The First High Quality (as of the upload date) video of the Pencil Test uploaded to TH-cam.
Common problems with other uploads and why they're an issue:
- Missing Frames
- Using the 2011 Remake Rip
- Using the Gems Collection Rip
- Low Quality Compression
Only a handful of original sketches have been found, none of which are from the Pencil Test sequences. All subsequent releases stem from ripping the original Sega CD (Mega CD) version, which is what this upload is.
-The missing frames issue is a major problem that has affected artists attempting to recreate or study the Toei animations. In some cases, half the frames will be missing. This is probably the worst issue in my opinion.
-The 2011 remake has the frames intact, and even plays the test at the correct speed compared to the original release, but the video quality is very poor, and has been color corrected to the point of details getting blown out.
-The Gems Collection Rip is just a zoomed-in, low quality, color corrected version of the original SEGA CD Pencil Test, with missing frames.
-Low Quality uploads lose precious visual data via compression.
All these things factored in, I felt the need to upload my own version, in HD, with 60 fps as a compression and frame safety net.
Notes about this particular rip and upload:
This video is separated into 4 distinct sequences:
Opening (Running)
Opening (Water Skipping)
Ending Sequence
Movement Test
Each sequence was captured separately in Kega Fusion at Native Resolution (320x224), with buffer frames to ensure the sequence was completed.
Each frame was captured individually and sequentially, one frame at a time via the screenshot functionality (which also frame advances by a single frame). This was to ensure no frame or timing loss for each sequence.
The original SEGA CD version played at half the speed of both subsequent rereleases, and the finished Toei animation sequences. The original pencil test played at only 15 fps. To bring the sequence up to how it was intended to be viewed, the speed has been sped up losslessly (only frame doubles were cut).
The original resolution of the screen was 320x224. This has been quadrupled to 1280x896 to preserve pixel sharpness.
The 320x224 resolution is not 4:3, but it was intended to be stretched to that in NTSC regions (Japan, USA). If 320x224 was stretched to full 4:3, it would've been 320x240. To better represent how the image would've been rendered, the image has been stretched to full 4:3. This decision is supported by the circle test, done on Sonic's hand during the water skip sequence and the spinball during the movement test sequence.
The crossfading at the beginning and end is not ripped from the SEGA CD, but is a post process done to an isolated blank frame. The crossfade was considered inconsequential.
The blank time between each sequence may not be accurate, as a blank frame was inserted. This was done to save time and space ripping the individual sequences, which were deemed far more important than the number of blank frames between them.
Sequences produced by Toei Animation
Sonic the Hedgehog is owned by SEGA
Feel free to use this upload for whatever, as I hope it's useful for archiving and reference.
Tangential Side note:
My Time Attack Total I got so I could rip this ended up at 25' 15"51 on my first try.
I would love to see this pencil test with it's source sketches someday, or at least the source sketches themselves.