Digital Versatile Discs, commonly known as DVDs, are optical storage media used to store digital data. They were developed in the mid-1990s and can hold significantly more information than traditional CDs. A standard DVD can store about 4.7 gigabytes of data, while dual-layer versions can hold up to 8.5 gigabytes. This capacity makes DVDs popular for distributing movies, software, and video games. DVDs use a laser to read and write data, similar to CDs, but with a different encoding method that allows for higher storage density. They come in various formats, including DVD-Video for movies and DVD-ROM for data storage. Despite the rise of digital streaming, DVDs remain a reliable option for physical media.