Trademark term for the Sony-Philips digital audio optical disc storage system. The disc is made of plastic, with a top metallized layer, and is read by reflected laser light. Variations (such as the 3" disc) are reserved for special applications. The system stores 75 minutes (maximum) of digital audio and subcode information, or other non-audio data, on a 12-centimeter diameter optical disc.
The specifications for the compact disc and compact disc players were jointly developed by Sony, Philips, and
Polygram. This specification is contained in their standards document referred to as the Red Book.