Porn industry tiptoes into 3D video

"We're very excited to do 3D production, but we don't feel market penetration [of 3D TVs] has hit the level we need it to be in the home," said Rob Smith, director of operations at Hustler Video Group, in an interview in Las Vegas. "I'm hoping by the fourth quarter of this year it will be at the point where we can justify doing a 3D product," he said.

Adult filmmakers work on much smaller budgets than Hollywood studios, making 3D a tougher sell for them. They also depend more on the sale of videos, because XXX theaters have nearly disappeared, whereas Hollywood can see an immediate return on a blockbuster 3D movie in the theaters and doesn't have to depend on video sales. In other words, the success of James Cameron's 3D movie Avatar, which has already grossed more than US$1 billion, is not likely to be replicated by the adult film industry any time soon.

Graham Travis, at the porn studio Elegant Angel, said 3D movies cost far more to make than the average adult movie, which costs around $25,000 to $40,000. "We would love to do 3D but it's just too expensive right now," he said.

Ali Joone, founder of Digital Playground, said 3D movies cost about 30 percent more to make than traditional films due to the setup time, the need for two cameras and a more intricate post-production process.

3D glasses are also an issue, he said, because people don't want to be encumbered by eyewear when viewing a film. "I think the glasses are the barrier," he said.

But Joone believes the 3D experience is compelling enough that it will catch on in time. The sense of voyeurism is heightened by 3D, he said, and will make people feel as if they are in the room with the actors and actresses.

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