Origin of CD-RCD + r(ecordable)
- Compact Disk - Read only or Compact Disk - Recordable; a form of digital media that is based on the use of a laser to read from a plastic disc. It can only be written to once.
cd-r - Computer Definition
(1) (Call Detail Reporting) See call accounting.
(3) (Compact Disc-Recordable) A type of CD disc that can be recorded, but not erased. Used to back up and transfer data and to master CD-ROMs, CD-R discs can be written ("burned") and read by most CD/DVD drives. The phrase "burn a CD" really means "burn a CD-R." Capacities The most common CD-R formats hold 650MB (74 minutes) of data or 700MB (80 min.). Also available are 550MB (63 min.), 790MB (90 min.) and 870MB (99 min.), the latter two being non-standard. The higher capacities are achieved by reducing the distance between tracks (track pitch). To record a full 650MB disc takes only a couple minutes using 40x recorders. For speed ratings of drives, see CD-ROM drives. Change the Reflectivity The binary 0s and 1s in CDs and CD-ROMs are actual pits (or lack thereof called "lands") stamped into the media. CD-Rs create the equivalent of pits and lands by altering the reflectivity of a dye layer. Different dyes are used, including cyanine (green), pthalo-cyanine (yellow-gold) and metal-azo (blue). See CD-RW, multisession, disc-at-once, track-at-once, CD UDF and optical disc.