CDs and DVDs
CD (Compact Disc) – used to store data files and audio files. Can hold 650-700 MB of data (e.g. about 300,000 pages of text) or more. Equivalent to 700+ floppy discs:
* CD-ROMs (Read-Only Memory): you can only read data or audio from these discs (e.g. you can’t write to them, and you can’t erase them); most software that you buy, comes on CD-ROMs.
* CD-Rs (Recordables): you can record data or audio on to these discs, but you can only do it once; very good for creating backups of your important files.
* CD-RWs (Rewritables): you can record data or audio, you can erase, you can re-write – just like a “regular” disc drive or floppy disc.
BURNING CDs: Your CD-RW drive can read & write data at speeds designated by a number followed by the letter “X” where “X” represents a speed of 150KBps (kilobytes per second). For example, 48X means your CD-RW drive can burn data at 7,200KBps. To take maximum advantage of this, you should buy CDs with ratings that match this speed. If you have CDs with lower ratings, most programs allow you to lower the write speed to match the CD-R/RW’s speed rating.
CD-Rs are CHEAP! Many times you can get 50 CD-Rs with a REBATE offer that can essentially make the final cost FREE!
What are CD COASTERS? Sometimes you might make an unusable or badly written CD, these are called “coasters”, because that’s all they’re really good for!!
DVD (Digital Video Disc) – used to store data files, mostly used for storing video files. Can hold 4.7GB of data or more on each side of the disc (e.g. about 133 minutes of video on each side of the disc). DVDs may eventually replace CDs, VHS videotape, and laser discs.
