req: clarification re NTSC framerates and pulldown issues

[absinthecarolinas]

Ok, this is one of those things I keep thinking I understand until ... well, until I realize I don't

I really have 2 questions here, and the first is the biggie ...

Q1:
First off: I have taken a careful look (many times, in fact) at the DVD/VCD/SVCD specifications at the links at the top-left of every page at this site.

I understand the concept of 3:2 pulldown, and in fact I use it frequently prior to authoring (23.976 -> 29.97). I also understand that there is something referred to a "real NTSC video," which is absolutely 29.97 (no pulldown). Correct?

Ok. Now ... What confuses me is that people often refer to DVD being able to play MPEG video at 23.976 ... but I think what is meant is that the DVD standard plays NTSC video at 23.976 with pulldown flags applied. In other words, if MPEG2 video is absolutely 23.976, it will not work on DVD. Or am I wrong? I ask because I keep getting the impression that there are certain video resolutions which you can use which will work (on DVD) at an absolute framerate of 23.976 (internally). I suspect that I am getting an incorrect impression on that, though.

Now, to take this a quick step further, the reason I ask is that I'm just starting to author (S)VCD's. From reading the definitions I refer to above, I definitely do get the impression that on VCD (referring to MPEG1 video), you CAN author using an absolute framerate of 23.976 (no pulldown). Correct?

However, I also get the impression that for SVCD (MPEG2 again), the same rules apply as apply to DVD. I.e., You must either use 25.000 (PAL), 29.97 (NTSC) or 23.976 with pulldown flags. Correct?

In summary, this leads me to my ever-so-brief-and-simple question #2 ...

Q2:
I understand that 3:2 pulldown is only supported by MPEG2 video and will not work on MPEG1. Is that right? That would make sense considering everything I've blathered on about above. :P

I hope someone can clear this up for me so I can stop scratching my head and get on with life ...

Thanks!

-abs

[johns0]

23.976 mpg2 requires 2:3 pulldown all the time to play on ntsc dvd players.
23.976 mpg1 doesnt require 2:3 pulldown and will not work with pulldown.