The history of technology is filled with format wars. Memorable and not so-memorable battles include VHS versus Betamax, Digital Audio Tape versus Digital Compact Cassette versus MiniDisc, LaserDisc versus Video High Density, and DVD Audio versus Super Audio CD. Add to the list the most recent format war between two high-definition optical-disc standards: Blu-ray and HD DVD. But after only two years on the market, the backers of HD DVD have called it quits. Toshiba announced in February that it would no longer manufacture products for the format, and other backers subsequently echoed that decision. As in many of the conflicts, HD DVD did not lose out to Blu-ray because it was inferior. (Both, in fact, share a similar laser technology.)
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