About

The page begins with a brief introduction to the compact disc (CD), explaining how it is a digital optical disc that stores and plays back audio, video, and other data. It was introduced in 1982 as a collaboration between Sony and Philips and quickly became a popular alternative to vinyl records and cassette tapes due to its superior sound quality and durability. The page goes on to discuss the physical characteristics of a CD, including its size, shape, and construction. It explains how a CD is composed of a polycarbonate plastic layer, a reflective layer, and a protective layer, all of which are sandwiched together to form the disc. The reflective layer is typically made of aluminum, which is coated with a thin layer of lacquer to protect it from oxidation. The Wikipedia page then delves into the technical aspects of CDs, explaining how the audio and data stored on a disc are encoded using a process called "pulse-code modulation. " It also describes the various types of CD formats, including CD-DA (Audio CD), CD-ROM (Read-Only Memory), CD-R (Recordable), CD-RW (Rewritable), and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The page also covers the history and development of CDs, including the evolution of their storage capacity, which increased from 650 megabytes to over 700 megabytes. Additionally, it provides information on the different types of CD players and drives, as well as the compatibility of CDs with different devices. Other sections of the page discuss topics such as CD packaging, disc labeling, piracy issues, and the decline of CDs in the digital age. It also includes a list of advantages and disadvantages of CDs compared to other storage media. Overall, the Wikipedia page for Compact Disc serves as a useful reference for anyone seeking information on the history, technology, and other aspects related to CDs.