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High-definition optical disc format war
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<p>The high-definition optical disc format war was a market competition between two optical disc standards for distributing <a href="/facts/High-definition_video/3CoUBum1">high-definition video</a>: <a href="/facts/Blu-ray/zyPalhfG">Blu-ray</a> Disc, backed by <a href="/facts/Sony/7x4tCtBd">Sony</a>, and <a href="/facts/HD_DVD/ULvpqYxb">HD DVD</a>, backed by <a href="/facts/Toshiba/QHRaw8Tr">Toshiba</a>. The conflict lasted from 2006 to 2008 and concluded with Blu-ray emerging as the dominant format. Both formats were developed in the early 2000s as successors to the <a href="/facts/DVD/7fJsHJrN">DVD</a>, utilizing <a href="/facts/Blue_laser/AuaFTKUF">blue laser</a> technology to increase data storage capacity. Although they employed similar technology, Blu-ray offered higher capacity, while HD DVD benefited from lower manufacturing costs due to its compatibility with existing DVD production infrastructure. </p><p>The competition echoed the earlier earlier <a href="/facts/Videotape_format_war/EzUh2QTa">videotape format war</a> between <a href="/facts/VHS/aN1lffdC">VHS</a> and <a href="/facts/Betamax/ksdxknFD">Betamax</a>, with hardware manufacturers, movie studios, and retailers divided in their support. Consumer hesitation over which format would prevail contributed to sluggish adoption of both. Blu-ray's eventual dominance was tempered by the rise of digital streaming services, which quickly became a popular alternative to physical media. </p><p>Two key factors contributed to Blu-ray's victory: Sony's inclusion of a Blu-ray drive in the <a href="/facts/PlayStation_3/obhuo97V">PlayStation 3</a> video game console, which rapidly expanded the installed user base, and the subsequent shift in support from major movie studios and retailers toward Blu-ray. On February 19, 2008, Toshiba officially announced that it would cease development of HD DVD <a href="/facts/DVD_player/ES2eIkIL">players</a>, effectively conceding the <a href="/facts/Format_war/77NuAtYp">format war</a>. </p>