Animation cel -> DVD process

[mg262]

I'd like to understand the chain of conversions that go into turning an (cel-based) animation from cels to a DVD, particularly with technical details where possible (e.g. CCD properties), but I have no idea where to start. Could anyone give me pointers? Terms to search for would-be great...

Thanks!
M.

[Mug Funky]

as i understand it, there's 2 main methods: all digital, and analog (film).

in the all digital case, the cels and backgrounds are either drawn and scanned, or input directly into the computer, then output from whatever editing/processing programs the studio prefers onto tape, which is then encoded to MPEG-2.

in the analog case, the cels may still be done digitally in high resolution (HDTV or 2k/4k film), or the traditional hand-drawn way, then photgraphed onto film, then shown in theatres for a while, then telecined (for info on the specs of modern telecine equipment, google for "spirit datacine" - the datasheet for that says all you'll need to know), then output either to SD tape or HDTV first, then downconverted to SD, then encoded to MPEG-2 off the SD copy.


the above is the ideal situation - meaning a high budget and modern equipment. often there's unnecessary analog stages in that process, and with old stuff the master could be scavenged from many sources, most of which are nth generation analog copies...

hope this helps :). it's all "to the best of my knowledge"...

[mg262]

Thank you, you've been really helpful (as ever)... I'm still Googling and following up from that pointer. Sadly, it seems that (at least on the old material I deal with) the process might be a bit too complex and/or too variable to use in my original aim of building an intelligent resizer. Back to the drawing board!