HD-DVD was better because they used VC-1 earlier than Blu ray. Blu ray stuck with MPEG-2 for a while longer and it wasn't as efficient. Eventually Blu ray went to VC-1 and then AVC codecs and then larger disc' and they started to have equal and better video quality. Also, Blu ray often had standard compressed DD5.1 while HD-DVD moved to DD+ sooner, which was more efficient and supported up to 7.1.
Also, HD-DVD was region free and studio's would have never let them win.
. FWIW, I had HD-DVD and pulled for it. Still have all my HD-DVD players and movies too.
Wow, way OT. Haha