Below is a small guide to the rating system we use on our web site. Hopefully it should be of some use to those who are after a better understanding of what our ratings mean, as well as a guide for visitors who want to express their opinions.
Each disc is rated in 5 different categories, and each of these categories is given a rating out of 10. Below is a guide as to what value pertains to what sort of opinion you hold, and we recommend visitors submitting their own reviews use this as a reference.
10
Close to Perfection, must have, must see or hear.
9
Excellent, one of the best around.
8
Pretty good, definitely worth getting, or hearing, or seeing.
7
Quite good, more than watchable, fun.
6
Above average, just above the norm.
5
Average, watchable, neither good nor bad.
4
Below average, just about watchable.
3
Poor, not very fun to watch or hear.
2
Awful, a great example of how not to do it.
1
Terrible, offensive even when on in the background.
0
Bloody terrible! Actually worth throwing away.
The average rating of a disc is the combination of all ratings submitted by both our site reviewers and visitors. It is often the most accurate guide as to how good a disc is, since it takes into account a number of viewpoints rather than just one. However, if only a small number of people have expressed their opinion, then things can become somewhat biased towards a minorities view.
The content rating is designed to give you an idea as to what the actual film itself is like. Sometimes discs are produced of a really good movie but other things make the disc worth avoiding. Also some people actually don't care about how good the picture or sound is, so this section solely and subjectively covers the content of the film.
The video rating is concerned with the quality of the transfer to DVD, ie. the picture quality, as well as how good the visual effects and style of the film happens to be. This is essentially a guide to the visual experience of the disc.
The audio rating covers the quality of the soundtrack provided on the disc, in addition to the quality of music and sound effects. This is essentially a guide to the audio experience of the disc.
The features rating is soley concerned with things such as additional features above and beyond the film itself, quality of menus, documentaries and other bonus content.
Finally, the overall rating is designed to be used as a guide as to the discs worth. A great film with a good transfer can be devoid of extras but still worth purchasing, however equally a bad film with lots of extras and a fab soundtrack can be worth a look too. This rating is designed to be viewed as an opinion on whether people should buy the disc, based on all the things that go into making a decent DVD.
