3.2.

Optical Media and Optical Storage Devices

Optical media store data using laser technology and include CDs and DVDs.
These disks are read and written by optical storage devices, which can be
built into a computer or connected externally via USB.

CD/DVD Optical Disks

CDs and DVDs are categorized into:

 CD/DVD-R (Write once)

 CD/DVD-RW (Can be written and read multiple times)
 CD/DVD-ROM (Read-only memory, pre-recorded data)

CDs and DVDs use a thin metal alloy or light-sensitive organic dye coating to
store data. Both use a single, spiral track running from the center to the
outer edge. Data is stored in pits and lands, which are read using a red
laser.

How CDs/DVDs Work:

 The optical head moves to the start of the spiral track.

 The red laser follows the track, reading pits and lands.
 The depth of pits (about 20% of the laser wavelength) alters the
reflection, allowing data to be read as binary values.

DVD vs. CD Technology

DVDs have a larger storage capacity than CDs because:

 Smaller pits and track width allow more data storage.

 Shorter wavelength lasers (650 nm for DVDs, 780 nm for CDs)
increase storage density.
  Dual-layering technology in DVDs allows two recording layers,
effectively doubling the storage.

Dual-Layer DVDs:

Dual-layer DVDs have two recording layers, separated by a transparent

spacer and thin reflector. The laser refocuses to read data from the second
layer, greatly increasing storage capacity.

CD-R and DVD-R

Uses:

 Home recordings: Music (CD-R) and films (DVD-R).

 Data storage: Store data for later use or transfer to another
computer.

Advantages and Disadvantages of CD-R and DVD-R

Advantages Disadvantages
Cheaper medium than RW Can only be recorded once; if an error
disks. occurs, the disk has to be thrown away.
Once burned (and finalized), Not all CD/DVD players can read
they behave like a ROM. CD-R/DVD-R.

CD-RW and DVD-RW

Uses:

 Recording TV programmes: Can be overwritten multiple times

(though increasingly replaced by HDD recording).
 CCTV systems: Store surveillance footage.
 Backup device: Store files and data for backup purposes.
 Here’s the information presented in a table format:
Advantages and Disadvantages of CD-R and DVD-R

Advantages Disadvantages
Reusable: Can be written over many times. Expensive media: Higher
cost compared to
CD-R/DVD-R.
Flexible file formats: Different formats can Risk of overwriting: Data
be used each time. can be accidentally
overwritten.
Less wasteful: Files/data can be added
later (unlike CD-R/DVD-R, which require a
single write operation).

CD-ROM and DVD-ROM

Uses:

 Read-only memory: Permanent data storage that cannot be

overwritten.
 CD-ROM: Stores music, software, computer games, and reference
materials (e.g., encyclopaedias).
 DVD-ROM: Stores films, computer data, and sophisticated games.
 Applications requiring data protection: Prevents deletion or
overwriting of important data.

Advantages and Disadvantages of CD-ROM/DVD-ROM

Advantages Disadvantages

Less expensive than hard disk Data transfer rate and access time are
drive systems. slower than hard disks.
Note

DVD-RAM is another type of DVD that operates differently from other DVD
formats. It has been used as RAM in computers and camcorders, but the
format is now considered outdated.

Comparison of Optical Discs

Type Uses Advantages Disadvantages

CD-R/ Home recordings, data Cheap, behaves Can only record
DVD-R storage. like ROM after once,
finalizing. compatibility
issues.
CD-RW/ TV recordings, CCTV, Reusable, flexible Expensive, risk of
DVD-RW backups. file formats, less overwriting.
wasteful.
CD- Music, software, games, Cost-effective, Slower data
ROM/ films, data protection. permanent transfer/access
DVD- storage. than hard disks.
ROM
DVD-RAM RAM in N/A (older N/A (older
computers/camcorders. format). format).
Blu-ray High-definition movies, Very large Expensive,
(Single & gaming, data storage, storage capacity, encryption
Dual- home video consoles. fast data transfer issues,
layer)
rate, built-in competition from
encryption for HD DVD players.
piracy protection.

Key Points to Remember

1. CD-R/DVD-R: Write-once discs, cheap but not reusable.

2. CD-RW/DVD-RW: Reusable discs, ideal for backups and recordings.
3. CD-ROM/DVD-ROM: Read-only discs, used for permanent storage of
software, games, and films.
4. DVD-RAM: Older format used as RAM in devices.
Blu-ray Discs

Blu-ray discs are a type of optical storage media but differ significantly
from DVDs in their construction and read/write operations. Blu-ray discs
are read from or written to using a Blu-ray optical storage device.

The name Blu-ray (instead of "Blue-ray") was chosen because it was

impossible to copyright the word "Blue".

Main Differences Between DVD and Blu-ray

Feature DVD Blu-ray

Laser Type Uses a red laser (650 Uses a blue laser (405 nm)
nm)
Storage Standard 4.7 GB 27 GB (single-layer) and 50 GB
Capacity (single-layer) (dual-layer)
Pit and Larger pits and lands Smaller pits and lands, allowing
Land Size more data storage
Disc Two 0.6 mm layers Single-layer: 1.2 mm thick
Thickness (total 1.2 mm)
Data 10 Mbps 36 Mbps
Transfer
Rate
Security No built-in encryption Built-in encryption system to
prevent piracy
Comparison of DVD and Blu-ray Storage Capacity

Disc Type Storage Usage

Capacity

Single- 4.7 GB Stores a 2-hour standard definition movie.

layer DVD
Single- 27 GB Stores a 2-hour high-definition movie or 13 hours
layer Blu- of standard definition movies.
ray
Dual-layer 50 GB Stores 4.5 hours of high-definition movies or 20
Blu-ray hours of standard definition movies.

Interactivity: Blu-ray vs. DVD

 Blu-ray devices offer greater interactivity than DVDs. With Blu-ray,

users can:
 Record high-definition television programs.
 Skip quickly to any part of the disc.
 Create playlists of recorded movies and TV shows.
 Edit or re-order recorded programs.
 Automatically find empty space to avoid over-recording.
 Access websites to download subtitles and additional features.
Comparison of CD, DVD, and Blu-ray

Disk Type CD DVD (Dual- Blu-ray Blu-ray

layer) (Single-layer) (Dual-layer)
Laser Red Red Blue Blue
Colour
Wavelength 780 nm 650 nm 405 nm 405 nm
of Laser
Light
Disk Single 1.2 Two 0.6 mm Single 1.2 Two 0.6 mm
Constructio mm polycarbonat mm polycarbonat
n polycarbonat e layers polycarbonat e layers
e layer e layer
Track Pitch 1.60 µm 0.74 µm 0.30 µm 0.30 µm
(Distance
Between
Tracks)

Uses of Blu-ray Discs

 Home video consoles (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox).

 Storing and playing back movies (a two-hour high-definition
movie uses 25 GB of memory).
 Computers use Blu-ray for data storage or hard drive backups.
 Camcorders can use Blu-ray cartridges to store movies.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Blu-ray Discs

Advantages Disadvantages
Very large storage capacity, ideal Relatively expensive compared to
for high-definition movies. other optical media.
Very fast data transfer rate. Encryption issues can arise when
used for storing videos.
Faster data access speed than The introduction of HD DVD
other optical media. players has reduced Blu-ray's
advantages.
Built-in encryption system to
prevent piracy and copyright
infringement.