You’ve heard the story before. Technology pushes onward and a new media replaces an aging stalwart. In the 1980s, it was Betamax vs. VHS tape. Today, it is Blu-ray vs. HD DVD.

The traditional DVD is on its way out. There’s little disagreement about that. The DVD player’s red laser is losing its appeal and the new blue laser of upstart competitors is gaining more attention. Alternatives boast considerably more storage space and flexibility–necessities as the HDTV era establishes itself and consumers’ tastes for products loaded with extras grows. The only question is who comes next. There are two primary contenders, Blu-ray and HD DVD, but no clear winner.