From Sony's perspective, Blu-ray is the single most important capability that sets the PS3 apart from its competition. The Xbox 360 does of course have its HD-DVD addon, but there lies the problem. As an optional hardware addon, less players are actually out there in the market. However, with every PS3 sold, Blu-ray takes a step ahead of the Microsoft backed HD-DVD format in Europe.

With the UK's largest DVD rental chain offering Blu-ray rentals, but deciding not to support HD-DVD, what seems like an early nail in the coffin of the format has been hammered in hard. But, just as games make a console, movies will ultimately decide the fate of the next-gen format war. A look at the available titles for both systems tells an early, yet telling tale.

Play.com has each format available, with pages for HD-DVD and Blu-ray, each showcasing the best that each format has to offer. In the Blu-Ray corner, Casino Royale, Night at the Museum, X-Men 3 and fan favourites such as Hellboy, while the HD-DVD camp has Superman Returns, Batman Begins and Serenity.

Both offer the same level of quality, with each format offering native 1080p movies. However, compare Blu-ray's leading titles against what seems like a back-catalogue on HD-DVD and things start to paint a different picture.

For Blu-Ray to succeed against HD-DVD, all that needs to be done is more of the same in the way of new releases and classic reworkings. HD-DVD on the other hand is lagging behind, and while offering better interactivity features instead of a larger volume of space, the titles available simply aren't selling the system.

One piece of good news, is the seemingly growing acceptance of HD-DVD by European independent studios.

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