9. Removable Storage - DVDs

Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) are amongst the most common methods of copying and backing up data at home.

A DVD is similar to a CD in that it is an optical device and that a laser is used to store the data and read the data.

A single sided DVD can store about 4.7Gb of data. DVDs which store data on both sides can hold over 9Gb of data.

Advantages

• Very large storage capacity
• Sound and picture quality is excellent, making them ideal for storing films with video and sound.
• DVDs are now mass produced so they are relatively cheap
• DVD players can read CDs

Disadvantages

• DVDs do not work in CD drives
• There is no single standard of DVD
• They can be easily damaged by breaking or scratching