compact disc (CD)

compact disc (CD)
Molded plastic disc containing digital data that is scanned by a laser beam for the reproduction of recorded sound or other information.

Since its commercial introduction in 1982, the audio CD has become the dominant format for high-fidelity recorded music. Digital audio data can be converted to analog form to reproduce the original audio signal (see digital-to-analog conversion). Coinvented by Philips Electronics and Sony Corp. in 1980, the compact disc has expanded beyond audio recordings into other storage-and-distribution uses, notably for computers (CD-ROM) and entertainment systems (videodisc and DVD). An audio CD can store just over an hour of music. A CD-ROM can contain up to 680 megabytes of computer data. A DVD, the same size as traditional CDs, is able to store up to 17 gigabytes of data, such as high-definition digital video files.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • compact disc — UK US noun [C] ► a CD(Cf. ↑CD): »The authorities revoked the licenses of three compact disc manufacturers today for illegally copying computer software …   Financial and business terms

  • compact disc — n [U and C] CD a small circular piece of hard plastic on which high quality recorded sound or large quantities of information can be stored ▪ The new album is available on vinyl, cassette, or compact disc …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • compact disc — compact discs N COUNT: also on N Compact discs are small shiny discs that contain music or computer information. The abbreviation CD is also used. The soundtrack of Highlander II will be released on compact disc at Easter. (in AM, also use… …   English dictionary

  • compact disc — or compact disk [käm′pakt΄] n. a small, plastic OPTICAL DISC for storing digital data, recording sounds digitally, etc …   English World dictionary

  • compact disc — (o compact disk) / kɔmpækt disk/, it. / kompakt disk/ locuz. ingl. (propr. disco compatto ), usata in ital. come s.m. (talora abbrev. in compact ). 1. (elettron.) [disco fonografico a lettura ottica mediante raggio laser, che dà un alta qualità… …   Enciclopedia Italiana

  • compact disc — ► NOUN ▪ a small plastic disc on which music or other digital information is stored in the form of a pattern of metal coated pits from which it can be read using laser light reflected off the disc …   English terms dictionary

  • compact disc — (ingl.) m. *Disco compacto. ⊚ Reproductor de discos compactos …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • compact disc — noun count a CD …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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  • compact-disc — (izg. kòmpakt dȉsk) m DEFINICIJA v. CD …   Hrvatski jezični portal

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