What is a CD-ROM?

A CD-ROM, which stands for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, is correctly identified as a high-capacity optical digital storage device. This format allows for the storage of data, which can then be read by a computer's CD drive, but cannot be written to or modified after it is created. CD-ROMs typically have a storage capacity of around 700 megabytes, which was significant at the time of its peak usage. This technology was widely used for distributing software, games, and multimedia content in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The other choices refer to different technologies: a digital video disc refers to the DVD format, which offers higher storage capacity and better video quality than CD-ROMs; a device for recording live audio would pertain to hardware like a digital audio recorder or tape recorder, which is unrelated to the data storage capabilities of a CD-ROM; and a wireless communication standard pertains to protocols like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which have no connection to optical storage media. Hence, the identification of CD-ROM as a high-capacity optical digital storage device accurately captures its intended purpose and functionality.