Crash Course (Richard Hammond's) (2012)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	None
Rating
Year Of Production	2012
Running Time	274
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered Dual Disc Set	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	None Given
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Richard Hammond
Case	?
RPI	?	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 2.0
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

    Richard Hammond is seemingly everywhere on British television at the moment, from his regular gig on Top Gear, through children's shows like Blast Lab, on to Wipeout UK & Engineering Connections. One of his latest projects is Richard Hammond's Crash Course which was made for the BBC Knowledge cable channel. This show probably strikes neatly in the middle of the range as it includes some elements of Top Gear, will appeal to children and adults alike and also has some elements like Engineering Connections (although in a less serious vein).

    The concept of this show is that Hammond, having driven just about every car and motorbike available on the market wants to try his driving & operating skills in a different arena. Therefore, across the six episodes, he signs up to learn how to drive and operate six different sets of  heavy machinery in various parts of the US. The challenge he sets himself is to learn enough in three days to be able to pass a rudimentary test of his skills on each set of equipment. The episodes cover an Abrams Tank (including learning to drive, command and fire the cannon), 3 items of tree harvesting equipment, different demolition devices, an Airport Firetruck, Landfill management machinery and salvage equipment to lift salvage off barges.

    Hammond is fun and engaging host, who obviously enjoys most of these episodes although certainly shows his fear and emotion at times. This show will be enjoyed by those who are interested in large machinery and/or enjoy Richard Hammond as a host. Each episode is approximately 45 minutes and they are spread over two double layer discs.

    This set (at least on the test discs I have received) has a minor mastering issue. On disc one when you select the landfill episode you actually get episode 5, Demolition and the reverse occurs on Disc 2. All the right episodes are included just in the wrong order and with incorrect menuing options.

    Well worth a look.

Video

    The video quality is good but not without issue.

    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. Shadow detail was very good.

    The colour was generally quite good although some footage showed chroma noise.

    There was some light grain & mild motion blur, along with quite a fair bit of noise and aliasing at times.

    There are subtitles in English which are clear and easy to read.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    The audio quality is good.

    This disc contains an English soundtrack in Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo.

    Dialogue was generally clear and easy to hear and understand.

    The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Menu

    The menu included music.

    This show does not yet seem to be available in other regions.

    The video quality is good.

    The audio quality is good.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall