a) SMPTE time code format that skips (drops) two frames per minute except on the tenth minute, so that the time code stays coincident with real time. b) The television broadcast standard for time code. c) The NTSC color coding system uses a 525/60 line/field format, it actually runs at 59.94 fields per second, or 29.97 frames per second (a difference of 1:1000). Time code identifies 30 frames per second, whereas drop frame time code compensates by dropping two frames in every minute except the tenth. Note that the 625/50 PAL system is exact and does not require drop frame.