Why 3:2 pulldown?

[Bozo]

Do I have to do 3:2 pulldown when converting ntsc film at 23,97 fps?
Why?

[mikk]

if you want to convert a 23.97fps (film) movie to 29.97fps (ntsc), u use this.

this just repeats a frame every 3 frames, then every 2 frames, then every 3 frames, 2, 3,2,3,2,3,2,3,2 etc

i advise you not too, because there are more mpeg artifacts.

[Bozo]

how do I know if my DVD-player can handle 23,97fps?
I think my TV can, It has an option for M.NTSC.

[adam]

No tv can play 23.976 fps, that I know of. If you encode your svcd in 23.976fps its going to be played at 29.97fps regardless. The question is whether your dvd player can do a good job of it or not without the pulldown flags. Some dvd players auto telecine all 23.976 encoded material and though the pulldown flags arent necessary in this case, they don't hurt anything either. Many dvd players do not correctly telecine 23.976 encoded svcds unless the pulldown flags are present.

using the 3:2 pulldown flag does not cause more mpeg artifacts, like I said its going to be played at the same framerate regardless. You should always use the 3:2 pulldown flags unless your player has a specific problem with them. While it won't necessarily make your svcd more compliant, it will make it more compatible with dvd players. I know my dvd player wont play 23.976fps svcds without the flags.