Apple Logic Express 8 - Manual (Page 851)

Chapter 35 Synchronizing Logic Express 851
Frame Rate
This is where you set the frame rate (in fps, frames per second). This frame rate applies
to both transmitted and received time code.
Note: In drop frame formats, certain frames are left out (this follows a regular pattern).
To distinguish between formats, those without dropped frames are sometimes referred
to as “nd” or “non drop”.
Auto Detect Format of MTC
This checkbox, when active, analyzes the incoming time code and automatically sets
the correct frame rate. You should generally leave this option switched on.
Please note that it is not possible to automatically distinguish between the 29.97 and
30 fps MTC frame rates because:
 The MTC standard does not allow a distinction.
 A measured rate of 30 fps could also be 29.97 fps time code running too fast, and
vice versa.
Logic Express automatically interprets frame rates of “approximately 30 fps” as either
29.97 (drop frame) or 30 fps (non drop), depending on whether or not the drop frame
format is used. This interpretation will usually be correct, because these two formats are
used as a standard.
“Auto detect format of MTC” only switches to 29.97 (drop frame) or 30 fps (non drop) if
one of the other conventional formats was previously set. If you want to synchronize
Logic Express to one of these unconventional frame rates, you need to define the
format manually. This setting will not be altered by the “Auto detect format of MTC”
function.
Frame rate Typically used for
24 fps Film, high definition video.
25 fps PAL video/television broadcasts.
30 fps (drop frame) NTSC video/television broadcast; rarely used.
30 fps High definition video; early black-and white NTSC video; older rate that is
rarely used today.
29.97 fps (drop frame) NTSC video/television broadcasts.
29.97 fps Standard definition NTSC.
23.976 fps 24 fps slowed down by 99.9%, which facilitates easier transfer of film to
NTSC video.