We have SMPTE systems in the field that don't support 25fps?!

Yes. The SMPTE compliance is more on the server software side (metadata interpretation, MXF parsing). Where the frame rate capability usually is implemented (or not) in the media block. Dolby managed to make the old DSS100 SMPTE compatible, but it still only supports 24fps (48fps 3D). SMPTE compliance does not include a systems actual capability to play all SMPTE compliant frame rates :-(

But not only that outdated DSS100 is a problematic case - all those systems using a HD-SDI connection towards the server suffer from frame rate limitations in some ways. Some older GDC and Qube servers also suffer similar issues.

I wouldn't care much if frame rates >30fps could only be created using expensive pro equipment (which was the case until a few years back) by educated people.

Unfortunately, many customer type cameras now even default to 50 or 60 fps. Without any warning or hint, people create 50 or 60 fps DCPs without even knowing (I get this type of complaint every few weeks in different places).

I would even go as far as automatically choosing 24 fps from 24/25/50fps and 30fps from 60fps per default as 'use best'.

People need to actively override this choice manually. That could be expressed in the hints dialog as well:

'DCP-o-matic has deliberately chosen a lower frame rate because your source footage uses high frame rates that may not play correctly on many projection systems currently in the field. If you are positively sure about creating a High Frame Rate DCP, you need to adjust the frame rate under the DCP tab manually. Do not choose frame rates other than 24 fps light heartedly'.

This is more or less what I tell people in the german translation currently for Interop frame rate collisions.

This becomes increasingly important as more and more people believe they should create SMPTE DCPs, and with DCP-o-matic creating SMPTE DCP per default at some near point in the future (personally, I hope/vote not before 2.16 ;-) )

• Carsten

The point of this SMPTE transition seems to be evaporating before my eyes! But at least we have encrypted subtitles: phew! ;)

078a0f98e3f741210be7f839292f41f28b6a403e chooses 24/25/30 for 48/50/60 content unless the user overrides, and adds a hint.

Maybe we should also default to 24 for 25 content. I'd really like some numbers about how many non-25 systems there are in the field, but I don't suppose that information is especially easy to find.

Warnings in place for all non 24/48 rates in 9b4c2ae80d83d4e91c2fe9c6704a22aaeb3ee734