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  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.78:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Animated menus
  • Interviews
  • Outtakes
Getaway Volume 1 - To the Sun
Sony Music Video/Sony BMG . R4 . COLOR . 84 mins . E . PAL

  Feature
Contract

That’s right, it’s time to Getaway with 14 of the world’s most exotic locations! But this little reviewer can only do so much without actually going there. If this package is really to be reviewed to its full potential, it should come with 14 return airfares and 14 accommodation bookings to really test out the 14 striking locations. Now that only sounds fair, right?

No offers?

OK, fine then, have it your way – you’re now stuck with a review by a gentleman who hasn’t experienced these places. No, no, no, no “buts”, talk to the hand. Pout. Sigh.

So here we go...

Getaway started screening on the Nine Network Australia as a travel show, showcasing holiday hot spots around the world. Years on, the team still have places to visit, and this DVD is a showcase of some of the best tropical regions from around the world. It’s like the Seven Network’s The Great Outdoors, yet minus the fair dinkum Mr. Dingo. Running for 60 minutes, including adverts, on television, this 84-minute DVD is an uninterrupted jam-packed ad that is of high quality, giving us background information, stories, myths and local traditions of these varied locations. It’s like researching in an encyclopaedia but with video, yet not quite as detailed. Still, at least the titles on this DVD are easier to read than the small encyclopaedia print.

This DVD is perfect for the armchair traveller, there’s no doubt about that. If you don’t like the heat, humidity, jetlag, sand, sun and whatever else you can encounter, this DVD can take you there while keeping you safe and sound in your living room. Get ready to jet off with our host Catriona as we are taken to Tahiti, Hawaii, Micronesia, Indonesia, the Whitsundays, the Greek Islands, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Jamaica, Bora Bora, Noumea, Mexico and the Fiji Islands. At each of these locations we are given a bit of a tour and shown around, giving us at home the chance to see some of these sometimes bank-breaking locations. If you’re planning a tropical holiday and can’t quite decide where to go, grab this DVD as it is sure to give you more of an idea than your usual traveller’s brochure.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

The video is presented in an anamorphically enhanced aspect of 1.78:1. The DVD is presented as one long episode, with most segments in the widescreen aspect, however some of the older stories have bars on each side as they were originally recorded in 4:3.

This is what digital TV must look like. Sharp, static-free and sublime. There’s nothing really to complain about with this transfer – colours are bright yet still lifelike, and shadow detail is adequate. The clarity is just incredible, and the quality of the image is rich and lifelike. Some slight lighting issues during production are a slight reminder that we’re actually watching a television program, and are not there in person. Sigh. Occasionally a relatively low bitrate can lead to some minor compression-related artefacts, if you’re prepared to get out your fine-tooth comb that is. Generally, though, things here look fantastic.

A single audio track has been presented on this disc, and that is a Dolby Digital stereo track, in none other than English. It’s a lifestyle program and you can’t really expect anything stunning on the audio front, but what is presented is neat and tidy. Bass levels are reasonably heavy, giving a nice bottom end to the soundtrack. Obviously there is no surround or woofer activity, and to be honest, it’s really not missed. A heap of suitably-themed music floats over the programme, adding realism, action and life to the segments. Dialogue is spot-on throughout, with no synch issues or distortion. So it’s nothing remarkable, but at the same time, quite adequate.

The 16:9 menus by Sony are simple yet aesthetically suited to both the tone of the programme as well as the look and feel. A piece of audio dances over the top and introduces us to the theme of the show. In terms of extra features, we have a 6:08 interview with Catriona as well as a set of bloopers. These have been combined in the one title on the DVD, with approximately 3:24 dedicated to the interview (Chapter 1) and the remainder (Chapter 2) containing the bloopers. Now for those wanting to travel before 31st December 2003, there is also $30 worth of coupons included for Downtown Duty Free.

Nowhere else can you get such an informative, entertaining and honest look at 14 of the world’s most beautiful locations – and it’s just a pity that this reviewer wasn’t given 14 airfares. But oh well, this disc will have to do. It’s just like the TV show – but minus ads and minus prices. How can you go wrong?


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  •   And I quote...
    "C’mon! How can this be reviewed properly without also receiving some flight and accommodation packages to really test out these destinations?"
    - Martin Friedel
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Philips DVD 736K
    • TV:
          TEAC EU68-ST
    • Receiver:
          Sony HT-SL5
    • Speakers:
          Sony SS-MSP2
    • Centre Speaker:
          Sony SS-CNP2
    • Surrounds:
          Sony SS-MSP2
    • Subwoofer:
          Sony SA-WMSP3
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
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