LOS ANGELES — Panasonic — the world’s largest manufacturer of plasma TVs — has sold out of its 3D TVs in the first week of being available in the U.S., raising the hopes of competing TV makers all looking to content producers utilizing improved 3D technology to drive the demand for their products.

Bloomberg.com reports the Panasonic became the first to offer 3D sets in the U.S. with the March 10 release of its 50-inch full high-definition plasma TV that came with a pair of glasses and a 3-D Blu-ray player, retailing at $2,899.99.

Global shipments of 3D TVs are expected to reach 4.2 million this year and more than triple by 2011, the report said, crediting the future DVD release of James Cameron’s “Avatar,” the highest-grossing film of all time, and upcoming sports events like the 2010 World Cup — coupled with consumers’ desire for a “real” entertainment experience — as driving the demand.

Rob Smith, Hustler’s director of operations, told XBIZ that while the mainstream film industry may have beat the adult industry to the punch in laying the groundwork for 3D home-viewing, he thinks this 3D trend may extend into adult.

“Hustler is very excited by the success of Panasonic with its first run of 3D televisions,” Smith said. “We also look forward to JVC, Phillips, and others doing well in the market. I feel that the groundwork for 3D in the home is already being laid by the mainstream film industry. With all the great feature films coming out in 3D people are going to want that technology in the home and after spending money on that new 3D TV, why not watch your porn that way? What you gain from 3D, the depth and the heightened realism, has its greatest impact in adult content. 3D is perfect for porn and vice versa.”

Hustler recently unveiled plans to produce “This Ain’t Avatar XXX” parody in 3D, which is set to street in the summer. However, Smith said Hustler has no immediate plans to produce more 3D titles — but the difficulty of producing a 3D movie isn’t the reason.

“I don’t see it being an impediment,” he said. “At the moment it’s unfamiliar territory and it requires planning, forethought, and testing. Like all new production technology it will quickly become just the norm.

“My only concern with 3D in the home is competing 3D methods and players. The home viewing market, whether DVD, broadcast, or streaming content won’t be able to support a handful of delivery formats. We need a 3D standard for Blu-ray and broadcast to emerge.”

Dominic Ford, president of DominicFord.com — the only producer of hardcore gay 3D content — called 2010 “the year of 3D,” however he said the technology is only as good as its content, and more importantly, their delivery format.

“All of our movies come in two formats: 3D TV and anaglyph,” Ford told XBIZ. “3D TV format (side-by-side) is the format used by these new 3D systems to display full HD movies in full-color 3D. Our anaglyph formats use the standard red/cyan glasses for those without the new 3D TVs. All of our movies are released in both formats, and our upcoming ‘Whorrey Potter’ comes with a special link so DVD buyers can download the side-by-side version for their 3D TVs.”

Last year, Pure Play released “Tommy Gunn’s Cummin’ at You in 3D.” The company’s CEO Richard Arnold told XBIZ the release may have came before its time.

“‘Tommy Gunns Cummin’ at You in 3D’ has sold well, we attribute its sales success to the general interest and popularity in 3D movies today — our timing was excellent, by design,” he said. “We feel that sales would be much better if there would be more 3D enabled TVs in the market today. Unfortunately, most of the consumers that would have purchased or rented ‘Cummin’ at You,’ would have watched it in the old anaglyph format.”

Ford said it will be difficult for adult companies to jump on the 3D bandwagon because of different workflow, equipment and the general science to creating a 3D movie. With his company leading the way for 3D, Ford said he might be able to lend a hand.

“DominicFord is positioned not only as a consumer-facing brand, but also as a production house,” he said. “We are already in talks with major studios about producing 3D content for them.”

DominicFord.com will be demonstrating its content on 3D TVs and monitors at The Phoenix Forum, where the company can possibly establish more business as it sets out to realize its goal of becoming a de facto producer of 3D content for the industry.