a disk-shaped optical data storage medium approximately 4-3/4 in. in diameter, which stores binary data as microscopic nonreflective holes or pits in an otherwise reflective surface, and is recorded and played back by rotation in an electronic device containing a laser. It is often referred to by its abbreviation CD. It is a type of optical data storage medium. Compact disks are used for recordings of music as well as of data for computer applications.
The most popular format for conveying music and data currently available. It is among the first digital media to take over from the analog formats of phonograph records and tapes; coming to the market in the early 1980's. Developed by Phillips, Sony, and Pioneer, it records information on the now familiar shiny discs by deforming the inner metal foil on the disc with tiny micro pits burned in by a laser. These pits taken together, form a binary digital code, which when converted to bits, then bytes, can recreate the original information, such as audio. It's superiority as a format, consists of the fact that the process gets around the such problems as: noise, hiss, pops, transducer irregularities, and other audible problems that made analog carriers a less than fully high fidelity mode. Dynamic range exceeds 100 decibels, a sufficient soft/loud difference to make the reproduction very lifelike. Frequency response is at the theoretical limits of human hearing and unwanted aural artifacts are generally below the threshold of perception. The only significant improvement is the DVD borne addition of multiple channels, to recreate the original sonic environment.
A relatively small optical disk on which text, data, sounds, visual images, and the like can be recorded digitally and then scanned, decoded, and transmitted by a laser beam to a computer monitor, television set, or playback device. See also AUDIOVISUAL RECORDS, OPTICAL DISK.
CD. A non-magnetic, polished, optical disk used to store large amounts of digital information. Digital information is tored ont he CD as a series of microscopic pits and smooth areas that have different reflective properties. A beam of laser light shines on the disk so that the reflections can be detected and converted into digital data.
A optical storage medium that can hold up to 680MB of data, and can be used to hold audio data that can be played in standalone CD players.
a digitally encoded recording on an optical disk that is smaller than a phonograph record; played back by a laser
a format of digital information storage, which is mainly used for music, where it can have playing time exceeding an hour
a shiny, circular disk that stores information
A small plastic optical disk which contains recorded music or computer data. Also, a popular format for storing information digitally. The major advantage of a CD is its capability to store enormous amounts of information.
A common mass storage medium based on the same technology as audio CDs, suitable for storing large amounts of fixed data like encyclopedias or video games.
A round plate on which data can be encoded. There are two basic types of disks: magnetic disks and optical disks
A disk which holds a large amount of data, which can be of varying formats, audio and visual.