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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.
DVD Aquarium (Remastered) (PAL) (2000)

DVD Aquarium (Remastered) (PAL) (2000)

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Released 23-Jul-2001

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Screensaver Trailer-DVD Fireplace
Rating Rated G
Year Of Production 2000
Running Time 40:00
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 1,2,3,4,5,6 Directed By None Given
Studio
Distributor

Holborne Australasia
Starring None Given
Case Soft Brackley-Transp
RPI $29.95 Music None Given


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame Full Frame English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio None
16x9 Enhancement No
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles English Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

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Plot Synopsis

    DVD Aquarium is not surprisingly a disc containing footage of an aquarium.

    This disc contains footage from two different tropical tanks filmed at the Sydney Aquarium. These tanks are presented as a static shot of part of a larger tank with fish swimming across the frame. The first tank is a tropical saltwater display featuring live corals, anemones and a wide selection of fish. The second tank displays part of a rock wall with similar fish as seen in the first tank. Unfortunately no other information regarding the footage is provided on the disc. A collection of fishographies would be helpful to allow viewers to identify the fish and learn a little more about them.

    This disc was previously released with only a single bubble audio track. A review of the previous version may be found here. Due to interest from overseas viewers a NTSC version was created and an ambient audio track added. Other than the obvious format difference, both the current PAL and NTSC versions are identical.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    The full frame transfer is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The inclusion of a 16x9 version would have been a nice addition to this disc but unfortunately is not provided.

    The transfer is slightly soft as it appears to have been transferred from a DV source and not the higher definition sources we are used to seeing for most DVDs. A small amount of low level noise is visible during the first tank footage but this is very minimal and is not distracting to the viewer. Both tanks are well lit and therefore shadow detail does not become a problem at any stage.

    The backgrounds of both tanks are quite plain but the fish themselves are quite vibrant and appear to be displayed accurately throughout the transfer.

    At no stage were any MPEG artefacts detected during the transfer. At no stage were any instances of aliasing detecting during the transfer. No film artefacts are present during the transfer as the video appears to have originated from a tape source.

    A single English subtitle track is accessible via the player's remote but does not contain any information.

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

Audio

    Two different audio tracks are provided on this disc. I personally did not find either track appealing but this does not pose a significant problem as I would view this disc while listening to audio only sources such as CDs or a tuner.

    The included audio tracks provide the choice between an ambient musical track and a bubble noise track. Both tracks are provided as Dolby Digital 224 kbps 2.0 mixes. The natural bubble mix appears to have been recorded on-site near the filtration section at the aquarium and the sounds of workers are clearly evident at numerous points throughout the mix.

    There is no dialogue and consequently there are no sync problems associated with this transfer. At no stage during the transfer were any audio dropouts detected.

    I personally found the new age ambient musical track for each tank quite annoying, but this may appeal to some viewers.

    There is no surround or subwoofer channel use during the transfer.

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

Extras

Menu

    The non-animated menu is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.

Fireplace preview (1:00)

   This short preview is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 with a rather corny sounding Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack.

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 region free and does not appear to be available in any other region at this time.

Summary

    DVD Aquarium is an unusual title that may appeal to viewers who are looking for a simple DVD-based screen saver.

    The video is adequately presented but the addition of a widescreen tank presentation would have been appreciated.

    The two soundtracks are adequate and may be enjoyed by some viewers.

    The inclusion of some information regarding the fish displayed or the aquariums featured would have been appreciated but unfortunately there are no real extras provided on this disc.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Anthony Kable (read my bio)
Wednesday, August 01, 2001
Review Equipment
DVDToshiba 1200, using S-Video output
DisplaySony KP-E41SN11. Calibrated with Video Essentials.
Audio DecoderBuilt in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials.
AmplificationFront left/right: ME75b; Center: DA50ES; rear left/right: DA50ES; subwoofer: NAD 2600 (Bridged)
SpeakersFront left/right: VAF DC-X; Center: VAF DC-6; rear left/right: VAF DC-7; subwoofer: Custom NHT-1259

Other Reviews NONE