Final answer:
Data saved as tiny pits burned into a disc by a laser is known as an optical disc, a technology used in CDs and DVDs which allows for large information-storage capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The storage method where data are saved as tiny pits that are burned into the disk by a high-speed laser is known as an optical disc. This technology was used primarily in CDs and DVDs. These optical discs store information digitally, and thanks to the precision of laser technology, they can hold a significantly larger amount of data compared to audio and video cassette tapes. For instance, an entire encyclopedia can be stored on a single CD. The laser-created pits on the CD's surface are read by an inexpensive solid-state infrared laser, which scatters light from the pits as the CD spins, to reveal the digital pattern and the encoded information. This reading process allows these discs to function as a reliable medium for audio and video playback, as well as data storage.