DVD-Video: multimedia for the masses

DVD (digital video disc, or digital versatile disc) is the next generation of optical disc storage technology. It's essentially a bigger, faster compact disc (CD) that can hold video as well as audio and computer data. DVD aims to encompass home entertainment, computers and business information with a single digital format, eventually replacing audio CD, videotape, laser disc, CD-ROM, and perhaps even video game cartridges. DVD has widespread-and unprecedented-support from all major electronics companies, all major computer hardware companies and most major movie and music studios, which says much for its chances of success. DVD-ROM holds computer data read by a DVD-ROM drive hooked up to a computer. DVD-Video is an application built on top of DVD-ROM. DVD-Video holds video programs played in a DVD player hooked up to a TV. The difference between DVD-ROM and DVD-Video resembles that between CD-ROM and audio CDs, including the important point that DVD-Video discs can be played in computers.