What is a DVD?
Q: What is a DVD?
A: A DVD is an optical disc capable of storing up to 4.7 GB of data, more than six times what a CD can hold. DVDs are often used to store movies at better quality than a VHS. DVDs can also have interactive menus and bonus features such as alternative or deleted scenes and commentaries.
Q: How does the capacity of a DVD-ROM get determined?
A: The capacity of a DVD-ROM can be determined by noting the number of data sides, and looking at the data side(s) of the disc. Double-layered sides are usually gold-colored, while single-layered sides are usually silver-colored, like a CD. One additional way to tell if a DVD contains one or two layers is to look at the center ring on the underside of the disc. If there are two barcodes, it is a dual layer disc. If there is one barcode, there is only one layer.
Q: What type of laser reads DVDs?
A: Like CDs, DVDs are read with a laser.
Q: How much storage can 8 cm diameter discs hold?
A: 8 cm diameter discs can hold 1.5 GB in storage capacity.
Q: How many layers and sides does each type of 12 cm diameter disc have?
A: A 12 cm diameter disc may have one or two sides and one or two layers; the number of sides and layers determines how much it can hold - for example, DVD-5 has single sided single layer with 4.7 gigabytes (GB), or 4.38 gibibytes (GiB).
Q: What types of bonus features do DVDs offer?
A: Bonus features that DVDs offer include interactive menus and bonus features such as alternative or deleted scenes and commentaries
