Compact Disc Extended Graphics

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CD Extended Graphics (CD+EG, CD-EG, CDエクステンディド・グラフィックス) is an extension to the CD Graphics (CD+G) standard. The extended commands allow for more colorful images and advanced transitions. Like CD+G, CD+EG occupies otherwise unused subchannel space on a CD Audio disc, so it has the same audio capacity as a normal CD, and the audio can be played in any CD player.

After the first few discs published in 1991 and 1992, CD+EG was rarely produced. I've only found evidence for a total of 10 releases up to 1996, over half are promotional. All of the confirmed discs were made by Victor (JVC).

I got involved with collecting CD+EG in July 2024, when I ran across a copy of The CD Graphics World by Extended Graphics. I set up this page to showcase my collection, and to organize information about this rare format. Please contact me with any info you'd like to share.

My Collection

Spines of CD+EG discs on top of a Sony CDP-K2EG player

The CD Graphics World by Extended Graphics [PGCD-5]

PGCD-5 coverPGCD-5 disc
CD Graphics World title
Video recorded from a Sega Saturn

VINY series

There are 3 known retail CD+EG releases, all with VINY catalog numbers. The last is VINY-3~4, released in late 1992. They were shown together alongside decoders until at least mid-1994.

From a 1992 2-4 (Spring) component catalog (Mezzo), pg. 10
showing the VS-G2 decoder and a promotion for the Amadeus and Four Seasons albums

From a '94.6 catalog (RobotCompo and MicroCompo), pg. 22, next to VS-G3
from right to left showing Amadeus [VINY-2], The Four Seasons [VINY-1], and Mashin Hero Wataru [VINY-3~4]

Mariko Senju - Vivaldi: The Four Seasons [VINY-1]

千住真理子・四季・ヴィヴァルディ:ヴァイオリン協奏曲集

VINY-1 ObiVINY-1 disc
AllegroTitle: Mariko Senju Vivaldi The Four SeasonsMariko Senju, violin; Kurt Redel, conductor; The English Chamber OrchestraSpringKurt and Mariko performingorchestra from aboveMatterhorn

Amadeus Original Soundtrack Recording [VINY-2]

アマデウス・オリジナル・サウンドトラック盤

VINY-2 ObiVINY-2 disc
Amadeus title screenSir Neville Marriner, Academy of St.Martin-in-the-Fields, Original Soundtrack RecordingMozart pointing

Mashin Hero Wataru 3 Off Voice Collection ~ Special Edition [VINY-3~4]

魔神英雄伝ワタル３ オフヴォイス・コレクション ～特別編 君は救世主ワタルだ！

VINY-3~4 Obi frontVINY-3~4 Obi backVINY-3 discVINY-4 disc
Wataru 3 titlethe floating world of SoukaizanHimiko and Toraoh

Victor CD-Graphics Station - Hit Box - Special Sampler - Feb.~Mar. 1995 [CDSG-5]

CDSG-5 coverCDSG-5 disc
Hit Box menutrack 2, Mariko Takahashitrack 9, LÄ-PPISCH

Other Known Discs

These are known or suspected CD+EG discs not in my collection.

The CD Graphics World by Extended Graphics [PGCD-4]

It seems like the only difference from PGCD-5 is one of the karaoke tracks: Track 5 changed from いとしのエリー (Ellie My Love) on PGCD-4 to Say Yes on PGCD-5.

Seen sold on Yahoo Japan Auctions: listing (archived, front, back)

PGCD-4 front PGCD-4 back

Victor CD-Graphics Station - Hit Box - Special Sampler

There are at least three more of these besides Feb.~Mar. 1995:

SMAP 3rd Anniversary [CDS-312]

Seen sold twice on Mercari: listing 1 (archived, front, back, disc), listing 2 (front, back, disc)

CDS-312 front CDS-312 back CDS-312 disc

November 11 1994 [CDSG-2]

hide, Luna Sea, Schaft, The Mad Capsule Market's, The Suns, エレキブラン

Seen sold on Yahoo Japan Auctions: listing (archived, front, back)

CDSG-2 front CDSG-2 back

土用波 September 1996 [CDSG-24]

Seen in an old Yahoo Japan Auctions listing saved on Aucfan: listing (archived, front, back, disc)

CDSG-24 front CDSG-24 back CDSG-24 disc

Rap de Bingo [SOPI-01]

There is a 1992 bingo game from Hanayama called Rap de Bingo (ラップdeビンゴ) which includes a disc with the Extended Graphics logo. It's possible this is just a mislabeled CD+G. Barcode: 4972825192726. Seen sold on Mercari (listing, archived, box front, contents, box back, disc) and an old YJA listing saved on Aucfan (listing, archived).

Technical Details

CD+EG adds an extra video buffer, doubling the video memory from CD+G. This can be used for full 8 bit (256 color) graphics, or the two buffers can be used for independent 4 bit (16 color) images. When used independently, one buffer can written while the other is displaying, then they can be instantly switched. There is also a mode that allows the two buffers to be blended together, this can produce a dissolve effect, or one layer can be scrolled on a stationary background.

TODO: I intend to add more info such as: graphical techniques used on the different discs, compatibility of hardware CD+EG players, the obscure Line Graphics mode, more non-karaoke uses of CD+G, and how to accurately rip CD+G discs.

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