Spot-Favourites (Spot Goes to the Farm/Adventures of Spot) (2000)

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General		Extras
Category	Childrens	Main Menu Audio
Rating
Year Of Production	2000
Running Time	104:00 (Case: 96)
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Ads Then Menu
Region Coding	1,2,3,4,5,6	Directed By	Eric Hill
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Jane Horrocks
Case	Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI	$19.95	Music	Duncan Lamont

    Spot Favourites is a compilation of 16 Spot episodes, all of which are also available on the VHS releases The Adventures Of Spot and Spot Goes To The Farm. Essentially, this is two VHS videos squeezed onto one single layered DVD disc.

    Created by author Eric Hill, Spot is a playful puppy who has all manner of adventures while interacting with his Mum Sally, his Dad Sam and his many animal friends. These entertaining stories are a superb way of teaching children tolerance and understanding, and the absence of American accents is most refreshing. The condition of this cel animation isn't the greatest, and sadly appears a bit ordinary by today's standards - but don't let this put you off the rewarding and playful adventures Spot has with his friends.

Video

    This is a rather disappointing transfer for an animated series. The video transfer of this DVD is presented in an aspect of 1.33:1 full frame. The content of this DVD is comprised primarily of animation, with a short live action sequence at the end of each episode. The live action sequences appear to have been shot quite recently on video, while the animated portions are sourced from a video master rather than the original film itself.

    The animated sequences are overly dark and appear washed out. Solid backgrounds give way to excessive low level noise throughout the feature. Relatively new in comparison, the live action portions are much less problematic.

    Colours are generally bland and ordinary during the animated segments, with no vibrancy whatsoever. The live action scenes contain solid colouring with no bleeding.

    Film artefacts appear intermittently, usually in the form of black flecks of dust and dirt. A persistent hair can be seen in the top left of the frame throughout most of episode one. MPEG compression artefacts are present to a mild degree and don't extend beyond the odd moment of grain now and then.

    There are no subtitles on this single layered disc.

Video Ratings Summary

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

Audio

    The only audio option is an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack.

    The character voices and narrative pieces by Jane Horrocks are always easy to understand and doesn't present any enunciation or sync issues whatsoever.

     There are many examples of stereo panning throughout the soundtrack, such as at 3:28 when Miss Bear calls "Spot!" distinctly from the left channel. As a whole, the stereo soundfield is used to great effect in this soundtrack.

     The music of this series is light and lively, featuring strings and acoustic guitars. The melodies suit the playful nature of the show well and serve as an interesting background to the adventures on screen.

    There was obviously no surround activity or subwoofer response in this soundtrack.

Audio Ratings Summary

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

    None.

    The video transfer is a little disappointing during the animated segments, though I doubt this would concern young viewers.

    The audio transfer is quite spacious and well mixed for a children's series.

    There are no extras.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall