Apple Final Cut Pro 5 - Manual (Page 1733)

382 Part V Appendixes
Some digital video formats actually support several frame rates within a single format,
allowing variable frame rate video recording and film (24 fps) compatibility.
Important: Many people round 29.97 fps to 30 fps, but this can lead to confusion
during postproduction. Today, it is still very rare to use a frame rate of 30 fps, but very
common to use 29.97 fps. When in doubt, ask people to clarify whether they really
mean 30 fps, or if they are simply rounding 29.97 fps for convenience.
Frame
rate
Media Description
24 Film;
high definition
video
This is the universally accepted film frame rate. Movie theaters
worldwide almost always use this frame rate. Many high definition
formats can record and play back video at this rate, though 23.98 is
usually chosen instead (see below).
23.98
(23.976) Film;
high definition
video with
NTSC
compatibility;
NTSC This is 24 fps slowed down by 99.9% (1000/1001) to easily transfer
film to NTSC video. Many high definition video formats (and some
SD formats) can record at this speed, and it is usually preferred over
true 24 fps because of NTSC compatibility.
25 PAL;
high definition
video The European video standard. Film is sometimes shot at 25 fps
when destined for editing or distribution on PAL video.
29.97 NTSC;
high definition
video
This has been the color NTSC video standard since 1953. This
number is sometimes inaccurately referred to as 30 fps.
30 High definition
video;
early black-
and-white
NTSC video
Some high definition cameras can record at 30 fps, as opposed to
29.97 fps. Before color was added to NTSC video signals, the frame
rate was truly 30 fps. However, this format is almost never used
today.
50 PAL;
high definition
video This refers to the interlaced field rate (double the frame rate) of
PAL. Some 1080i high definition cameras can record at this frame
rate.
59.94 High definition
video with
NTSC
compatibility High definition cameras can record at this frame rate, which is
compatible with NTSC video. It is also the interlaced field rate of
NTSC video. This number is sometimes referred to as 60 fps, but it
is best to use 59.94 fps unless you really mean 60.
60 High definition
video High definition equipment can often play and record at this frame
rate, but 59.94 fps is much more common because of NTSC
compatibility.