DVD-ROMs can be used as large capacity CD-ROMs to store all types of digital information. The creation of such a title requires a software application that formats the data in the UDF file format. The data can then be transferred to DVD-R, DVD-RAM or DLT for replication and distribution.

Multimedia DVD-ROM supports the most advanced multimedia formats used in DVD-Video. This includes MPEG2 video, multichannel audio, subtitles, and multiple language tracks. They are played back on PCs equipped with DVD-ROM drives and an audio/video MPEG2 decoder. The PC plays back the disc by accessing an executable file that takes advantage of Microsoft DirectShow support for DVD-Video navigation in the PC environment. For the best performance these discs use the VOB DVD-Video multiplexing format to combine and synchronize audio and video elements.

DVD-Video discs play back on set-top DVD players as well as DVD equipped PCs. They contain data that has been formatted only in the DVD-Video format. DVD-Video is used for feature films, musical titles, karaoke, kiosks, and training.

Hybrid DVDs contain data in the DVD-Video format and therefore can be played on set-top players. Hybrid DVDs also contain PC data that appears only when the disc is played on a PC. The creation of Hybrid DVD discs involves going through the entire DVD-Video authoring process. The PC data is added by the DVD-Video authoring process to an area of the DVD called the "DVD Others" Zone. This data can be static data such as brochures, text information or Web links. The data can also be in the form of an executable program that enhances the presentation of the multimedia objects present in the DVD-Video Zone of the disc.