 is generally considered to be technologically superior; Blu-ray discs can hold more digital information than HD DVD discs.
Most of the Hollywood majors, including Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox and the Walt Disney Company, had decided to release their films exclusively on Blu-ray. Only Universal Pictures was backing the HD DVD format.
But the same analysts recently revised their forecast – for two reasons.
First Toshiba brought out a HD DVD player which can be bought in the US for around $400 while Blu-ray players still cost as much as $1,000.
Second, and more important, most leading porn producers, having declared their intention to distribute their films on Blu-ray because of its technological superiority, have since switched to HD DVD.
Digital Playground was one of the big producers of porn who couldn't find any Blu-ray disc copying facilities in the US willing to manufacture its discs. "The replicating houses told us they were in fear of losing their licences from Sony if they did adult," said Robby D, who directs for Digital Playground.
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| Hi-def imagery shows up bodily blemishes conventional DVD doesn’t register – which is why Jesse Jane is having her breasts redone |
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In recent days, however, Sony has appeared to backtrack. Marty Gordon, of the Blu-ray Disc Association, has stated the Sony backed organisation is committed to working with "all" content providers. "The BDA welcomes the participation of all companies interested in using and supporting the format," he said.
Having lost the VHS-Betamax wars of the 1980s at a cost of billions of dollars, Sony execs, it seems, have decided they cannot afford another huge loss on moral grounds.
Fans of pornography still hold the key - because no one knows yet whether they will like porn in HD, which shows blemishes that can be glossed over on standard DVD.
"Nothing's less sexy than HD highlighting surgery scars, stretch marks, razor burn on legs and mascara-ed tattoos," says a computer engineer who has been building an editing system for porn producers.
The advent of hi-def is troubling some porn stars too. "I'm having my breasts redone because of HD," says Jesse Jane (left), a Digital Playground contract player. 
FIRST POSTED JANUARY 30, 2007
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