List of framerates with dropframe?

Hi there,

I think you've mixed up a few of your terms here (no worries!), so I'll give you a quick overview and then a link for more info.

• Standard frame rates in NTSC land are 59.94, 29.97 and 23.98. The lack of whole numbers has to do with a lot of boring tech stuff decided back in the b&w TV days, and we're kind of stuck with it. But "drop frame" has nothing to do with these numbers, they are simply frame rates.
• Drop frame (and non-drop frame) refer to the actual timecode, not the frame rate. No frames are actually dropped, but the timecode numbering itself changes. Drop frame alters the timecode to account for the goofy NTSC frame rates so that 1 hour always = 1 hour. Non-drop frame timecode does not allow for this.
• DF or NDF is only really important if you're producing a program for broadcast. And in that case, the broadcaster's specs will tell you whether to make your program dropframe or not. Otherwise, it's not something you need to worry about -- unless you are particular about having an exact running time. If that's the case, then use drop frame timecode so that your running time will match your actual program time.
• To answer your question directly: only 29.97, 30, 59.94 and 60 fps have dropframe timecode options. It does not apply to 23.98, 24 or PAL frame rates.
• I'm not sure what you mean by "target." Like a 29.97 frame rate is not "targeting" 30 fps. Those are two distinct frame rates.

Hope this helps a bit. And here's a link with a little more info (and better technical explanations than I gave): B&H Drop frame article.

Best,

JVK