Top Gear-The Perfect Roadtrip (2013)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	None
Rating
Year Of Production	2013
Running Time	84:52
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	None Given
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond
Case	?
RPI	?	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English for the Hearing Impaired	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 and James May which has been running since 2002 (although May didn't join until 2003). This disc is a one off special entitled Top Gear - The Perfect Roadtrip and was produced in 2013. According to the cover it has never been seen on TV. I certainly don't recall it being on TV in this country.

     The show features Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond heading off on a roadtrip across Europe starting in Venice and heading towards Pau in Southern France, which is the location of the oldest Grand Prix track which started operation in 1900. Along the way they go through the Italian Lakes district, Monza and the French Riviera. This gives them the opportunity to try many different cars along the way, changing cars regularly sometimes to boats and motorbikes as well. Some of the cars they utilise along the way include Ferrari, Pagani, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Hot Hatches for a mountain road, a Lamborghini and Bugatti in Monaco, a Model T Ford, two different Jaguar convertibles, Maserati, Aston Martin and some open top rallying against the Stig. Of course, Jeremy and Richard have very different ideas about what a perfect roadtrip is which results in arguments and general silliness.

     All in all, this is an entertaining special but really doesn't set the world on fire. There is fun to be had for Top Gear fans but the show is not overly focused and really is just the two guys stuffing about, having fun and driving cars they love. It feels like it has been cobbled together rather than had a lot of time spent on the idea. Having said that, it would certainly be of interest to fans and would make a good stocking stuffer for Christmas.

Video

     The video quality is very good.

     The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 16x9 enhanced.

     The picture was reasonably clear and sharp throughout. The shadow detail was very good.

     The colour was very good with no issues to report.

     There was some mild aliasing and a little MPEG grain 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.

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 a English soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1.

     Dialogue was generally clear and easy to hear and understand.

     The surround speakers were used a bit for car noises, atmosphere and music

    The subwoofer was used to support the music and car noises.

Audio Ratings Summary

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

Menu

    The menu included music and motion.

    This show is available in the UK in the same format and also on Blu-ray.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is good.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall