The word DVD stands for digital versatile disc or it may be called as Digital video disk. A DVD is mainly used for data and video storage. As being optical disc storage media it can store almost six times of the data stored on a simple CD. A DVD-ROM is used for read only memory, you can only read data from a read only memory but can not write data over it. Other then DVD-ROM there are DVD-R and DVD+R which can record data for a single time and function as read only memory. DVD-Video and DVD-Audio discs stores video and audio data respectively.

DVD is an archival medium where data is stored in the archive and retrieved occasionally. If no device can read data from the DVD the DVD is called to be obsolete. The durability of a DVD depends upon how long its content can be read by the compatible devices. The durability of a DVD depends upon the sealing material, reflective layer, the storage duration, dye make up and the place where the DVD was manufactured.

In present circumstances numerous movies and televisions shows are recorded in DVDs. Due to its huge storage capacity a DVD can store a number of movies on a single disc with the help of video compression of the movies. Movies are encoded in MPEG 4 format while storing them on DVD. The movie player uncompresses the data as you watch the movie. Movies are recorded in 24 frame format and the MPEG encoder analyzes each frame and decides how to encode the frame. Due to compression the overall size of the movies is reduced hence you can store more than one movie on a single DVD. DVD is being sold more than the video tapes, CDs and laser discs. It is now claimed as the most successful consumer electronic product all over the world.