Final answer:
The DVD-ROM is comparable to the CD-ROM as a standard data format for optical storage, with a larger capacity and similar technology involving pits and lasers to read digital information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The DVD-ROM is indeed the DVD equivalent of a standard data format for optical discs, similar to the CD-ROM for compact discs. DVD-ROMs use the same principles of storing digital information through pits and lands on the disc's surface; however, they have a significantly larger storage capacity. Tiny pits are created on the disc's surface with a laser, and these pits are read by a laser in the DVD player as the disc spins, with the reflected light revealing the digital pattern, which represents the digital information.
An entire encyclopedia can be stored on a single CD, which is a testament to the storage capabilities that were revolutionary during their prime. Now, in the digital age, these physical media forms are being replaced by streaming services and digital downloads, but the technology behind DVD-ROMs played a critical role in the evolution of data storage and multimedia consumption.