What is an Optical Disk? Advantages and Disadvantages of Optical Disk

optical disk is a secondary storage device used to store data and files in the computer. The first optical disk was made by James T. Russell in the 1960s, which had a low storage capacity but its storage capacity increased over time.

In 2016 Sony announced a disk, based on Blu-ray technology that can store up to 3.3 terabytes (TB) of data.

It is a portable storage device that can be easily moved from one place to another. Its storage capacity is more than the old magnetic disc and the data is accessed sequentially in the optical disc.

Compact disks (CD), Digital Versatile/Video Disks (DVD), and Blu-ray disks are examples of optical discs in use today, which have a long life and are mainly used for the following things.

to distribute software
To store data such as music, images, videos
To transfer data from one computer to another
Optical disk is also a type of storage device in which we can store any data permanently.

LASER technology is used to store and read data in the optical disk

DVD, CD, and Blu-ray discs are the 3 main types of optical discs, out of which CDs can store up to 700MB of data. DVDs can store up to 8.4 GB of data, and Blu-ray discs, which are a newer version of optical discs, can easily store up to 50 GB of data.

The higher storage capacity of optical discs gives it more advantages than floppy discs, which only allow up to 1.44 MB of data to be stored.

Note -: A CD drive can only read data stored in CDs, a DVD drive can read data stored in both DVDs and CDs, and a Blu-ray drive can store all three CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. can read data.

That is to say, the new disk drive can read the data stored in the old disk, but the old disk drive cannot read the data stored in the new disk.

By the way, since the appearance of the Internet, online streaming and downloading has increased significantly, due to which the use of optical discs has come down significantly.

Although optical discs have their advantages and disadvantages, which we are going to talk about below.

Advantages of Optical Disk

Cost
Durability
Simplicity
Portability
Stability

1. Cost

The cost involved in manufacturing optical discs is very less because only aluminum foil and plastic are involved in the manufacture of optical discs. Users can buy optical disc for very less money.

2. Durability

Optical disc is a durable storage device that lasts much longer than both volatile and non-volatile memory.

In this, there is no risk of data loss when the power supply is turned off, so it lasts for many years.

However, optical discs are not fully protected from heat, scratches, and other physical damage, which can sometimes cause them to wear out quickly.

3. Simplicity

Backing up becomes very easy with the help of optical disks. Using this, the user can take a backup of the data stored in his computer very easily.

4. Portability

Optical disks are a portable storage device that can be easily moved from one place to another and can be used on any computer device. Although it is a little bigger in size, it can be easily carried anywhere by keeping it in a bag.

5. Stability

Optical disks are a highly stable storage device as it is free from the effects of any electromagnetic field, unlike magnetic disks.

Disadvantages of Optical Disk

Security
Capacity
Reliability
Duplication

1. Security

Although there is no special security risk in it, but it can be stolen very easily by anyone, so it has to be kept a little careful so that no one can steal it.

2. Capacity

Optical disks cost much more than other storage devices. The price at which optical disks provide storage in GB / TB is much higher than other storage devices.

3. Reliability

Just as flash drives are protected by plastic covers, optical disks are not protected by plastic covers, due to which there is a risk of scratches in optical disks. If an optical disc is scratched, the data stored in it can be destroyed which cannot be recovered.

4. Duplication

It is difficult to make a duplicate copy with the help of an optical disk.

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Conclusion

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