South Park

Volume 1


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Details At A Glance

General
Extras
Category Comedy Theatrical Trailer(s) Yes, 1
Rating Other Trailer(s) None
Year Released 1997 Commentary Tracks None
Running Time 95:55 minutes Other Extras Episode Introductions
RSDL/Flipper No/No
Cast & Crew
Start Up Language Selection then Menu
Region 2,3,4,5,6 Director Matt Stone
Trey Parker
Studio
Distributor

Warner Vision
Starring Cartman
Kyle
Stan
Kenny
Chef
Mr Garrison & Mr Hat
et al
Case Super Jewel
RRP $39.95 Music Isaac Hayes

 
Video
Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame Full Frame MPEG None
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Dolby Digital 2.0
16x9 Enhancement No Soundtrack Languages English (Dolby Digital 2.0, 192Kb/s)
French (Dolby Digital 2.0, 192Kb/s)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
Miscellaneous
Macrovision Yes Smoking No
Subtitles Dutch
French
Annoying Product Placement No

Plot Synopsis

    South Park is a phenomenon that has swept the world. Remarkably, it still airs on SBS in Australia, though I suspect one of the commercial networks will pick it up sooner or later. Described objectively, it is rude, crude, poorly animated and has lousy sound. But it sure is funny!

    The episodes contained on this compilation DVD are;

Transfer Quality

Video

    The transfer is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. It is not 16x9 enhanced.

    The transfer lacked definition, particularly during the first episode (Cartman Gets An Anal Probe), and appeared to be upconverted NTSC. It is by no means unwatchable, just don't expect movie quality, that's all. Shadow detail was passable and low level noise was non-existent.

    The colours were acceptable throughout, though with some bleeding here and there.

    No MPEG artefacts were seen. Video artefacts were not noticed.

    A specific DVD-ROM issue with this disc is that there is some information visible at the very top of the frame which shouldn't be visible - TV overscan eliminates this problem, but this may be an issue for some people as it is quite distracting.

Audio

    There are two audio tracks on this DVD; an English Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack, and a French Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. I listened to the default English Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack, though it is quite funny watching with the French soundtrack as well.

    Dialogue was always clear and reasonably easy to understand, within the limitations of each character. Kenny was particularly hard to understand (grin). There have been some reports of the Region 1 version of this disc having some audio "popping" problems. This was not evident with the Region 4 version.

    There were no audio sync problems with this disc.

    The music was unremarkable stereo.

    The surround channels were not used.

    The .1 channel got called into play by my surround processor mainly during Chef's songs and in the end credits of each episode, but otherwise was silent.

Extras

    The extras are limited on this disc.

Menu

    The main menu is appropriately themed and easy to navigate. It is not 16x9 enhanced.

Episode Introductions

    Each episode is introduced by Matt Stone & Trey Parker, the creators of South Park. Each episode is their favourite. Each episode is Scratch's favourite, too. Whatever these guys are taking, I want some!

Trailer

    This is presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio and with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound.

R4 vs R1

    For all intents and purposes, these discs are the same in Region 1 and Region 4.

Summary

    South Park is crude but it is very funny.

    The video quality is acceptable, but in the grand scheme of things, it is limited by the reasonably poor source material.

    The audio quality is acceptable, once again considering the source material.

    The extras are worthwhile.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Michael Demtschyna
26th August 1999

Review Equipment
DVD Pioneer DV-505, using S-Video output
Display Loewe Art-95 95cm direct view CRT in 4:3 mode, via the S-Video input. Calibrated with the NTSC DVD version of Video Essentials.
Audio Decoder Denon AVD-2000 Dolby Digital AddOn Decoder, used as a standalone processor. Calibrated with the NTSC DVD version of Video Essentials.
Amplification 2 x EA Playmaster 100W per channel stereo amplifiers for Left, Right, Left Rear and Right Rear; Philips 360 50W per channel stereo amplifier for Centre and Subwoofer
Speakers Philips S2000 speakers for Left, Right; Polk Audio CS-100 Centre Speaker; Apex AS-123 speakers for Left Rear and Right Rear; Yamaha B100-115SE subwoofer