Blu-ray and HD DVD are the two formats for high definition DVD. The competition is much like that between VHS and Betamax for video tapes, which was won by VHS, and Betamax is practically a forgotten name.

It's still uncertain which high definition system will finally prevail. But it does seem that Blu-ray is steaming ahead.

The electronics chain Best Buy has told its customers to choose the Blu-ray format.

Blockbuster already decided last year to stock only Blu-ray titles in its stores. Netflix, which deals with mail rentals, is also having to make a choice, influenced by the fact that most movie studios have opted for Blu-ray, and most of the orders from customers are for the Blu-ray format.

It looks like the odds are going in favour of Sony's Blu-ray and against Toshiba's HD DVD.