Definition
A shock-absorption technology built into portable CD players (and some other devices) to prevent the laser from skipping or jumping across the disc when jostled or dropped. Early skip protection was minimal and unreliable; later models used mechanical buffer systems or digital audio caching to improve reliability.
Example Usage
The portable CD player advertised '120-second skip protection,' meaning it could handle minor bumps without losing your place in the song.
Origin
Developed as a response to complaints that portable CD players skipped songs when joggers or commuters hit bumps; became a major selling point throughout the 1990s.
Fun Fact
Despite manufacturer claims, no amount of skip protection could fully prevent skipping from a hard drop or rough handling, making it as much a marketing term as a practical feature.
Related Terms
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See “skip protection” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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