In this paper, a linear CCD was used to detect the whole physical development process directly on the silver halide direct printing plate. The activity of the physical developing nuclei was also detected, and the influence of the ingredients of the working solution such as developer hydroquinone, silver complexing agent, and the environment such as pH, was evaluated. It was proved that the CCD technique was very successful in detecting the physical development process in the diffusion transfer reversal (DTR) system.