CDText

CD-Text, or CD-Text metadata, is a standard for embedding textual information on audio compact discs. It enables disc authors to store titles, artists, and other text directly on the CD so compatible players can display them during playback, without relying on external files.

The format was developed in the 1990s by Philips and Sony as an extension of the Red Book CD-DA specification. CD-Text data is carried in the CD's subcode channels (the Q data) and organized into fields for the disc and for each track, such as album title, artist, and track title. The encoding is primarily ASCII-based with language coding support.

Availability and compatibility vary. CD-Text is optional, and many older players ignore it. Even when present on a disc, some players may not display it, or may display only a subset of fields. Modern software on computers and some car stereos commonly display CD-Text if the disc author included it.

Limitations and notes. CD-Text is not a universal standard across all players or regions, and different drives may implement it differently. It does not replace metadata stored in digital files on the computer, such as ID3 tags, and there is no guarantee that CD-Text will be preserved when copying or re-authoring discs.

See also: Red Book, CD-DA, ISRC.