Pulldown (3:2)

3:2 pulldown (also called 2:3 pulldown) is the technique used to display 24fps film content on 60Hz video systems by repeating film frames in a 3:2 pattern. The math: 24 film frames per second must fit into 60 video fields per second (NTSC), so each film frame is converted to either 2 or 3 video fields in alternation. The pattern is: frame A → 2 fields, frame B → 3 fields, frame C → 2 fields, frame D → 3 fields, then repeating. Over five frames of film (5×60/24 = 12.5 video fields per second times the film/video ratio), 12 video fields are generated, which matches the field rate. 3:2 pulldown introduces visible judder on motion because not all film frames are displayed for equal duration. It is the reason why pan shots in old DVD-era films often have characteristic juddery motion. Modern delivery typically avoids 3:2 pulldown: streaming services deliver 24p directly to compatible displays, or the display performs its own pulldown handling. Removing 3:2 pulldown (called inverse telecine or IVTC) is essential for working with film material originated through a telecine process — the inverse pulldown recovers the original 24p frames. Tools: dedicated IVTC processors, DaVinci Resolve's pulldown handling, and AviSynth/VapourSynth scripts. Reference: SMPTE RP 168 covers pulldown patterns and conversions.