3:2 Pulldown

The process used to convert 24 frame per second film or 24P video into 59.94i video. The term originates from the mechanical action of the pulldown gate in a telecine which pulled each film frame into the imaging area. Technically the 3:2 pulldown process consists of two parts: the slowing of the frame rate by a factor of 1000/1001 from 24.000 fps to 23.976 fps and the creation of a "3:2" field cadence. The 3:2 cadence itself is created by taking one frame of the 24 frame source and filling 3 of the 59.94 fields. The next frame of the 24 frame source will only fill 2 of the 59.94 fields, the next frame 3 fields, the next frame 2 fields, etc. This sequence causes 4 of the 24 frame per second acquired material to fit into 5 frames of the destination 59.94i video. The term "pulldown" is now commonly used to describe any combination of a 1000/1001 speed change and/or 3:2 cadence creation. Also see 1000/1001.