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A DVD-ROM is a computer component that reads data from a DVD-ROM disc, a type of optical disc used for permanent, read-only storage. It is the successor to the CD-ROM, offering significantly higher storage capacity. The component itself is an optical drive, typically installed in a desktop computer or as an external device.

Function and features

Reads read-only discs: As the name "Read-Only Memory" suggests, a DVD-ROM drive is designed to read data that has been permanently stamped onto the disc during manufacturing. It cannot write or erase data from these discs.

Higher capacity than a CD-ROM: A standard single-layer DVD-ROM can hold 4.7 GB of data, while dual-layer versions can hold up to 8.5 GB. This is a massive increase over the approximately 700 MB capacity of a CD-ROM.

Backward compatible: DVD-ROM drives are backward compatible with most CD formats, allowing them to also read music and data CDs.

Used for content distribution: DVD-ROMs were a dominant format for distributing large software applications, video games, and movies during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Not the same as a DVD player: While most DVD-ROM drives can play movie DVDs, they are not the same as the dedicated DVD players found in home theater systems.