Top Gear-The Perfect Roadtrip 2 (2013)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	None
Rating
Year Of Production	2013
Running Time	94:37
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	Amaray-Opaque
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 2 and was produced in 2014. This is a follow up to a Christmas DVD release last year just called The Perfect Roadtrip. The concept here is very similar except this time they are trying to make it better than last year which had a few challenges.

     The show features Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond heading off on a roadtrip across Italy from Venice down to Capri. Along the way they visit Bologna, Rome and the Amalfi Coast. They decided to stay in Italy this year as they got in trouble with the French police in the first special. This gives them the opportunity to try many different cars along the way changing cars regularly, sometimes to boats as well. Some of the cars they utilise along the way include Lamborghini, MacLaren, BMW, Jaguar, classic Alfas, rubbish cars done up to look like Ferraris, hot hatches, the Alfa 4C, a Corvette Stingray and old Ford Capri's.

     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 good but has one major issue, aliasing.

     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 with no issues to report.

     There was quite a bit of aliasing most noticeable around racetracks but pretty regular regardless.

     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 good.

    The audio quality is good.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall