Top Gear-Complete Series 17 (Blu-ray) (2010)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	Main Menu Audio & Animation Featurette-Behind The Scenes-A few Interviews-Cast & Crew-various Deleted Scenes-various
Rating
Year Of Production	2010
Running Time	360:00 (Case: 415)
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered Multi Disc Set (3)	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	None Given
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond James May The Stig
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	$39.95	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 2.0
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080i
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

    Top Gear has been on UK Television on and off since 1978, however, most people probably associate the name more with the current incarnation featuring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond & James May which has been running since 2002 (although May didn't join until 2003). They recently finished the 18th series on UK television. This set contains all the episodes from the 17th series which was on television in the middle of last year (2011).

    This three disc Blu-ray set includes all six episodes from Season 17. The episodes feature a variety of stunts, car tests and the usual star in  reasonably priced car segments. Compared to some recent series of this show this one is more car focused and has less of the silly stunts and competitions (although they are still included). Highlights of the episodes are as follows:

1. Jeremy has a 50th birthday party for the E-Type Jag, the Hummer replacement and the new BMW 1M are tested and a skeleton competitor races against a WRX Mini at Lillehammer.
2. Focuses on the boys comparing hot hatches in Italy and Monaco.
3. Review of the new McLaren & Range Rover along with a challenge to buy a good second-hand car for the price of the cheapest new car available in Britain.
4. The boys build their own trains from cars and Rowan Atkinson is the guest.
5. Jeremy tries the Lotus Formula 1 experience and the boys take on the world demolition champions
6. Review of the new Lambourgini, electric cars and a story about injured returned servicemen trying their hand at cross country rallying

    This series continues the return to form for the Top Gear boys after some lacklustre shows over the preceding couple of years. This is an excellent series, very entertaining, amusing and even making some worthwhile points about important issues.

    Recommended.

Video

    The video quality is very good but unfortunately only 1080i.

    The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 1080i encoded using AVC.

    The picture was quite clear and sharp throughout but not as good as some film based Blu-rays.The shadow detail was very good.

    The colour was excellent, showing off the various locations.

    There was some mild graininess at times and some bits and pieces of aliasing/shimmering during camera pans.

    There are subtitles available in English for the Hearing Impaired which are clear and easy to read.

Video Ratings Summary

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

Audio

    The audio quality is good but a little disappointing for Blu-ray.

    This disc contains a English soundtrack in Dolby Digital 2.0. It is disappointing that a high definition format was not used and even though it is obviously high bitrate DD2.0, there is still a big difference to a lossless soundtrack. Overall the track is fairly quiet and you end up turning your amp up during playback.

    Dialogue was very clear and easy to hear and understand.

    The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.

Audio Ratings Summary

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

Menu

    The menu included music and motion. Subtitles are available for the extras as is a play all option.

Disc 3

Behind the Scenes chat with Amy Williams (4:40) 

    The skeleton rider from episode 1 has a chat to James about her career, racing the skeleton, Olympic selection process and the race with the rally car.

Behind the Scenes chat with Ross Noble (8:09) 

    Ross talks to Richard about his twitter led motorcycle tour of Britain and bikes in general.

James tests the Nissan GTR launch control (5:03) 

    Based on Jeremy's excitement, James tests the Launch control system of the new Nissan GTR and surprises himself.

New Series Intro with Clarkson & May (4:30) 

    Jeremy & James joke about how unprepared they are for the new series on the first day of shooting. Originally released on the internet.

End of Series Wrap Up with Clarkson & May (2:32) 

   Jeremy, James & someone who looks life Richard wrap up the series.

Alice Cooper Lap (2:29) 

    Behind the scenes as Cooper does his lap.

Ross Noble Lap (2:29) 

    Behind the scenes as Ross does his lap.

Jake Humphrey's intro to Sebastian Vettel's Lap (2:29) 

    Behind the scenes as Vettel does his lap with intro by BBC F1 host.

Rowan Atkinson Lap (5:06) 

    Behind the scenes as Mr Bean does his lap.

Bob Geldof Lap (2:32) 

    Behind the scenes as Sir Bob does his lap.

Louis Walsh Lap (5:19) 

    Behind the scenes as whoever this is does his lap.

    This set is available in the same format in the UK.

    The video quality is very good but only 1080i.

    The audio quality is very good but only Dolby Digital 2.0.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall