Enhanced CD

Does your band have a video or two that you'd like to release, but you don't have enough material or the budget to author a DVD? Do you want to add value to your audio CD? The Enhanced CD format is a great way to accomplish these things, for relatively little money.

"Enhanced CD" is the generic term used to describe an audio CD that also contains a set of computer files. While a regular audio CD will play in both your CD player and your computer's CD drive, an Enhanced CD includes an additional section that will only load in your computer. Practically anything that can be viewed on your computer can be added to an audio CD to create an Enhanced CD, space permitting. However, most people want to ensure the largest audience possible for their CD. To that end, we often recommend the following tried and true format:

- Video in MPEG1 (.MPG) format, 1800 - 2800 Kbps, sized to 320x240 pixels
- Any layouts created in HTML (web pages), with graphics in .JPG or .GIF format
- Layouts designed and tested for an 800x600 monitor

Sticking with these specs has a number of advantages. All of the formats are open standards that are designed to display properly on any OS (Windows, Mac, Linux) and any web-browsing software. You can count on all computers sold in the last 8 years having been shipped with a media player that will play MPEG1 format, and having at least a basic web browser.

A second reason to use the above specs is that they are likely to play smoothly on the vast majority of computers in use today. MPEG1 (.MPG) is a video format that was specifically designed for CD playback, and has relatively modest computer horsepower requirements. Making your layout appropriate for an 800x600 monitor size will ensure that your CD looks good and is usable to the majority of your audience.

Using HTML for your layout has advantages also. It is relatively easy and cheap to create HTML layouts, and its a snap to add links to your website or email address, so people can easily access your current information.

Mr. Toad's can assist you with any and all aspects of the process of developing an Enhanced CD. We can build the disc from the ground up for you, if that's what you need. Likewise, if you have your layout and media together, and you just need help creating the final master, we can do that too. And, everything in between!

Of course, you don't have to stop at HTML and MPEG1. There are a variety of other technologies, such as Director, Flash, and Quicktime, that can be used to provide an even deeper and more immersive experience for your Enhanced CD. Mr. Toad's can help you choose and implement the tools necessary to create the experience that you want. Bring our Video Production, Graphics, and Audio Mastering departments into the picture, and you have a full compliment of services to realize even your wildest multmedia dreams!