Optical Media Back to 6. Ahead to 8. Electronic Publications,Electronic Documents and Virtual Information 7. Optical Media Optical media are used for storing digital sounds, images and data. Optical disks and tapes that can be recorded on once.
Jukeboxes are available for most types of disc allowing automated access to a number of discs.
The mass-produced discs of the CD family have the digital information in the form of microscopic pits pressed into a polycarbonate base which is coated with a light reflective layer. This reflective layer is usually of aluminium, but gold and silver are also used. A transparent lacquer is then placed over the reflective surface to protect it. This surface also carries any label information. As the data on members of the are impressed, they cannot be altered or rewritten.