CD-ROM

Known as a read-only disc, usually used to store commercial programs and data. You can't add or delete information on a CD-ROM.

650 megabytes (MB)

Highly compatible with most computers and devices.

CD-R

You can burn files to a CD-R more than once (each time is referred to as a session), but you can't delete files from the disc. Each burn is permanent.

650 MB and 700 MB

You must close the session to read this disc in a different computer. Highly compatible with most computers and devices.

CD-RW

You can burn files to a CD-RW more than once. You can also delete unwanted files from the disc to reclaim space and add additional files. A CD-RW can be burned and erased many times.

650 MB

Compatible with many computers and devices.

DVD-ROM

Known as a read-only disc, usually used to store commercial programs and data. You can't add or delete information on a DVD-ROM.

4.7 gigabytes (GB)

Highly compatible with most computers and devices.

DVD-R

You can burn files to a DVD-R more than once (each time is referred to as a session), but you can't delete files from the disc. Each burn is permanent.

4.7 GB

You must close the session to read this disc in a different computer. Highly compatible with most computers and devices.

DVD+R

You can burn files to a DVD+R more than once (each time is referred to as a session), but you can't delete files from the disc. Each burn is permanent.

4.7 GB

You must close the session to read this disc in a different computer. Compatible with many computers and devices.

DVD-RW

You can burn files to a DVD-RW more than once (each time is referred to as a session). You can also delete unwanted files from the disc to reclaim space and add additional files. A DVD-RW can be burned and erased many times.

4.7 GB

You don't need to close the session to read this disc in another computer. Compatible with many computers and devices.

DVD+RW

You can burn files to a DVD+RW more than once (each time is referred to as a session). You can also delete unwanted files from the disc to reclaim space and add additional files. A DVD+RW can be burned and erased many times.

4.7 GB

You don't need to close the session to read this disc in another computer. Compatible with many computers and devices.

DVD-RAM

You can burn files to a DVD-RAM more than once. You can also delete unwanted files from the disc to reclaim space and add additional files. A DVD-RAM can be burned and erased many times.

2.6 GB

4.7 GB

5.2 GB

9.4 GB

DVD-RAM discs can generally only be used DVD-RAM drives and might not be readable by DVD players and other devices.