CD Player

A Compact Disc player, or popularly known as CD player, is an electronic gadget that plays audio compact discs. CD players are normally set up in home stereo systems, car sound systems and personal computers. Before the IPO MP3 and DVD players seize the music industry, the CD player is one of the coolest things back then. Though its fame had declined over the past years, enhanced CD players are still marketed. Some CD players support other formats such as DVDs, MP3 CDs and CD-ROMS with video CDs.

A lot of CD players are enclosed in steel and plastic covering that also houses the electrical components. The ports used in connecting the player to a headphones, speaker, radio or tape deck, and power system are also contained in the exterior. A portable CD player is typically equipped with its own power source in the form of batteries. There are 3 major parts inside a CD player that generally summarizes its functions, these are:

1. drive motor – rotates the disc from 200 to 500 revolutions in minute;

2. lens – reads information on the CD; and

3. Tracking mechanism – moves the lens along the a spiral path.

Sounds confusing? Let me give you more details. The various information contained in a CD are stored in a so-called subcode. Data such total number of songs, running time for each track, total CD running time and other details are all maintained. When a CD player starts reading your disc, it actually scans the subcode first. Then, the drive motor speeds up or slow down in order to read information at a constant rate. The lens system interprets data using a laser beam that is reflected back to a sensor. I know what you are thinking right now, you’ll rather listen to it!

A CD changer is one of the features that made CD players more popular back then. It can hold multiple CDs, which permits the user to play any of it at a time. This eliminates the trouble of replacing CDs over and over again. There are 3 main types of CD changers. The first kind is an external cartridge CD changer that can house a maximum of 12 CDs per cartridge. CD players set up in vehicles are often equipped with external cartridge since the driver can easily switch between hundreds of songs. The second type is an internal cartridge that basically functions as external CD changers. The main difference is it never leaves the CD player. It can also house multiple CD’s through a particular slot. The last type is the carousel CD changer. Typically, a carousel holds between 3 and 7 CDs through a circular platter. The mega-disc or “jukebox” is probably the most famous amongst the carousel family. It can hold 50 to 300 discs.

Good old times may have past for CD players but everybody would most likely agree that it already made its mark in history. CD players had become a household term around the globe and for others, it is still!