Most CD players, designed to play only stereo disks, lack such a device.

The DVD drive also loads software and plays audio disks.

However, such styluses will not play 78-rpm disks, which require a still wider diameter of three mil (0.003 inches).

The computers can also play compact disks and serve as a telephone answering machine.

The players range from about $500 to more than $1,500, and will also play ordinary laser and compact disks for those shy of voice.

I want to see how the public takes to the idea of playing disks back on their TV sets.

Spaced about the disconcertingly skinny room were 15 machines that appeared to be playing giant-size compact disks.

The $800 system can play audio compact disks, video games showing real actors instead of animated characters, and videos with high-quality sound.

However, those who treasure LP collections accumulated in years past may want to update their equipment for playing such disks.

But digital videodisk players will be able to play existing compact disks.