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Compact disc player. Digitised image of compact discs (CDs), a portable CD player and headphones. Compact discs digitise and store music and other data in the form of tiny depressions. The disc is coated with a fine film of metal which follows the depressions exactly. This layer reflects the laser light used in the player to read the music. The final plastic layer of the disc prevents damage from dust and scratches. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/FRANCOISE SAUZE)