Final answer:
A DVD-5, a single-sided, single-layer DVD, has a storage capacity of about 4.7 gigabytes. DVDs store data digitally, utilizing pits and bumps read by a laser, which allows for a larger storage capacity than analog formats.
Step-by-step explanation:
The capacity of a DVD-5, which is a single-sided, single-layer DVD, is approximately 4.7 gigabytes (GB). This size allows it to store an substantial amount of data, including video, audio, and other digital content. DVDs, like music CDs, store information digitally, with data encoded in the form of pits and bumps on the surface of the disc. These pits and bumps are created with precision by a laser and read by a laser in the DVD player as the disc spins. Due to their digital storage method, DVDs have a much larger information-storage capacity compared to analog mediums like vinyl records or cassette tapes.