Top Gear-Complete Series 22 (2015)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	Main Menu Audio & Animation
Rating
Year Of Production	2015
Running Time	490
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered Multi Disc Set (3)	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	None Given
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond James May The Stig
Case	Amaray-Transparent
RPI	$39.95	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 for the Hearing Impaired	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     All good things must come to an end and this set represents what may be the final season of Top Gear, certainly with the most well-known set of hosts, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. The BBC is attempting to keep with show going with Chris Evans at the helm, however the incarnation which completes with these discs is likely to be considered the classic one, even if the new version survives. As many readers would be aware, Clarkson was suspended from the show and eventually sacked following his altercation with one of the show's producers. His co-hosts think he is an idiot but even so supported him by resigning from the show in protest. There is no doubt that Clarkson comes across as a complete jerk at times, however that doesn't mean he isn't entertaining. They have quickly found new employment running a similar show for Amazon.

     This three disc set includes what ended up being only 8 episodes of the 22nd season. The 8 include two dedicated to the Patagonia Special in a shortened form compared to the standalone 2 hour disc I reviewed recently. There is also the Australian special again reformatted as a 'normal' episode, of which the full version was included as an extra on the Patagonia disc. In addition to these there are 4 normal episodes with the usual segments including such silliness as a race across St Petersburg and a variety of challenges involving homemade ambulances as the NHS ones 'are too slow'. The last episode is a 75 minute special hosted by a very glum looking Hammond and May and features two challenges filmed before Jeremy was sacked. These are both enjoyable and feature classic sports cars and sports utility vehicles respectively. In the studio, the two boys are accompanied by a large elephant which one presumes is 'the elephant in the room'.

     As usual there is a lot of fun to be had here with funny situations plus the usual star in a reasonably priced car and news segments. It is a shame to say goodbye to this version of the show but we will have to see if they can create something new somewhere else. To some degree after 22 seasons it might have been time to end anyway.

     Recommended.

Video

     The video quality is decent.

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

     The picture was not overly sharp throughout. The shadow detail was good.

     The colour was good without being great and there was some chroma noise at times.

     There was quite a bit of simmering on display and some obvious motion blur.

     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.

    These discs contain an English soundtrack in Dolby Digital 2.0.

    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 and motion.

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

    The video quality is decent but nothing special.

    The audio quality is good.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall