Doctor Who-Series 3-Volume 2 (2007)

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General		Extras
Category	Science Fiction	Main Menu Audio & Animation
Rating
Year Of Production	2007
Running Time	135:12
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Euros Lyn Graeme Harper James Hawes Joe Ahearne
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	None Given
Case	Amaray-Transparent
RPI	?	Music	Murray Gold

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s)
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

     This is the second disc of the new series of Doctor Who to be released. Strangely, it is referred to as Volume 1 in the UK and also as Volume 1 on the menu on our local disc, despite being called Volume 2 on the cover. Once again Roadshow are releasing each disc of the new series separately, one per month from July until November. This series will be spread over 5 discs consisting of fourteen episodes including the Christmas Special which was on the first volume. A box set will be released later in the year. The presentation is very similar to last year right down to menu design. One change which I like is a funky new design for the discs.

    This disc contains three episodes which kick off the series proper and introduce The Doctor's new companion, Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), student doctor. She seems to have a little less personality than Rose in these early episodes but there is certainly some good interaction between her and The Doctor. She is sure to develop over the series and if you don't like her the news from the BBC is that Catherine Tate from The Runaway Bride will be back as The Doctor's companion for Season 4.

    The three episodes on this disc are:

1. Smith and Jones (44:31) - The Doctor goes undercover in a London hospital after he notices some strange things occurring, calling himself John Smith. Here he meets a student doctor, Martha Jones who helps him when strange weather phenomenon start occurring and the hospital gets transported to the moon and invaded by The Jedoon, an alien police force. The Doctor must quickly solve the mystery of what is going on before all the people in the hospital die. Great episode to kick off the season.
2. The Shakespeare Code (45:38) - This episode is set in London, 1599 where The Doctor & Martha decide to attend the Globe Theatre in order to meet Shakespeare. They discover that London is being terrorised by three witches who seem to have a strange link to Shakespeare's new play 'Love's Labours Won'. Some good jokes in this one.
3. Gridlock (45:03) - The Doctor & Martha visit New New York, which he previously visited with Rose. In short order, Martha is kidnapped and the doctor needs to follow her into the cities underground Motorway system which has become a gridlocked death trap. The Face of Boe turns up again and the episode guest stars Ardal O'Hanlon who many will know as Father Dougal from Father Ted. Very enjoyable episode.

    David Tennant is of course back as the flirtiest of The Doctors with a boofier hairstyle and once again does a great job. All three of these episodes are entertaining and enjoyable with the first one being the highlight to my mind. They kick off the third season of the new show in great style and I am certainly looking forward to seeing the rest of the episodes.

    Recommended.

Video

    The video quality is very good.

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

    The picture was surprisingly clear and sharp throughout, a significant improvement from previous discs. There is still some light colour bleeding to be seen but not as bad as previous discs. Shadow detail is also very good. There was no evidence of low level noise. There was just a little light grain in some scenes.

    The colour was fine from a vividness and richness perspective, however the aforementioned colour bleeding from light colours was a little annoying especially in outdoor scenes.

    There were no noticeable artefacts other than a little mild aliasing here and there.

    There are subtitles in English for the hearing impaired. The English subtitles were clear and easy to read, however were a little small in size.

    There are no layer change in the episodes.
    

Video Ratings Summary

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

Audio

    The audio quality is very good but a 5.1 mix would be nice.

    This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo encoded at 192 Kb/s.

    Dialogue was mostly clear and easy to understand, although some lines were a bit drowned by the music and effects. Audio sync was also fine.

    The original theme song by Ron Grainer has been modernised and the score is provided by Murray Gold. The music is of excellent quality and adds significantly to the production.

    The surround speakers added significant music and atmosphere.

    The subwoofer was used to add bass to the music and effects.

Audio Ratings Summary

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

    None

Menu

    The menu included an intro, music, and motion. Nicely done.

    This disc has been released in the same format in Region 2 and does not seem to have been released as yet in Region 1.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is very good.

    No extras.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall