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In 1925 brothers Albert, Harry, Sam and Jack, helmed a little known movie company, which by all accounts stood no chance of survival. The brothers would soon take a decisive risk. They would spend what little savings they had, about 2,000 dollars, and buy into a company known as Vitagraph. This company's sound technology allowed the production of the "Jazz Singer" the first 'talkie'. And although Charlie Chaplin was heard to say that 'movies needed sound like Mozart needs lyrics', the Motion Picture industry has never been the same. And those brothers? Well, they are simply known now as the Warner Brothers. It would seem that Hollywood would never again receive such a technological bestowal. A bestowal that could catapult a studio through the ranks and into the lofty orbits that the Warners of the world now hold. Perhaps that is not exactly true. Recently, the universe offered up another breakthrough that could revolutionize Hollywood's future much like the 'talkies'.

This technology known as HiDef within the motion picture industry or HD inside the television world, refers to High-Definition Digital Cameras which make movies. How's that? Well, it seems that those boys up at Sony and Panavision and more recently Panasonic have made it possible to capture movies using high-definition digital cameras with the picture quality of 35-millimeter film and the ability to project them digitally in theaters with no loss of quality. No, you can't email them -- yet.

So what does that mean? No more film? Perhaps. Better movies? For certain. That is, if you ask the two people who are increasingly emerging as the spokes persons for this Digital Coming of Age.

'Hollywood Players' George Lucas and Adrian Paul are referred to as the champions of HiDef. George Lucas of Star Wars fame, recently finished shooting "Episode II" in HiDef, and action star Adrian Paul of Highlander set to be a part of the HiDef feature length sci-fi action adventure movie, "HiRoKin."

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Recently in a November 26 article in the New York Times Lucas was quoted as saying "I love film, but it's a 19th-century invention. The century of film has passed. We are in the digital age now, and trying to hold on to an old-fashioned technology that's cumbersome and expensive - you just can't do it." Adrian Paul responded this way when asked why HiDef: " It's like saying why, Space? This is an age of fulfillment. In Hollywood artists are constantly looking for ways to express the deepest and sincerest human emotions as vividly as possible. HiDef gives me an opportunity to do just that, and perhaps, stand at the threshold of the next generation in motion pictures. We're looking into uncharted waters. HiRoKin will be the first Action Movie ever attempted in HiDef. That's exciting." It seems that this transition to HiDef, which is not without its Charlie Chaplins, will greatly reduce the cost of production, create possibilities in special effects that were considered out of reach, and most importantly, allow the movie buff an opportunity to "witness", exactly what the director had envisioned. Shot, cut, and delivered, through their eyes to your eyes. All, without the dramatic loss of quality that is a matter of fact with film and its related process'.

Still the industry isn't exactly rushing to the Digital Age. It wasn't until Sony's unveiling of the HiDef 24p that insiders finally believed the technology was capable of delivering in what stands as the most elite realm in the entertainment world - feature films.

This high-definition digital camera's distinguishing characteristic, which makes it acceptable to Hollywood, George Lucas, and Adrian Paul, is that it captures the images at the 24 frames-per-second rate, the same rate of acquisition as traditional motion picture cameras.

Nolan Murdock director of Product Development at Panavision told us that: "The 24-frame rate is what has been credited with the hypnotic effects of the moviegoing experience, that is why most directors or cinematographers won't work with anything but!"

Adrian Paul who was recently selected as People Magazine's Sexiest action star, has been overwhelmed with offers, and just penned a seven figure deal with Lions Gate Entertainment. Naturally, we asked him why he chose to participate with "HiRoKin".

"HiRoKin is the complete picture," says Paul. "A simple tale of romance, a downtrodden people, and one man, who unknowingly brings a divided people, one step closer together."

One thing is for certain, Paul's presence is not limited to the silver screen. We asked the President of HiDef Movies, how Paul's addition to the team contributed to the evolution of the movie.

"When we first met with Adrian we knew he was a talented director and actor, what we didn't know was what an overall visionary he is. His grasp of this medium extends well beyond the subtleties. He is a creative force, and we feel blessed to be working with him."

We know that Mr. Lucas tested the new camera and related systems under virtually every circumstance and condition including every conceivable lighting possibility before he made his decision to shoot "Episode II" in HiDef. In a recent ad in the Hollywood Reporter he refers to the image quality as "technically indistinguishable from film."

It seems safe to say HiDef and her champions are forging fast and furiously into the uncharted water of the 21st Century.