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.
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.
V8 Supercars-Championship Series-2004 Highlights (2004)

V8 Supercars-Championship Series-2004 Highlights (2004)

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Released 20-May-2005
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Details At A Glance

General		Extras
Category	Sports	None
Rating
Year Of Production	2004
Running Time	231:10
RSDL / Flipper	RSDL (120:32)	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu	Cast & Crew
Region Coding	1,2,3,4,5,6	Directed By	None Given
Studio Distributor	Sony Music	Starring	None Given
Case	Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip	Starring	None Given
RPI	$34.95	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.75:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.75:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No	Miscellaneous
Subtitles	None	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	Yes
		Action In or After Credits	No

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

Plot Synopsis

One of the great traditions in Australian motor racing has been the rivalry between Ford and Holden, stretching back over many years and models. This rivalry is currently continuing in the V8 Supercar Championship Series which takes place every year in Australia and New Zealand. This DVD covers all the highlights of the 2004 season in which Marcos Ambrose (Ford) is attempting to retain the championship he won in 2003. In this endeavour he is challenged by many other drivers including his teammate Russell Ingall, previous champion Mark Skaife (Holden), Craig Lowndes (Ford) the young Kelly Brothers, Todd & Rick (Holdens) and many others.

The series is run over 13 rounds, each of which includes at least two separate races. The rounds are held at various racetracks in Australia and New Zealand. Drivers are awarded points for their placings in each round. The winner is the driver who collects the most points at the end of the season.

This disc includes comprehensive coverage of each and every race, including a computer animated version of each track highlighting the corners and passing opportunities and a hot lap around each track with an onboard camera. Then, each individual race is covered separately as a chapter in the main programme which runs for nearly 4 hours. This gives you the ability to either watch the whole season in one sitting or to choose specific rounds or even races. This makes the disc easy to navigate, so you can access your favourite parts. In total the show has 71 chapters.

Also included at the end of the main programme are highlights of the 6 rounds of the Konica Minolta development series, also featuring V8s.

Fans of the V8 Supercars should have no hesitation in buying this very well put together collection of season highlights.

Don't wish to see plot synopses in the future? Change your configuration.

Transfer Quality

Video

The video quality is very good.

The feature is presented in a 1.75:1 aspect ratio 16x9 enhanced which is most likely the original aspect ratio.

The picture was clear and sharp throughout, with no evidence of low level noise. There was some light MPEG grain throughout as you would expect with nearly four hours of material on one disc. It was not particularly distracting.

The colour was excellent throughout.

The only noticeable artefact was aliasing which occurred mostly on crash barriers and fences by the side of the tracks.

There are no subtitles.

The layer change occurs at 120:32 and was not overly noticeable.

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

Audio

The audio quality is good.

This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack encoded at 192 Kb/s. The growls of the V8s came across nicely, filling the lounge room with the sounds of the racetrack.

Dialogue was clear and easy to understand.

The surround speakers added some atmosphere, mostly car noises, when played with Dolby ProLogicII.

The subwoofer added bass as required.

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

Extras

Playable Demo of PC Game

Included on the disc is a playable demo of the latest V8 Supercar computer game. For some reason it crashed whenever I tried to run it, but you may have better luck.

R4 vs R1

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

This disc is coded for all regions and is only available locally.

Summary

A well put together package of highlights of the V8 Supercar Championship series for 2004.