EDITORIAL TIMING
Frame Rate and Timebase: What to Verify Before a Conform
Record the exact rational rate, drop-frame mode, start timecode, and boundary convention before converting or conforming.
SHORT ANSWER
The decision in one minute
Frame rate controls playback timing; timecode is an address system. Fractional rates such as 30000/1001 require explicit drop-frame or non-drop labeling. Confirm project metadata before translating cues.
Name the exact rate
23.976, 29.97, and 59.94 are shorthand for fractional rates. Store the exact rate and whether the timecode display is drop-frame or non-drop.
Convert through frames
For comparisons, convert known references to an absolute frame count, retain the starting offset and endpoint convention, then format the result in the destination timebase.
A practical workflow
- Read project metadata.
- Record exact rate and DF/NDF mode.
- Confirm starting timecode.
- Test a known minute boundary.
Primary references
Use the current rule, specification, or manufacturer guidance for your exact situation.