Big Brother 2002 on official YouTube channel (Live streamed Aug 8-10)

[Onewishequalstwo]

Can somebody confirm their thoughts on how Kevin’s uploads and the copies compared to what has been uploaded to YouTube from the tapes?

 

[the Theorist]

Can somebody confirm their thoughts on how Kevin’s uploads and the copies compared to what has been uploaded to YouTube from the tapes?

In regards to 2002 specifically or in general?

Well, for starters we’ve never had the 2001, 2002 (+ CBB) and 2003 seasons in anywhere near full resolution before now. In the case of the first two seasons, we’ve also never had them in widescreen, nor every episode (or all portions of every episode) from those two seasons completely available. The original captures of 2002 in particular were also very inconsistent and showed signs of analogue degradation (ironically, the master tapes uploaded to YouTube also have some issues sadly). Although there are a couple major episodes currently missing from the masters, which is a shame - but that’s where having the original captures balances it out to fill gaps.

Also, no disrespect to Kev, but I’d like to point out that aside from the upscaling these can’t entirely be referred to as “Kevin’s uploads”. The original captures from 2001-2008 were circulating for a decade before they started to get uploaded again and again by many people on social media. Kev just spent time making them appear better which, when it comes to 2001-2003, actually makes them look a lot worse in my opinion. Even the original captures of 2004-2008 never looked that bad to begin with. His copies may be the the most prominently available at the moment, but they aren’t the definitive files.

All that aside, you can’t get any better than the original masters that are being uploaded by the official channel at the moment, which is why it’s such a big deal they’re even getting a re-release. They are the original product, sans network indents and watermarks, as they were when presented to the network for broadcast. The only (minor) exception is the quality compression that’s unfortunately inevitable when uploading to YouTube. But the original fan uploads still have nothing on this new quality, especially the early seasons.

So ultimately the two are almost incomparable.

Why do you ask?

 

[Onewishequalstwo]

In regards to 2002 specifically or in general?

Well, for starters we’ve never had the 2001, 2002 (+ CBB) and 2003 seasons in anywhere near full resolution before now. In the case of the first two seasons, we’ve also never had them in widescreen, nor every episode (or all portions of every episode) from those two seasons completely available. The original captures of 2002 in particular were also very inconsistent and showed signs of analogue degradation (ironically, the master tapes uploaded to YouTube also have some issues sadly). Although there are a couple major episodes currently missing from the masters, which is a shame - but that’s where having the original captures balances it out to fill gaps.

Also, no disrespect to Kev, but I’d like to point out that aside from the upscaling these can’t entirely be referred to as “Kevin’s uploads”. The original captures from 2001-2008 were circulating for a decade before they started to get uploaded again and again by many people on social media. Kev just spent time making them appear better which, when it comes to 2001-2003, actually makes them look a lot worse in my opinion. Even the original captures of 2004-2008 never looked that bad to begin with. His copies may be the the most prominently available at the moment, but they aren’t the definitive files.

All that aside, you can’t get any better than the original masters that are being uploaded by the official channel at the moment, which is why it’s such a big deal they’re even getting a re-release. They are the original product, sans network indents and watermarks, as they were when presented to the network for broadcast. The only (minor) exception is the quality compression that’s unfortunately inevitable when uploading to YouTube. But the original fan uploads still have nothing on this new quality, especially the early seasons.

So ultimately the two are almost incomparable.

Why do you ask?

Thanks for that superb feedback! I’m working on a media project at university at the moment, and it’s all quite specific and technical, probably dug myself a hole to be honest making it so in-depth.
So bb5-8, is that upscaling particularly a good job? Haven’t the official page been using some of Kev’s upscaled episodes?

Wish somebody had managed to download the livestream of 3 and 4 and perhaps torrented them as separate files, because it’s going to take them forever uploading 3 and 4 if they’re only putting one out a day?

 

[Being Big Brother]

They are the original product, sans network indents and watermarks, as they were when presented to the network for broadcast.

Some live episodes, that were bleeped on TV, are even unbleeped.

Even the original captures of 2004-2008 never looked that bad to begin with. His copies may be the the most prominently available at the moment, but they aren’t the definitive files.

I agree we'll be more and more into diminishing-returns territory from BB05 onwards, but... as someone who grew up with tvguy's 512 x 288px, 695 Kb/s, XviD TVRips of BB04... my god, the YouTube marathon was everything I've ever dreamed of.

For @Onewishequalstwo:



Especially focus on the faces... notice how Gretel has an eyelid (albeit a blurry one) in the YouTube marathon shot, but still has a creepy half-skull face in the AI upscale because the detail simply wasn't there.

Wish somebody had managed to download the livestream of 3 and 4 and perhaps torrented them as separate files, because it’s going to take them forever uploading 3 and 4 if they’re only putting one out a day?

Someone might be working on separate encodes for BB04 but just doesn't really know how/whether to release them, because they don't feel like doing a piracy on their main Google Account... If anyone has any ideas, someone might appreciate a DM.

 

[Onewishequalstwo]

Wow this is fascinating thank you!! It’s like a beautiful artistic painting if you think about it.
Would love a DM if anybody could help with the files from 3 and 4?

So regarding Kevin’s upscales, are they worth having from BB05 onwards?

I also wouldn’t mind a list of any missing programmes from BB1-4 that weren’t shown from the tapes other than uncut?

 

[the Theorist]

I’m curious why you need this information for a university project? You do realise those files are considered bootlegs and, as a result, are technically illegal?

It makes me nervous just how widespread the existence of the captured episodes are becoming (specifically comments about it on the official channels), and it’s not fair to be putting this website under that kind of pressure. It really should stop.

 

[Onewishequalstwo]

I’m curious why you need this information for a university project? You do realise those files are considered bootlegs and, as a result, are technically illegal?

It makes me nervous just how widespread the existence of the captured episodes are becoming (specifically comments about it on the official channels), and it’s not fair to be putting this website under that kind of pressure. It really should stop.

Oh no… the episodes for myself are for my own viewing pleasure and my own collection lol. The theory of my project is about ai, video upscaling and digital enhancements… of which in 3 years time I need to produce my own 30 minute film on what I’ve learned lol. I make no reference to piracy or share any links, other than saying I would like the bb3 and bb4 files if it’s at all possible. In case I get run over by a bus by the time it takes them to upload them one by one lol.