Top Gear-Complete Series 18 (2010) (NTSC) |
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Top Gear-Complete Series 18 (2010) (NTSC) |
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| BUY IT |
| General | Extras | ||
| Category | Documentary |
Main Menu Audio & Animation Featurette-Behind The Scenes-A few Interviews-Cast & Crew-various Deleted Scenes-various Bonus Episode-Top Gear US |
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| Rating |
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| Year Of Production | 2010 | ||
| Running Time | 551 | ||
| RSDL / Flipper |
Dual Layered Multi Disc Set (3) |
Cast & Crew | |
| Start Up | Menu | ||
| Region Coding | 4 | Directed By | None Given |
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Studio
Distributor |
 Roadshow Home Entertainment |
Starring |
Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond James May The Stig |
| Case | Custom Packaging | ||
| RPI | $39.95 | Music | None Given |
| Video (NTSC) | Audio | ||
| Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None | English Dolby Digital 2.0 | |
| Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | ||
| 16x9 Enhancement |
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| Video Format | 480i (NTSC) | ||
| Original Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | Miscellaneous | |
| Jacket Pictures | No | ||
| Subtitles | English | Smoking | No |
| Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
| Action In or After Credits | No | ||
Top Gear has been on UK Television on and off since 1978, however most people probably associate the name more with the current incarnation featuring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond & James May which has been running since 2002 (although May didn't join until 2003). This set features all the episodes of the 18th season including the Indian special. There are seven normal episodes (about an hour each) plus the special.
This three disc DVD set is packaged in a nice metal tin with various pictures inside and out. Previous seasons have also been available on Blu-ray, although Roadshow have decided to stick to DVD this time around. The episodes feature a variety of stunts, car tests and the usual star in reasonably priced car segments. To my mind, this is probably the best of the recent seasons of the show with a good combination of serious tests and 'cocking about'. Highlights of the episodes are as follows:
This series continues the return to form for the Top Gear boys. This is an excellent series, very entertaining, amusing and even some serious stuff as well.
Recommended.
The video quality is very good for DVD but bizarrely in NTSC.
The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 16x9 enhanced.
The picture was quite clear and sharp throughout. The shadow detail was very good.
The colour was very good.
There was some mild aliasing, some jagged edges and just a little macro-blocking at times.
There are subtitles available in English for the Hearing Impaired which are clear and easy to read.
There are no obvious layer changes during playback.
| Sharpness |   |
| Shadow Detail | |
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| Film-To-Video Artefacts | |
| Film Artefacts | |
| Overall | |
The audio quality is good.
These discs contain a English soundtrack in Dolby Digital 2.0.
Dialogue was clear and easy to hear and understand.
The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.
| Dialogue | |
| Audio Sync | |
| Clicks/Pops/Dropouts | |
| Surround Channel Use |  |
| Subwoofer | |
| Overall | |
The menu included music and motion. Subtitles are available for the extras as is a play all option.
This is a welcome addition, although not a patch on the original show. Very similar format, this episode features an extended challenge for the three hosts to find an appropriate replacement for a pickup truck and test it across Texas in a variety of challenges. Well worth a look.
Short introduction to what is coming in the season hosted by the boys.
Behind the scenes footage of Matt LeBlanc driving a McLaren round the track with Stig.
Behind the scenes footage of Michael driving a McLaren round the track with Stig.
Introduction to the episode in which Richard tries his hand at Nascar.
Clarkson commenting on the studio audience as they wait for the filming.
Behind the scenes footage of them driving around.
Behind the scenes footage from laps by
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
This set does not currently seem to be available in the UK except as Region 1 import. The US version does not seem to include all the extras that our local release includes. Buy Local.
The video quality is very good.
The audio quality is good.
A good set of extras including an episode of the US offshoot.| Video | |
| Audio | |
| Extras | |
| Plot | |
| Overall | |
| Review Equipment | |
| DVD | SONY BDP-S760 Blu-ray, using HDMI output |
| Display | Sharp LC52LE820X Quattron 52" Full HD LED-LCD TV . Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p. |
| Audio Decoder | Built into amplifier. Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. |
| Amplification | Marantz SR5005 |
| Speakers | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Sony SAW2500M Subwoofer |