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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.
Red Dwarf-Just the Shows-Volume 1-Series 1-4 (1988)

Red Dwarf-Just the Shows-Volume 1-Series 1-4 (1988)

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Released 12-Nov-2004

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Science Fiction Main Menu Audio
Rating Rated M
Year Of Production 1988
Running Time 674
RSDL / Flipper Dual Layered
Multi Disc Set (4)
Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 2,4 Directed By Ed Bye
Andy DeEmmony
Rob Grant
Juliet May
Studio
Distributor

Roadshow Home Entertainment
Starring Chris Barrie
Craig Charles
Danny John-Jules
Robert Llewellyn
Norman Lovett
Hattie Hayridge
Chloë Annett
Mac McDonald
Graham McTavish
Tony Hawks
Rupert Bates
Jake Wood
Clare Grogan
Case Gatefold
RPI $89.95 Music Howard Goodall


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 1.29:1
16x9 Enhancement No
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.29:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles English for the Hearing Impaired Smoking Yes
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

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

Plot Synopsis

    'I'm so excited, all 6 of my nipples are tingling' - Cat

    This is one of the most consistently funny comedy series ever, with some of the absolute best dialogue of any comedy series. Personally, I rate it in the same league as Fawlty Towers, Blackadder and Monty Python. This set includes series I to IV which were first shown from 1988 to 1991. The subsequent four series of this show are also available in a similar set.   All of these series have previously been released in separate season sets which include the episodes plus a disc of extras, flashier menus, commentaries, extended versions of some episodes and lots more. You can find the previous reviews of Season I , Season II and Season IV here, by my colleague TerryM. For some unknown reason we did not receive a copy of the original Season 3 set. This set, as the title gives away is Just the Shows as they were shown on TV, with no extras at all. It comes down to whether you want all the extras. Those who have already bought the individual season sets need not consider this as they will gain no advantage by buying it.

    The main characters are:

    Each season has 6 episodes and is contained on its own disc. They are housed in a fold-out digipak, within a cardboard slipcover. To my mind the series really kicks off in Season 2 where the scope expands to include more than just the interior of Red Dwarf and the ideas get bigger and more interesting. Having said that, Season 1 is still very funny. Season 3 sees Kryten return as a full time character and sees the introduction of Starbug and the loss of Red Dwarf. This is probably the character/set configuration which is best known to casual watchers of the show. The quality of the dialogue jumps up in Season 3 and the addition of Kryten is inspired.

    These four seasons are excellent sci-fi/comedy and I would recommend it to fans of either.

Lister to Cat - 'Rimmer's Dad's died' Cat - 'I'd prefer chicken'

 

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Transfer Quality

Video

    The video quality is the same as the season sets, which is pretty ordinary.

   The shows are presented in a 1.29:1 aspect ratio, non-16x9 enhanced, which is the original aspect ratio.

    The picture was reasonably clear and sharp throughout although you certainly would not get excited. The sharpness was badly affected by motion blur and some light grain. There was some evidence of low level noise. The shadow detail was fine but not spectacular.

    The colour was a bit dull and sometimes the faces seemed a little pale. There was quite a bit of chroma noise and colour bleeding but probably less than the later four seasons.

    Other than the colour artefacts mentioned above there was some minor jagged edges, minor tape tracking issues, some evidence of excessive noise reduction, comet trails and occasional macro-blocking. Basically, a bit of everything.

    There are subtitles in English for the hearing impaired which were clear, easy to read and included some changes from the spoken word.

    The layer changes were not noticeable and probably occurred between episodes.
    

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

Audio

    The audio quality is good with no major issues to report.

    This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack encoded at 192 Kb/s. Overall, the volume is a bit on the low side.

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

    The score and the great opening theme of this series is by Howard Goodall. It's a lot of fun and adds greatly to the amusing nature of the show.  

    The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.

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

Extras

    It's Just The Shows !

Menu

    The menus are very simple one-page affairs, allowing for subtitles to be activated and choosing episodes.

R4 vs R1

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

    This set has been released in exactly the same configuration in Region 2 and I cannot find any evidence of it having been released in Region 1. Those wanting to make a purchase may as well go for the local product.

Summary

    Four series of a brilliant English comedy/sci-fi program, presented with average audio and video.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Daniel Bruce (Do you need a bio break?)
Thursday, May 10, 2007
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
SpeakersMonitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Yamaha YST SW90 subwoofer

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