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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Postman Pat-The Greendale Rocket (2003)

Postman Pat-The Greendale Rocket (2003)

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Released 6-Oct-2004

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Animation Main Menu Introduction
Menu Animation & Audio
Song Lyrics-3 Songs
Game-2
Rating Rated G
Year Of Production 2003
Running Time 50:55
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Ads Then Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Chris Taylor
Ivor Wood
Bridget Appleby
Stewart Selkirk
Studio
Distributor

Roadshow Home Entertainment
Starring None Given
Case Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI $19.95 Music Brian Daly
Simon Woodgate


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None English Dolby Digital 2.0 (256Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio None
16x9 Enhancement No
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles None Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

    Postman Pat is an English children's show which has been produced sporadically over the last 20 years or so. The first series was made in the early 1980s, followed by another series in the mid-1990s and now by a third series, made in 2004 and subsequently shown on the BBC. The series follows the adventures of a small village's postman, Pat Clifton, and his friends, neighbours and family. His constant companion is his cat, Jess. He also lives with his wife, Sarah and son Julian. Other featured characters include the lady who runs the Post Office, Mrs Goggins; the school teacher, Jeff Pringle and the local handy man, Ted Glen. The first episode on this disc is the first one in the new series and introduces a new family, Ajay Bains and his wife and children. Technically, the series is a mixture of puppets and computer animation.

    This disc includes two extended episodes from the latest series, which are:

  1. Postman Pat & the Greendale Rocket - The school children go on an outing to the local railway station which has been closed for many years. They discover an old steam train called The Greendale Rocket, which Ted & Pat decide to restore. They get help from Ajay, who is a train enthusiast. When the town gets cut off by a storm, the train becomes very useful. My young son loves this episode.
  2. Postman Pat's Magic Christmas - A mystery visitor helps Pat deliver the mail in return for a lift. Pat has organised a special visitor to turn up at the party he has organised for the village. Jess gets into trouble. This episode is not as strong as the first one but is still enjoyable.

    This series is good fun for small children and contains some very hummable songs, such as the theme tune.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    The video quality is very good.

    The feature is presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio non 16x9 enhanced which is the original aspect ratio.

    The picture was very clear and sharp throughout, with no evidence of low level noise.

    The colour was excellent with no issues whatsoever..

    The only artefact which I noticed was some aliasing on fences, blinds and door mats but I am sure the kids will not care.

    There are no subtitles.

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

Audio

    The audio quality is very good.

    This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack encoded at 256 Kb/s.

    Dialogue was clear and easy to understand and there was no problem with audio sync.

    The music by Simon Woodgate is reasonable but the theme song by Brian Daly really stands out.

    The surround speakers and subwoofer are not used.

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

Extras

Menu

    The menu included an introduction, stills and music, however only includes symbols, which may be confusing, especially for children.

Game : Mix & Match

    A simple game which allows you to build various characters with three different parts or mix them up. The kids will probably like it.

Karaoke (1:31, 1:54, 1:35)

    Three songs from the show with karaoke lyrics. The songs are Postman Pat, The Greendale Rocket and Magical Christmas.

Game : Show Pat Where to Go

    A game in which you must tell Pat where to deliver each item of mail based upon the person it is addressed to.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    This disc has been released in the same format in Region 2 except that it is called Postman Pat's Magic Christmas. May as well get the local product.

Summary

    Two fun episodes of the new series of the classic English children's show, Postman Pat.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is very good.

    The disc has a selection of extras aimed at children.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Daniel Bruce (Do you need a bio break?)
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Review Equipment
DVDPioneer DV667A DVD-V DVD-A SACD, using Component output
DisplaySony FD Trinitron Wega KV-AR34M36 80cm. Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL). This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL)/480i (NTSC).
Audio DecoderBuilt in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials.
AmplificationPioneer VSX-511
SpeakersBose 201 Direct Reflecting (Front), Phillips SB680V (Surround), Phillips MX731 (Center), Yamaha YST SW90 (Sub)

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