DVD-ROM drive

Optical disc reader

A DVD-ROM drive is a computer component that reads DVD discs but cannot write to them.

The ROM indicates read-only memory—data can be retrieved but not recorded.

DVD-ROM drives were standard in computers from the late 1990s through the 2010s, used for software installation, movies, and data storage before downloads and streaming became dominant.

opticalOf vision or light
discFlat circular object
disc trayDrive's loading mechanism
laserConcentrated light device
trayShallow portable platform

eject · spin · read · spinning up · Blu-ray · burner · install · software · loading · whirring · drawer · lens · data · data transfer · movie · computer · tower · IDE

Opposites

READ vs. WRITE CAPABILITY

DVD-ROM driveDVD burner

Device that writes optical discs

DVD recorder · CD burner

OPTICAL vs. NON-OPTICAL STORAGE

DVD-ROM drivehard disk drive

Magnetic spinning storage device

solid-state drive · flash drive · USB drive · floppy disk drive · memory card reader

PHYSICAL vs. NON-PHYSICAL MEDIA

DVD-ROM drivestreaming service

Internet media delivery platform

cloud storage · digital download · network drive · Netflix · cloud drive

Family

DVD, ROM, drive, drives, drove, driven, driving, driver, drivers

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G