An external CD-RW drive is a unit that connects to the front or back of a computer, usually through a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. An external CD-RW drive can be moved and used with other computers.

A DVD-ROM drive is a device that reads information stored on DVDs. DVD-ROM stands for Digital Versatile Disc-Read-Only Memory. Read- only means you cannot change the information stored on the disc.

Play DVDs and CDs You can use a DVD-ROM drive to access information stored on DVDs, such as phone directories or maps. You can also play high quality DVD games using a DVD-ROM drive. In addition, music CDs, CD-ROM discs and recordable discs can be played on a DVD-ROM.

A DVD-ROM disc is similar in size and shape to a CD-ROM disc, but can store over six times more information. A single DVD can typically store up to 4.7 GB of information or 120 minutes of video. Most DVD-ROM drives are located inside the computer case.

DVD-ROM drives can play DVD-Video discs, which can hold over two hours of fulI length, full-screen movies. Most DVD-Video discs include a menu system, which helps you quickly go to specific scenes in a movie or access special features such as deleted scenes, alternate endings or a directors commentary. You may need to install special software on your computer to play DVD-Video discs.

The Speed of a DVD-ROM drive determines how quickly information can transfer from a disc to a computer Current DVD-ROM drives commonly have a speed of 16x.

When handling a DVD, hold the disc around the edges to prevent Scratching the disc. When you finish using a DVD, make sure you place the disc back in its protective case and do not stack discs on top of each other. You should also keep discs away from direct sunlight and avoid storing discs in hot locations such as on top of a monitor or on the dashboard of a car.