Virgin Media returns to Oxford Street and brings the wonders of 3D TV

Virgin Media has returned to its old stamping-ground in London's premiere shopping street, and is demonstrating the potential of 3D TV to awestruck Christmas shoppers.

Absent from Oxford Street since its in-store franchise closed along with the disappearance of Zavvi some months ago, Virgin Media has returned with its own store, at number 135 Oxford Street.

Manager John Spooner welcomed the first visitors at 10:00am today, and told HCC he was pleased by the response of shoppers, perhaps drawn by the promise of a free installation worth £35 for the first 100 customers: 'It's good to be back on Oxford Street,' he commented. 'We're hoping to do good business with Christmas shoppers, but the packages we offer are popular all the year round.'

The store offers the full range of Virgin's broadband, TV and phone services, and has also been drawing in the crowds with a demo of 3D TV.

The 3D demo uses a polarised lens system, and demonstrates that 3D could be run on Virgin's existing V-Box. There are no immediate plans for Virgin to transmit 3D programming, but John is encouraged by the enthusiastic comments of visitors: 'The 15-minute animated demo we have on show really makes them gasp,' he said. 'I'm sure whether it's animation, feature films or sport that drive the progress of 3D, there's be a lot of interest as the industry develops it.'