Drop vs. Non Drop at DVinfo.net

Kevin Lewis · February 6th, 2009, 08:43 AM

Under Signal set-up, there is a frame setting for Drop or Non Drop. Can someone please tell me what this is and where I should have it set to. Thanks.

Marcel D. Van Someren · February 6th, 2009, 09:17 AM

It's a SMPTE time code standard used to compensate for a timing issue introduced when NTSC went to color. You can read the full explination here:
SMPTE time code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Basically, if you plan to have your material broadcast in the US, check with the TV station. They will probably require that you use Drop Frame Time Code. If it's not to be broadcast, then you can use either Drop or Non-Drop.

Kevin Lewis · February 6th, 2009, 09:53 AM

Just read the wikipedia and now i'm even more confused. Is the bottom line that if I dont use drop then TV stations wont air the footage?

Perrone Ford · February 6th, 2009, 10:04 AM

Your footage does not change regardless if you are shooting drop or non-drop. You can change back and forth in the NLE. It's just a numbering system.

Drop-Frame follows clock time, so that when the footage says 1hr, an actual clock hour has passed. This is not so with non-drop as you'd be slightly past a clock hour. Broadcast has to work on a strict time-clock.

Again, time-code is re-assignable after shooting. Don't panic over this.

Kevin Lewis · February 6th, 2009, 11:00 PM

Thanks guys, your input is appreciated!

February 6th, 2009, 08:43 AM	#1
Kevin Lewis Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, pa Posts: 705	Drop vs. Non Drop Under Signal set-up, there is a frame setting for Drop or Non Drop. Can someone please tell me what this is and where I should have it set to. Thanks.

February 6th, 2009, 10:04 AM	#4
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	Your footage does not change regardless if you are shooting drop or non-drop. You can change back and forth in the NLE. It's just a numbering system. Drop-Frame follows clock time, so that when the footage says 1hr, an actual clock hour has passed. This is not so with non-drop as you'd be slightly past a clock hour. Broadcast has to work on a strict time-clock. Again, time-code is re-assignable after shooting. Don't panic over this. __________________ DVX100, PMW-EX1, Canon 550D, FigRig, Dell Octocore, Avid MC4/5, MB Looks, RedCineX, Matrox MX02 mini, GTech RAID, Edirol R-4, Senn. G2 Evo, Countryman, Moles and Lowels.

February 6th, 2009, 09:17 AM	#2
Marcel D. Van Someren Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 325	It's a SMPTE time code standard used to compensate for a timing issue introduced when NTSC went to color. You can read the full explination here: SMPTE time code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Basically, if you plan to have your material broadcast in the US, check with the TV station. They will probably require that you use Drop Frame Time Code. If it's not to be broadcast, then you can use either Drop or Non-Drop.

February 6th, 2009, 09:53 AM	#3
Kevin Lewis Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, pa Posts: 705	Just read the wikipedia and now i'm even more confused. Is the bottom line that if I dont use drop then TV stations wont air the footage?

February 6th, 2009, 11:00 PM	#5
Kevin Lewis Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, pa Posts: 705	Thanks guys, your input is appreciated!