The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Porn industry finds hi-def too graphic

The true cost of HD

See what The Register's experts have to say on application security

High definition video can reveal more than was intended, as the porn industry, in its rush to embrace the new technology, is finding out.

Sets and scenery for shows made in HD need a much higher level of finish, but in most cases the actors' bodies are sufficiently covered for imperfections not to matter. Not so in the porn industry, where some "stars" are having to go to new lengths to deal with the imperfections highlighted by the new formats, as the New York Times reports.

Apparently, "Jesse Jane, one of the industry's biggest stars, plans to go under the knife next month to deal with one side effect of high-definition. The images are so clear that Ms Jane's breast implants, from an operation six years ago, can be seen bulging oddly on screen."

Anyone who has seen before and after photographs of magazine models will know the value of a Photoshop makeover, but applying the same techniques to video is more difficult; requiring more inventive approaches from porn producers: "Some shots are lit differently, while some actors simply are not shot at certain angles, or are getting cosmetic surgery, or seeking expert grooming."

This is clearly going to lead to more expensive porn; a hidden tax which consumers will be forced to pay if they want to avoid being reminded that the performers were constructed from a kit of parts glued together. And the BBC thought it had problems negotiating the digital changeover.®

Tune into our application security webcast, click here

Don’t Miss

Win a Samsung C6625!

Reg Lucky Draw Windows Mobile handsets up for grabs

Palm_Pre_001_SMIs your cameraphone an oxymoron?

Pic Review iPhone 3G v iPhone 3GS v Palm Pre

Vulture logo with head phonesWindows 7, Bing and security: Mr Ballmer regrets

Steve hopes Microsoft money can buy your love

Sign up, sign up for The Register IT security newsletter

Narrowcasting for the email classes