VFR broadcasting

[b66pak]

how often are VFR (variable frame rate) broadcasts today?

can you post some examples of tv shows in VFR?

where can i find stream samples in VFR?

thanks in advance.
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[scharfis_brain]

Star-Trek The next Generation is like VFR:
24fps telecined most of the time
30fps progressive CGI
60Hz interlaced CGI (sometimes)

[madshi]

Isn't saying "like VFR" a bit vague?

AFAIK NTSC/ATSC broadcasts are always 60i. Sure, the encoder might switch between (1) 30p frame based, (2) 24p frame based or 48i field based with pulldown flags and (3) 60i field based encoding. But basically the whole video stream is always lined up to the general 60i/30p NTSC/ATSC time line. So basically if 24p/48i encoding is used, pulldown flags must be used to avoid gaps in the video time line. So IMHO it's strictly CFR. This is true especially because the usual MPEG2 encoders used by broadcasters and DVD authors like to mess up cadences. So even if a stream is encoded as 24p with pulldown flags, it's quite possible that the wrong fields of the original master were mixed together by the encoder.

I think "true" VFR sources are almost always custom created by reencoders by using AviSynth filters like "decimate" etc which will match up fields and output only different frames.

Or am I wrong?

[b66pak]

what about anime shows (Naruto Shipuuden, Bleach)...nobody capping jap tv?
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[b66pak]

is anybody capping battlestar galactica or sanctuary (from sci-fi channel)?
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[belloq]

is anybody capping battlestar galactica or sanctuary (from sci-fi channel)?
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No, but I am capping LOST from SciFi. Are you looking for technical info? If so, in my area, it's 1080i 29.97fps MPEG-2 vid with 384kpbs AC-3 3/2+LFE audio. The video is telecined from 24fps to 29.97 with a pretty reliable PPPIIPPPII 3:2 pattern, so when I encode it, I am detelecining it back to the native 24fps. (Or the "native" version used to encode for broadcast. I have a feeling the original source is not 24fps as the 1080p Blu-Ray looks real good, but I don't know the stream specs on it.)

[b66pak]

thanks for the answer but i am looking on info about any decent SF tv show that combines CGI with film...
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[belloq]

Ah, I see. LOST does use CGI fairly regularly, but the actual duration during any show is fairly limited. (Crashing/landing airplanes on the island, smoke monster, polar bears, etc.)

[paulvdb]

New tv shows that are filmed at 24 fps progressive usually also have their CGI done at 24 fps progressive. The combination of 24p live action and 30i CGI is usually only present in older series.

[b66pak]

what is your experience with ABC's Lost, Greys Anatomy, Desparate Housewives and the so called "frame rape" afecting this shows (and may be other ABC shows)...
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