as a traditional computer, but as a consumer electronics appliance. Released in 1991, the model CD1000 CDTV player offered a range of possibilities, from playing multimedia content to functioning as a basic computer.
Unfortunately, due to a mix of factors—ranging from marketing missteps to a rapidly changing tech landscape— CDTV failed to make a significant impact in the market. By 1992, Commodore clumsily repositioned CDTV as an Amiga computer, but by then, CDTV’s fate was sealed. In 1993, Commodore launched the CD32, which, despite some backward compatibility with CDTV, overshadowed its predecessor, marking the end of CDTV’s journey.
CDTV First!
CDTV has long been the “stepchild” of the Commodore Amiga line, often overshadowed by the more well-known Amiga computers and later the CD32 console. One of my core goals at CDTV Land is to change that perception. While I have great respect for the CD32 (I love it, actually!), this site’s primary focus remains squarely on CDTV. During this site’s relatively short existence CDTV Land has delivered a significant update to the old CDTV operating system ROM (version 2.35), interesting background articles about its history, technical software and the beginnings of what The Secret of Monkey Island should have been as a CDTV title, with much more CDTV titles to come!
But if software developed at CDTV Land happens to work on the CD32, that’s a bonus, because the objective isn’t to make CDTV software that is compatible with the CD32 or any other Amiga system. I believe CDTV’s unique hardware should be fully utilized, and if that means making some software exclusive to CDTV, so be it. I’m committed to showcasing what CDTV can do, even if it means making stuff that won’t work on other platforms.
That’s why at CDTV Land, it’s CDTV First! 😉
What’s Ahead
This site will probably always be a work in progress, and as I continue to dive deep into the CDTV’s OS, develop new software, and explore its legacy, I’ll be sharing my findings and creations. I hope to foster a community where CDTV enthusiasts—old and new—can come together to celebrate this unique piece of technology.
I invite you to explore the site, contribute, and share your thoughts. Whether you’re here to learn more about the CDTV’s history, find software for your own system, or just appreciate its place in the world of early multimedia, I welcome you to CDTV Land.
Enjoy your stay!
– Captain Future
cdtvland@gmail.com