[59.94p or 29.97i] --> 23.976p

[agni451]

My input videos are either 720p @ 59.94fps or 1080i @ 29.97fps (from TV). I would like to use ffmpeg to decimate that down to 23.976, but the -r 24000/1001 command returns a choppy video. If I run the original atsc video through avisynth with TDecimate(cycle=2).TDecimate(cycle=5) or the ntsc with just TDecimate(cycle=5), I get the 23.976 and it isn't choppy. Is there any way to use ffmpeg to smoothly decimate the video like with avisynth?

[diprotic]

So, the obvious question: if avisynth works, why not use it? But, to address your specific question:

I've been recently disappointed with ffmpeg, specifically producing telecined content (29.97fps playback) from 23.976fps source. After pulling my hair out and even trying ffmbc, I found that mencoder did everything I wanted and more.

mencoder does have a decimate filter, although the documentation describes it in a somewhat different use case. Just for kicks, try mencoder with -ofps 24000/1001 to see if it does a better job reducing framerate.

Also, consider using the latest git/svn of either ffmpeg or mencoder. I've found vastly different performance by changing versions to stable/bleeding/devel/whatever.