What is the difference between a CD and a DVD?

A. "CD" stands for "compact disc," and DVD stands for "digital video disc" or "digital versatile disc." Both formats are rotating discs with optical digital information that is read by a laser. As an analogy, CDs and DVDs are like the spinning vinyl records of the past, and the laser is like the needle that "reads" the information on the discs along spiraling paths. The primary difference between a CD and a DVD is the laser that reads them. CDs are read by a red laser, which has a long wavelength. DVDs are read by a blue laser, which has a shorter wavelength. Because a blue laser has a shorter wavelength, it can read smaller tracks. This means more information can be put onto a DVD. A CD usually has about 700 megabytes of information, while a single-sided DVD can hold 4.7 gigabytes of information... significantly more than a CD. CDs are mostly used to hold audio information in the form of music. CDs are also still used today to store relatively small amounts of computer information. ...  more

DVDs can store more than CDs DVD CD Max. File size Data: 4.7 GB Compressed Video: 60 min. Data: 650 MB Music: 74 min.  more

killer boot - 2006-11-03 21:51:21 you should put your theory into action and let us know the results! kira - 2006-11-03 21:51:21 joking right?? vio - 2006-11-03 21:51:37 u can watch a dvd, u cant watch a cd. MRS. CHRIS BROWN'S WIFEY - 2006-11-03 21:51:42 well, u really can't tell but the only difference is that, they both can play music. that's all i can tell u. macey h - 2006-11-03 21:53:43 u should know that i mean come on Roxy - 2006-11-03 21:56:51 A dvd has more memory damanpal singh - 2006-11-03 22:04:32 The data storage in cd is maximum 700 mbs approx., but the same in dvd can be 4gb or more. debasis - 2006-11-03 22:04:55 Recordable CD DVD drives have become a must-have for home computers. More and more machines are including CD or DVD writer drives as a standard feature, and fast, affordable drives are easily available for machines without. However, there's some question about new recordable DVD formats. There are no fewer than seven DVD formats, each with different specs and ...  more

The data storage in cd is maximum 700 mbs approx., but the same in dvd can be 4gb or more.  more

Top Both CD and DVD are 1.2mm in thickness and 120mm in diameter. CD however is quite different from DVD as it is made up of a single layer of clear polycarbonate plastic and contains only one layer of information capable of holding approx. 650 to 700 MB of information. DVD however is made up of two 0.6mm discs bonded together to form 1.2mm of polycarbonate plastic. By bonding two 0.6mm discs together this allows us to have two layers of information on a DVD therefore, increasing the storage capacity.  more