All four are considered optical drives and not magnetic like hard drives. The data is read on CDs and DVDs by shining a laser onto its reflective coating. The wavelength on a DVD is shorter so it can hold more information than a CD. Also, on a DVD they can put two layers of media increasing the storage capacity.
SS= Single Sided SL=Single Layer DL=Double Layer
Disc Format/Capacity
CD-SS 650 MB, 700 MB (the most common), 800 MB, 900 MB
DVD-R/RW SS, SL 4.71 GB
DVD+R/RW SS, SL 4.70 GB
DVD-R, DVD+R, DS, SL 9.4 GB
DVD-R SS, DL 8.54 GB
DVD+R SS, DL 8.55 GB
DVD+R DS, DL 17.1 GB
HD DVDs and Blu-Ray Discs represent a new technology which uses a blue-violet laser beam to read the data which is why the hardware is not compatible. The wave length is shorter still so more information can be stored on the disk
Blu-Ray SS SL 25 GB
HD DVD's 15 GB made Blu-Ray the winner. Toshiba (HD DVD's biggest fan) gave up its push for this media last year.
If you are thinking about buying movies or optical hardware, just be aware that DVD and HD DVD will die out and Blu-Ray will emerge the winner unless some new kid on the block comes along and wants to duke it out with them.
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